Family Pictures

 We got some great family pictures taken a few weeks ago and I LOVE them! 

It's Great To Be 8!

 One of the best parts of turning 8 is the opportunity to get baptized!  So, over general conference weekend we traveled to UT to share Trey's baptism with our wonderful family. 

 Trey was baptized by his dad and as his parents we are so proud of him from making this decision. 

 This was a great occasion for our family and it meant so much to have many family members there. Trey is such a great young man and we are so proud of his example.

Build-a-Bear Birthday

 While in UT a few weeks ago the kids got to have a special birthday adventure with Gram & Grandpa at a Build-a-Bear workshop! The kids were so excited to pick out their very own bear. 

 Uncle Derek helping wash the newly stuffed bears! 

 Picking out the bears was pretty easy, however, deciding on the outfits was quite a feat. 

We ended up with a rockstar, a princess, a football player, and a wonderful memory! 

Come Under the sea, Our Little Miss Turned 3!

 Miss Avrey turned 3! We had a fun little "under the sea" party with some of our good friends! She was very excited about her cake! I still can't believe she is already 3. She brings much happiness and laughter into our home and we all love her so much! 

Birthday Boy!

 We celebrated Trey's 8th birthday in full baseball force! 

 He was pretty excited about his new mitt and batting helmet however, 

nothing was as cool as his new metal bat!! We all had such a great day and are lucky to have this MVP in our family!! 

A Glimpse of Paradise

Recently, Jeff and I spent a week in Hawaii...without the kids! When we landed in the morning it was raining, and the rain went through the night. When we woke up, the sky was blue, and we went for a "power walk" around the grounds of our hotel...our first glimpse of Hawaii sunshine!

We enjoyed a lot of relaxing at the "cove" sipping Pina Colada's...

One of the biggest treats was spending the week with Jeff's parents. Jeff's cousin Britney was getting married in the Laie temple...what a great reason to spend the week in the Aloha State!

One night, we ran in to Samoan High Chief Sielu Avea, on my left. I celebrated my 15th birthday at the Polynesian Cultural Center where he climbed a tree to get a coconut for me, and have a picture of. He and a few others were slicing open fresh coconuts and handing them out to the guests...Jeff became a believer of this Hawaiian delicacy!

Enjoying a clear sunset...

Of course, since we were vacationing with Jeff's dad, golf had to be in the plan which Jeff was just fine with. They went to Makaha Valley where the views were quite stunning...

I guess we all have our separate ways of tanning...

Spending a day at the Aloha Swap Meet to get the shopping fix out of the way.

Snorkeling in Hanauma Bay, one of the coolest places on Oahu. Fish were everywhere, Jeff was pretty excited to come across a couple of sea turtles as well.

A huge highlight was visiting the USS Missouri in Pearl Harbor. The significance was going on the private tour with Jeff's grandparents. Grandpa Bill served on the ship during the Korean War, first stationed in one of the gun turrets, then as a dental assistant. We thoroughly enjoyed listening to his stories about his time spent on board. It was emotional for him, but also for us.

North Shore shave ice...classic!

Laie temple...

Jeff's dad had heard stories about a unique golf course in Kahuku, a few miles from the temple. Behind them is the clubhouse, 'nuff said.

The view, however, is what is great about the course, not necessarily the conditions. No one, though, was complaining about golfing next to Big Blue... with clear skies... on a warm day... in Hawaii...

Some pics of the grounds around the hotel...we could've spent the entire trip there without leaving and been just fine.

Jeff had read about this great beach on the East side of Oahu called Lanikai. It wasn't exactly right off the highway as we had to drive through some obscure places to get there, but the sand was incredibly soft, and the water was clear blue...well worth the trek.

Our Last sunset before leaving. Can't wait to go back...

Kaden's Turn...

So, Jeff has taken Trey snowshoeing a few times this year, but since we only have one smaller pair of snowshoes he couldn't take both boys at the same time. Kaden, of course, has been wanting to go because he hears about how much fun Trey and his dad have when they drudge through the snow... 

 Fortunately, Jeff had a half-day last week and surprised Kaden when he picked him up from school and they headed up to the mountains to a spot just outside of Conifer.

 Kaden was quite a chatter box during the hike, and never complained of being cold. Probably because Jeff keeps these boys walking whenever they go on their adventures...

 About to throw a snow ball at his dad...

 Every chance he got, Kaden was venturing off trail in to the deeper snow...

Again, sure going to miss the Rockies!