Spring Break 2009

This year for Spring Break we left the gloom of Oregon behind and headed for the warm sun of Arizona. We did so much while we were there and everyone had a great time. Here is a recap through pictures...

The girls experienced the perks of flying First-Class

So did Stratton and his bear, John.

Once in Arizona...we found Spring waiting for us!

We took the kids out to Woodruff Falls for a little picnic

Stratton was so hot that he needed to take off his shirt :)

We hung out with cousins
- Ryson and Stratton -

Cascia, BrookeLyn and Presley

Stratton worked on his electric guitar skills

Uncle Ryan took us all for a ride in his plane

We left Holbrook for a few days to visit Tucson

Jeff and Stratton had to pull off to the side

of the road to "visit nature"--

Stratton got too close to the cactus

An Arizona sunset can't be beat

The Tucson Zoo is one of the kids favorites

They fed the giraffs

Pretended they were turtles

We went to the U of A bookstore to
replenish our Wildcat gear

We went to Old Tucson Studios

Waited at the train depot

Checked out an old steam locomotive

Posed for a family shot

Drove cool cars...three times

Went with the Albrecht cousins to
eat at Little Anthony's Diner

Pretended to be Elvis

And Marilyn!

Presley got baptized in Holbrook

Saw friends from California

-Cas and Lexie-

The Kersten and Hammond kids

Visited with family...

the kids and I with my Grandma Stuart

It was a really fun trip. We did a lot, drove a lot and enjoyed being around family a lot.

We miss everyone (and the sun) already!

Presley's Baptism

Presley asked to be baptized in Holbrook so that her Papa could conduct the baptism since he is the Bishop there. It was an amazing day in several ways. First, Presley looked adorable. She was so excited (and a little nervous). I asked her why she was nervous and she said, "What if Dad messes up?" (Thankfully, Jeff did an amazing job--no mess-ups!) You could look at Presley and see her happiness. She is such a joy! Another amazing part of the day was that Presley had all four of her grandmothers there to support her (two grandma's and two Great grandma's) plus a lot of other family and friends. There were about 50 people all together. I am so grateful for a family that supports one another...it made the day so special for Presley as well as for me. The baptism was wonderful. The Spirit was so strong and I know that Presley learned that day what the Holy Ghost feels like. Thank you to everyone who came and shared in a great day! Now on to the pictures!

Jeff, Presley and me.

Presley and her Papa (the Bishop)

Jeff and Presley

Congratulations, Presley!

Cas turned eleven...

It's hard to believe, but true. Cascia is now eleven!

Cas is such a great kid! I wish that I could push that pause button

and keep her where she is for a little while longer.

I really appreciate Cas and all that she does.

We are so lucky to have her in our family. Happy Birthday, Cascia....we love you!

We had to make the best cupcakes in the whole world for Cascia's birthday also.

Look at all of those candles.

Bring on the presents...

Cas saw this shirt and loved it so I bought it for her birthday. It is a little girl with a dog

and she is saying, "Please, Mom, can I keep her?"

That's as close as Cas is going to get to having her own dog.

Proof that a 4 year old lives here

At any given time during any given day you can walk through our house and find proof that a very cute and inventive four year old lives there. It seems that every day I find "inventions" that Stratton has made and then left behind because something else has caught his attention. I decided to take some pictures of what I found in four different rooms yesterday.

First, in the play-room was this. Stratton told me that it was a factory.

Made from train parts and Tinker-toys.

Second, just outside of the play-room in the hallway I found a pirate ship.

Patiently waiting for the captain to return and set sail.

Third, in the family room there was a small village made out of colorful blocks.

Forth, in the living room a fire truck with his rescue ladder fully extended.

I wonder if someone or something was rescued off of that chair?

And finally, a very long "conveyor belt" made out of Jenga blocks.

I love finding evidence of Stratton throughout the house. He is so creative and has a huge imagination. It will be a sad day when the proof that a four year old lives here disappears.