Sweet Times in San Diego

We were lucky enough to spend about 4 days in San Diego with the Wright family. They drove from Salt Lake and met us there. After lots and lots of phone calls, we were able to book all our nights at the Coronado Island Navy Lodge. It's a fantastic hotel that is right on the beach.We got there Saturday evening and the kids played a little at the park there at the beach. Sunday morning Jared made us find a church to attend (just kidding, Jared!). After sacrament meeting we drove to the beautiful San Diego temple and got some great pictures. Lucy kept asking to go inside and could not be convinced that she wasn't allowed. She finally asked, "Why can't we just sneak in?" You'll see she's wearing her lovely pink cowboy boots. She could not be swayed away from them.The next day we attempted a morning at the beach, but it was pretty cold. We only lasted an hour or so and then we headed back to the park closer to the hotel. That's where we spent the majority of our time. It was great being able to just relax and watch the kids play. Kalleen and I sneaked away for a shopping trip at the outlets nearby. It was nice spending time just us.Tuesday we went to Sea World! What a day! It was full of fish and fun with just a splash of tears. Graham couldn't understand why we had to wait in line to do the little rides. He screamed the whole time we waited. He did enjoy meeting Bert and Ernie, though. The kids loved seeing Shamu and Lucy has decided she wants to be a whale trainer when she grows up. On the way back to the hotel she asked me , "Will they teach me how to be a whale trainer in kindergarten?" We explained that she would have to go to a special school to learn how after high school. She then asked , "How will I know where to go?" We told her that we'd help her find it. She surprised us with the next question, "Well , what if you die?" Some of my favorite moments from the trip:
-Playing games with the older kids in the field across from the hotel as we attempted to get Graham and Kate asleep first.
-Our talent show in the dark in the aforementioned field.
-Hanging out and talking outside our hotel room after the kids finally all fell asleep.
-Eating out at the creamery and letting the kids have their own kid table.
-Watching the kids eat their cotton candy as we waited for a show to start at Sea World.
-Listening to the little conversations that Lydia and Lucy would have.
-Our super stressful, but kind of funny attempts to get the dang dolphins to come by us so we could feed and pet them.
-Graham yelling super hard at the mini kite we were flying at the beach.
-Jason calling Jared "Bishop" after we decided to do church on Sunday.
-Lucy calling Lydia "Olydia". We have a little girl in our ward named Olivia.
We always have such a great time with the Wrights! We're so glad we were able to go and that the hotel situation worked out. Thanks for sharing such a fun time with us!

We're back!

Well, after almost 4 weeks away, the kids and I are back! We made the treacherous drive on Monday. We left at 6:30 in the morning and 13 hours later pulled into our garage. Yes.....I drove my kids and I 13 hours without help! I am actually quite proud of this accomplishment. I kept my cool and didn't lose my temper even once (well, maybe once when Graham was yelling so loud I couldn't hear what Lucy was trying to tell me). There were a lot of treats and a couple not so pretty potty stops, but we made it. By the end of the drive, Graham was tired. He had only slept a total of 45 minutes out of the 13 hours and finally fell asleep when we were 4 miles from home.

We had such a great time in San Diego and Utah and I know most of you have been waiting on the edge of your seats to hear about it. I'll get around to posting soon!

It's good to be back, but we sure miss our family and friends. At least every 1/2 hour, Lucy would say, "Mom, I'm still kinda sad that we're going home." If only I had video taped her farewell to her cousins. Oh the drama! Weeping and wailing and lots of questions, like "Why don't we get to live by Grandma!?" and "Why can't Dad just come here!?" and my personal favorite, "How many moves until we live by Abby and Oliver?"

Good Times!

We have had quite the week! We spent 4 days last week in San Diego with our good friends, the Wrights. We played at the beach, ate out, and spent a day at Sea World. Pictures and details to come as soon we make it back to lovely Lemoore.

I caravaned (is that a word?) to Utah with the Wrights while Jason made his way back to Lemoore for work. We decided to have him ride the train so we didn't have to drive separate cars to San Diego. Well, he missed his train and ended up having to ride the bus all night and then go to work as soon as he got home. Not fun, but he, of course, took it all in stride and was able to find the humor in the situation. Poor guy can't take off 3 weeks to spend with family. Lucy misses him. She keeps saying, "Why can't he just come here and go to work with Grandpa?"

We've been here since Thursday and it's been good times all around. I've been shopping (without the kids), to the movies (without the kids). Lucy and Graham are having a great time with their cousins. We've got a family reunion coming up and a whole list of things to do while we're here. Saturday is the big race! YIKES! Thanks for all the well wishes!

We sure miss our Daddy! Anytime Lucy is upset, she thinks all would be well "if Daddy were here". Happy Father's Day, Sweetie! We love you so much!

Here we go again......

As of today I am officially registered to participate in the Cache Valley Triathlon this month. Last year I did the sprint distance and this year I'll be doing the Olympic. For the most part, I'm pretty excited. As some of you might remember, my brother and I did the San Francisco Triathlon, but the swimming portion was cancelled due to an oil spill. So, this will be my first full Olympic distance race.

The distances are: 1 mile swim, 24 mile bike, 6.2 mile run. Training has gone pretty well. I definitely could be doing better, but oh well. I dread doing my swimming workouts. It's just so boring. No music and no change of scenery. I feel pretty good about the biking, although I really need to get some padded shorts or a new seat.....yikes! Has anyone used the padded shorts? I've been wanting to buy them for a while, but I'm worried about running in them afterwards.

Only 16 days until the big day.

Pizza Night

Lucy loves making pizza with her Dad. It's one of our favorite family meals and is one of the very few foods that the kids will eat. We use Rhodes Rolls for our dough. We usually put two rolls together and then we can personalize everyone's own little pizza. Lucy LOVES pepperoni (her list of likes is EXTREMELY small, so it's strange that pepperoni makes the cut). She asks for them plain all the time.

Jason is so patient to let her bake with him all the time. I have a hard time letting her do much because of the mess, but he doesn't mind. I just love these pictures of the two of them laughing and working together.

Memorial Day Fun!

Last weekend we had a get together with a bunch of families from our ward. We met at the church and played games and ate great food that everyone brought to share. Lucy has so many little friends in our ward. This is Sophie, Charity, Karly and Lucy.
We played volleyball and kickball while all the kids either played or just ran around the gated area we have in back of the church.

Here's Graham chillin' out on the coolers with our buddy, Paige. We sure love our ward! We have such fabulous friends that are so much fun to spend time with.

Have you seen this show?

Jon and Kate plus 8

Do any of you watch this? It's on TLC and I think it is so entertaining! This couple has twin 7 year old girls and six 3 year olds. They had sextuplets! I can't even begin to imagine. There are at least 4 episodes on every Monday and I always have to check and make sure it's not an episode I have seen. It's incredible watching how they take trips, plan birthdays, eat a simple meal, etc. We watched one a couple weeks ago of their trip to the dentist. Every time we watch we seem to spend the whole time saying, "How in the world!" or "Imagine having 6 Grahams!" or something to that effect. If you haven't seen it, and you have cable, check it out!