Blog Slacker...

I am such a slacker....Spring Break was like a month ago, but not to worry, I uploaded all the rest of our pictures so I can catch up on the past month - Easter, Soccer, all sorts of fun stuff! Stay tuned...

Hoover Dam...Bad Idea

So we decided on our way home from Arizona to try a new way home - usually you have to take a two lane highway most of the way and since it was motor home season, we opted to go through Lake Havasu and cross the Hoover Dam...BAD IDEA!!! As we approached the Dam, traffic was backed up 5 miles just to GET to Hoover Dam. (Hello...Spring Break - what were we thinking!!!)

It took us an hour to go 5 miles - with two boys who had pee like none other!! (We were moving slow enough in the line of cars that a husband let his wife or girlfriend out to do the same and she had to run FOREVER to catch him again) So, the boys had to just hold it. Once we actually got the the entrance of the Hoover Dam we pulled off the road where the bathrooms were and a gift shop, we all got out stretched our legs, took a picture, and wondered around for a minute before getting back in the car to cross the Dam.

Check out the line of cars...it winds all the way through the Dam...we were at the top waiting to come down into the canyon.

"Princess Cottam" impatiently waits...(Colby got a girl toy in his happy meal, so they asked me to wear it.)

Jonathan shows off the Billion Dollar Bill that the lady at the gift shop gave him.

Yes, we were moving slow enough that I took this picture from a moving car...a few years ago the water was almost to the top of the Dam...

Finally to the other side...this is the new bridge they are building, so if you don't actually want to spend 2 1/2 hours trying to get across the Dam, you won't have to. In all reality we had a good time and we ended up getting home at the same time we would have if we had gone the other way, but note to self...avoid ANY tourist attractions during spring break!

Spring Break '08

Every year for Spring Break we head to Yuma Arizona to visit my grandma and my cousins...

On our way to Gila Bend to have lunch with all the Great Aunts
Set them up...

watch them fall

Who knew you could have so much fun with Domino's

Jonathan & Colby spend hours building towers with Domino's

Jonathan, Grandma & I before we head for home

All Grown Up...

Our baby boy is 9!! Where has the time gone....I just blinked once and here we are...9 years later. And what a wonderful 9 years it has been!! As we enter the pre-teen, teen and adult years - life will get busy, eventually turning into dating and driving...then off to college and a mission. Seems so far away, but it seems like just yesterday we were holding him in our arms - grateful that our miracle baby was healthy and well. How grateful I am to be the mother of such a wonderful son, who I not only love more than life it's self, but who I admire for his unwavering faith in the Lord, his constant example to others, including myself, to choose the right and love unconditionally! J - we are so proud of you and love you so much! Thank you for being who you are and for making the last 9 years the best years of our life!

And the party goes on...

Sunday night we had all our family over for cake. Jonathan loved having two cakes and two birtday parties and two times the presents. After cake, Danny wanted to wrestle with Jonathan...not to worry though she can hold her own! It was a fun weekend, but boy was I ready for it to be over...

Jonathan's Big Day

Jonathan had his 9th birthday last weekend...where has the time gone? We took Jonathan and 5 of his friends swimming at sandhallow and then back to our house for pizza, cake and a sleepover. I can't believe he is 9! Happy Birthday big J!

Hangin' out in Richfield

Jonathan & his dad splashing around the pool.

Kasey, Danny, Tif, Jake, Emily, & Jonathan warming up in the hot tub

Drying out for a minute

Uncle Kasey throw me in...Sammy goes for a swim!

Two cute bed bugs! (two of my favorites)

Nonie blessed baby Emma this weekend, so we all headed up to Richfield Utah. Since church was at 9 am, and Richfield is about 2 & 1/2 hours from St George, the family gathered at the Hampton Inn in Richfield. After hanging out at Nonie's house, shopping and having some yummy pizza, we all headed back to the hotel for some swimming before bed. Kasey was such a sweet heart and went swimming with all the kids and they had a blast. After swimming, we divided the kids up and headed for bed. Kasey and I ended up with Sammy and Danny in our room with us, (the two cute bed bugs above) and Jonathan and Jake went to Great Grandma Smiths room. (A 9 year old and 10 year old are much better suited roommates for an 86 year old grandma) The baby blessing was wonderful and the family gathering after was super crazy but so much fun! Kasey comes from a family with 8 children - which is HUGE to me...but Nonie married into a family with 13!!!! So there were lots of people there, like 65 I think, but Nonie - you did an amazing job! Emma looked beautiful, the kids had a great time, and it was truly a perfect weekend. We need more of those!