When the youngest gets a hold of your phone...

A Monster is born!

For Christmas, 2015, L received 1 month of Martial Arts lessons from World Class Martial Arts School. (Thank you Grandpa Ross). Anyway - L had his first classes this week and he LOVED it - and that's putting is mildly. 

At the end of 2 classes, L was awarded his White Belt and 2 degrees...so he's moving along and LOVES every minute!

hi

HAPPY 2016
I'm still around...that is all!

Moldy Skin

L is hilarious - if you didn't know that already. On a daily basis he says something that makes us smile - or just bust out laughing until our sides ache! Here are some recent ones:

*When asked "What does a 60 year old Grandma look like?", L responds: "they have white hair and moldy skin!" - I'm pretty sure he meant "wrinkly" - but "moldy" is what came out - so moldy it is!

* While doing homework, L was told that the harder he works, the bigger his brain will be to which he replied "do you really want my brain to explode? You'd have to clean all that up you know!"

* During dinner, Tim told L to "try it" (it was something we don't normally eat) - and L said "Fine, but if I die, you aren't allowed to come to my funeral because you killed me" - then L put the food in his mouth and promptly dropped his head as if he were dead!

* Nearly every SCHOOL day, L groans when told it's time to get up and responds with "but oooo, my back hurts - my legs are tired - I can't get up"

* Dad - I think I have an astigmatism (while rubbing his eyes) - not sure where he got that one, but ok!

* went to the store and I put some bananas in the cart. Then L also put some bananas in the cart. I explained that we don't need any more, I have some to which he replied (with a HUGE rolling of the eyes) - "I'm buying these myself, for my monkey - duh" - uh, ok?! hehee (it should be noted that he did, in fact, pay for those bananas with his own money)

Anyway - the list goes on and on and I just wanted to remember a tiny bit of it!

Cruise to the Caribbean - 2014 - part 3

WELCOME TO COZUMEL!

 We got up and watched the ship port every day! Because of this, we were also able to see the sun come up each day. What a beautiful sight! On Monday, we made our first stop - Cozumel, Mexico!

 Before we got off of the ship, I tried to send the kids a message, but for whatever reason, the message system wasn't working properly. I would get a few lines typed and it was send it or erase it - depending on the mood the system was in!! Fortunately we later discovered that my computer would work faster from our room and after that we didn't have any more problems. Carnival has a system where you can send messages through their message board and you aren't charged internet time. It was so awesome to get to send and receive notes from the kids all week long!

 LAND HO'! They let Tim off the ship!!!

 the Carnival GLORY - isn't she pretty?!

 We ported in Puerta Maya!

 We learned that every Monday there is a flag ceremony that involves the military, navy and local school. We happened to be at the flag while this was going on - it was a neat sight to see!

 "Mr. Whiskers" fit right in!! (that was the nickname given to him by the locals - I think it's gonna stick for a long time!)

 Hey Mr. Frog!!

 Of course we made our traditional stop at Pancho's Backyard!! SO SO YUMMY and you can't beat the view!

 mmmmmmmm

 Becky tried to flip me out of my hammock but she didn't succeed! It was so peaceful - I could have taken a nap!

 On the ship that night, I enjoyed a delicious veal Parmesan dinner!!

We were just ahead of a storm so the waves were really big. This picture doesn't do it justice- but it was fun to watch the ship hit the waves that would create giant spray!
We enjoyed our day in Cozumel. We didn't do any special excursion or anything like that - we just walked the streets and looked at stuff that you don't typically see. We found the post office and got our passports stamped- so that was cool!! The weather was wonderful too - not too hot or humid. It was a great day!

Cruise to the Caribbean - 2014 - part 2

On Friday night, we decided to find a beach! South Beach, I believe, and it was so fun! The water was warm and we exfoliated our feet by walking and walking along the beach for a while.

 Saturday finally came and we loaded up the car early to head to the airport in Miami. We returned the car at the airport and hopped on a shuttle that would take us to the port.

 YAY for shuttles to the Port of Miami!!

 We made it!! Our shuttle drive was incredibly grumpy - I think he needed a cruise...or a girlfriend!

 So, we got checked in and they called our number and it was time to board! Becky was super excited and she took a bunch of pics!! I was thrilled too - another cruise - another break from reality - ah, I love it!!

 We got on the ship, took a deep breath and headed for the FOOD!! Becky and I found the fish & chips while the boys went off to find whatever it was that they found! Can't you see the excitement on Becky's face?!

 One last phone call before our ship sets sail!! HI KIDS!

 You KNOW I had the strawberry bisque! SO SO YUMMY!

 Of course I decorated our door. This year I did a peacock! I also found these little conversation bubbles that you could use dry erase markers on. We left notes on our door to let the Smith's know where were were, and they did the same - it was so fun!

 BECKY won a medal on our FIRST sea day!! She is a trivia queen! Way to go!!

 Tim won a Ship on a Stick too - he's the trivia KING!

 Look - I found CUBA!

 YAY for Formal night!! You two look FABULOUS!

 It's always fun to dress up for dinner!

 We told Will that you can eat just about anything you want on the ship - so he tried to eat the table decoration! HEHEHEE

 Our room steward, Tris, was AWESOME!! We had lots of fun little towel animals each night. He even made sure our ice was always fresh and one day he even put ROSE PETALS in Will & Becky's room since they were celebrating their anniversary!

Becky and I are having FUN FUN FUN!! Here we are, shuffling cards, waiting on the boys so that we could play a game of Pennies on the ocean!!

cruise to the Caribbean - 2014!

 So, on October 8th, Will & Becky and Tim & I, loaded up in the Smith's vehicle to drive 8 hours to Denver, Colorado, where we would board a plane bound for Fort Lauderdale, Florida - we're going on a cruise! Will was our fearless driver - yay Will!!

 Tim was super excited to be driving though Wyoming!

 We got to Greeley, Colorado, where we met up with Shani and she took us to the Denver airport so that we wouldn't have to park there for the week! THANK YOU SHANI!! Our flight was a true red eye flight - leaving Denver at 11:59pm!

 We arrived in Fort Lauderdale at 5:30am, got our rental car and headed to the Waffle House for breakfast! Will & Becky had never been to a Waffle House - so it was really fun to experience that with them! I, for one, LOVE the Waffle House and I was so happy that we got to go!

 You can't really tell how tired we truly are because we were so excited to be in Florida!

 We located our hotel and promptly fell asleep in the car. Around 8am-ish, Becky couldn't take it anymore and she went in to see if they had a room ready! (check in wasn't until noon!) The poor lady at the desk took one look at Becky, took pity on her, and got us a room. We unloaded the car, went in and all of us took a much needed nap - we were pooped!

 The pool was warm and the palm trees were beautiful - yay - we're in FLORIDA!

 on Friday, October 10th, Becky made an appointment for us to attend the Fort Lauderdale Temple! This temple was dedicated in May of 2014 - and it was so lovely to be there. The walls on the outside were slightly pink - to match the landscape - it was beautiful!

YAY for doing temple work!! We got to do a session, and then we saw the baptismal font, and then we were asked to do sealings as well! It was a fantastic day and I'm so happy that Becky made this suggestion. I loved being in the temple with Tim and 2 people that I've come to love so dearly. I loved sharing this experience with all of them!