Disneyland, day 1

Silly Elves

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Sea World

One of my favorite places on Earth is Sea World. When I was younger, I thought I wanted to be a marine biologist with my dream job being a dolphin trainer at Sea World. A highlight was watching all the kids pet the Rays, and you have read in an earlier post of Austin's experience trying to pet the dolphins. Austin said he wanted to sit in the "Splash Zone" for Shamu. Once we got there he started to freak out, but we made him stay and sat very close to where he came out at the front (Picture). And to top it off, we only got a couple of drops on us. You will catch a theme here pretty soon— We were there from park opening to close, so it was a fun time on another very long day.

Taking the Animals to the Zoo

The next day we got up and went to the San Diego Zoo. We took the tour bus and sat up on top (pictured). Also, Austin got a nice kiss through the glass with the orangutan in the picture. He is a little bit sensitive about it though and even started to cry a little bit when I told him I was going to post about it. Our favorite thing was this Galapagos turtle that loved to have his head scratched. We went back to him like four times and named him, "Darwin" for his study on the turtles. Another long but very fun day.

Padres Game

After our time in Paso, we drove to San Diego, stopping along the way to pick up Aunt Kyra and Uncle Brad. That night we took the whole clan to the San Diego Padres game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. It was a really cool ball park. Our seats were in the nose-bleeds, but included a hot dog and drink for pretty darn cheap. The kids had a lot of fun and of course, it was a blast for me to be at a big-league game.

Hi, Paso, Avila Beach and Grandpa and Grandma

Well, to start our 11-day marathon to California. We first drove to St. George for a night and stayed. Then, spent a nice long day in the car getting to Paso Robles and Mandi's parents house. Thanks for the hospitality and the yummy dinner that night. The next day we went to the beach, and the kids absolutely LOVED it. They had fun playing in the sand and ocean, and the biggest kid (me) is also a big fan of playing in the water. We saw sea lions playing in the waves only about 25 feet from us, and saw a jellyfish. It was very nice weather (about 80), and like normal, the Pacific Ocean was a little chilly, but we had a blast.

So You Think You Can Dance Part II

Yes, for the second straight year I put away all my masculine tendencies and took Mandi to see the So You Think You Can Dance Tour. Everyone has their guilty pleasures, and I must admit this is mine. We had pretty good seats and had a great time. Here were a couple of the pictures. Mandi likes the first one because her favorite dancer, Joshua- who won it all, is in some VERY tight pants doing a Rumba? I think.

My brother's famous!!

So, my brother Cody and his friends wrote a Prop 8 song, and made a video to it. It's posted to You tube, so he's totally famous now.

Check it out HERE AT YOUTUBE

The Funny Things Kids Say

*** "Motel. It's like hotel with a mo."

*** "California didn't look like this last time we were here."

*** We were playing the Alphabet game (you know, where you think of places that start with each letter of the alphabet). We were on T. Mike said "Timbuktu" and Austin instantly pipes up with "Timbuk-three!"

*** Rachel checks the map at the San Diego Zoo and says "We are in the Jungle Book."

*** Still at the San Diego Zoo Austin says, "Brad, I can smell Mitchell, we're close. It's my animal instincts."

*** Austin trying to pet the dolphins at the San Diego Zoo. Asks Kyra if she can whistle. Kyra says No. Asks me if I can whistle. I say No. Austin says, "Then we're doomed!"

*** Austin after the Hollywood Tower of Terror. He was VERY apprehensive about going on all the "bigger" rides and had to talk to all of the ride operators. I really do mean ALL of the ride operators. The build up for the Tower of Terror is a bit scary for a 6 year old...ghosts in the hotel, and lights going out, and Twilight Zone scary music. So we ride the ride and Austin says (once we get through the gift shop that are at the end of almost every ride), "Well, at least I'm alive."

*** Rachel after we "sneaked" her on to Splash Mountain. "Whew! We made it!"

We had a great time on our trip. Can't wait to tell you all about it through pictures.

Trying to kill time while I get my trip post together

Husband tag. Here goes:

1. Where did you meet your husband? Blind date. I worked with Katie who was dating Brandon who was friends with Mike
2. How long did you date before you married? about 6 or 7 months
3. How long have you been married? 12 1/2 years
4. What does he do that surprises you? he loves to buy me little things that he knows I like, but wouldn't get for myself. When we were dating he would come pick me up and always have a little surprise for me: perfume, a flower, etc
5. What is his favorite feature? lips... and rock hard abs
6. What is his favorite quality? he's generous and thoughtful
7. Does he have a nickname for you? sweetheart or babe
8. What is his favorite food? MEAT
9. What is his favorite sport? ALL. ie: football, basketball, soccer, poker (is that a sport? He loves to watch it and play it, so it must be)
10. When & where was your first kiss? In September? 1995 on the lift up to the Alpine Slide. He asked me in Swedish, and then "showed" me what it meant.
11. What is your favorite thing to do as a couple? be together in the same room
12. Do you have any children? yes, 3 adorable kids: Mitchell, Austin, Rachel
13. Does he have any hidden talents? He is good at everything. We went Ice Skating. He was good. Me not so much. Racketball, tennis, dancing. He kicks my trash at Dance Dance Revolution. And he's a pretty good singer.
14. How old is he? 36
15. Who said I love you first? I think he did. And he's told me almost everyday since.
16. What is his favorite music? alternative
17. What do you admire most about him? His ability to forgive and get over things quickly.
18. What is his favorite color? green
19. Will he read this? yes, and then he will ask me where is the post about our vacation?

Beware: monster post

So much has happened in the last month that I am just going to Monster Post and get it over with. Just be patient.
We'll start with my cousin Heidi's reception:

Matthew, Aunt Teri, Steve, Mandi, Bryce, Heidi, David, and Ed.

It was great to see Heidi. I think it has been at least 5 years if not more. She seems very happy, and I wish her all the best for their future together.


Rachel's first day of preschool was on September 2. She was so excited to go. So excited that she even let me blow-dry her hair. Doesn't she look so beautiful? Miss Tiffany is her pre-school teacher, and Rachel LOVES Miss Tiffany. I think it also helps that our neighbor, Havana is in her class, too. Once Rachel realizes that it's preschool day, she asks about a zillion times if it's time to go yet.


Thursday, September 4th was Danny and Jenny's wedding rehersal dinner, and boy does her family know how to throw a party! We had a yummy dinner, and then got down to business with the rehersing. The above picture is all of us standing in line practicing. I felt very honored that we got to be first. That sure was a lot of responsibility to set the timing for the whole processional. I also felt obligated to document every second of it, since I couldn't really take very many pictures of the actual ceremony.

I would classify John as a "Master Griller." As you can tell, he takes it very seriously.




You'll notice that all present are DRY at this time.




All that standing was just too much for Amanda. She had to take a break.

After we had done our pratice, we hung out on the patio chatting. I turned around at one point just in time to see two sets of legs...and shoes diving into the pool. I guess the pool has a pretty severe drop off, and Austin got too close and couldn't touch. So Mike and Tristan (Danny's friend) both jumped in to save him.


To their credit, they both had cell phones and wallets still on their persons while in the pool.




Then, of course the wedding on Friday, September 5. We had such a great time. All the girls went up to Layton to get our hair and makeup done. It was a big party in the bathroom. Rachel especially loved it. Amanda was even sweet enough to paint her fingernails and toenails. Then we all got dressed and headed to have our pictures taken at the Victorian. I think we got some great shots. Then off to the point for the ceremony. The Point was beautiful, and thankfully there was a cloud over the sun so the girls did not get blinded. Then dinner (the food was SO good) and dancing. I especially loved watching Rachel and Austin. Rachel danced harder and more than anyone...I would venture to say even more than Jenny. Austin was a little stinker. We tried to get him to dance with me, or even Kyra, or some other girls that were so cute, but he said he already had his dance partner - Jenny.

Rachel and Daddy

Rachel and Grandpa Kevin


Sunday, September 7: Black family dinner. Always a fun time getting together with brothers and sisters and cousins. I just had to capture a picture of the Pong basement, and the boys all playing each other.


September 12-13: Time out for Women in Logan. Amie, Becca, Mandi and Megan went up to Logan to a conference (kind of like Education week, or EFY for adults). It was really great. We had a speaker the first night that referenced "down is up and up is down" one too many times, and so that was a fun running joke for the rest of our time up there. Kenneth Cope sang some songs.
Jenny Oaks Baker played her violin. She is amazing.
We stayed up talking until 2 in the morning. It was a fun bonding time. I hope we can do more girls' nights in the future.
More Kenneth Cope. He has some really beautiful songs. One thing he said that really touched me was that if we had any idea of our potential, and how our Father in Heaven looks at us, we would treat ourselves and all those around us differently. It would be life changing for everyone.


Sunday, September 14: Mitchell's first Court of Honor. He got his Boy Scout Badge. There was a beautiful Falcon that flew the awards up to the front for the boys awards.







Saturday, September 20: I attended a graveside service for baby David Stanley Smith. He was stillborn on Friday morning after his umbilical cord was pinched. The ceremony was beautiful. And hopefully comforting to Amanda and Kevin. Kevin's dad reminded us that we have learned that these precious souls join us to gain a body and are too pure to remain in this wicked world. It is heartbreaking, but also a comfort to know that Kevin and Amanda will get to raise this spirit in the millenium, and all will be restored. I feel honored and privileged to know Kevin and Amanda and know that their faith will carry them through this trial in their lives.