It's Too Hard to Catch Up

Ok.  Since it's been almost a year since I last blogged, I think I'll do a catch up in the non traditional way.  Here is one random picture from each month that I didn't blog this past year.  Let's see what we find.

This actually happened in February, but it was in my April folder.  :)  We were on our way to Utah for Winter Break and decided to stop and see Grandma at her retirement home in Nampa, ID.  I'm so glad we did.  As it turns out, she passed away only a few months later.  She is a sweet woman.  I remember from her funeral that my cousin Thane talked about Grandma's homemade bread.  Everyone loved her homemade bread, but it wasn't just the bread, it was the love served with every slice, it was the effort she put into loving people.  Warm and comfortable just describes grandma so well.  I remember her stories, not only Chickamee and Chickamaw and The Mighty Hunter, but her stories from her life too, like being President Monsons teacher and the one where she had to step down as primary president to be the cubscout den leader. (I told that one recently at a visiting teaching conference).    At the time of this picture Grandma had fairly advanced Alzheimers.  She repeated the same stories and same questions over and over, but it is telling what she repeated so often.... she shook the boys hands and reminded them they needed to have a good strong missionary hand shake, she told Lizzy over and over how beautiful she is and she told us about when she was a teacher.  Such a sweet experience.

Coincidentally, this was the only picture in my May folder.  My Dad and his siblings at Grandma's funeral.  So I will just add one more memory of when Grandma was dying.  Her children gathered around her bedside during those final hours and they sang. They sang primary song, hymns and silly songs, but it was beautiful.

Blurry picture, but fond memory.  This was on our cruise to Mexico over Spring Break.  It's weird that Grayson looks so little here.  What a difference 8 months makes.  Here we are at the dining room where we ate most nights on the boat.  This picture reminds me most of the magician that came around to our table amazing and fascination the kids.  He was tons of fun and had the kids cracking up.  We kayaked at Catalina island and did some bartering in Mexico as well.

Good summer fun with the Watkins and the Strongs.  Look at that beach... and we LIVE right here.  Amazing.  Also... so blessed by these good friends.

Yellowstone with the Goodrich family!  We visited the park and played on the lakes for days on end.  This random picture is a bunch of grandkids who were just hanging out on Grandpa's bed.  I know we had bigger adventures than this one, but somehow I like to remember the kids piling up to hang out with Grandpa just as much as anything else.  LOL!

Just hanging with friends at Forest Park.  I don't care if you are 4 years old or 13 (or 37).... these swings go so high.  They are awesome.  

Family photo taken on Sam's baptism day.  Sam's baptism was so special with he and Cameron being able to do it together.  I felt such a sweet spirit there.  I mostly will remember, though, how Sam cried.  He was so emotional after the baptism and I wasn't sure if he was upset about something.  But when I got a chance to talk to him, he assured me that he just felt really really good.  I wonder if he'll remember how he felt.  His tender heart is something I feel blessed to have in our family.

Although they may have been exaggerating their excitement a bit in this picture... it really was just a bit.  I took these two to see Piano Guys perform and they were SO excited.  It was an awesome show!

It was uniquely special to have Grandma and Grandpa come stay with us for Christmas.  I thought I might feel resentful or something about having to share this special time with anyone else, but I decided that to share something you love is really so much more precious.  It somehow expands.  Aren't I insightful...?  Haha.  Really though, I remember feeling that way... like I really loved being able to share all of the traditions that have become important to us with someone else.  It made it even better.

Lizzy's basketball team came over one night to hang out.  Here is her amazing coach, Bryan, joining in on pie face.  They had a blast.  

Kauai

Time for some picture overload.  Aaron and I have tried to do something big and ALONE as a couple about every 5 years.  We celebrated our 15th anniversary this past December and decided that it is time again to take a trip.  We went in February.  It was a bit chilly for the first few days we were there.  Not cold, just not laying on the beach type of weather.  So the first day, instead of snorkeling as we'd planned, we spent the day doing a wonderful 8 mile hike along the Napali coast.  No doubt one of the most beautiful hikes I've ever done.  We hiked along the coast for the first few miles and then up to a beautiful waterfall.  

We loved these little (well...big) sections of bamboo along our hike.  Kind of an amazing plant.

After our hike we stopped at a few different beaches.  It was too cold to relax on the beach, but we got some incredible views.

Day 2 was this helicopter ride.  Absolutely amazing.  Except that I got super motion sick about 20 minutes in, which is especially bad in such an enclosed space and sitting thigh to thigh with a stranger... so I missed quite a bit of the views since my eyes were closed trying not to throw up.  Aaron assured me though that it was incredible.  

 Day 3 and perhaps my favorite adventure was Captain Andy's boat tour... again... along the Napali coast.  80% of this island has no roads so the only way to see it is hiking, helicopter or boats.  We didn't want to miss anything so we did them all.  The boat was awesome.  Same wonderful views, but with the added benefit of the splashing water and wind in your face and dolphins and whales... yep we saw giant whales leaping out of the water.  I didn't catch a picture because I was too busy watching, but it was amazing.

I did get some dolphin footage but will have to add it in later.  I'm having technical difficulties.

 The next day we spent on the beach.  It warmed up nicely for us and Aaron and I both got to do some awesome snorkeling.  Just right along the coast we were able to walk right in and see amazing colorful fish and eels and coral.  

 And sunsets....

 These pictures are just to remind me that on Kauai... there are chicken everywhere!!  It's crazy.  Hike up the mountain to a beautiful waterfall... chickens, hanging out on the beach... chickens.  Trying to sleep in at your hotel room... roosters!!  They only woke me up the first morning we were there, but it was definitely weird to get used to.  

 The next day (what day am I on?) we went to the other end of the island to see Waimea Canyon.  

We had planned to go kayaking the next day, but it had rained the night before and the river was too high to allow for kayakers... so we went to see the view of the river instead.  Yep... pretty full.  

The last day was church and headed home.  We ate amazing food all week long.  Aaron is helping me learn to like fish and I confess I  had some amazing sushi, fish tacos and poke.  Now we are just wondering when we will manage to get back there.  Farewell Kauai... until next time!

Pre-teen

So a teenager AND.... a pre-teen!!  AHHHHH!!  Just kidding....it's actually not so scary either.  In fact... I can't say enough good things about this kid.   Andrew is just so good hearted... really and truly.  He's the kid who leaves me a nice note on my bed and who tries to make sure everyone gets included in a game.  He is able to lighten the mood with his silliness and growling.  He's definitely moving into the big brother teasing mode, but usually doesn't push it too far.  He got double birthdays this year.  We celebrated once with Aaron and I before we left on our trip to Kauai.  Then... he got to celebrate again with Grandma and Grandpa while they were here taking care of the kids while we were gone.  2 of Andrew's presents did not work when they were put together on his birthday.  You might think a normal kid would pout a bit or be upset, but Andrew seems to know how to be gracious... even as an 11 year old.  He was wonderful and his new (and not broken) air hockey game is getting a lot of use now.  

Happiest of birthday Andrew!