We hardly saw the STRIP at all, which was plenty for me with all the pornography that lines their billboards. We did go long enough to see lions at the MGM Grand and the M & M Factory. We mostly wanted to go on some fun hikes that we had seen our friends taking in pictures on their blog.
This is not a great picture of Deeken's lip, but he tripped while walking and had his hands in his pockets, and couldn't catch himself. His lip swelled right up. He later bloodied his bottom lip by hitting his chin on Noah's knee. Poor kid.
This is Carly and her two youngest. She was such a trooper to come with us after only having a baby a few months ago. She was a great tour guide. Her love for the outdoors is very contagious, and we hope to do something like this again with them in the future. Does Kentucky have any fun hikes Deb? We might even see you while we are there too...hee hee.
Love this picture of him....this small doesn't do it justice, but he is just so freaking handsome.
They love boulder climbing. I caught my breath more than once while watching.
Noah really was the STAR of this trip. He has a real knack for hiking, and I think it will be a great Father and son activity in the future. It was really nice to have him and Noah find something they loved so much together.
Can you see the caterpillar on John's hand. Jo thought it was super cool...but she thinks anything that moves is pretty cool.
This is in the Valley of Fire. It was a fun little hike called White Domes, and it even had a slot canyon.
Noah was great at climbing, and tried to be patient as Micah tagged along. I thought she did amazingly well myself.
See those three dots on the top of that rock. That is John, Noah, and Micah. They were moving around a ton up there, and it was freaking me out. I was very proud of them, and very happy when they were back on the ground.
See that smile on his face, he was in heaven. He knew it was not my FAVORITE thing to do, but that I tried to like it for him. I didn't mind so much. I did like it however, that he let me go to Target three different times to find good deals on after Easter toys. :)
We had a great time. Thanks to the Syndergaards for hosting. What a great spring vacation.
We had a wonderful Easter Egg hunt at my parents house this year. My kids had a blast and as always were spoiled.
Look at that silly face!
Sometimes, I am so awe struck at how beautiful kids movements are. I love Micah's hand in this picture.
Not as impressed with the tongue sticking out.
We had a great time mom and dad! You made it very fun and special...and yummy too, the dinner was D-licious. Thanks for coming Brian and Family. We always LOVE to see you.
We decorated eggs with my parents. I personally was just glad it wasn't Easter Sunday before we got it done. That's what happened last year. We didn't get them done until that night. They are always worth doing. John has such an artistic mind that doesn't get used very often. I think this is one of his favorite traditions. I Loved having my parents there. They were great with the kids as always!
I hope you have/had a Happy Easter.
We finally did it. I was going to make her wait until her birthday, but dad wanted to be there, and WHO knows when he is going to be home. My thought was she would get her ears pierced when I did, at 6. I remember my class going on a feild trip to see the HAFB Museum, and I didn't want to go. So my mom said we would have a girls day instead. She took me to lunch and then we went to ZCMI to have my ears pierced. It was a total surprise to me because I thought we were waiting till I was 8. I loved it.
At least we made it to her Birthday month. She looks adorable, and is so proud. She didn't cry, although she did tear up. We did it the day school got out for spring break, and she had ants in her pants to get back to school and show all of her friends. She is so awesome, we love her.
About a month ago, I was with some of my in-loves and John on our way to the outlets. He was telling them about some of the abortion debates that are going on. There is a new test that can be taken within days of conception to tell you whether you are having a boy or a girl. It has never been mistaken yet, and yet if this test were to be given it to the public, could you think of the amount of abortions that would take place because you aren't going to get that boy/girl you were always hoping for. It would be insane. John was telling them without having a moral compass, you could easily be swayed by the medical community to think that abortion is ok, and completely the women's choice to decide what she wants to do with her body. Later when I was talking to my sister-in-law Joanne, she was telling me about a book she had been reading. I don't remember the details but she told me that like what John said without a moral compass you could get lost very easy. She remarked about how grateful she was for general conference and the reminders it gives us to rise up and be better then we are. Which is exactly what conference reminds me to do too.
I wonder what those who have not experienced a LDS conference would think it would be about. I have heard people speak negatively of the people who lead our church. I would be surprised if they could say the same thing after listening to them speak. They give hope, and peace. They teach repentance, forgiveness, and love. They might not immediately believe them to be apostles of Jesus Christ, but I doubt that they could say they aren't followers of Him.
I Love this 6 month reminder the Lord has given us. It always gives me strength to rise again, and want to be better then I have been. It straightens out my moral compass, and gives me hope that everything is going to be alright. It makes me want to be a better mom and wife. It makes me want to have a closer relationship with my Savior and Lord Jesus Christ. I am grateful for a living prophet to receive revelation and insights from our Father and His Son.
Conference is so Amazing!
I know that it is Easter weekend, but conference is on Saturday and Sunday. Turn in on! Oregon and Washington both have it available on some of the public stations.
I went to get the mail, and there it was, a letter from the U, so I called John and asked what he wanted me to do. He told me to open it. I told him, we didn't get in, not even wait listed. He said, "Are you fooling me?" I told him no, with great big tears rolling down my cheeks. We were both feeling like this was a rotten April fool's joke. We knew we were in for a big adventure, we just didn't know where yet.
So next I did one of thee hardest things I have probably ever done, and went to tell my parents. My dad was out back, and so I walked in the backyard, and told him, "Dad, I know you are not going to believe me, but this is not an April fool's joke...we didn't get in at the U." He just looked at his 8 month pregnant daughter, who was holding her not yet two year old son, looking for some smile that I might not be able to hide. But there was no smile. So he threw the shovel he was holding, and came to give me a big hug. Then he wanted to see the letter for validity. He was very emotional as only fathers who are tender hearted like him can be. He would miss me, of this I was very sure.
In all honesty I can't remember how my mother found out. She too was pretty heart broken. They wanted John to call the U to make sure there hadn't been some mistake. They didn't understand then, nor did we, the journey the Lord had planned for us for our growth.
I would NEVER take back my experiences in Oregon. I miss Oregon extensively. The people we meet will change our lives forever. It will always be our home away from home. I may have grown up in Utah, but I learned to be a grown up in Oregon. The Lord knows us, and what is best!
