Orlando March 3rd-7th, 2011

Quinn had an orthodontist conference in Orlando, and I was able to go with him this time.  When he was in his residency, the residents would always go to these conferences, so I was excited for a turn.

This month was the SureSmile conference in Orlando Florida.

Quinn and I left on a Wednesday night and flew through the night, to land Thursday morning in Florida.  I should have taken something to help me sleep, because I could not go to sleep!  We were so tired when we landed, but thanks to our new iphone, we got our car and found an IHop.  Then we went to our hotel to see if they would check us in early- and they did!  It was such a great place.  Walt Disney's Swan and Dolphin hotels.  When Quinn was in dental school, he had to present some research at this same place.  He and I flew out there, and left about 24 hours later.  This time, I got to go in and check the place out.

We got in our room, showered and rested, and Quinn got signed in for the conference and we were off to Universal Studios!

Quinn was so excited to go on rides, but I made him stop and take a picture with Diego and me for the kids.

Later we found Donkey and he had some nice things to say about Quinns hair!

This was the first ride we ran to.  Then when we were a few people from the front, it shut down.,  We waited about 45 minutes, then decided to go try some other rides.  Later it was open, it was a fun roller coaster- Quinn went back and did it again.

Then, back to our hotel to get ready for the welcome reception for the conference.

This is the view out of our window.  We were in the dolphin, the swan hotel was across the way.  There are water taxis to epcot and downtown disney.  And just a short walk from Disneys boardwalk.

We headed down poolside for a windy evening with lots of food and lots of orthodontists and their staff, all of which I knew none.  Quinn ran into a couple he new, but mostly we found some yummy food, then sat by the fire on the beach until I was too cold.  Quinn said I was a party pooper, when the residents go to these, they stay and visit until late!

Friday morning, we went and had a yummy breakfast there in the conference center.  All of our meals were included with the conference.  It was so nice!  Then I went to a meeting with Quinn, and he was off to classes.  I took a walk around and met him back up for lunch. 

This is looking back at our hotel walking around the boardwalk area.

Friday night they had a fancy dinner and the theme for the night was "outer space".

Some offices and staff were all done up- Quinn and I just went and ate.  I should have taken a picture of the dinner! A green salad with pear, yummy steak and crab cake with mashed potatoes and carrots. And a chocolate desert. Did I mention the food was yummy?

That's buzz light year and the aliens behind Quinn:

Saturday I woke up and went running- then came back and got a picture of our huge room.

Then I started packing because the next nights, we moved to a less expensive place until it was time to go home.

After lunch Saturday Quinn finished his last classes, and we met up and went to Walt Disney Worlds Magic Kingdom!

Not as great as Disneyland, but it's close...

Everythings smaller there, the lands, the castles, the rides... but we were able to do just about everything- except Space Mountain which closed.  But for that the park stayed open longer! 

Much smaller here, but still one of my favorites:

Its a small world.

Or as I call it at the Magic Kingdom:

Its a small, its a small world.

Saturday we moved to the other hotel close by, then Sunday morning went to church at a very colorful, culturally diverse ward.  It was fun to hear all their testimonies and know the church is such a worldwide church.  Right across the street was the temple, so we went and got pictures:

Then passed a Winn Dixie, and thought of Makayla because we read this book for mother daughter book club in Nebraska.

Heres the view out of our other hotels window.  We enjoyed the sun on Sunday, then flew home Monday morning!

A nice couple from our ward stayed with our kids on the weekdays, and they spent time with their cousins and grandparents on the weekend.  They survived, and so did we.  It really was a fun trip!

Feb. 18, 2011

Happy Valentines Day!

So, I missed some pictures I need to add.

For Valentines weekend, Quinn & I went and stayed a night at the Skamania Lodge up the Gorge in Washington along the Columbia river.

Jen & Mike had a room they couldn't use and let us have it.  Larry & Debbie, and Mel and Marcus were up there too and we had a fun little night away!

Friday night we ate at the famous all you can eat seafood buffet.  We all ate A LOT, but it was yummy!

Then we went and enjoyed the out-door hot tub.  On the way back in, Marcus pushed Quinn into the pool, so his robe got a little wet. 

We forgot to get a picture of us all done up nice for dinner, so we went back into our room and got a pictures in our robes, except for Quinn, whose of course, was wet.

Larry made me promise not to post this on facebook, but I figured our blog was safer:

For Valentines day Quinn came home with more Crush.

This is what he gave me for Valentines when we were dating.

Here's the picture of our view at breakfast in the morning at the lodge.

It was a fun relaxing weekend- we should make a tradition of. ;)

March 1, 2010

SNOW DAYs?!?!

we've had a couple of snow days this year.  Sadly, that just meant there was a little snow on the ground in the morning so they didn't think it was safe for the buses.  There really was never enough for the kids to play in.  This morning, we got a call waking us up, saying there would be a two hour late start.  That was just about right.  After 2 hours, this little slush had melted, but not before the kids ran out to play in it.

While I stayed warm and dry in my room, I tried to get a couple of pictures, but Lance was having too much fun to stand still!  We thought it was a fun morning.

......

Here are some pictures form a previous snow day in February:

We were so excited when the phone rang, to wake us up because the forecast called for snow.  Then we looked out the window.  Ridgefield must be in a little pocket protected from the snow clouds.  The rest of Clark county had a lot of snow, but we just got a little.

Still, I went down and made snowman pancakes then called to the kids,

"Kids- wake up, you're going to be late for school!" 

They came down QUICKLY, then were excited to hear there was no school!

I think if you look closely, you can find Makayla and Dylan out in the field, they ran out to find friends and play.  Allies still in our yard.  This is the view out our back.

Allie still wanted to eat it.

I do prefer the snow to rain.

Feb. 12, 2011

Party Time!

More from Makaylas busy weekend.

She invited some friends over for a pajama party and movie night late-over.

Zoe, Anna, Makayla, Helana, Makeila and Adrianne having dinner!

They opened some presents and watched Secretariat.

The movie was a little long, and slow.  Next time we'll pick something more exciting for these cute busy girls.  Plus, by this night Makayla was just about worn out.  Sunday morning she had a fever, but was determined to go to church for her first Sunday as a beehive!

Happy 12th Birthday- again!! we love you sis!

February 11, 2011

February seems to be Makaylas month!  The Friday after her birthday, she had a Math is Cool competition.  She competed with a team from her school by solving lots of math problems.  She said her head hurt by the end of the night.  While they were busy working- I kept busy with the kids a the high school, waiting for the end! 

Here is the Union Ridge 6th grade Math is Cool Team:

The next morning she had another basketball game.  This one was in La center, and they started off doing great.  Then someone pulled a fire alarm and we spent 40 minutes int he parking lot waiting for the fire department to give us the all clear!

The team had a completely defeated season, but they learned a lot and mostly had fun.

She thinks she'll try it again next year!

Feb. 9, 20011

2-9-2011

Makaylas birthday!

12 years ago this day,Quinn and I drove our little Honda accord to Bannock Hospital to deliver our first little baby.

We didn't know if we were having a boy or girl, and we were thrilled when the doctor yelled- "It's a girl" loud enough for my parents to hear who were standing outside the curtain!

Somehow- 12 years have passed and Makayla Marie is now in Young Women's.

She has always been a happy helper around the house, and a great bis sister.  She's been babysitting our kids for us, and is now ready to be babysitting for others too.

For her birthday, Allie, Lance and I brought lunch to school.

We went and bought Subway Sandwiches, and then found Pirate Booty a the store.  Her favorite snack.  While we were there Lance saw that Chippette, Eleanor and said, "Look- it's sissy".  So he took that doll to her for lunch.  Then her friends, Kara & Helana helped me take cookies back to her class for after lunch!

When she got home from school there were flowers sent from Grandpa J!

Then her Dad came home with some of his favorite flowers for her.  These are some of her favorite guys.  Glad they were the first ones to buy her flowers!

Then she opened some presents.

The Mathisons sent her this puppy puzzle!  She's excited to do it.  Dylan was saying, "Ahh cute little puppies" when I took the picture.

Some cute clothes and earring from Grandma J.

Then some more clothes from mom and dad.  Moms wondering how many more years until we can share.

Then she got to go to Young Women's on her birthday!  They had a fun valentine party/ welcome makayla party.  She loved it.

More presents from Grandma Draper, a cool CD with Young Women's songs and a new sweatshirt, and some gift cards from Aunts and Uncles she wants to go use.

She invited some friends over for a movie night too... we'll get those pictures up next!

Some beautiful flowers for a beautiful birthday girl!

We love you Makayla!