Seriously, getting my children to stop fooling around long enough to get a photo is almost impossible. It's like a 3-ring circus and they're all the clowns!

We had a wonderful Easter Sunday remembering our Savior and His love and sacrifice for each of us. I'm thankful for the gospel of Jesus Christ and for the Atonement.

Aloha...

Kregg and I just returned from a 10 day stay in Maui, Hawaii. I've wanted to go to Hawaii for forever, and so to celebrate our 25th Anniversary we planned a trip there. It was wonderful. What can I say?? If you've been, you know what I mean. If you haven't been, I highly recommend it. We did so much (mostly snorkeling), but it was also the most relaxing vacation we've ever had (maybe because we didn't have any kids with us?). Maui is beautiful. I love the ocean. I could sit on the beach for hours and not get tired of it--but I also love to get in and swim and snorkel (except for the two times I got caught up in an under tow, etc. and had to swim for my life to make it bake to shore--you may think I'm kidding, but I'm not. It was pretty scary, and I could see how even experienced swimmers could easily tire and drown. It shook me up, but obviously not enough, since it happened again a few days later. The first time I was out snorkeling by myself-stupid!-and got caught up in the current. I was too far out for Kregg to realize I was having problems, but thankfully I made it back in. The second time I was with Kregg and my brother, Jared, and we got out pretty far and the current was continuing to take us out to sea-I kept wondering why all the fish were swimming in the same direction. Kregg helped me get in that time-he was determined that I wouldn't leave him with 8 kids to raise!) Despite these two experiences, I continued to snorkel but without any other problems. We swam with fish and turtles-what a blast! The weather was great and the scenery unbelievable. We went to a ward in Lahaina for church on Sunday and I had the opportunity to be the pianist(they didn't have one there that day). How fun! My brother and sister-in-law, Jared and Randa, were also there and we had a lot of fun with them. I think Kregg was hoping this trip would get 'Hawaii' out of my system, but I think it has just wet my appetite to go again. It really was such a fun time and I loved seeing everything on Maui. The slide show is just a glimpse of all we did. It's a lot of photos for a slideshow-sorry- but since I took over 600 while we were there, it's really just a drop in the bucket. Aloha...

Karsyn turns 4!!

Karsyn turned 4 yrs old on March 3rd. Kregg and I take each one of the kids out to dinner for their birthdays (by themselves). We asked Karsyn where she wanted to go for her birthday and this was the dialogue that followed:

Mom: Where do you want to go to eat for your birthday?
(Karsyn stands there thinking)
Parker: Karsyn, go to Denny's. They have moon and star chicken nuggets, and lots of fries, and lots of other stuff that you can eat. Pick Denny's.
(Karsyn is still thinking)
Mom: Where do you want to go?
Parker: Denny's Karsyn--and I can go with you.
(Karsyn still thinking)
Mom: Come on, Karsyn, pick somewhere.
(Finally...)
Karsyn: (she looks up with a satisfied look on her face, presumably because she finally made a decision!) I want to go to Tatum's house to eat. (Tatum is her cousin, and obviously she would rather be there than at a restaurant)

We couldn't stop laughing. And Parker informed her she couldn't go to Tatum's house, so Karsyn picked Denny's (house--she thought Denny was a friend of Parker's and that we were going to his house--too funny.)

But we had a fun time at dinner with Karsyn. On Monday night I invited my parents over and my sister Robin and her family(Tatum's fam) over for hot dogs and cake to celebrate Karsyn's birthday. I made her an 'Ariel' birthday cake which she loved. We had a fun time. Kass and Nate are in town right now for Nathan's medical boards so it was also nice to have them there.

I can't believe Karsyn is already 4. Where does the time go? She and I are best gals because the rest of the kids are in school all day, so it's just Karsyn and I. Karsyn is a fun little girl who loves her friends and can't wait for Parker to get home from school to play with her. She loves her Sunbeam class and teachers and loves going to Primary. They adore her also. She gave her first talk in Primary a couple of weeks ago and did a great job. We love her very much and are so thankful she is part of our family. Happy Birthday, Karsyn!!!

Birthday Boy!

February 5th was Parker's 6th birthday. It seems like he's been waiting forever for it to come, and then it's over so quickly. He wanted a "Superhero' party. I wasn't up for a real big party (Kregg's been in Las Vegas working, and I've been real busy), but I told Parker he could invite 4 friends over after school. He loves to play Bingo (which we play a lot and the kids get prizes when they win - I'm sure that is the main attraction), so we played Bingo for his party until every child had won a prize, opened presents, and ate cake. It was short, sweet, and I think the kids had a good time. I decorated a Batman cake for him. I made the same cake years ago for either Steven or Dustin and did a much better job with the decorating(I think I had a lot more time on my hands!). This time I did it all in about 45 minutes, and unfortunately, I think it shows. Oh well, Parker was happy and thought it was great, and that's all that counts.
Parker is a wonderful boy and we love him very much. He's sweet and patient and very loving with others. One of his favorite things to do is have his cousin, Satchel, over to play and spend the night. We are very grateful that we have Parker in our family.

February 3, 1984

'25' Years of Living, Laughing & Loving

Today Kregg and I celebrate our 25th Wedding Anniversary. Wow- when you say the words, it seems like forever, but in reality it has passed rather quickly and it's hard to believe that much time has passed by. I guess that's because I love him so much. We've had ups and downs, and I'm sure we'll have more, but we've been very blessed thus far in our marriage, both with each other, and with 8 terrific kids, a good son-in-law, and 2 cute grand-children. (ok, now I'm aging myself-so sad!) Unfortunately, we aren't spending our anniversay together. Kregg is out-of-town for the week working--bummer, but we're going to Hawaii in March, which is going to be great. A package arrived for me today from Kregg, and when I opened the boxes I found a beautiful necklace and bracelet. I love the gifts, and I love Kregg even more. He's a wonderful husband and a great dad. I'm very thankful for him and all he does for me and our family. Here's to Eternity together!