Sunday, October 25, 2009

A few things we have been up to

Christian's Wedding
This day was absolutely beautiful, from the Sealing and the spirit that was there to the love of the bride and groom. Janay looked amazing and Christian was adorably in Love. Me, Kristen and Kimberly

My Birthday
My Sweet and Amazing husband took me to San Fran for an awsome birthday week end. We stayed at really nice hotel 2 blocks from Union Square. We ate amazing food, shopped, went to Pier 39 and saw Wicked with the best seats in the house. It was such a perfect weekend. He is the best husband ever and I can't thank him enough for constantly making all my dreams come true.



Logan's Graduation

I know it was a while ago, but it I just had to let him know how proud I am of him for doing so well in school, and for the choices he is trying to make in life. I love you Loges.


Camping With the Young Women


We decided as a Presidency that we were going to take the Young Women to the Dillon's Beach and go camping. It was quite an eExhausting, Memorable and fun Adventure, filled with kite flying, skim boarding, smore making, scary stories around the campfire and lots of bonding.

The Priesthood Chaperones that had to set up all the tents, start the fire and listen to giggling squeeling girls all night..... They had a blast.
The Barrow Family Reunion
We spent a beautiful day at the Gridley Pavillion hanging out, eating and visiting with Family. It was such a wonderful experience to get to know Gene's exstended family and alittle bit about our geneology.

The boys just being goofy

Gene and his brothers slid down well bounced down this slide over and over again and then would come to a pile up at the bottom it was hilarious.





Marc and Kristen got Engaged.
We are all sooooo excited and can't wait for the wedding these two are just absolutely adorable.To Mendo We Go Again....
We had the best time in Mendocino as usual. Everything is so beautiful, we had this amazing little house up in the redwood forest that was absolutely perfect for the Boys because they wanted to spend time paintballing. (don't worry we used biodegradable clear paintballs, we would never want to destroy nature) It had this perfect little arena where the boys could play and everyone else could watch. It was quite fun. Kelly and I even had to play alittle to make the teams even. We went to the beach and to the botanical gardens because of course I had to see the dahlia garden when they are in bloom, and there was a wedding that was going to be held there that day so it was particularly beautiful. We walked around old Mendocino, and had a picnic on the beach. It was so fun to just relax and enjoy being together as a family.


View from the pathway to the Dahlia Garden The Boys and Kelly all geared up

Janay contemplating playing with us
Parker showing off is skills
Kim and Kristen getting ready to set up thier chairs and cheer us on
One of my Favorite places, look how huge that flower head is


Yosemite
We had wonderful time in Yosemite even though it was a little rainy and overcast when we went. By the time we go to the top of the mountain to overlook the Valley the clouds started to clear, the sun came out and a rainbow appeared. The pictures don't do it justice it truley was a beautiful site.

While in Yosemite we did a lot of walking and hiking. We went to all the waterfalls and hiked the first few miles of half dome. Let me tell you the wet small straight up staircase that went up forever with no railing almost did me in on the way down. I definately had to have Gene by my side telling me I wasn't going to slip and fall all the way down. We enjoyed Yosemite Village ate delicious food and of course had ice cream. I can't go anywhere with out having ice cream.



Friday, April 17, 2009

Yeah Our Camera is fixed

The first picture taken with our camera. It feels like forever and I have a ton of things to post now that we have our camera back and can upload everything. So brace your self they are kind of long. Gene and I on our way to have Tempura and Chicken before one of our Ballroom Dance classes.



Tuesday, April 14, 2009

To Mexico, We Go

So we started our adventure by leaving at 10:00pm the night before we were supposed to be in San Diego. We drove all night long and arrived there at 7:00 am where we then proceeded to find the nearest Denny's and started our all week binge fest. After Denny's we still could not board the ship until noon so we headed to where else...Walmart, where else would you go if you needed something anywhere in America, and then Sam's Club looking for sunglasses. After which we found a parking spot in the cruise line lot and took a much needed nap. Around 11:30 we headed to the gate and got on smoothly, all was well, except Bryson was not feeling very well at all. poor Bryson=( After boarding we had lunch were we found the all you can eat ice cream machines which we had to have at least 2-3x per day for the next 5 days he hee. Some of the Highlights of the trip:

* Being with the Solomon's we had so much fun and love spending time with besties he hee. Thanks for going with us guys you are AWSOME. We <3>
* The all you can eat ice cream machine, the 3-4 scoops of ice cream I had every night at dinner, and the molton chocolate lava cake. he hee

* The hypnotist was hillarious and the evening shows were quite entertaining with the lovely 80 style costumes.. mmm interesting.

* Ending every evening with a new towel animal.

* Carrie and I in our matching outfits for the elegant evening. No joke black and white patterned skirts and black tops, with curled hair, and even the matching purses. It was hilarious, and such a coincidence. We both had no clue what the other was wearing.

* Watching the whales breaching and spraying, so close to our little catamaran.

* Sitting at the front of the catamaran and just relaxing as I watched the beautiful coast line and water around me I could have done that for 3 days. Bryson on the other hand, Not so much.
* Snorkeling and relaxing in Cabo. It was so beautiful .... we had such an amazing time.

* Traveling to the La Buffadora and walking through the Mexican flea market for some shopping, churros and tacos that made us late for the bus back to the ship, but they were worth it.

* Gene and Bryson's water balloon fight. It was quite a dead area on the ship, but once the kids saw how much fun the Big boys were having the all rushed over and it became quite a popular spot.

* Resting and relaxing in our room and by the pool, playing cards in the library, listening to Larry in the Kareokee lounge, and dancing in the clubs ( ha ha) and in the "party" area, "go red team, go red team go."

* Sea World was a ton of fun, perfect day, and hardly any people it was great no lines anywhere. All the shows were entertaining and we now have yearly passes. So we must go back to see Shamu #4 again, and again, and again.

* Seeing the beauty of San Diego's Balboa park and botanical gardens. The architecture and landscape was absolutely breathtaking.

* Taking a tour of the U.S.S Midway. We were on that ship for over two hours and did not even see half of it. It is crazy how huge those navy ships are and all that goes on inside to run it and take care of all those on board. I have such an appreciation for all those that serve our great country, Thanks Sean.

* The movie "Paul Blart-Mall Cop" and more ice cream before we headed home for our long drive. Where in we laughed, sang, and drank more Dr. Pepper than ever to stay awake. Thanks Bryson.


I can't wait to do it again!!!! Viva La MEXICO!!!!

Getting ready to board the ship


Gene trying to entertain us with his skills at lunch



I wanted the vanilla frozen yogurt and the chocolate ice cream of course they don't come out of the same machine, so I improvised.Gene and Bryson prepping for the water balloon fightAfter the battleMy favorite towel animal... I love Monkey'sThe beautiful arc in Cabo that we saw from our catamaran as we were heading to our snorkeling spot.Gene sitting at the head of the boatDrinking hot chocolate on the bow of the ship, just the two of us after a great day in Mexico Soaking in the view at the La BuffadoraThe Solomon's at La Buffadora
I wanted a Pina Colada and a Strawberry Daquire (virgin of course) and they couldn't mix them so I just got both, and we relaxed on the top of the ship and watched the sun go down over the ocean.
The Solomons just before one of our evening shows.
Us goofing off in the Kareokee lounge (Sorry Bill and Larry)


Miniature golfing on the tip top of the ship
Me and Gene getting ready to duke it out he hee


The Solomon's and the ship at night (both so pretty)
I just love this picture I think it is one of my favorites I just had to post it

Gene and I in an iceburg at the Antarctic exhibit with the beluga whales and the polar bears at Sea World. All of us except Gene prepping for the excitement that was awaiting us in the Sea Cow (Manatee) Exhibit.The Amazing Shamu (well not the original but like Shamu # 4)!!!

The Dolphin show, where the lady totally biffed it running to the rope, those crazy Sea world workers.I can't remember what it's called but it was beautiful Part of Balboa Park
Gene and Bryson trapped in the brig
Carrie and I also Gene and Bryson pretending to be manicans

Don't they blend in so well, especially Gene with his $8.00 Walmart Aviator glasses

The End of our great trip.