What's up Radio

Brady Bear is 9! What? How did that happen?! We had a fun time celebrating Braden this year. We began by letting him choose a friend to take to the movies with us. We went to see Hotel Transylvania 2 on Saturday the weekend before his birthday at the Green Valley Galaxy Theater where we got to watch the movie in comfortable Lazy Boy recliners! Braden has been begging to see a movie at that theater (and so has Kam) so this was the perfect time to check it out. On Braden's actual birthday we started the day with eggs and toast and then off to school. When Braden got home he didn't have to do homework but he requested to help make dinner. He chose to make Cesar Salad with Olive Garden dressing and chicken noodle soup; his two most favorites. After dinner, and once Kam finally got off work (he got stuck in the OR) he opened presents from mom and dad. He got a solar powered robot, a magic slushy cup, Pokemon cards, and his favorite treats including: a plain Hersey chocolate bar, fruit-flavored tic-tacs, and Bertie Botts Every Flavour Beans!

After presents some of Braden's friends stopped by for cake and ice cream. Braden requested a chocolate, chocolate, chocolate "knife" cake so, I made a chocolate cake with chocolate pudding filling and chocolate buttercream frosting. To make it a knife cake, Braden took a knife and made an imprint in the frosting with it. 

He insisted on lighting the candles himself.

Make a Wish!

It was a simple celebration but Braden said it was perfect! I love this boy of mine. He is so good and helpful and I love that he loves me. Happy Birthday Brady Boy! 

*NOTE: "What's up Radio" is a little silly thing that happened during the day. I had asked Braden to text Kam to see when he would be home and while texting, Braden accidentally pressed the send button and the phone auto corrected what he had started to write with "What's up Radio." It was supposed to say "What's up Dadio." It was so funny. We laughed forever over it!

Labor Day: A Family Affair

This year for Labor day we had planned on going to Lake Powell to camp but at the last minute we needed to change our plans and instead headed to St. George for a fun weekend at a condo. This was a really fun trip with lots of opportunities for family bonding.

We arrived on Friday and spent the evening swimming and playing games. Then on Saturday morning, we headed out for a hike up Red Cliffs Trail.

Abi, Braden and K.

Grampa, Abi and the Grandkids.

Near the end of where we hiked to there was this climb around the rock.
Braden was really brave to go around. 

Riley did pretty well but got tired on the way back and Dad had to carry her.

This tree was so cool. It's branches grew our in all directions
curling around the rocks and even back down towards the ground.

After the hike we cooled off with a swim and played at the Condo while Kam went Golfing with Pappy, Zane and his brother, Kris. On Sunday, we did our best to have a nice quiet Sabbath. We got ready for church and headed to the St. George Temple. We watched a movie in the visitors center and looked at the exhibits there before heading to my Dad's ward for Sacrament Meeting.

All the cousins together.

Brother Cousins

After church, we ate lunch and changed our clothes and went to Squeeze Rock and Dixie Rock to enjoy the beauty of God's creations.

A little help down from Dad.

View of the Valley and Temple on Dixie Rock.

On Monday we played pickle ball in the morning and then swam for the rest of the day until it was time to go home.

Thank you, thank you to both my mom and my dad, as well as Lucinda and Pappy, for making this trip special and wonderful. It was so wonderful to see all of my family together and enjoying eachother. (PS. We missed you Dane)

The River 2015

Just a week after returning home from Utah we headed back north again. This time Daddy joined us for the annual River Run in Idaho. I've said it before and I'll say it again, this is the trip I look forward to the most every year. It must be the nostalgia it brings from my childhood and every year after. The weather was ok while camping. It did rain lightly on us but we had lots of sun for the majority of the time. I was really happy that Riley went down the river with us at least once every day and Carter went down on his own tube this year! He wasn't too sure about it, but each time got more confident so long as Dad was keeping hold of him.

Visting Gramma Dee and Grampa Dan with the T Carr Fam.

Riley waiting for us on the bridge.

Dad and Braden.

This is how we bathe up at the River.
Too bad the boys are too big. They didn't like
having to bathe in the cold river.

Carter spent a lot of time in the sand box.

I couldn't get Riley to drink out of a cup.
She just wanted it straight from the source.

Riley loves Olie.

Playing cards with cousins.

On our way home we stopped in Logan to visit Grampa Henrie and then stopped at the Logan Cemetery to visit Gramma Norma. This is the first time back to her grave site since her death nearly 6 years ago. 

Alaska 2015

I am truly blessed. I have been given many wonderful opportunities in my life and some that I have especially enjoyed are the opportunities to spend quality time with my parents and siblings. My dad and Lucinda generously planned for all of us to go on a cruise this summer to Alaska. We have done a similar cruise like this before but this time we experienced different parts and did different activities in the cities we visited. We began our adventure by flying to Anchorage, AK where we boarded a bus to take us to the port. The views along the coastline were so pretty. Once aboard the ship we sorted out which rooms we were in and then toured our new home. We had two days at sea where we played ping pong, shuffle board, and watched the beautiful views of Glacier National Park.

I didn't know, but I guess I have a talent for
shuffleboard. I was the shuffleboard champion!

On the second night, which happened to be Father's Day, was our first formal night. We had a wonderful mini testimony meeting together during the day and had fun celebrating my dad at dinner that evening. On the third night we decided to do something really fun; we dressed up as each other! Prior to embarking on the ship we each drew names to see who we would imitate. It was so fun to see how each of us interpreted each other. 

My dad was a good sport dressing up as Megan. Dane was Kris.

Megan was my dad and played her part to a "T."
She was hilarious! Abi was Lucinda.

I had the pleasure to dress up as Ashely and Peter was Ryan.

Kris was Kam and Lucinda was too kind in her interpretation of me.

Ashely was Abi, Kam was Peter and Ryan (not pictured) was Dane.

Our first port of call was Skagway. Last time we were here we took the White Pass & Yukon Route Train. This time, we changed it up by doing a hike and float (some of our group did a dog sled tour.) We hiked through part of the Chilkoot Trail and then floated down a glacier fed river. The hike was absolutely beautiful and our trail guide was awesome teaching us about different plants and trees native to the area. One plant, I can't remember what is was called, was used as a natural mosquito repellant and it worked well to keep the bugs away.

We had a little bit of time before our tour
so we shopped in the little town.
This is Dane trying to be as harry as Kam.

Our next stop was in Juneau. The first time here some of us when fishing while the others took a float plane over the glaciers and went to a salmon bake at the Toku lodge. This go around everyone took a tour of Mendenhall Glacier and took the tram up to the top of Mount Roberts. Before heading to the Glacier we stopped at at nature preserve area to walk through a garden of native plants and trees.

Our last port of call was Ketchikan, AK. This was the only day where the weather did not cooperate. It rained and rained and rained down on us. I forgot to bring my coat so our first order of business was to find Kam and I rain jackets. After finding just the perfect one we met up with the rest of the group for our Kayaking Adventure. Despite the rain it was a beautiful time on our paddle out to Eagle Island. On our way back the storm picked up and the wind was crazy. It was quite the workout to paddle back to land. We were able to stay dry and none of us fell out of our kayak. Sadly, we found out later that several passengers from another cruise line who was stopped in Ketchikan that day were tragically killed along with their pilot on a float plane tour. We were so grateful to have been blessed with safety.

Our last day on the ship was a day at sea. We again played shuffleboard, rested, hot tubbed, and celebrated Abi's 15th birthday with a "15" themed dinner. The next day we disembarked in Vancouver Canada. Since our flight didn't leave until later in the day we took a little tour of the Vancouver area. We first stopped at Stanley Park and then to Lynn Canyon Park and Suspension bridge. We also visited the Capilano Salmon Hatchery and walked along the Capilano River.

View of Vancouver BC from Stanley Park.

Totems at Stanly Park

Suspension bridge at Lynn Canyon Park.

A water fall into the Capilano River

This was by far one of my favorite vacations. It always helps to get away without the kids, but the time we spent bonding was absolutely priceless. Our relationships were strengthened and we just had a great time enjoying being together. It was also wonderful to be spoiled by the great staff and crew aboard our ship. We truly were spoiled by all. Thanks Dad and Lucinda for this fantastic opportunity!

With Ariel, Rommel and Homer!