Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Texas!!!

This is us 10 hours into the drive to Texas. You can tell who has done most of the driving. We were both so excited to take a little road trip. Just the two of us hanging out in the car with a blow up mattress taking up the entire back of the car leisurely taking our time, enjoying the scenery and each others company. The topics of conversation can be very interesting when you are trapped in a car for 16 hours. After many stops to see little towns, shop, eat, get gas, use the bathroom, ect. we finally made it to Dallas Texas where we got to visit and stay a night with John and Jessica and their family. It was so fun seeing them. We miss their family so much but are excited that they are moving to Utah in about 2 weeks that will only put them 6 hours away. We had dinner with them and visited until late hours of the night. The next day while John kindly did some dental work for Steven, Jess and I went out shopping and found some great stuff. They took us to lunch at the best BBQ place hands down and then we had to say our goodbyes so we could travel to Houston to meet up with my family. It was a short visit but well worth it.
Our gorgeous views as we drove the 3 1/2 hours to Houston Texas.
We met up with my brother Josh and his family. My mom and dad along with my sister Kristy and my nephew were there too. The reason for our journey to Texas was to be there with my brother and his wife Amber as they went through the temple and be sealed together with their boys.
Doing what we do best. Playing games and eating food.

We all went to the Nasa Space Center. It was really cool to learn all about the space ships and astronauts and everything that goes on with a space launch and mission. There were neat artifacts, educational movies, information on all the space missions and an amazing tour where we got to see an actual space shuttle (the ones they used to use) I couldn't believe how ginormous it was and to know that the entire shuttle was full of fuel except for the very front which was so tiny compared to everything else. We were able to see the original space command center for all the Apollo missions. I love the movie Apollo 13 and so to be in the exact room where the actual mission took place was so amazing to me. I left the Nasa center feeling pretty smart. HaHa.






A mock up of the car they drove on the moon


The original space command center for all the Apollo missions. We were sitting in the room that US presidents would sit and other historical people while they waited for astronauts to come home.


This guy was one of the tour guides. He knew everything there was to know about the space craft. Why you might wonder, well his dad was the guy who wrote all the books for the space shuttle. All the information that astronauts needed to know about the space craft he wrote. So needless to say we picked his brain the whole time and learned a whole lot more because of him.

What a trooper!
This is what the space shuttles look like now.
This is what the space shuttles used to look like. This is an actual shuttle that was built for a mission but the budget got cut when world war 2 broke out so they put it on display. The thing is huge.


That small triangle thing is where the astronauts would stay.
All those cylinders would be full of fuel.


After the space center we drove to the beach where we went on a ferry that you drive your car onto and go across the ocean. I have seen these things in movies and so it was neat to actually be on one. Besides the fact that mosquito's were everywhere and the next day counted 42 mosquito bites, yes 42, it was a fun experience.


We then went to the ocean and had a little fun with the camera.








Then the best day happened. We went to the Houston temple and were there to see my brother and sister in law first, go through the temple, then see their family be sealed together for time and all eternity. It was a very special day. One that I will not forget and I am so grateful that I was able to be a part of it.


We went to a fabulous place for dinner. Those places where they cook your food right in front of you. It was delicious. We were then sad to have to say goodbye and start our 16 hour journey home. The week was so wonderful. I loved seeing our families and spending time with them.
Our journey home. We made it in one piece and were more than excited to see our kids. What a fabulous vacation we had!

I love it...

I love watching this kid play football!!!


Scouts...

Katon earned his bear in scouts. I am very proud of all his hard work. Great job handsome!

My little mess maker...


Sunday, September 12, 2010

Football...

I never thought I could love football more than I already did until I watched my son play his first game. I was one proud mama!!! Katon did an awesome job. He was the first guy in on the tackle for kick off returns and did a great job as safety for his team. Katon LOVES football. He has practice 3 times a week for 2 1/2 hours and never gets tired of it. He lives and breaths football and I have his 2 uncles to thank for that!
So proud of you Katon! I love watching you play!!

Wednesday, September 08, 2010

Graham Cabin...

By fantastic luck the Graham Cabin was free for Labor day weekend. So very last minute we packed up the car and left. It was heavenly! I love going to Graham Cabin. We spent our time outdoors hiking to lady bug saddle, exploring, trying to catch lizards, reading on the porch swing, playing games, watching the kids have so much fun together, having pine cone wars, taking naps, sitting outside enjoying the beautiful view of city lights with my hubby, drinking hot chocolate, and making tons of memories! It was such a treat to go and enjoy family time!





We made it to lady bug saddle and were thrilled to see that there were still millions of lady bugs!



He LOVES his boy.! There is nothing like a father and son!


I am telling you there were millions of lady bugs! It is the neatest thing to see!


Katon and Mikelle playing Racko

They had fun climbing huge rocks!

Chasers just loving everything

Funny story: So the kids really wanted to catch a lizard and they were having trouble. Steven decided he would catch one for them. For about 6 hours on and off he tried to catch this lizard. He would spend about 30 minutes quietly sneaking up on it only to have it get away when he tried to grab it. This scenario went on forever. Finally after what seemed like all day he gave up. We began playing a game on the kitchen table and a few minutes later Kayla comes in holding the lizard yelling, "I caught it, I caught the lizard." Steven then had to walk in shame knowing that his 6 year old daughter caught the lizard and he was unsuccessful.

His new face...

CLASSIC

Lettuce anyone...

I feel like I have vegetables growing out of my ears!!!
I LOVE MY GARDEN!!!

Katon's Birthday!!!

Well my first born has now entered the double digits! I can hardly believe he is 10 years old. I told him that he will always be in double digits from now on and he said "no mom, someday I will be 100." It was a crazy day between football practice, dance, and mutual but he was a trooper and was so patient even when we didn't get to his birthday dinner until almost 8:00. Katon is the most easy going kid I know. He just rolls with the punches and is happy all along the way. He is so obedient and always tries to make right choices. I can already see such a strong testimony in his heart. He is a great big brother and takes such good care of his younger siblings. He is a great friend to all. Steven and I were talking the other day about how mean kids can be and that it gets worse as you get older and when we thought about it we could honestly say that we have never heard or witnessed Katon saying anything bad or mean about any of his friends or classmates. It made us very proud of our son. I can remember how happy I was when I found out that I was having a boy. I always wanted to start my family with a big brother and my Heavenly Father blessed me with the best big brother and son I could of ever dreamed of. HAPPY BIRTHDAY KATON!!! WE LOVE YOU SO MUCH!!!
Katon's Birthday Breakfast:
Crepes with strawberries
Sausage
Chocolate Milk