2nd day in Pencacola

Thursday was our second day of our vacation and we were stumped as to things to do with the kids besides the beach. On the Navy base driving around we noticed an old brick structure that was huge with thick walls and lots of funny windows. It even had a draw bridge and a (dry) mote. I'm sorry I didn't get a picture of that . It was really cool. We decided to go and check it out. It turns out it was a historical site right there on the base. It dated back to the 1300's. I love to see and learn about old buildings like this so it was fascinating to me. And Don love war history so he also enjoyed it. The kids loved running around and pretending there was a ghost around every corner. It did have an eery feel to it. This is us walking up to the fort.The door that Kelland is standing in front of is to a room where they kept all the ammunition. Notice how thick the walls are. It's solid brick. I think that's what amazed me the most is how well this structure was built for back then. It would have taken a long time. Kelland wouldn't stay still enough for me to take a good picture of him because he was scared of the dark room behind him. He told me that's the ghosts bedroom. The windows were built with an angle for the rifles to fit through and move from side to side. Brigham and Layton look so cute perched up there that I just had to take a picture. All throughout the building their would be writing on the bricks . Some were really hard to read. The one on the bottom says: MISS IDA MOSSER. #6 HARLAN AVE. LOUISVILLE KY..........year 1314. I love to think of what it was like for this soldier. Miss Ida must have been pretty important to him to write her name on the wall. Or maybe he didn't have anywhere else to keep her address. Who knows, the possibilities are endless.

Stairway to Heaven!In the video you can hear the kids pretending to be ghosts. Brigham just wants to run around and keep up with his big brothers.



I love this picture of ALL my boys. This one is going up on the wall for sure. And isn't the architecture amazing?! I couldn't stop taking picture after picture of it. Notice the "enough" expression on my husbands face. He's so cute when he's annoyed:)

After our afternoon of spending time among the ghosts it was off to the beach....Again!!!!

Don loves to bury the kids in the sand and to my surprise they all seemed to enjoy it. I must be to much of a girl but it just seemed dirty to me.

The water was a little warmer then day before. So they were in it for a little bit. Their favorite part was when the waves would crash into them. Kelland would hold on to Daddy for dear life. After 45 min of that Jaren was looking for the warm towel.

This day for me was all about the camera. I think I took at least a hundred pictures. These are some of the pictures I am proud of and would like to share. It's obvious that they aren't perfect but for me it's close enough to make me happy.



























So every day should end this way don't you think?! A nice relaxing snooze on the beach with the warm sun beating down. Who could ask for anything more.




Day 3 up next.

1st day in Pensacola Florida!

We got to Florida late Tuesday night. We stayed on the Navy base there in the Navy Lodge which was right on the beach. But before we could go to the beach we had to go see the Blue Angels fly. The Blue Angels are stationed there in Pensacola so they practice there when their home. On Wednesday morning we all got up early to go and watch them give a mini air show. It was still a big deal with a big crowd of people and a chance to meet them and have them sign something. I think Don was the one that was the most excited. He flys the big planes now but when he was training he got to fly the smaller ones that did tricks and rolls. A part of him misses doing that I think. The top picture is a family picture in front of the plane he flys. And the bottom picture and video are of the Blue Angels. Just ignore the annoying voice in the back ground. I don't know who that is:)

After the air show Don took all the boys and explained everything about the plane he flys. They had so many questions and they all seemed to be so interested in it. We even got to go inside and see where he sits and what everything is used for. They love that their Daddy is a pilot. And after this trip Brigham has a new found love for airplanes. We stayed there looking at the planes so long that they were actually asking us to leave. They closed the gates behind us. The air show was at the Navy air Museum So next we decided to go check that out. The kids loved running around looking at all the airplanes and staged War bunko's. The part the kids liked the best though were these Airplane cock pits that they could get in. Don said that they were just old simulators. The instructors would use them to help the student pilots learn the instruments. It was fun to watch them play and pretend to be just like Daddy.

After the museum it was lunch time so we went to Ruby Tuesdays for lunch. The kids were well behaved and the food was delicious. When we walk into a restaurant with our 4 boys we always get people staring. But on the rear occasion that they do behave, I don't mind that they stare. We actually had a couple come up to us and tell us that our children were beautiful and so well behaved. I thanked them like this is how they always are but inside I was beaming.

My children have always been very loving towards each other and sometimes I forget to record it. I'm glad I got this peace of evidence, so when they get older and it's uncool or they just can't seem to get along I'll pull it out and hopefully remind them of how sweet they can be. Wishful thinking I'm sure.

Once we got back to the hotel it was time for the beach. They were so excited. The weather was in the mid to upper 70's but the water was still very cold. This is Don holding a very cold Jaren.

I love taking pictures at the beach. It is the perfect background for pictures. I really had fun taking pictures of my boys. It has confirmed my love for Photography. One of these days I'll actually do something about it but right now it's fun to play.


Kelland loves to play in sand. I'm normally yelling at him for making a mess or getting dirty. Well not when your at the beach! He loved this huge life size sand box. He still hasn't stopped talking about it.



As much as Kelland loves the sand, that's how much Jaren loves the water. To bad it was cold. He would have been in it all day. Layton likes the beach alright but he really likes playing all the sports. So he played soccer with some kids on the beach that day. I wanted him to build sand castles with me but he didn't have enough patience.






Just a beautiful picture of my little one with the most perfect background I could ever ask for.








What a long day. And what a relaxing thing to do out on the beach in the sun. We had so much fun that day. Tomorrow I'll post day 2. Sweet dreams little Kelland.

Spotlight: Happy Birthday Tiffany!

Today my little sister Tiffany is turning 26. Even though she has been married awhile and is a mother of three, I still find myself thinking of her as the little kid that would follow me around on Saturday afternoons. She was soo cute as a baby. Very petite with dark hair, blue eyes . Not much has changed. She looks the most different from all of us and I can vaguely remember teasing her about that. Poor Tiffy, I'm afraid we weren't very nice to her as a kid. She was the little sister always getting in the way. It's funny that I never saw that as a sister but now that I am a mother I can see it and I'm a little ashamed to say I was like that. She was very social. She always had a lot of friends and still does. She was very athletic and I secretly was jealous of that. I loved the fact that she could keep up with the boys. I always wanted to do that. There is 6 years between us so I really don't remember to much of her teen years. I guess that's why I still see her as a little kid. But slowly I am getting to know her better. Tiffany seems to always have trials to over come. She seems to have to go through more then the average person. And I'm ALWAYS amazed at her resilience. Her strength to endure is noteworthy to say the least. And her optimism in these situations is what pulls her through. I love that she still looks up to me. And that she feels like she can come to me for anything. Her Son is now being tested for the same Immune deficiency that my boys have because he has been sick and also because it is genetic. I feel like we have become closer trough all of it. I'm glad that I went through it first so that I could be there for you later. I am also so grateful that she married such a wonderful man. I love that he takes good care of her. and treats her the way she deserves to be treated. We've all joked about this but have always agreed that she was the princess in the family. And She defiantly found her prince.

Tiffany I hope you have a wonderful Birthday. I hope that you feel loved today by all of us. Your a wonderful wife, mother, sister, and now friend. You make me laugh, you give me strength and lots of love. I hope I can do the same for you. I miss you and wish I could be with you today. I would sooo take you to lunch and then go shopping all afternoon. How fun would that be?!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TIFFANY!!!

I LOVE YOU!

Easter

So I know that Easter seems like forever ago but I am just now getting around to posting it. We went to visit my sister Natalie and her family for the Easter weekend. My husband and her husband were best friends in high school and still are. So when we get together it is a blast to say the least. The kids get along pretty good but it would be nice if it was a little better in that area. They're kids, what are you going to do?! Maybe someday it will be easier that way but for now we live through it. Brads parents are so wonderful to us when we come to visit. They are always acting like we are part of the family. I think mostly because when Don and Brad were younger Don spent a lot of time over at Brads house . When ever we see them they mention that. They always make us feel comfortable and it's so fun to get to know them better. They had us over for a wonderful Easter dinner and then had an Easter egg hunt for the kids. But it wasn't like any egg hunt I had ever been in. Each egg was filled with a dollar bill! The kids were so excited! Thank you Chris and Dee Dee.

I love these pictures of Brigham. There is something so magical about watching a young toddler putts around looking for eggs. He had a smile on his face the whole time. I put this picture first because I thought it captured his personality the most. Happy and very friendly. I love this little guy!!!

He kept opening the eggs and the money would keep falling out. Don would fallow behind him picking up his lost stash. He had no idea. So funny!

Cally is my sisters oldest at age 10. As you can imagine nothing could be better then money in those eggs to her. She was ready to go shopping!

Eden is one of the most beautiful girls I've ever seen. Her golden hair matches her sweet angelic personality. Jaren and her are the same age so they have fun together. Out of all of our children they probably get along the best. I love to watch them play and interact with each other. Jaren talks about his favorite cousin Eden all the time.

Alex and Kelland are a few months apart and are now just starting to get closer. The last couple of times they've played pretty well and it's always fun to hear their conversations. It seems to always center around bodily functions. BOYS! They start young.

My sister and I have soooo much fun when we are together. I love that we live close enough to visit. We are only 16 months apart and so we have been close all our lives. We even married best friends for heaven sakes. We thought that it would work out better for us to always live close to one another but jobs kept getting in the way. We don't let that keep us from seeing each other though. We always have fun and it's always worth the trip just to see her.

Oh, Rainan and Layton. Can't we just get along? The source of most of the tension. They are the same age so you would think they would be close. But personalities clash big time here. It's sad really. When they do get along they seem quite happy but it doesn't take much for them to be at each others throats. Notice the sad looking Layton below. It was a hard afternoon for both of them.

I love the look on Brighams face here. A devious grin. My husband Don is trying to cheer up Layton for this picture but all he could muster was a pathetic pose showing off his favorite football team. Once a fan, Always a fan right Layton?! Daddy has taught him well.

The next day Natalie and I spent the afternoon together shopping and by Tuesday we were off to Florida for our family vacation. Thanks Natalie and Brad for the memories. We had fun!

Spotlight: Happy Birthday Dad!

With sticking to our tradition of spotlighting people on their birthdays, it is my fathers turn. He is turning 50 something today and I wanted to send him my love. I don't get to see much of my father anymore since i got married and moved away. But he is always a huge part of my everyday. More then he realizes I'm sure. The things he taught me growing up and most of all the example he has been to both me and my husband is something I could not live without. The thing my father and I like to do most of all is talk about my childhood and remember the good old days............... He was a gentle father to us girls. He didn't raise his voice very often and NEVER did in public. He would get down to our level, hold us close and whisper in our ears what we were doing wrong and what he expected from us. But he was also firm. When he wanted to speak with us about something we knew he meant business. I can still remember ever detail of the office he had in the Utah house. I was in there quit a lot getting direction from him and a well deserved attitude adjustment I'm sure. We would love to play with him and climb on his back and be tickled. A tradition I have kept up with my boys is the tickle game. We would all lay on the floor next to each other with our hand up and he would pretend to tickle our arm pits without touching them and whoever would move first lost. My kids love this game as well. I think Natalie always lost first. I also remember him being soft and loving towards my mother. When they would argue it always seemed to be over quick or behind closed doors. He would always tell us how special she was and that we needed to help out more because he didn't like seeing her upset. He has always been my biggest fan. He never doubted me. Always encouraged me to do my best. This is huge. So much of my confidence and self worth was nourished by this. I can't thank you enough for this daddy! When I think back on my childhood I don't have any negative thoughts. I know that my parents weren't perfect but I think that the good out weighed the bad and the sense of overwhelming love and acceptance fills my heart. I can honestly argue that it was practically perfect in every way. I was never embarrassed of my parents as a teen and loved to be around them. My dad always made us laugh. I remember nights at the dinner table with all of us just laughing and enjoying each other. He still makes me laugh. I still love to be around him. He still is there for me and my family when ever I need him. He still is the person I go to for advice or guidance. Even though I moved out over 10 years ago he still is my dad. I love him so much and hope he feels that from all of us on a daily bases. I am the person I am today because of my father. And he has even played a part in Don becoming the wonderful husband and father that he is today. His influence on all of us is constant and very much appreciated.

Thank you dad for everything! I know I wasn't the easiest child to parent. But I think you did an awesome job. Don is even inspired to live up to your example. I honestly hope my children are as happy as I was growing up. And after they are grown and look back on their life with true happiness like I do, then I'll know that I have succeeded. I hope you feel that way now. I am sorry I can't be there for your birthday but just know I'm thinking of you.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

I LOVE YOU!