Florida- Long journal entry- be forewarned

Spent my 33rd birthday in Florida with my sister Kelli.  It was a quick decision made a week before departure.  I had some miles I could use, and I really wanted to go do something fun.  So I flew to Orlando where she picked me up.  We had decided to drive to Daytona Beach and spend the night there so that we could start the day already at the beach...
Our adventure began trying to find a gas station to refuel the work truck she picked me up in. (long story short- her car battery was dead and she had to jump in the truck).  My flight got in around 11:30pm, so we were out in the middle of the night, relying solely on our phone GPS to find a station.  We got off several exits not finding anything, or finding one, but the pumps were shut off since the store was closed!  FInally we found a station open.
We arrived at our Daytona Beach hotel around 1:30 and hit the sack.  Kelli loved the hotel, because it was kinda a dive and she loves that. haha. But we were right on the beach, and the beds were comfy.
We had breakfast at a little diner in the morning.  Kelli ordered grits- not great. lol.  Daytona beach is pretty cool. You can pull your car down and park on the beach (but we didn't,  because we didn't want to pay).  There was a pier and we decided to walk down the beach to the pier and then sit out after a little shopping.  THere were the typical touristy surf shops, and then we ventured a little further and the town seemed desereted and a little sketchy, so we turned back around and got some ice cream.  As we walked out of the ice cream shop, it began to rain.  We decided to wait the rain out under the pier...After about 10 minutes, it was apparent the rain was not letting up, and the lightening and thunder were all around us.  It was pretty cool.  We had almost a mile walk down the beach to our car.  I'm sure it was pretty funny for all the people huddling in their cars to see the two of us leisurely strolling down the beach in the pouring rain with the lightening and thunder.  I told Kelli we should begin running around frolicking in the waves, then they'd really think we were crazy!  We spent the next hour browsing a local antique store- entertaining ourselves by trying on old furs, and looking through vintage toys and books.  Still the rain continued.  We gave up our plans of sitting on the beach and headed back to Kelli's place in Ocala.  It was almost a two hour drive.  About 1/2 way there we came upon this shop/yard full of painted sculptures and pots.  THere were huge statues of roosters, bulls, and giraffes outside.  We knew we had to stop! Luckily the rain had let up and we enjoyed exploring the large yard, taking funny pictures on benches that were sculted as bums, and posing with the various animal sculptures.  Nothing funner than being silly with your sister!
The next two days we lounged at Kelli's place on a beautiful horse farm.  We went to the farmer's market on Saturday and browsed the stores and boutiques in the area.  That night we went back to town for dinner and after leaving the restaurant, we heard this really loud heavy metal music and decided it was imperative we find out where it was coming from.  We rounded the block and found O'Malleys bar.  We ventured in, and out to the back bar, and found the noise! A crazy heavy metal band with painted faces, and long headbanging hair was screaming away.  It was pretty awesome.  It was so fun to just sit and watch.  They even had groupies screaming along with them. haha.  After about 5-10 minutes we had enough of the pounding music, so we headed out.
Sunday Kelli took me for a horse ride around their farm.  It was the first time she and I have ever ridden together, and it was fun to be in a different situation with her.  She was very cautious and watching me, and making sure I was ok.  COnstantly reminding me what to do and teaching me.  Funny how this has been a part of her life for so long, and I had never shared it with her.
Monday was my birthday and we decided to visit a beach on the Gulf side of Florida.  We headed down through Tampa and out to Clearwater beach. It was amazingly beautiful!  It was a gorgeous day, the water is calm and warm.  And the beach was full of families and sea shells. I can't wait to talk the kids there.  It was a nice relaxing day of reading, visiting, and a little swimming.  We went to a nice dinner in Clearwater before  heading back to Orlando for the night. When we got to the hotel, we realized our butts were kinda sore... Upon inspection...we had fried our backsides. haha. It was hilarious! We were exhausted, and taking pictures of our burns and sending them to Cole was so funny to us.
I had an early flight, so we were up and checked out by 5am.  I said goodbye to Kelli and hopped on the shuttle to the airport.  After a little wait, I was on my flight and headed home.
What a trip.  It was a mish-mash of everything, and I had a really good time being with Kelli and experiencing some of her life.
I will post some of the pictures tomorrow.

Summer Fun- June 2013

Cole and I celebrating our 12 year Anniversary

My nephew Clip, the Unicorn.  This was the Father's Day Pinata Kelli brought for the fathers to break on Father's Day

Easton loves Golf.  For being brave at the Dentist, his treat was going to hit range balls at the golf course

Easton has some cavaties to fill. He's really scared of the dentist from previous experiences, so I asked him if I could give him something to help him be brave. Something I could buy him that he could have if he was brave.  His response- "Maybe a kiss".  I said, "Did you say a kiss?" "Yes" he replied.. MELT MY HEART. And don't worry he got a kiss before and after!

At the Dentist they gave him the gas while the assistant put sealent on his permanent tooth, but he had to go to the bathroom, so she let him up and I helped him to the bathroom.  He said, "Mom, you were right! I feel funny!" Then he gave me this really goofy face and laugh...it was hilarious!

This is Easton's prize from the dentist.

Shyler had to have a growth removed last week from her lip. She was super brave! I also offered her something to give her a reason to be brave.  She chose a football.  She has decided she wants to play flag football this year, so she needed a real football to practice.

We let the kids get 3 chicks...so far they are doing great taking care of them.

My cutie pie nephew Tom wearing his mustache from the Pinata loot on Father's Day

Shyler hitting range balls

Tayla and Shyler's teams played against each other. Here is my neice Tayla batting and Shyler catching. She loves playing catcher. Pretty sure it's because she gets to touch the ball so much.  First year of the girls pitching, and it's a snooze fest most of the time as they walk almost every batter. haha.

Girls Camp 2013

This year I was Camp Director for our ward's Young Women Girls Camp.  I was called in the Fall and began looking for places to hold camp.  Our ward had been to Bennion Creek (our stake's property) for 2 years in a row, and were dreading a 3rd! I check Heber Valley (booked), checked a bunch of surrounding church properties/camps, but with no luck.  I was running out of options...I turned to the world wide web...googled- LDS Girls Camp Locations, and found an online conversation.  One of the women mentioned Reid Ranch... so I looked in to it. Looked amazing! Staying in a lodge, food being served to us, horses, archery, etc.  I was a little nervous on the cost, but I got it approved.  YAY! I had a great assistant to work with and over the months we worked on camp certification requirements with the girls, and planning and prepping for camp.

June 10th, we set out from the church with the girls...We had an amazing time, and I was so happy with how the days went.  Love these girls and the women I get to work with!

Easton's 7th Birthday

Easton's birthday this year fell on the last day of school.  So we had his friend party right after school.  They shot some hoops, raced around a backyard obstacle course, and played and had cake and ice cream.  Wow what a wild bunch!

We then did a birthday bbq that night with our family to celebrate Easton and Xadin's birthdays (his cousin Xadin turned 1 the following day)

Basketball cake for the friend birthday party, and you can't see, but the water bottles have labels that say "Happy Birthday Easton"

Photo Overload

Took a family hike this weekend up Mapleton Canyon trail

Sunday after church we went down to the Junior High field and played catch, and Easton practiced his golf swing with his new clubs.

Shyler really knows how to eat some juicy ribs! It was dripping down her hands. lol

Zoey really doesn't love her baths...can you see the begging and pleading in her eyes?

Easton sprayed me in the back with his water gun...so Cole did the gentlemenly thing and got him back for me :)

Shyler did her Passion Project at school on Hunting.  We did a little video for her presentation of her shooting the .22 at this target.

Shyler, just being cute

Cole helping Easton with his swing

One afternoon after church, after getting all my things out of the car, I walked in to the living room to this! In that short amount of time, Easton had run in, put his Halloween costume on, and was getting a show turned on.  Silly boy.

Shyler raced in the Hershey Track Field Day this year...here she is in the first round of the 50M dash- she took first in that race.  She also did the softball throw and long jump.

Easton being Captain Underpants

We took the kids to a REAL Salt Lake soccer game with my friend Amanda and her husband.  Easton and I enjoying makinig fun family memories

Casey's family came down on Memorial Day and we met up with them at the Spanish Fork Resevoir

Took the kids and our neighbors to the new splashpad...these silly boys...thought they were so funny!

Another fun pic of our hike up Mapleton Canyon trail

Visiting Grandma Ronella's grave on Memorial Day.  We rode our bikes down.

Shyler and Easton watching the REAL Salt Lake soccer game

Easton's First Grade Class- Mrs. Wayment
Last day of school

Easton sporting his Yankees uniform after a fun game