California, here we come! ~ Day 2

On Day 2 of our trip, we went to SEA WORLD! I LOVE SEA WORLD!!! This is so weird, even to me, because I have a very real ENORMOUS fear of fish and water creatures. However, I still LOVE Sea World! I think it's because of the shows, and what the animals are able to do. It's pretty amazing stuff.

We got there 15 minutes before it opened, and went inside SUPER excited to be able to share this cool place with our kids for the first time. They had no idea what to expect, but I'm quite sure they were NOT disappointed.

Our first stop was to pet the dolphins. They were a little distracted by a photo shoot they were doing, so we left and headed to the Shipwreck Rapids ride. We rode it twice because it was so much fun. Our second time through, we got SOAKED! It was so much fun, and totally broke the ice for the kids. After that, they were hooked!

Next, we headed to the Shamu show. We made a few stops along the way to see the star fish and a couple of aquariums (which I stayed outside for). Stepping into the Shamu show, the girls decided that they wanted to sit in the "soak zone". So, down they went to the 6th row.

Those of us who wanted to stay a little dryer stayed up a few rows.

Cute Tater came back up to us right before the show started, and she's so glad she did because we ended up getting this shot with Shamu right at the end of the show. So cute!

After Shamu, we had some lunch, then headed to the dolphin show. It was my favorite thing of the day. It was AMAZING! So much talent involved in putting it together. Here's a few shots from before it started. We didn't take any after pics... We were too busy drying off. We got TOTALLY SOAKED! It was pretty awesome!

Do they get any cuter?!?!?

After the dolphin show we hit the sea lion and otter show. It wasn't as well done as I remember it, but the kids LOVED it. For some of the kids, it was their favorite thing of the day because there was so much humor and silliness involved.

After that, we headed to a couple more rides, and attractions before heading home.

It was a great day! I think the kids are hooked on Sea World!

Finally, we headed home to rest up for Day #3 of our trip...

Stay tuned...

California, here we come! ~ Day 1

WE LOVE FALL BREAK!!! Our modified year-round school schedule means 2+ weeks off school during October. We usually plan our family vacations during this time. Amusement parks are empty, and beaches and roads are clear. It's awesome! This year we decided to take the fam to San Diego, CA. We've been to CA a few times, but not to San Diego since our kids were old enough to remember. So we planned a GREAT trip full of LOTS of fun things to do and see.

Our kids are great travelers. They've always been really good about not complaining on road trips. They do whatever they need to do to entertain themselves.

Here's what I saw every time I looked back to check on them...

Tatum...

Harley...

Chandler and Shelby...

After arriving at the hotel, we rested up for the events of our big trip.

Our first full day in San Diego was filled with fun! First, we went to the USS Midway in the morning. It was so cool! Walking all through the ship, we could see all the ins and outs of an aircraft carrier. Chandler and Eric were in heaven!

Here they are in the brig...

In the cockpit...

Flying the jets...

Getting their junior pilot's wings...

Next, we went to the Hard Rock Cafe'. Chandler got a cool hat there, and Harley found the only thing in the place that was louder than her... A Harley-Davidson motorcycle.

Next, we went to the Mormon Battalion Museum. We've been there before, but they have completely redone it since the last time we were there.  Now, they follow the story of Zemira Palmer, a 17 yr old boy who was too young to join the battalion, so he served as an attache' to various military leaders. He happens to be a relative of ours, which made the story even that much more meaningful to us ad to the kids. Zemira's mother, Phebe Draper Palmer Brown, was one of only 4 women who went all the way to CA with the battalion. Her husband was Ebenezer Brown, part of the "A Company".

The kids really enjoyed it. They even dressed Chandler up as a soldier...

Finally, we went back to the hotel for some dinner, swimming, and relaxing. Then, off to bed. We needed to rest up for Day 2 of our trip... SEA WORLD!!!

To be continued...

Peach season!

We love Utah peaches! This time of year makes us very happy. We like to can them-- "assembly line" style. It's a fun time spent together.
The assembly line goes as follows: I blanche the peaches. Then, Harley and Tatum peal them...

Next, Shelby and Eric cut them into pieces and put them into the jars...

Lastly, I fill them with the liquid, close them, and place them in the water bath. (Chandler usually helps, but he was mowing the lawn this year while we were canning.)
Here's the finished product...

 Unfortunately, these are so yummy that I'm afraid they won't last until next peach season.

Churchisms

Our kids' primary teachers are SOOOO good. They work so hard to prepare meaningful lessons for their little classes. And they're teaching our kiddos so much.
Today at church Harley and Tatum were learning about keeping the sabbath day holy.
Harley's teacher asked, "How do we get ready for Sunday, on Saturday?" To which Harley replied, "Torture my brother... It's a Saturday chore. If I do it on Saturday, I won't have to do it on Sunday."
Tatum's teacher asked what they should do on Sunday. To which Tatum responded, "Hunt for praying mantis.-- Get it?... PRAYING mantis!"
Oh man! At least their Primary teachers have good senses of humor. Thank goodness!

How did I miss this?!?!

The kids started back to school on July 23rd. Somehow I missed blogging about it. Oops!
I know, July 23rd seems really early. But, I really love the modified year round school schedule we have. Mostly because it gives us 2+ weeks off in October, 2+ weeks off in Dec/Jan, and 2+ weeks off in March. The breaks really keep the kids from getting burned out during the year, and from getting too bored in the Summer.

Anyway... This year, Chandler started Junior High, which is SUPER weird for me! He's very involved in band, and is LOVING it. Junior High is totally perfect for him. He's loving hanging out with his friends, and learning to be a teenager. It's pretty awesome!

Shelby is in 6th grade this year. She is already excited to be in Junior High. She hasn't decided yet if she want to be in cheer again this year. She still has time to decide before they start. Choir will start after Fall Break, and she wants to do it again this year so she can get more experience before she tries to join choir in Junior High. She spends all of her recesses in one of the 1st grade classrooms. She and her friend, Maddie, go in and help the teacher and kids with whatever they need. She LOVES it, and I think the teacher genuinely appreciates her help.

Harley LOVES her 3rd grade teacher. She's a great balance between fun and educational. Right up Harley's alley! Harley loves to read, write, and draw, but she's not a huge fan of math. She's making new friends, and they're very nice girls. Being in 3rd grade means she can join the choir. She is SO EXCITED about it, she can hardly stand it! She's also quite the fashionista, and loves putting together cool/cute outfits.

Tater is just as cute as a button! She's in 2nd grade this year, and loves to learn. She's reading like a maniac, and is so excited about this big world that's opening up to her. She has a fabulous teacher that we are lucky to have this year. Her BFF ended up in a different class this year. She was very disappointed at first, but she's making lots of new friends, and it's been good for her to be on her own a little bit. She looks up to her sisters so much, and can't wait until she's big enough to do all the cool things they're doing.

It's been a great year so far, but it's going SO quickly! I don't love that, because it means that my kiddos will be all grown up before I know it. Blech!

Labor Day Festivities

On Labor Day we decided to just spend the entire day playing! It was awesome!

We started the day with 2 hours of bowling, complete with lots of root beer and laughs...

Harley and Shelby had a blast, and did well. (Mostly because they were using the bumpers, but I'm not judging. :) )

 Chan had to get the hang of it, but had fun once he did...

 Tater got super into it-- lining up the track every time. It was pretty funny...

After bowling, Eric and the kids went and did the bumper cars. We've had such a serious last few months, it was nice to see him brake loose for a little while.

Next we went out to lunch, then home to relax and watch a movie.

Later that night, Chandler taught u show to make homemade ice cream in a bag... It was yummy, but we'll have to double the recipe next time. There just wasn't enough. LOL!

It was the perfect, most relaxing day! Just what we all needed!

I guess this means business!

A couple of weeks ago, we received a box of tithing donation envelopes in the mail. Oddly, they had Eric's info on it. :)

I know that's the way it's supposed to be, but it just seemed to feel strange to me. I guess that was the first time I'd really seen his name written next to "Bishop".

So, there are constantly things to teach us to be flexible and go with the flow... even though it's SUPER DUPER WEIRD!