2016 ninety-five

We had each of the kids choose a fun thing to do on our Spring Break trip.

Abby and Cade both wanted to go surfing at the Flowrider back in our old stomping grounds, O Town.

We found some good deals online and had a blast trying to catch this wave...

First-instructions, then let's do this!

 His face says it all (like usual)

All business!

 The Surfers!  Right on duuudes!

Our next stop was to this sacred place, Brigger's grave in South Ogden.

Blessed

2016 ninety-four

We used all of our data and then some streaming 4 hours of General Conference 
on 4 different devices while driving to Utah today!

It was definitely worth it though.

Elder Holland's talk was incredible to finish this amazing conference.

Our favorite quote-

"Keep loving, keep trying, keep believing, keep growing.  
Heaven is cheering you on today, tomorrow, and forever."

2016 ninety-three

Yet another one of the things Bree loves to do...

PACK for trips.

  

I'd say it is one of her strengths...

Every last thing that is going on this trip is labeled, including her blankie, purse, & herself!  he he

At least one of us is ready for our Utah Spring Break Trip!

I have to admit, I'm a General Conference Nerd.
I LOVE it so much & try to instill the same love in my children.
I want them to remember General Conference as something
they looked forward to like Christmas with yummy treats
& a spiritual feast.  I want them to know it is one of the
best ways to find answers to their questions in life.
Current, up-to-date solutions & insights are given to help 
with the struggles & complex issues that are bombarding them from every angle. 

Bree's all set up!  Bingo is always a hit.

 We wrote down our questions before Conference

And a family favorite...
Mystery Treat Bags to open when the prophets 
& apostles have their turn speaking. 

2016 fifty-nine

And here is the whole crew after church!

Thanks for hosting such a great weekend, Becca!  
Now for the 7 hour drive home...
Totally worth it!  I can't wait until next time. 

Anny, Becca, Kass, Abby, Aliza, Brooklyn, Brynn, Bree, Elle, Rhonda, & Maren

2016 fifty-eight

This morning we did a session at the Billings Temple.  Afterwards, we spent 45 minutes in the celestial room talking about Dad, Diane, Briggers, & just life!  It was awesome & felt like a little glimpse of heaven.  

Next, we spent most of the day at the kitchen table sewing away.  Meet my sewing sisters.  Too bad I don't even know how to sew anything except a straight line, but at least after the class yesterday I know what all the buttons and settings on my machine do. 

I did sew a baby blanket & even added fancy embroidery stitching around the edge

Rhonda made a super cool beach blanket & Becca & Anny made...

drum roll please...dresses!  I know, right?

I was so impressed with their determination & skills.  I have to keep telling myself-baby steps!

 We pulled ourselves away from the sewing fest for a yummy dinner at Enzos tonight.  The gourmet mac & cheese & creme brulee were so delicious!!

2016 fifty-seven

It was hang out day for the cousins while the Moms went to a very important sewing class to educate us on our new machines.

I love how close these girls are.  
It's hard to imagine one without the other.

   Aliza took the girls to the temple for baptisms this morning, then on a shopping marathon while we were gone.  They all found some fun stuff. Love the hat, Brynn!

Aliza & Abs

They look so old in these pictures it kind of freaks me out!!

2016 fifty-six

My girls & I headed to Montana to Becca's house for a sewing/eating/temple weekend with several of the sisters and cousins.  It was just what we needed!!  These two talked, read, drew pictures, & watched movies while I chauffeured them 7 hours to Laurel, MT. 

 

2016 forty-three

Woo Hoo!  School's out today through Monday & we're off to Seattle for CV Gymnastics Regionals 

But first...a proper burial for the world's greatest Dwarf Hamster, Clyde Tomany.  He passed away earlier in the week, peacefully in his cage.  He lived a loooong life in 3 different states!  That is quite impressive for a hamster.

RIP little buddy.  We will all miss you.

CV Regionals Team 2016 

Ready to board their fancy chartered bus

Kenzie, Chloe, Anna, Hailey, Hannah, Maddie, Abs, Rian, Beth, & Savannah! These girls are a family.  I love it.

Must not forget the coaches-also fabulous! Lizzie, Brittany, & Coach Brunelle 
(who is actually retiring after 37 years!!)

The back of their shirts say "Watch me FLIP, Watch me STICK IT"

Think "Watch me Whip,  Now Watch me Neigh Neigh" song 
(sorry if I got it stuck in your head for the next hour!!)

After getting Abs settled with the team, the rest of us drove right to
 Pike's Place Market for some Seattle sight seeing. 

 This spot is famous for fish throwing after someone places an order.  It's pretty entertaining.  Word is that it started years ago when the employees didn't want to walk all the way around the stand to wrap the fish, so they just threw it to the guy back there & eventually were so animated/entertaining they started jazzing it up doing several passes back & forth before finally wrapping it up.

They are both thinking "EWWW gross!"

Bree was really eyeing this octopus, so he held it up so they could snap a picture together

Not too close! haha

The famous gum wall!  (Not too close again, please!  haha)

Yes, we left our mark.  Bree went for an open spot 
and made a "B" out of her gum

This little piggy is actually a big piggy bank where you can make donations for childhood diseases.  

We took our fair share of picts & then let the kids take turns adding some $

I just love Cade's facial expression in this one.  Especially seeing how he looks in the picture before.  
Like-Wait for it.  He makes me smile!

 We ate a ton of samples but didn't buy anything today.  

 The BONUS of the day!!  We ran into Miss Waddell!  
Erica taught Cade & Abby 2nd grade when we lived in Utah.  
She is the best & it was awesome catching up with her!

After our adventures downtown, we headed back to our hotel, got settled in there, grabbed some Thai food, & then swam for a few hours before hitting the sack.  Wow, today was a great day topped off with rare sunny weather in Seattle.

2016 nine

'WOW Invitational Meet' at Mount Rainier High School

Introducing the...CVHS Bears with their signature wave

Abs competed on vault and beam today. She did so well.

 I love Abby's gymnastics team as much as she does.  They are so sweet, hardworking & classy.  It has been Abby's lifesaver doing gymnastics with these girls!

Beam full turn prep!

Front walkover #1 of the series

(excuse the pictures while I figure out how to use my fancy cam!)

Front walkover #2

 What a great day & the kids even made it through all those hours in the bleachers!

2016 eight

Road Trip to Seattle for Abby's Gymnastics Meet

Cal "pretending" to eat his sandwich haha

that's about right!

These two were having some friendly fun on the drive!

I'll take it!

We stuffed ourselves at Olive Garden (one of my favorite places to eat) then went swimming for a few hours at the hotel's pool.  It was great to head west & we are excited about the meet tomorrow!!  Hopefully Abby is getting some sleep since she is with the gym team this weekend.