Our Most Excellent Vacation

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Okay, so I have been trying to get something posted on here about our wonderful, exciting, fun, relaxing, enjoyable, excellent ect vacation and I just haven't got it done.

One day I sat down and thought about uploading some pictures but decided it would take too long and then I decided I could do a smilebox slide show. One thing lead to another and it has taken me this long to final get it posted. So, hope you enjoy the pictures and I am adding a travel log here at the bottom.

We flew out on Thursday which way exciting and stressing. We had to drop Wynter off to leave her with some friends here in town for a couple of days, then they were taking her up to the grandparents for the next week. This was very stressing because we weren't going to see her for 10 days. Looking back, and knowing it before we left that she was way better off staying home still didn't make it any easier. (By the way, she did great, even hugged and loved us after we got home.) Thanks to everyone who took care of her while we were gone.

We flew from SLC to Long Beach and my kids, who had never been on a plane, LOVED every minute of it. Jet Blue is the way to fly, individual TV's and great snacks. Once we landed there we got a rental car and headed down to San Diego. We got to Aunt Tauna's late on Thursday but stayed up late visiting.

On Friday, we headed up to Legoland for the day. We had a total blast. Derringer loved that he could ride everything and all in all it was a great day. Legoland has now opened and Aquarium which we loved. There a quite a few pictures from there. We rode most everything there and really enjoyed it. If you ever get a chance to go there, definitely worth it. Only bad part of the day is when we went to the Bob the Builder show in 4D it wouldn't work. Kinda bummed about that. Derringer got to meet Bob, but was very annoyed when he turned his hat around.

On Saturday, we just wanted a laid back day so we did a couple things in San Diego. My kids really wanted to go to the news station so we went to Aunt Tauna's work. My anchors had their picture taken then stood in the green screen. From there we headed to a beach in San Diego where the kids got to really play in the ocean for the first time. Sakoya, Saige and I stood out in the big ones and had a blast. I only got knocked down once but it was fun. After that we head back to my Aunt's house, had dinner then went swimming in her pool. The pool sits on a hill that overlooks San Diego and you can see the Mexican border. Way cool!!

Sunday morning we got up and headed back to Long Beach to board the ship. We finally got on board about 2:30 PM and then the fun began.

Things I love about cruises:

1. The food is absolutely AMAZING. For breakfast and lunch we just ate on the Lido deck but they have so many things to choose from it was never hard to find something. I personally tried a little bit of everything. Dinner is the best!!!! I made the kids order from the adult menu and they tried out a bunch of new things. Favorites from there appetizer: black tail cocktail shrimp (we had a least 2-3 of these per night) entree: the kids Flat Iron Steak and Dessert: the best thing ever Warm Chocolate Melting Cake.

2. The pools were a blast, they put salt water in the big pools so you can just float on the water. We also loved the water slide and went down it numerous times per day. I personally enjoyed sunning by the pools with my book while the kids played.

3. Camp Carnival. The kids spent time here most ever day. They have so many activities for kids it was fun for them to get away and go play with others their same age. Saige made a friend there and she had a little sister named Faith who Derringer was in love with. She even played in the pool with us one afternoon.

4. Althought the rooms were tiny, it was nice to have someone come in a clean up after us and we always looked forward to the mints at night and our towel animals on the bed.

5. It is somewhat stressful when you get in ports to get to the beach but we loved the time we spent on the beaches in each port. The girls and I went into PV and they all got their hair braided there. That was fun!!

Puerto Vallarta's beach had the softest, finest sand and we loved playing there. This is beach we also found the most shells at. I found a way cool double shell thing here. Koya dove in the water to get it for me.

Mazatalan was pretty and we loved the waves that we played in here. The beach we were at was a little rocky but we still had fun. We had amazing views from this beach.

Cabo San Lucas, what can I say but it is georgous there. We took a water taxi out to the see the arch and the rocks there. Got to see some fish in the glass bottom boat and it was cool. We then went to beach to play in the water there. The water in Cabo is sooooo blue and pretty. Loved this port.

6. A cruise is a great way to relax. I loved that there was time on the ship to just hangout. No need to rush anywhere, no trying to come up with where and what to eat and how much it will cost.

7. The SUN. We got lots of that and it felt so good to just sit in it.

8. Fun activities. They had a family scavenger hunt which was a blast. Pictures from every floor, doing crazy things, ect. Because it was Halloween we dressed up for dinner one night, went trick or treating on the ship, had a family costume party, way fun!!! We also watched movies on a big screen on the Lido deck, had an ice cream eating contest, cookie decorating ect.

9. In order to avoid gaining too much weight, I tried to take the stairs most of the time wherever we went and got up every morning to run on the treadmill. One morning while I was running I saw a whole bunch of dolphins swimming by the ship. Workouts with a view, really cool.

10. The opportunity to go someplace and see new things. My opinion is every one needs a cruise in their life. I am already trying to think how to save money so that we can do this again. It was definitely an experience we will never forget and we enjoyed every minute of it. When Sunday came I didn't want to get off the ship.

Well, that about covers it. We had a blast and would go back in a heartbeat if we could. I could probably go on forever about how much fun we had but I would just bore you all to death.

Bottom Line: Absolutely Wonderful Vacation!!!

Cruise, cruise, cruise!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We are going to be in California in 4 days!!!!!! Monday 3 days!!!!!! Tuesday 2 days!!! Wednesday 1!!!!!!!!!!!!! Then on Sunday we are going to be on the ship!!!!!!!!!! Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!! love, Sakoya

Random pictures and events

Here is a picture of the family pictures I bought. We got some real good pictures.

One of the reasons that Morgan is growing on me is that we have the most amazing sky on some nights. I love to take pictures of them because they are sooo crazy cool. The storm was rolling and it looked amazing. This picture does not do it justice.

Instead of buying school pictures, I took this one on picture day, doesn't Saige look cute.

Here's the one I took of Denali. I think it is way cute!!!

One Friday, Sakoya's friend Shaylee came over and the kids decided to decorate my driveway with a big Go BYU sign, it turned out way cool. Here are some pictures of the process.

Sorry, this one is a little blurry but this was during the process of chalking the sidewalk.

Here they are all sitting to the side after they got it done.

They all layed by the letters they worked on, Thanks Shaylee for the idea and helping with the GO BYU project.

s

Hey!!!

Hey guys what is up? This is Sakoya and I would like to say Hi!!! And my mom hasn't posted anything sice September!!! I would like anyone who sees this to write a comment because I like to read them!!!

The past couple of weeks.

The MHS girls soccer team was selling family picture settings. We took advantage the last weekend in Aug and got some family pictures taken. I took this one, the rest can be found at liviadesigns.com/portfolio
Would love for you to go there and take a look at the pictures and let me know which one you like best, I need to order soon. Go to client proofs then onto MHS soccer mini sessions, Jones family. Following the pictures, we headed to Idaho for the baby blessing of cute little Brixton. My kids plan for the day was to SWIM, SWIM, SWIM. So we did just that. In the afternoon, Liz came over with her kids the they had a ball playing in the pool. It was so great to get to spend some time with the Renzello's. Later that evening we went and captured the Adams kids and then we went swimming some more. The following picture is what I found in the hotel room after everyone was dressed after swimming. These kids just pick up right where we leave off and love to hang with the Adams'.

Since school started here in August and Preschool didn't start until after Labor Day, Derringer has been ready to go to school forever. This picture was taken at 8:15 on the first day of preschool. Unfortunately, he doesn't go until the the afternoons at 12:30. He was dressed and ready with the girls but had to wait until after lunch. He wouldn't take his backpack off though and wore it until we got to preschool and I made him hang it up.

Outside with the girls waiting for their carpool to come.

He loved preschool but cracks me up daily when he tells me about it. Best part is the fact there is a little girl in his class named Chloe. ( There is a little girl in the ward with the same name who Derringer has liked since we moved here but the one in the preschool is a different one.)

First day of school, "How was school today?" His answer, "Great!" I ask "Do you like the kids in your class?" His response, "Everyone but the Fake Chloe."

Poor girl will probably get called the Fake Chloe all year. Don't know anything about her but hope he warms up to her so she doesn't have to be the Fake Chloe.

One last picture. Here are the two little ones outside helping Jeramy. I don't think I ever let the older girls just play in the dirt like this but Wynter just needs more outdoor time and I don't let her get it. Between the allergens in the air and the grasses that make me itch so bad I don't go out with her enough. Saturday she got some time outside with the boys and this is what I found. Needless to say she got a bath soon after this was taken. She was having fun though.

First Day of School

School started here on August 19th. I think my kids were excited but I was not. For one we had a really short summer and two I was so not ready to have a schedule again. Our days before school consisted of getting up when we were ready and then cleaning and running to Lagoon if the mood hit.
Now, however, Sakoya's school starts at 7:45 and I have to but up and running for the rest of the day because by the time I drop her off, I need to start getting Saige and Denali ready to catch the carpool ride at 8:35.
There goes my lazy days of summer, and here comes the days of schedules and activities.

Sakoya the first morning,

off to the 7th grade.

Denali takes a better picture when

I let her pose.

She keeps telling us she is going to

be a fashion model and well as a designer.

Saige always squints in pictures, I tell

her to smile with her eyes.

Here is that result. She looked

dang cute as she walked out the door.

Oh well, nothing that I can do but roll with it. Derringer doesn't start preschool until the 8th so I will get some pictures of him them. He is way excited to be a big kid and go to school. He walked around one day with his backpack on already to go to school.

Tankini Dilemma

Here is the dilemma, Sakoya and Saige were both wanting a tankini this summer and I could not find any that suited my need for covering their cute little bodies. My sister found a website that is called limericki which has very modest tankinis with not so modest (cheap) prices. I loved them but couldn't afford them. Needless to say I was trying to think of a way to do it when we were at Lagoon a beach one day and I saw a tankini that had a ruffle on the bottom. I then started looking online and found some at Old Navy that I thought I could make work. We went into SLC one night and found the blue and white striped top on clearance for $4 and we came home and I ordered the rest.
Here is a picture of the before tankinis. Too short waisted for my girls.


Here is a picture after when I cut out the center and added another strip about 3" in the middle of the top. I bought an extra top and cut it up to make it work.

Needless to say, they now have tankinis that are now longer and more covering than the rest of the Old Navy tops.

Each suit, top and bottom cost about $12.50 plus some shipping and handling costs. Not to shabby I say.

I think they turned out pretty good and the girls like them.

Can you believe it?

We were talking with some friends yesterday when I realized that it was exactly two years ago that we made the big move to Utah. For the most part, it has been a good thing and we have all adjusted quite well. I have to say that living where we do with the amazing views has definitely been enjoyable. After going home to Oakley for my class reunion, I am reminded of why I like it here, plain and simple, living in the this part of Utah reminds me of home, and that is probably why we have adjusted so well.
I think, however, the hardest part to this adjustment is that I still miss my Chubbuck friends (you know who you are). If we could just get those husbands of yours to find jobs in my neck of the woods, I would house hunt for you all in a minute and then life here would be perfect.
I am amazed that it is has actually been 2 years. So much has happened,
1) Sakoya will be a seventh grader with all the class changes ect and she goes to Young Women's,
2) Saige has been 2 years seizure free and will go in a for an EEG in September to see if we can kick the meds, she is also growing like a weed and is catching up to Koya rather quickly,
3) Denali was starting preschool when we moved and will now start 1st grade next week,
4) Derringer will be going to preschool and has finally found a friend who lives just a couple of doors down (this is great news for him, he needs boy interaction),
5) Wynter, who hadn't even made her appearance before the move is definitely a mover and a shaker now, we love to turn on the music and watch her dance (we laugh at her moves).
Jeramy's job is going great and is the best part of the move, his stress levels from work dropped so much with the hospital job that life is much easier now.
I am sure that there will be more trials to come but I am grateful to say that we survived the first two years quite well and hope that there will be many more to come in this great valley.

What happened to July???

So I am posting a ton of pictures because I have been terrible about it during the month of July. I really don't know where the time has gone. It seems July just started the other day and now it is the beginning of August. We are now 18 days away from school starting and the July is gone. Here are some of the highlights of the month.

We spent quite a few days spending time

at Lagoon, here is a picture of Derringer

on the helicopters.

Wynter all costumed up looking very cute!

These pictures were taken at the The Wyatt Family Reunion.

This is were the two streams met. The kids loved playing here.

Wyatt Family at what we called Tent City.

The kids playing games in the lodge.

Sitting outside the lodge just talking and catching up with the Family.

Grandma Kenna and Wynter going for a walk one night.

(Wynter had the cutest little hop walk as she went up the hill)

HOORAY, no more cast, after 5 weeks we were more than ready to say GOODBYE!!

A family picture one day after Church.
(My Kids say we never have one, this might be as good as it gets.)

While in Burley for the 24th, the grain field was perfect for picture taking. I snapped away for two day. Here are the the kids. Not perfect but pretty good.

Just the girls, Derrringer had fallen asleep.

Bubba in one of his more cooperative moments.

Wynter, not so happy in the field.

The day before a little happier.

Saige, loving the picture thing.

Koya

Nali

On the 30th, Saige had an appointment at Primary Childrens. Afterward we went to the Oquirah Mountain Temple Dedication.

It was a beautiful day, at a beautiful temple with our wonderful family.

In front of the fountain at the temple, Bubba is barely there and was not about to have his picture taken willingly. (That's my son for you.)

San Antonio Convention

This is the River Boat that we rode around the Riverwalk in San Antonio, if you have never been there, this place is amazing, like a little city in the middle of the city, resturants, hotels, I-Max, a mall, city buildings, the convention center ect. They all connect to the riverwalk.

This was one of the amazing buildings, can't remember what it was though.

This was way crazy, this tree is growing right out of the wall.

This waterfall was on the Riverwalk, it was gorgeous but not my favorite place as a bird decided to leave its mark down my shoulder while I was taking pictures. (It was disgusting.)

One night NATA hosted the Welcome Reception in a place called La Villita. They had all kinds of games and things to do here. I challenged two of my college friends to a race. Bruce won (obviously) then Dave, I got killed.

This was a huge obstacle course, wishing my kids had been with me to play on these.

The ALAMO

We took pictures at night when it was cool then visited the museum part when it was open in the day. Lots of Texas history here.

Had a wonderful time. The keynote speakers were two Athletic Trainers who told about the aftermath of the Marshall University plane crash in 1970. It was absolutely riveting and I don't think there was a dry eye in the place. It was an amazing experience. Went to some great classes. Survived the 95 degree weather with 65% humidity.

Bangs and the Cast

Here is a picture of Sakoya with her bangs and the cast she got on Tuesday. Amazingly, it is BLUE. They did have other colors but of course there was only on color for her.

I had signed her up for basketball camp and it is this weekend. She has been going, I hope she is learning from watching because she comes home saying they don't let her do much.

Derringer's 4th Birthday

Derringer's 4th birthday was on the 28th of May and I have been meaning to post the pictures. I can't believe that he is actually this old. All he wanted was a 4 wheeler with a button that opened his mouth. (After seaching I finally found this fully fuctional toy for about $350.) When I told him this was not possible we ended up with a 4 wheeler cake instead. He had a great day when all was said and done.

A BROKEN ARM!!!

On the last day of school, June 4th, Sakoya went to her friends house to play. They were riding scooters, going down and hill when things got out of control and she crashed. The result, a broken arm. ( I signed her up for basketball camp, volleyball camp and she is going to girls camp in two weeks) Here is a picture from the emergency room. She goes to the ortho on Tuesday for casting. Currently wearing a splint with a sling.

At least she broke the left one, if you look just above the wrist you can see an abnormal bump. ( Sorry to say I don't know how to rotate this picture.)