Lion King

For x-mas this year G-ma E's gift to us was tickets to go see The Lion King. We had tickets for opening night last month. It was hard to wait 8 months to go see it but it was worth the wait. Ryan,Dena and the kids also received the same gift. 

The day finally came and we went out to dinner at Cafe Rio together and headed to the show. The costumes were amazing! We really enjoyed the show and the kids were thrilled they were able to hang out with cousins. 

Try everything at least once

Maddie's friend Marina has recently joined a karate class. Since then Mads has wanted to join in. She even had a plan where Mariana could get her a buddy pass to try it out. So we tried it. She participated in class but I could tell she wasn't fully getting into it. She was shy. Marina on the other hand was way into it and I was very impressed when I saw her kick,punch and scream and I could see where Mads got her enthusiasm about trying it from.

Try everything at least once is something we try and teach the kids. Mads now knows she likes to go and watch Marina but doesn't know if she wants to join in yet, maybe someday.

Last summer details

Our last fun activity for the summer was boating with the Nelson's. The Saturday we had planned turned out to be a bit windy(perhaps a bit is an understatement). We had been looking forward to having so much fun on this adventure that the weather didn't damper our spirits and we just made the best of it and had fun.

 Jason was awesome and was able to water ski and knee board for the first time.

His wife (aka me) didn't do so well on the knee board. I  drank a lot of gross water and broke my favorite sunglasses not long after getting into the water. After this I stuck to tubing, which was a blast. I had to laugh hard when I found this next picture. After hitting that wave to the left of the picture I got flung over and bit her.

I'm glad we can still be friends.
Mads also had a blast on the tube and loved every minute of it. She giggled the entire time on her first run.

 Korbin wouldn't have anything to do with the activities planned until after lunch. Once we got him on the tube he ended up liking the adventure more than he expected.

The kids found some fun treasures on our little picnic. Seashells and fish skeletons which they still have as souvenirs.

We had a great time together and had so much fun.

 The End.
Thanks Nelson's for inviting us to come. We loved it!

Water

Lucky to be able to get my neighbor soaking wet and still be close friends by the end of the day!

If you ask me I won, if you ask her she won. Mariana is a fabulous friend and one of the best cooks I know!!!

Reminder

  Here's a few things that really have stuck with me the last few days and have reminded me of what's most important in life.. 

• A baby born still born by my one of my visiting's teachers sister. As I dropped dinner off at my friends, she showed me a picture of her and her sister holding the baby. I don't know what happened, I lost it. The picture triggered a crying spill where I had to leave her house in a hurry because of the tears I couldn't hold back. I saw so much in that picture. Sorrow,happiness,pain,faith and hope all in this simple photo. I love knowing that someday they will be together again.
• A baptism. As a convert to the church every time I witness a baptism I get butterflies in my stomach. As Maddie's friend got baptized on Saturday you could feel her smile from a mile away. I'm glad Jason and the kids came with me. It's such a cool thing to watch. I'm grateful for missionaries that give up two years of their lives so other can find the joy they have in the gospel. I love girl missionaries especially because I had two girl missionaries teach me(no offense to guy missionaries)!
• A Bishops testimony. I've never heard a bishops testimony like the one I heard on Sunday. I randomly cried for the rest of the hour. I needed to hear that trials come in all different sizes and everyone has them. 

 I know I take things for granted at times and I'm glad I was able to have the things above stick to me so I can be reminded of how grateful I am to be a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints ,for parents that raised me with love, for Jason and Korbin and Madison, for friends to share laughter with and especially for a Heavenly Father who loves me. This I'm grateful for and so much more. I know I have a Heavenly Father who loves me and thru all the trails we experience in this life like a death in a family,large trials,being baptized and choosing to be a member of his church he will always be there for us. Sure we'll make mistakes along the way but thanks to our savior we can repent and find our way back home.