Do you ever get tired of going to Disneyland?

I actually get asked this question often ~ especially when it's time to head to visit the Mouse with the Band. (And Jenny's blog post got me excited too!) I subscribe to the Disney Insider e-newsletter and I read this Fan Spotlight that really sums up my feelings.

Not Enough Times!
by Lillian, 36, Surprise, AZ

Growing up I have several fond memories of visiting Disneyland. Friends ask me all the time "How many times have you been there? Doesn't it get boring?" I have the same response, "Not enough times and it's never boring." As a child, I visited the park with my parents and close family. Each year we had new memories of riding the rides and finishing each day with a laugh. Adulthood allowed me to share with my children the special experience of Disneyland. Each time I visit the park, I feel so happy and the great memories are revisited. Thank you for being a positive part of who I am.

I grew up 10 minutes away from Disneyland. I remember, as a kid, standing on a chair in my dining room and being able to see the fireworks from my house. I remember going to Disneyland for my birthday. I remember getting into my pj's and piling in the back of my Dad's Ford station wagon with blankets and popcorn and head over to the open strawberry field to watch the fireworks. Going there for Mormon Night a Disneyland and seeing the Osmonds. (Man! That dates me doesn't it?)

I also have to add that our family has a tradition of what our first ride of the day is and what direction we "flow" around the park;

JUNGLE CRUISE - have to start with a bit of humor. Plus the line is short :

Then we "flow" to Indiana Jones, run up Tarzan's Treehouse (used to be Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse in the "olden days".) Haunted Mansion,

Pirates,

Splash Mountain,

Hint: Don't go on Splash Mountain RIGHT after they've re-opened the attraction from filling the water. You get DRENCHED :D

Big Thunder (Tabitha's favorite since she was a kid)

.... You see the direction we head?

Here's what you get when you squish 3 people in the front seat of Mr. Toad's

Autopia ~ such a pretty sight

So, our infamous cinnamon roll fundraiser is coming up very soon. We are taking orders now. $20 for a dozen LARGE rolls. (They freeze really well too!) Will be delivering on October 10th & 11th.

Leave some comment love to place your order (or for those of you who have tasted them and have moved away, help convince the others to order). And believe me, Amber does make these herself. All I do is "supervise" the ingredient dumping and I roll them out for her. The rest is ALL her.

Reflections of Christ

Mark Mabry is an incredible photographer. His project entitled Reflections of Christ touches the deepest parts of your Spirit. He takes photgraphic images that portray events in the life of Jesus Christ. I found myself moved to tears. I have to say my favorite of the images that I've seen so far are:

1 - Angels annunciation to the Shepherds
2 - Baptism of Christ by John the Baptist
3 - The 10 Virgins

Here is a link to a slide show that gives you an idea his work.
http://www.eastvalleyproductions.com/blog.cfm?postID=31

His book is now on my Birthday/Christmas list. (Hint, hint my family. Coordinate with Rob so I don't get 3 or 4 of these. :D)

October 4 - 5, 2008
If you are fortunate enough to live within a decent driving distance from Salt lake City his work will be on exhibit at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building on The Mezzanine level beginning at 9:00 and closing at 10:00 PM on Saturday and Sunday. To quote "We hope everyone will take the opportunity to come and see it. Just so everyone knows, there is no charge for admission... Nor will there ever be. "

Dirty Neck Snapper Ned

You never knew David had a bit o' pirate in him, did ye?

Your Pirate Name Is...

Dirty Neck Snapper Ned

What's Your Pirate Name?

Yesterday was National Talk Like a Pirate Day!! And we had a bit of fun around here. First Rob (who is home recovering nicely from his 2nd cataract surgery) & I whipped out our pirate kite and hung it up in the entry way.

Then we got the movie - Treasure Island. The old Disney one. Made the homemade pizza dough and had a blast. Here's David's creation with a bit o' shaping help from Lord Right Eye Rob.

The Perfect Lunch

Does this look like the most perfect lunch in the entire UNIVERSE?

Sansa and Zestar Apples
Compte' cheese
Freshly ground Honey Roasted peanut butter
All purchased from Bellwood Acres!!

Note to self: Apple juice and cider is ready. Get over there and get some!!!

Yum! Yum!!

Hurricane Ike - Long post here

He was definately one rude puppy!! It's amazing that this was only a Category 2 hurricane!He affected more than just TX and the gulf coast. Have you ever known anyone that was involved in a hurricane? Well, the only thing, up until now that I've known is our friend, Jeff Loveland being involved in USAR (Urban Search and Rescue) and having to go out and help afterward. He even did a presentation for our Scout troop a few years back. Boy, was that impressive! The things he's seen and done over the years are incredible. I wouldn't doubt if he's heading for TX right now.

Anyway, I've had SO many friends in TX that had to evacuate. Some have fared better than others because they were further inland. But 3 inparticular have my heart just hurting because I just don't know how to help them personally.


Kris - her home is condemmed!


She's still in shock of this entire situation. Read about her experience here. Heavenly Father definately watched over her family, especially her husband and their saint of a dog. She is such a woman of faith. Please pray for them.



Alicia - They were able to ride out the storm in their home. Of course lost power but also had some damage from losing shingles from roof. This happened:


Chrissy - During the storm her sweet little daughter had a terrible case of bronchitis. Can you imagine being treated by a MASH unit? Her house actually has a 4 x 8 chunk missing out of it and they've covered it with plywood and a tarp . She also has a very successful doggie day care business and that building seems to have fared better than her home. But it does need some clean up there too. Her biggest frustration right now is dealing with her homeowner's insurance vs. FEMA. This is a prime example of if you take care of yourself (paying $3400 a year for insurance) you get messed over BIG TIME vs. letting the "government" (aka ~ us taxpayers) take care of things. She has a $4,500 deductible to pay on her insurance (don't know the details) and FEMA won't give her anything because she prepared and has insurance. She doesn't need this kind of stress! Just her house repaired! She hopes to get the business up and running again quickly.

Bren's young adult daughter - She lives only 2 blocks fromt he Galveston seawall. And we all know what happened there. Yes, she did evacuate as well but in her quickness in leaving she didn't take much with her. She's been told that electricity won't be restored for a month! No further word on the condition of her apartment.

Suzanne - she lives in Brazoria county. Her home fared amazingly well from what we have heard. Just downed trees and such. No water or wind damage.

Jodi B. - fared well too with just no power and lots of downed trees and a mess to clean up. She's the only woman in the house so she has LOTS of testosterone in the house to whip out those muscles. Unless she kills them first :D

And it doesn't end there. Friends in Ohio, Indiana and Illinois have had to deal with this!

And that equals NO POWER as well.

So when you snuggle up in your cozy bed tonight please remember the many, many people that don't even have a home anymore or a damaged one. Say some prayers for them please.

So touched

We recently learned that one of our all time, favorite pianists, Paul Cardall is in need of a heart transplant and is on the list. He is such a amazing person. One of the most kindest people you would EVER want to meet. Our family had the privilege to meet him and his sweet wife, Lynette when we organized him to do a fireside for our church in little old Bellingham. They drove up from Seattle to do it. Paul (along with another pianist Jon Schmidt) had A LOT to do with Robert continuing to play the piano and developing his incredible talent. Our thoughts and prayers are with Paul and his family during this time while he is on the donor list.

Go check out his blog for updates and his thoughts about the waiting process.

http://mytricuspidatresia.blogspot.com/

He has a beautiful videoposted for the date of August 20th. Or you can watch it here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BeYuh2LqhF4

And his NEW CD sounds AMAZING!!!! I "NEED" to go get this.

Remember him, his wife Lynette and daughter Eden in your prayers!

So touched

It's your Birthday!!!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOSHUA!!!

At the ripe old age of 22 years old!!!

Sorry I don't have any baby pictures to embarrass you with. Hum, I'll have to put Tabitha on that for next year. And I'll have to work on getting pictures of him by himself ~ without Tabitha.

Have you forgotten?

I think we ALL remember where we were, what we were doing, and people we thought of immediately. Our thoughts and first phone call went to Grandma Vicki who has both her son and daughter-in-law working for American Airlines. Boy were we grateful to actually wake them up with the news to find out they BOTH were not working.


And of course we can not forget the attack on the Pentagon as well as those brave men and women on Flight 93 that crashed in Pennslyvania.



The United States, not to mention most of the World was united. United in prayer, in resolve, in justice. What has happened over the past 7 years that have made people forget? The families of those who lost someone have NOT forgotten.


There is not a picture of more bravery than this!

Except this one ~ a firefighter running UP while everyone else was being evacuated.


One of the most touching photos in the days to come.

Don't EVER forget!

I can't believe I did this!!!

Don't worry! No major confessions :D So I have a new morning routine now that David's school start time is 7:40 am. My clock goes off around 5:30 am to make sure Miss Amber is up and outta bed. I take her to seminary (Bible study) at 6:20 or so. Come back home and make myself a protein drink and plop on the couch and read my scriptures while David is getting ready for school. Rob takes David to school on his way to work.

So this morning after the boys left I consciously made the decision to curled up on the couch with a blanket. I proceeded to take a 45 minute nap!!! The past few nights my sleep just hasn't been the best. Wow! I woke up refreshed and ready to take on my step-aerobics class! I conquered!!! I cleaned up!! As in grooming myself :D

Now off to go spend money!!!

Wish I was going to the Spa!