2011 Family Cruise

MR. KADE!

BAILEE AVOIDING THE CAMERA~She is my grand daughter---! ha!


Richard & Leslie==Part of our extended family~Look at the balls on this tree! I can't imagine storing them~

Taryn & Leslie~

The guys on their deep sea fishing trip! This barracuda is the only fish they caught~


Bailee & Kade with the locals! Emmie would not get into the picture~

Bailee & Megan(Brandon's daughter)--You can tell who I hung out with the most~

Dane ready to eat the Barracuda~

Bailee at the slots~


This is the promenade' which is sorta a street in the middle of the ship~ Our room had a window that looked out to this. It was nice, yet on some nights terribly loud! They had a parade the first night on this street, which woke us up! These rooms might be okay, if you like to party--but not for someone who likes to go to sleep~

All kinds of shops were along the promenade for shopping~ Just like a little city~ But in the center of the ship~




Karter & Bailee above in the casino~ I'm not sure why or how they were in there~









Bailee avoiding the camera~in one of the many dining rooms!

Megan & Bailee, cousins!~It was nice for Bailee this trip, to have a girl cousin to hang out with!

I was amazed at all the food carvings everyday~


Our ship is on the left~ Makes the other one look so small!

Boarding the ship was painfully slow~ Everyone had plenty of time to read the back of my "GOT FAMILY" t-shirt~

Ending of 2011

The ice show on the ship~ It was a small rink, but very fun to watch~When they did their flips I was afraid they weren't going to end up back on the ice~


Derik, Richard & Emmie~


Taryn & Derik @ dinner~


Well the year is finishing up~ Where did it go? It was a very good year, with some sadness thrown in~
Our Christmas Cruise/trip to Florida was wonderful, but I don't think I would go again during that time of year! Seems like Christmas just slipped away from us. Our ship had a huge tree, lots of ginger bread houses, and decorations in general~ but it just wasn't Christmas! The food was amazing on the ship, but again nothing that was traditional Christmas goodies! You would have thought that they would have served some pumpkin pie, or peppermint ice cream~ ham, turkey, sweet potatoes, stuffing===but none of that was to be found on the ship!
This ship was amazing~ huge! Lots to do for the kids as well as adults! We went snorkeling in Grand Cayman, and Myrle went deep sea fishing in Cozumel--The girls went shopping while the guys went fishing=We found some good deals! Bailee learned to bargain, with the locals/ she was great getting them down to the price she wanted to pay! Good experience for her~We barely saw Karter on the whole trip~ they had surfing on the ship--! I guess that's one of the big advantages of cruising, everyone can do their own thing, and meet up when they want to~One night we had a girls dinner, and all the guys did their own thing. Oh, there were 52 family members in our group! We all wore our family t-shirts on the first day--It was so funny, everyone loved the shirts, and told us where other members of our group were! Picture of t-shirt will be added, after I take it~
When we got back from the cruise, Kevin and Helen, Anabeth & Nolan were there in Florida. They stayed on Disney property~ and had fun checking everything out. One of the highlights was Anabeth going to Bippity Boobity Boo=== and getting a make over~ I didn't think she would sit still===but she did, she was amazing while they styled her hair, did her nails and makeup~ then sprinkled her new Belle Dress with glitter! And then went to a photo shoot! I'm anxious to see the pictures! They did this to her in the very front window of the store, so she had a fan club watching her from outside! I told Kevin they only put the prettiest little girls in that front window~ but then, I'm the grandma!! ha! A really big disadvantage was how busy Disney World was~ It was crazy traffic and lines. We didn't realize that Orlando is THE most visited place during the Christmas Holidays!! Not sure what we were thinking~ According to the locals, the best time to go is late January~ Next time~~~~
Christmas eve we went to Gaylord Palms ( I know, I know~) and went through an ice exhibit ==Shrek, as well as a complete nativity all in ice! They put these big warm coats on you, and you go through a 9 degree area, and view it all~It was amazing what they could make out of ice! After the ice, we attended a really nice buffet in the Gaylord Palms hotel~ Very good food~with lots of Christmas goodies, finally!
Christmas morning we attended Bruce & Gails ward, where Gail spoke in the Christmas program. She gave a very good talk, and the music was wonderful. Kevin & Helen joined us all that evening for dinner at their home. Wonderful food, and a crazy white elephant gift exchange, where I got a toilet seat!! Finally was able to trade it to Bailee!
I have tons of pictures I need to go through and edit and post--Will do that another day!

Kolby, Mallorie & Lucy

Kolby makes the funniest faces! He looks just like his daddy~

Kolby won an award for physical fitness--he holds the record at his school in Idaho, for the most pull ups--he received this award, which used to have a pic of our dear President at the bottom--he cut it out!! I love it~

This is Lucy, she's waiting for the kids to come home from school!

Kilee's good friend Kristin took pictures of the girls, and of course I had to steal them for my blog!! They are getting so grown up and cute!

Miss Kora is a crack up, she loves her sister, Storie!! And she sticks up for her, if anyone tries to fight with her~ Love these little girls!~

Precious, Kolby & Mallorie, so grown up~ They are just the most loving kids I've ever known~ Looking so forward to having them back in AZ!!

Mallorie's Dance Recital

Mallorie had her dance recital last night. I hated missing it~She wants to just take ballet when they get all moved to AZ and not take hip hop~This is her little friend Kirsi~ They look so beautiful in blue~

Trevor & Cole

These two little cuties are so different. Trevor looks so much like the Mandile family, and Cole looks like his daddy! Love them~

We went to dinner at Golden Corral the other night, and Trevor had to have some cotton candy~ We told him he was growing a goat tee---he was a sticky mess~but a cute one~

Mr Cole, is such a cutie, and a wonderful eater!! I love his little smile!

Random Pictures~

Miss Bailee~ She is growing up too fast for her grandma~

Kade at Thanksgiving~

My baby girl, Kilee~

Taryn gave me a hard time tonight, because I hadn't done up my blog for Christmas. I'm really slipping~ Didn't take any pictures at Thanksgiving, so have none to post~ We had a wonderful Thanksgiving, and a house full! Too much good food, and cooks in the kitchen~ Really with big families, it would be so much easier to just meet on a cruise ship, and let someone else do all the cooking and cleaning! I haven't talked everyone into it yet!
However for Christmas we are heading to Florida! We'll be going on a cruise with Taryn & her family, as well as ALL of Derik's family! It'll be fun ~ Then when we get back to Florida, Kevin & family will be waiting at Disney World~ We're excited to experience this different Christmas, from our norm. But of course will miss everyone we're leaving here.
Kodi, Jeremy, Trenton & Dane were able to come for Thanksgiving, so it was great getting to see them. Kodi will be graduating from her nursing school in May, so we'll be headed out there next year for that!!
Misha & Jeremy are in the process of moving back to AZ!! We're thrilled about this! It's been hard having them live in that snowy country! Misha made some wonderful friends there, but it's just nice to have her around family again. They'll be living with us until they can decide where to buy a new home~ With the kids in school now, it's a harder decision.
Phillip & Christtina have sold their house also, and will be looking for something a little closer to his work~! And something with more storage.
Kilee is still working at Knight Transportation, however Dusty is talking another baby~ So, I'm not sure how long that will last. He thinks they need a little baby boy~ I've told him, he'll only have a house full of girls....but he doesn't believe me.

Vetrans Day~

I've always known folding the flag was a very reverant thing, but never knew why or what each fold represented. How could anyone serve in the military and not have a wonderful love of country, and belief in God?

This is a picture of Linley Leonard. He is a good friend of my brothers, and a chaplain in Cortez. He conducted the service for my dad's funeral~ Which was great, having someone we all knew and respected!

Meaning of Flag-Folding Program

Symbols for the Folds of the Flag
The first fold of our flag is a symbol of life.
The second fold is a symbol of our belief in eternal life.
The third fold is made in honor and remembrance of the veteran departing our ranks, and who gave a portion of his or her life for the defense of our country to attain peace throughout the world.
The fourth fold represents our weaker nature; as American citizens trusting in God, it is to Him we turn in times of peace, as well as in times of war, for His divine guidance.
The fifth fold is a tribute to our country, for in the words of Stephen Decatur, “Our country, in dealing with other countries, may she always be right, but it is still our country, right or wrong.”
The sixth fold is for where our hearts lie. It is with our heart that we pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
The seventh fold is a tribute to our armed forces, for it is through the armed forces that we protect our country and our flag against all enemies, whether they be found within or without the boundaries of our republic.
The eighth fold is a tribute to the one who entered into the valley of the shadow of death, that we might see the light of day, and to honor our mother, for whom it flies on Mother’s Day.
The ninth fold is a tribute to womanhood, for it has been through their faith, love, loyalty and devotion that the character of the men and women who have made this country great have been molded.
The 10th fold is a tribute to father, for he, too, has given his sons and daughters for the defense of our country since he or she was first born.
The 11th fold, in the eyes of Hebrew citizens, represents the lower portion of the seal of King David and King Solomon and glorifies, in their eyes, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
The 12th fold, in the eyes of a Christian citizen, represents an emblem of eternity and glorifies, in their eyes, God the Father, the Son and Holy Ghost.
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When the flag is completely folded, the stars are uppermost, reminding us of our national motto, “In God We Trust.”
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After the flag is completely folded and tucked in, it has the appearance of a cocked hat, ever reminding us of the soldiers who served under Gen. George Washington and the sailors and Marines who served under Capt. John Paul Jones and were followed by their comrades and shipmates in the U.S. Armed Forces, preserving for us the rights, privileges and freedoms we enjoy today.

Kodi Nursing School

Kodi's nursing school~ Looks like they're having way too much fun!!

Kodi & friend~

More nursing school~

Young Women's Bike Trip

Our Bailee! I have such a special feeling for this beautiful girl~ She was my first grandchild! I remember the day she was born, how happy I was when I saw her sweet little dimples!

Taryn & Leslie went on the 18 mile bike ride with the Young Women in their ward~

Bailee & friends--I love this tree in the background!

Storie & Kora in Hula skirts~

The little Hula girls are looking at my humming birds~ Looks like they're dancing~

Storie~


Kora!





Storie & Kora didn't want to take the Hula skirts off---after they left, I found grass all over my house~ At that rate, they won't have skirts anymore~