long week

Sorry for the weeks we haven't posted. It seems like nothing happens for weeks and then everything happens at once. I guess that is life!!!!! On Thursday of last week, Jason, Robin, our mom and I went to Disneyland for a few hours. We hadn't been to Disneyland since before Christmas because of all the rain we have had. While we were at Disneyland, we literally ran into an old friend of ours (Kim) from church and her 2 year-old daughter Kiara. Robin and I have been friends with Kim since high school but we hadn't seen her in 7 years. Kim married another of our good friends (Gaylyn) shortly after we came home from our missions and moved to Seattle Washington. Kim and Kiara were on a 2 week road trip because Galyyn had A LOT of work he needed to get done. Gaylyn is a software tech at Microsoft.

After running into Kim and Kiara, Kim decided she wanted us to be her and Kiara's personal tour guide around Disneyland. We took her on the best rides that Kiara would like and took her to the best places to eat. While we were on a ride, Kim said it would be so much fun if Robin and I could spend the night with her and Kiara in their hotel room. Robin and I agreed and made arrangements to go to her hotel for the night.

After Disneyland closed, we took mom and Jason home, grabbed the things we would need and went back to the hotel by Disneyland. Robin and I had BLAST playing with Kiara for several hours. Gaylyn and Kim adopted Kiara through LDS Family Services. Kiara also has moderate hearing loss because she was a preemie. Kim could not believe how much Kiara LOVED robin and I. She said that she is usually really shy and standoffish to strangers. Robin and I couldn't see how that is possible considering how well she responded to Robin and I. Robin and I were in heaven as we were the servants to Kiaras every whim.

After Kiara fell asleep, Robin, Kim and I talked for another couple of hours. We talked about EVERYTHING!!!! It was SOOO NICE to get out of the house and spend time with a friend. Before we left to go back home and Kim and Kiara left to drive back to Seattle, we went out to breakfast. We went to Mimi's Cafe by Disneyland and had a wonderful breakfast.

On Saturday, a group of friends from church decided to spend the entire day at California Adventure (the Disney park next door to Disneyland). Both Robin and Jason had to work so they were unable to go. We all met at 9AM and stayed until 9PM. I had so much fun with them. We went on many rides and saw several shows and a parade. There are several rides at California Adventure that I REFUSE to go on because they are WAYYYY too wild for me. My friends talked me into going on 2 of the wild rides (actually they had to drag me on to the rides).

The first ride they dragged me onto is California Scream'n. I had been on this ride once before several years a go with some cousins visiting form Idaho. It starts off by going 0 to 45 MPH in 2 seconds. There are 2 real steep drops (I HATE steep drops) and it goes upside down. As I was anticipating the take-off, I kept saying 'I don't want to do this' over and over again. I continued to scream that phrase throughout the rest of the ride. The upside down part wasn't too bad, I just hated 1 of the drops (one of the drops ended up not being as bad as I had remembered) and the take-off. I was SO GLAD to for that ride to end.

The next ride they had to drag me on was Tower of Terror. I had never been on that ride before (and had NO plans to ever get on that ride). Tower of Terror is based on the Twilight Zone episode where an elevator of a 12 story hotel falls 13 stories and goes back in time. The ride consists of a 12 story drop in complete darkness. At the top of the drop the windows open and you look 12 stories down. You are suspended there for several seconds before the windows close and down you go. One of my friends who also had never been on ToT kept saying 'its not that bad' 'it will be fun' 'look at all the kids standing in line'. I said fine, I will go on the ride as long as I could hide my face behind my friends (the one that said 'its not that bad'...) shoulder. As we got on the ride I made sure I sat by that friend because she was the biggest I could hide behind. I hid behind her shoulder for the ENTIRE ride. I held on to her tight as we kept rising and falling for 3 long minutes. After the ride, the friend I held on to said that she will NEVER go on that ride ever again. She said that was the scariest ride she had EVER been on. I told her 'see wasn't there a great reason why I was so scared to go on it.' She said that she would listen to my reasons from now on. HAHAHAHA

On Sunday I taught Relief Society (with only 2 days notice). The lesson was about the creation (lesson#5 in the Gospel Principals manual). the lessons in the GP manuals are hard to teach because you only have 2 or 3 pages and you are only suppose to use the manual and the scriptures. When I teach out of the manual I have to plan that I am going to ask ALOT of questions and there is going to be A LOT of participation. I was stressing during the lesson because I was over half way through the lesson and had 30 minutes left. Somehow I asked enough questions towards the end and there was enough participation that I ended on time.

After Relief Society, Robin and I left church early because Grandpa, Jason, Robin and I were leaving to go spend 3 days at the Welk Resort in Escondido. We own a time share there and have been going there one week a year for over 20 years. We LOVE it there!!!! It is a nice place to relax. We love to swim in the 5 pools they have. We usually go see the play they have at the theater and we also make sure we spend some time in San Diego while we are there.

This time, we spent 2 full days in the pool, spa and the fun water slide. We also decided to spend a day in Old Town San Diego because I heard that the Mormon Battalion Visitor Center in Old Town, has a new movie. The Visitor Center just opened back up after a year long renovation. The new movie is AMAZING!!!! It goes into the lives of 8 people who were part of the Battalion. It showed the great faith, obedience and miracles that happened to the people of the battalion The movie makes you feel like you are also apart of the Battalion. At each part of the journey, you walk to a different room where it is set up to make it look and feel like what it would have been like to be there. At the end of the movie, there is a room that is filled with interactive activities and authentic artifacts from people from the Battalion. Also there was a place where you can pan for gold. Jason LOVED that part. He could have spent hours panning for gold. I would HIGHLY recommend to anyone visiting San Diego to go and experience the Visitors Center.

It was a long week filled with fun and amazing activities!!!!

We had a busy but fun week!!!!

Hello everyone!!!! Alot has happened since we posted last week. We have been having fun with activities with family and our YSA ward. On Moday, Louise (our step-mom) decided she wanted to have a girls night out with Robin and I. Although she has been married to our Dad for 17 years, this is the first time she has wanted to do something with us. We went out to dinner and then walked around Downtown Disney for a few hours. We had an enjoyable time. Louise bought a pretty new skirt to wear to church.


On Tuesday, Grandpa, Dad, Jason, Robin and I went and saw Avatar in 3-D. Avatar was a FANTASTIC movie!!!! The movie was entertaining, it didn't seem like it was 3 hours long. After the movie, we went out to lunch.


On Wednesday, Grandpa, Jason, Robin and I went to both Knotts and Disneyland. Our mom works at Knotts and although it was her day off, she had some things she needed to do at Knotts. Since she was there also, she tagged along at Knotts and Disneyland. The first thing we did at Knotts was ride the stage coach around the park. I hadn't done that since I was little. It was so much fun!!!! Robin and I got to ride up front with the 2 drivers while the rest were inside. The next thing we did was take the train around the park. Then we went on the mine train ride. We then had lunch, then went on Jaguar and Poney Express.


It was then off to Disneyland for a few hours. We saw the new Great Moments with Abraham Linclon show, It's a Small World (it was still all decorated for Christmas), Mr. Toads Wild Ride and Pirates of the Caribbean. It was nice to get to go to 2 parks in 1 day.


We didn't do anything on Thursday (how boring) but on Friday, Jason, Robin and I went to the movies with Mom. She had 4 movie passes and wanted to take us to Alvin and the Chipmunks. It was a cute movie!!! Robin and I were singing along to most of the songs they played.

On Saturday night, Robin and I went iceskating for the first time with our YSA ward. It was a multi stake activity and over 150 people showing up. Although Robin and I were the only ones holding on to the wall, we still had a very fun evening. I made 8 laps around the arena and only falling once (I didn't get hurt at all). Robin made it around a couple of times too and also only falling once (she also did not get hurt). We both did alot better then I thought we would at our fist time iceskating. I can't wait to go again, next time I will try to come away from the wall (or maybe not)

We've been Busy!!!!!

Sorry for the long wait for an update. PICS WILL BE COMING SOON (Amber and I are planning on going through them tomorrow)!!!!!!!!! Here is whats been going on in our family since the last update.

On January 11th, Chad and his family were in town from Utah due to a JetBlue meeting. The goup had tickets to a Clippers Basketball game. Since they had extra tickets, Grandpa, Jason, and I were able to go with them (Amber couldnt go because she had to teach the Relief Society lesson that day). It was alot of fun (but I hope, someday, to go to a Lakers game)

The month of February has been busy so far:

Amber and I had a birthday earlier this month, so there has been alot of parties (and cake)!!!!!!!

The fist party was 2 days before our birthday. It was put on by our friend, Leanne.There were quite a few people who showed up. We had a GAME NIGHT. We played a fun game called APPLES TO APPLES and DISNEY SCEEN IT. After everyone left, Amber and I spent about 2 hours just talking to Leanne. It was GREAT!!!!!

The next night Grandpa took us out to eat at TONY ROMA'S!!!!! They have are famous for their ribs. They are EXCELLENT (and messy).

Later that night, we went to a party for a friend who was moving. Since she LOVES pie, instead of it being a good-bye party, it was a good- PIE party. Everyone brought pies. It was alot of fun.

Since Amber and I were going to Disneyland for our birthday the next day, Amber and I opened our presents: Amber gave me a book ONE SINGLE VOICE (it was written by Elder Oaks wife. Its about how to find joy and contentment in being single in a family oriented church), and 2 CD's. One CD is called A CHILD'S PRAYER. It is the CD that Travis and Jenny used as the soundtrack to Jake's memorial dvd (We LOVE and miss you Jake). The other CD is about women and the important role they play.

I got her a Buxton bag (the ones you see on tv), the same CD I got her A CHILD'S PRAYER, and a painting called I WILL NOT FAIL THEE. It shows a girl kneeling against the lap of Jesus (you don't see his face). Amber calls it HER picture. She calls it her picture because the phrase I WILL NOT FAIL THEE is in her Pat. Blessing.

Since Amber and I LOVE to read, grandpa bought us each a Sony e-book reader. Its a electronic device that you can download HUNDREDS of e-books onto. This allows us to read LOTS of books without lugging around all thoes books. We LOVE them!!!!! They get LOTS of use!!!!

The next day was our birthday. Amber, our mom and I spent the day at Disneyland. This year at the Disney Parks, you can get in free on your birthday. But since Amber and I have Annual Passes that let us in free evveryday, we got a gift card worth $69 (the price of a one day ticket) to use toward purchases. I used my gift card to buy a blanket of IT'S A SMALL WORLD and a shirt. Amber used hers to buy 2 figures.

Friday night Grandpa made a cake and we had Dad and Louise and Mom over.

Tomorrow night Amber and I are going over to our friends house. She is going to make us a birthday dinner. That will be last birthday party.

In other news.... We got a new garage door. We couldnt open or close our other garage door due to our new roof. When they put on our new roof, they put the shingles down too far.

Earlier this week I had to get a new laptop because my old one quit working. The guy said that it would cost at least $200 to fix. Grandpa said that we could get a brand new one for a little bit more money. So.....Hello New Laptop!!!!!!!

Last night, Grandpa, Dad, Louise, Jason, Amber and I went to go see the HARLEM GLOBE TROTTERS!!!! It was a WONDERFUL show. It was AMAZING to see all the tricks they could do with a basketball.

It was also REALY funny to see the tricks they pulled on eachother, their opponents THE GENERALS, and on the audience.

In a few weeks Grandpa goes in to have surgery. Because he has REALLY bad knee pain, he is having a pain pump put in. Hopefully this will relieve his pain.

There has also been news of 2 new members joining the family, and the 16th marks 2 years of when we had to say goodbye, for now, to one. First the new additions:

In May Travis, Jenny, Lexi and Jake will be adding Lucy to the family. Welcome Little Lucy!!!!! We can't WAIT to see you!!!!!!

Today we learned that my cousin Derek and his long time girlfriend, Betsy, are engaged. Welcome to the crazy family Betsy. I hope that we will be able to get to know eachother better.

Two years ago,on the 16th, we lost a very special member of the family: Jake. Jake was born with a birth defect called Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH). CDH is a devestating birth defect where the diaphragm fails to close all the way. This allows the organs that are suppose to be in the abdomin, to escape into the chest cavity. This prevents the lungs and heart to be underdeveloped due to lack of room. He fought for 5 months and 25 days. He spent his ENTIRE life in the NICU. Even though we didnt get a chace to see you, know that we will ALWAYS LOVE and MISS you. We were planning on seeing you after you got out of the hospital, but, sadly, that didnt happen. We LOVE You OUR LITTLE ENGINE THAT COULD!!!!!!!

Dads Birthday

Friday was my Dads 55th Birthday and he retires from his job on the 29th. For his birthday all of us took him to a special Halloween party at Disneyland. We had A LOT of fun!!!!! We got to Disneyland in the middle of the afternoon and spent most of the day going on rides and stuff. Then at 7 that night we went over to Disney's California Adventure (next door to Disneyland) where the Halloween party was being held. We spent until midnight going on rides, dancing and getting candy.

We all dressed up (except for G-pa) for the party. Dad and Louise wore Hawaiian shirts and lays. Jason went as a Disney Pin Trader, which isn't all that difficult for him to pull off considering that he has over 700 Disney pins. Jason was all decked out with his pin trading bag and hat and he had Disney shirts on. Robin and I decided that we would go as our favorite Disney character (Winnie the Pooh and Eeyore). I wore Eeyore pj's and slippers and a Eeyore purse that looks like a stuffed animal. Robin wore the same thing but with Pooh. It might have been childish wearing character pj's but when we didn't get home until 1 AM it was nice that all we had to do was climb into bed HEHEHE!!!!!

On Sunday we are going over to Dad and Louise's apartment to have cake and ice cream and give him the rest of his birthday/retirement present. We got him a record player/radio/CD player/tape player. It is REALLY nice. It looks like an old-fashioned oak radio. He has been wanting a record player for awhile now. He has A LOT of records that he hasn't been able to play, now he can. HAPPY BIRTHDAY & RETIREMENT DAD!!!!!!!!

been busy

,We are sorry for the long time without updating. We have been really busy. Last week Robin Jason and I took G-pa to Disneyland for the day. We all had A LOT of fun. Aunt Bonnie and Uncle Mike spent a few days with us. They came down for a family funeral of Bonnies uncle, Jim Amonette. Jim was a great man who will be missed by MANY people.

An interesting thing happened to me last week. I was sitting in the family room when i heard a bird fly into the window. I went to check to see if the bird was alright. As I opened the sliding glass door, I saw a Humming Bird laying on the ground. I picked the Hummimg Bird up and held and stroked the Humming Bird for about 10 minutes. It was amazing to hold a Humming Bird what is more amazing was that exactly 3 years to the day another Humming Bird flew into our window and I got to hold that one for 15 minutes.

Jason is on extended sick-leave for work because he is having complications with his siezier medication. The doctors are trying to figure out the best dose for him but until then he can't go to work. Hopefully they will get it straightend out soon.

G-pas knees are hurting him worse then they ever have before. He is in agoney every moment and nothing helps. He has an appointment with his knee surgon soon and maybe he can come up with something to help G-pa.

We are all planning a trip to Utah for awhile to look at houses and to visit family. We are also planning on visiting family in Idaho while we there. It will be a fun trip. We hope we will find a house that will live up to G-pas high expectations but I doubt it.