Counting Down

6 days to go! Melody and I are on the countdown and are both so excited to go to Disneyland on Saturday!! We have been planning the trip for about a year and it always seemed so far away, but Fall Break is next week and I took the entire week off of work. (I haven't ever done that and I am almost as excited about that as Disneyland...but not quite :) Melody has already outlined all the rides that are top priority. She could care less about seeing a princess or the characters... it is all about the rides. I'm the same way so it works out great for the two of us. Hopefully we will have a great time and get some good pictures too.

Swimming Lessons

These are pictures from Melody's last swimming lesson. She just had one other girl in her class and got a lot of one on one time with her teacher. She loved wearing goggles, but they never would stay on right. She loved using the kick boards and playing water games. But, Mel is most proud that she was able to swim to the other side of the pool. I got a picture of her teacher so you could see the likeness to the card she made, not bad, huh?

Melody's Thank You Card

Melody has been taking swimming lessons for the last 8 weeks and has really liked her teacher. She wanted to make him a card so I gave her a thank you card that was blank inside and this is what she came up with. I think it is too cute and pretty good for no help. Melody says, " Swimming lessons are the best and Jacob is the best teacher." The card says ... Dear Jacob, I thank you for being a great teacher for me. From, Melody

The Shack

I just finished reading The Shack by William P. Young. I thought it was really good and it has made me think a lot about my relationship with God. I don't agree with everything but I think it has a beautiful message and it never hurts to take a look at our relationships. The beginning of the book was hard for me to read because of the tragedy that set up the play of events but after that it was interesting to read of one persons search for peace. If anyone is looking for a good book, I'd recommend this one.

Pine, AZ

After working hard last weekend, Melody and I went to Pine this weekend with Maya and Nate and their family. We stayed in Aunt Brenda and Uncle Art's cabin (thanks!!). Melody Said we had "the best weekend ever". I agree that is was a lot of fun and very relaxing. We drove up Friday after work and stopped off at the Maya and Nate's ward campout and then went to the cabin. We got to have Taya ride with us and Melody loved having a friend drive in our car.

Saturday, Melody loved riding on the golf cart into town to the Honey Shack for honey sticks. We also saw a few deer while we were driving around. Later that day, we went bowling. Melody had never been before and she liked it a lot and even got a spare. She can't wait to bowl again. All the kids did a great job and Maya and Nate got into a pretty fierce competition. Maya was pretty smooth and won the first game but Nate came back in game two for the win. Next, we went to a creek and let the kids play. It was freezing but Jade swam across and earned herself 5 dollars :)

Sat night the kids had dinner, popcorn and a movie while Maya, Nate and I went to dinner at Mama Joe's. The food was good and it was nice to hang out with them. I always get great conversation and learn alot ;) when I'm with them. After getting the kiddos to bed, Maya and I made hair clips. I thought they turned out great! (Maya you are the best).

Sunday was Nate's birthday. So, we surprised him with a great gift and the kids all made him cards. We had some yummy cupcakes and even though we couldn't find the candles, I'm sure his wish still came true. Nate, thanks for your great example and all you do for us. We love you and hope your Bday is great.

Unfortuantely, we had to come home. We had a blast! Thanks to the Brooks Fam for the invite and to the Sanders for sharing your cabin.

I did have to add a few pictures just for laughs; we were riding through town and I noticed a sign asking for a pulse oximeter to be returned. My work continually calls and leaves voicemails to all of the nurses asking for stuff to be returned, I think I'm going to suggest this at the next staff meeting :) Also, I had to take a picture of the big hill that I tried to drive up. I was taking it nice and easy and...didn't make it. Luckily, Nate got us to the top. Thanks Nate.

Before and After

Some of these pictures are repeats, but for a reason. Donelle and Leslie's sleepover party pics are a great before of my living room. You can get the idea of the transformation from nothing matching to something Better! Tanisha and Coleman were the catalyst of this project and Jon and Chrissy provided most of the furniture. Since we were working with a limited budget ;) there had to be a lot of creativity and ingenuity. Tanisha was definitely the artistic inspiration. I had a few basic ideas but luckily I have friends with good taste. Thank you for all you do for Melody and I. We appreciate you and your families. Thanks for everything!