We be trippin...

April was a fun filled month for us and it has just flown by.  Besides Katelee's baptism and family coming to visit, we have had a couple other big events.  #1-Family trip to Moab

 

 

 

For the kids spring break, we decided to head down to Moab and take a little hiking vacation...really the other outdoor activities there were not options with the littles.  We spent the first night exploring the rim of Canyonlands, which was exceptional and then a terrible dinner at a local grill.  Seriously, most bad restaurant experiences are not worth mentioning but after waiting 1 1/2 hours for food and then getting the gluten free meal wrong, there were people in tears at our table.  The next morning (it was are hard to tell if it was morning, considering I was up all night patting Harrison's back when he would wake up confused...two years away from sleep on vacations-I can do this!) we primped for our adventure in Arches National park.  And yes, I did say primped for the hike...

 

This little diva got all bejeweled and said, "I'm ready for my hike, do I look fancy?"  And off we were to Delicate Arch.  It was fabulous and the kids were troopers.  This is not classified as an easy hike, in fact it is labeled as difficult, so I was a bit concerned.  But, there was no need to worry-it was a blast!

We live in a magnificent state!  The hike was spectacular and entertaining with this crew, for sure.  Brenna approached Grant and said, "Grant, lets hold hands, remember how you like to hold my hand?"  Grant responded that he actually did not recall this, at all, but with some coaxing, he did grab his little sister's hand and help her along. 

Despite Brenna's face in this photo, we were all thrilled to make it to the top!

It was super windy and a narrow ledge, so Dad especially was concerned.  We were so proud of the kiddos.  It helped to have amazing scenery and good snacks.  I handed Brenna a beef stick that she could not get over.  She kept saying how much she loved it.  Finally, I said, "Brenna, I will get you a beef stick for your birthday."  You would think the girl had received the best news of her life.  As we were hiking, probably an hour later, Brenna yells, "Dad, I want beef sticks for my birthday!"  There were strangers cracking up coming down the rocks.  They were saying, 'did you hear that kids wanting beef sticks for their birthday!?  Ha ha!'  Good times.  A little over three hours later, Dave did end up with one kid on his back and one on his shoulders, pretty impressive Daddy-O!

Each night, we spent time at the Rotary Park in Moab. The kids were in heaven...

The next day we hit lots of little hikes to other arches, but it was so windy, we had to keep yelling, "take cover!"  Harrison was a bit of a grump not getting naps, so he would snooze in the car a bit with Dave while I ran with the big kids through the sand storms!!  Katelee is ever our adventurer and was up for everything!  We swam at the hotel, went out to eat, saw the incredible Dead Horse Point and just had the greatest time!  Love getaways with our little familia!  Brenna, however, was not impressed with driving...she doesn't drive on vacations, she informed me, she flies! 

 

The following week, I was invited by these two dears to crash their getaway in Florida.  A few days in Disney and Universal without kids?  Yes, please!!

 My mom and I flew out to meet Shannon and Blake who had arrived a few days before us.  Mom and I enjoyed a fanciful dinner at our amazingly classy hotel (booked by travel agent extraordinaire-Mr David McArthur) and we had a big sleepover where mom broke through the pillow barrier and karate chopped Blake in the night, no wonder he opted for the floor the next night!  Even with no kids, we hit the ground running-we got up early to hit an extra hour at Harry Potter world in Universal.  It really is spectacular!!

 



There is the infamous Gringotts Bank ride that we were determined to get on.  The dragon breathes fire, it is incredible.  While that was fun, it still isn't quite as magical to me as Hogwarts castle itself...

 

This is us after the Jurassic Park water ride where every inch of my body was drenched.  Seriously though, Hogwarts is just transcendent!

We ran from ride to ride, used our express passes, ate pasties and dined at Three Broomsticks, rode the funniest rollercoaster ever because it video tapes you in action.  I sat by Blake as he tried to hold his brain in his head and I had no clue he was looking as though he was going to cry and die until after the film.  We just about peed our pants laughing so hard.  The whole day was a blast!

The next morning we got to meet up with Paige and Jason at the wonderful world of Disney.  We started at Magic Kingdom to see the new Fantasyland-which did not disappoint.  My mom made me go in the bathrooms by Rapunzel's tower because she was enchanted by the decor of the lieu. 

 

It was a hot weekend, but Splash Mountain helped.  Best part of this pic-my mom.  Where is she you ask?  Oh, she is the pile of ponchos behind Jason...not one drop of water on her, please!

We ate at the funnest restaurant-the Sci-Fi Diner and I also partook of a little piece of heaven called a Pineapple Dole Whip Float.  I will never be the same again.  We went on the Star Tours ride a lot so I could break my streak of always getting a 'Wookie' World.  We got stuck on the Tower of Terror  and it literally was TERRIFYING.  It was pitch black, crazy Australian ladies on our ride cackling like witches, I had a minor panic attack, I bonded with a man on the single rider line of Rock-n-Rollercoaster where he told me he stopped breathing.  So much fun!!! 

Our last day was at Epcot, to see the World and the Garden Festival, or whatever it is called...

 It was really cool to see all the topiaries and garden sculptures.  We tried to pose as a few.  My goal for Epcot was to eat something from every land...I failed miserably.  I got way too full and ate too much in France, but I did had some delicious delights.  The other goal during our Disney time was to constantly use the cast members names as much as we could.  When else am I going to get to say the name Bertha? 

 

 Dave thinks I can't be serious in pictures, which is 85% true, so to show him that I can, I thought I would post a couple...

 We watched the fantastic Epcot fireworks and got to finish up with the Teacups where we spun the fastest in history of teacup spinning...okay, it wasn't documented, but it felt like it. 

Great trip with my mom and sibs!  (And Jason too, of course!)  And serious shout out to my mom...I mean she did just turn 70, and she was on her feet walking and riding every ride for 14 hours just one day alone.  She totally could have outlasted some people (ahem...Blake!).  It was a blast and I am so glad Dave was here at home to hold down the fort.  Thanks peeps!

 

 

Days that Matter

 

Every year there are those holidays and special events that you look forward to, whether they are reoccurring or a one time deal. Some days are more significant than others...like, Christmas is a bigger deal to us than, say, Arbor Day! Easter is always a really important date to set apart. This year we had Dave's friend Jon in town, so he got to spend the weekend doing some of our Easter traditions. We went to the city Easter Egg Hunt, which is more like Easter Prizes Mass Chaos Scramble. The thousands of kids separate into age groups and when that fire truck siren goes, it is every man for himself. It's a slightly frightening and yet thrilling experience!  It was general conference weekend, so we got to listen to apostles speak as we colored eggs.  It was lovely. 

Sunday, we had a little lesson about the Atonement and Resurrection, watched the last two sessions of conference, had an Easter dinner with Evan, Amy, Mark, Brandon, Malia, Malia's sister and Jack.  Good food and good times.  It was a neat day to spend with family as we thought about its eternal significance and listened to testimonies. 

 Another very special event happened on Saturday-it was Katelee's baptism. 

Katelee has been looking forward to this day for quite sometime and kept saying, "I can't believe its really here!"  She was just glowing, cliche, yes, but true. 

She had a lot of family come to support her-all the locals and Uncle Brian flew in, Grandma and Grandpa McArthur came from Florida, Uncle Brent, Aunt Kimber and Max and Karly drove from Phoenix to spend just the one day here.  That was a lot of driving and we were so happy to have them!  Katelee and Karly (and Grant and Max) have the best time together and want to use up every minute to play together...at the expense of sleep.  It catches up to ya, or should I say them, when the tears and tempers surface after the sleep deprivation!

 

Katelee baptism service was combined with two other kids from our ward-Landon and Breanna.  The program was so sweet and really spiritual.  Grandma Carolyn did a great talk on the Holy Ghost and the highlight was all the kids from the three families singing "I Know that My Savior Loves Me." 

 





Breanna is one of Katelee's closest friends, so it was nice to share the day with her. 

Dave performed the baptism and confirmation.  It is so wonderful to have him honor the priesthood and be there for Katelee.  As she was baptized and received the gift of the Holy Ghost, of course I was moved to tears, (but just small ones), because I felt the significance of those ordinances for her and for myself.  What a beautiful plan the Lord has set out for us.  Here Katelee is in her baptism dress ready for church the next day.  Shannon was so nice and did her hair in braids for the baptism, we kept them in all night and she was Miss Curly Q.   



 These momentous days are so amazing, it is hard to capture the feelings we experienced.  But, while I can't write it down, I know I can draw on those emotions throughout my life. I know the spirit will bring to my heart and memory those feelings.  I am overwhelmed at the love Heavenly Father and our Savior have for me and my family.  Those incredible days, that Easter long ago, the baptism of my dear sweet daughter make all of our days matter.  Every week may not have a big event, but because of the Atonement, what I choose to do with each day can bring me closer to my Father.  Because of one incredible day Katelee chose to become a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and receive the Holy Ghost, her every day can be filled with His influence.  How amazing it is that those big days make all the other days matter more!