Days at Sea..

The first two full days of our cruise were at Sea.  I don’t have a ton of photos 0f the kids because they weren’t around much!  Which is the exact beauty of a cruise.  The kids really loved the “kids club.”  On Monday and Tuesday we spent time swimming, going to shows and playing games.  All of the kids did the water slides and we of course ate about 10 square meals a day!   Jeff really loves games and trivia and all that stuff so he was in heaven.  He also LOVES playing cards had his fair share of time to do that.  I got to do exactly what I love.  Sit in the sun with a book and a diet coke. 

Jordan made a friend with another little boy with as much spit in his step as Jordan has.  They were hilarious to watch.  Funny thing is..  She never found out his name. 

On of the girl’s favorite moments of the day were when we arrived back in our room and found the “towel animal” on our bed.  Taylor quickly bought the book on how to make these towel animals. 

We had a formal dinner on Monday night  and it was fun to have everyone dressed up! I even made everyone pose for all the cheesy cruise photos.

 

There was an ice cream machine on board and between the 7 of each we probably had about 100 ice cream cones that week!  Jordan and Mitchell especially enjoyed the ice cream!

Note Mitchell:  The cone only!  What a funny guy!

Best Week Ever

That is what Jordan said as we were flying home.

Every once in a while you get to be a part of something so incredible that it changes your life and relationships forever.  For many of you it’s difficult to understand what a blessing it is to have your family ALL together ALL of the time.  When you are blending a family it is very rare that on holidays or weekends everyone is together.  That fact alone, made the past week so precious for me.  Jeff took myself and all 5 kids on a cruise for an entire week!  7 days together, on top of that.. no cell phones, no internet and no connectivity to the outside world.  We spend 4 days on the ship and 3 in different cities in Mexico.  I am going to create a post for each day.  So, sorry..  ignore this if you want but I want my family to remember this forever!

 

 

We started off with a bang (and lots of calories) with Krispy Kreme donuts at the airport.  Chase flew in from school and met us in Salt Lake.  Boy!  I am so glad he is home for a few weeks!

We sailed on the Carnival Splendor. It was huge.  The kids were SO excited to get comfortable in their new home. 

On top of a waterslide, mini golf course, sports deck, 3 swimming pools, several hot tubs, unlimited soda and food and endless entertainment the cruise had a great kids program called Camp Carnival.  Jordi LOVED it.  Taylor and Mitchell liked it as well but Jord thought she was queen of the camp!

Here we are at a “Welcome” party for Camp Carnival.  It didn’t take us long to get used to being served and waited on, having our beds turned down and any food we wanted being delivered to our rooms.  I don’t have a photo but I learned on our first night that Mitchell can groove.  It was hilarious to watch him dance, he really was great!!

June Fun

We are coming to a close on the first month of summer vacation.  The first two weeks of June were spent indoors because it was rainy and 50 degrees.  We did make a couple of trips to the Fun Park and McDonalds. 

However, June turned around in a hurry.  The past few weeks have been beautiful.  We have had a lot of fun.  We have been to the pool, cheered on the RAGNAR runners, celebrated Father’s Day and went to a couple of REAL soccer games. 

Six of the best men I know.  I love every one of these guys beyond belief and feel SO grateful to have the privilege of sharing time and memories with each of them.  All of them spend countless hours supporting their families.  Happy Father’s Day to you all! 

Happy Father’s Day to Jeff who has blessed my life more than I thought possible!  What an incredible father to his children and to mine!

ifrogz bought a suite at Rio Tinto Stadium and we were lucky enough to go to a REAL soccer game last Friday.  It was a beautiful  night.  We had some extra tickets so Lance, Tonia, Kendal and Taylor’s bestest friend Brytan joined us.  It was a blast!

 

BUT, by far the best thing that happened in June happened on June 24th!  Jill and Adam’s sweet little baby was born.  Jill has not posted pictures on her blog so I won’t until she does, although I AM DYING!!  Here are a few photos of the kids waiting at the hospital.  The night she was welcomed into the world all 4 of her grandparents were there, her brother, 3 aunts, 2 uncles and 6 of her cousins.  She is so loved already!!   Wait until you all see her, you WILL DIE!  What a blessing!!

Our Big Loss

Jordan lost her first tooth this week!  I was so surprised a few weeks ago when she told me it was loose because she is only 5.  In this family teeth usually come out around 7 or by force from a dentist.  Jord was relatively brave until the final moment.  By then her tooth was so loose I didn’t want her to fall asleep and choke on it (I know helicopter mother).  So we yanked it out! 

I apologize, I know this is a major close up!   Please note the concert T-shirt..  We only turn into red necks after 9:00 at night!!

My heart broke when I realized I don’t have little kids anymore.  Jordan has officially entered childhood as she put her tooth under her pillow!  Life is always an adventure with Jordie and I can’t wait to experience what is around the corner.

The kids also did swim and golf in the past few weeks.  I, once again will not win mother of the year and did not take any photos of swim lessons.  Both of the girls did great!  Taylor has graduated from lessons and completed all of the levels and Jord is about half way through.

This is the second year the kids have done golf lessons.  Mitchell, Taylor, Hunter and Reagan all participated this year.  Golf is Jeff’s sport of choice and he is really good.  Given that, he is determined to golf his kids.  So far, so good they love it!

Last but not least… And with the main purpose of making Kim and Jill laugh.  We love you Jord!

J-U-M-P

Okay!!  I know that Kim posted this event like one week ago when it happened but hey, better late than never.  Jordan has been taking jump rope class once a week the entire year.  She has really loved it!  The exercise is great and it helps with coordination. 

When the chance came to attend a 2 day jump rope camp Jord thought she was the Queen Bee!!  It was hilarious!  Kendall, Reagan and Samantha attended as well.  What a great time! 

Jordan’s perpetual refusal to smile used to drive me crazy!  Now I just run with it!

I also wanted to post a few pictures from Memorial Day.  We also celebrated my birthday that day and had a great party.  Check out the table decor!  Go Mom!!

The top left photo is of my Great-Grandma and Great-Grandpa Bradshaw.  Their home was actually about 3 blocks from where my home is now.  The two photos on the right at Hinckley’s grave site and the bottom left is Grandpa Pickett’s.   I think Memorial Day provides such a great opportunity to share memories about family members.  Kim’s kids had a sleep over at my house the night before Memorial Day and Hunter,  Samantha and Taylor and I got in a fascinating conversation about their ancestors who had gone before them.  It was so fun for me to talk with them about people who I remember and love so much!

25 Year of Excellence

I am sure that most of you probably read about my  Mom’s retirement party on Kim’s blog.  She actually posted right after the event instead of 10 days after!!  I am adding it as well because when I publish my blog I want all of the year’s significant events. 

My mom retired after teaching public school for 25 years.  She was an excellent teacher and came highly requested by parents.  As a parent, with children in the public school system an teacher with strong skills AND character is so important!

Jeff made her a video over her teaching experience and he titled it 25 years of excellence!  We had a great night at the Riverwoods, what a beautiful place.

As a gift to my Mom for her retirement we gave her a Greg Olsen painting..

A few days later Jeff and I had the opportunity to go to Greg Olsen’s studio and meet him in person.  What an amazing man with an incredible story.  He signed my Mom’s picture for her.

Here are a few more photos from our afternoon with him…