Summer goals and the Luxor

This year for the reward for the kids completing their summer goals, they all decided they wanted to stay at the Luxor.  Here's a run-down of the kids goals for the summer:

Danny:
Play-shoot baskets for 15 minutes or swim 4 laps
Pray-Read scriptures every day
Learn-
Serve-Do something nice every day

Rachel:
Play-Practice tennis once a week
Pray-Finish memorizing the Articles of Faith or read scriptures every day
Learn-
Serve-Babysit the little ones for mom for 10 minutes a day

Aaron:
Play-shoot 50 baskets or swim 4 laps every day
Pray-
Learn-It started out as ready Harry Potter and he got about 1/3 of the way through and we switched it to just read a book every day
Serve-do something nice for someone every day 

So we stayed over-night at the Luxor.  We had a fabulous time.  We checked in and walked all around the big pyramid.  We had pizza for dinner, then went swimming in their fun pool.  Then we came back the and kids had a great time in the hot tub in our room.  Then we watched the Lorax.

The next morning we got up and swam again and then we went to the Pawn Shop from the Discovery show "Pawn Stars". The kids thought that was amazing.  Aaron kept saying he couldn't believe we were really there.  It was pretty crowded and we had to wait in a line just to get in the store, but it was fun.

Beach Weekend

We had a great weekend at the beach in August.  We left Thursday night and stayed at Ryan and Venessa's for the weekend.  Everyone was there except for Dustin. Friday we went to Santa Monica.  It was crowded, but the weather was perfect.  Everyone had such a great time. Ryan brought three boogie boards and Danny, Rachel and Aaron were in heaven.  They picked it up really fast. Seth and Ruby loved the waves too.  Seth got really brave this time and had fun jumping in some big waves. And, of coarse, the sand is always so entertaining.  We also walked the pier and rode on the ferris wheel and a roller coaster, then we ate some fish and shrimp.

Saturday we went to Carpinteria.  That one was really fun too and not as crowded.  It had some fun platforms to swim out to. And the kids boogie boarded like crazy. And it was so fun to have everyone there.  The weather was perfect that weekend.  It was warm and sunny the whole time. What a great weekend!

Rachel is 9

Rachel chose to go to the beach for her birthday this year.  So we celebrated there mostly, but we had a little family party on her real birthday too.  Venessa made her a cake and then Rachel picked a fruit mousse she found on pinterest for at home.  She got some girl lego sets, jolly ranchers, earrings and an earring case. We sure love our sweet Rachel!

What makes you happy: My mom and playing the piano
Favorite food: sherbet, shrimp
Favorite thing to do: spend time with family
Favorite TV show: Martha Speaks
What are you really good at: piano

Favorite Movie: The Lorax
Favorite color:  turquoise
Favorite song: A Child's Prayer
Best friend: Savannah
What do you and your mom do together: swimming, tennis
What do you and your dad do together: tennis
Favorite sport: tennis
Favorite place to go: Legoland

Favorite animal: dolphin

Favorite Book: The Fortune Wookie (whatever she is currently reading)

What do you want me to be when you grow up: Dolphin trainer

Lake Tahoe

We went to stay with the Smiths in Lake Tahoe for the third year in a row.  I'm so glad they keep letting us come! We love our time with the Smiths and the Clarks (I love those girls!).  And we get to hang out in one of the most beautiful places. 

The kids rode their bikes on a fun, new bmx track, the boys especially loved that.  We went on some hikes and explored some old railroad tunnels. We had two great days at the beach with lots of jet-skiing, kayaking and playing in the sand.  The girls formed the "sewing club" and turned Amanda's laundry room into their headquarters. We had a cute talent show where all the kids performed. (Danny made an origami gun, Rachel drew a self-portrait, Aaron told some jokes, and Seth and Ruby danced). And we stopped in Carson City and Rhyolite on the way home.

 

Delayed 10th Anniversary Cruise

We celebrated our anniversary by going on an 8 day cruise in the Caribbean. It was fabulous.  Grandma Zonda watched the kids at our house and she did such a great job; the kids loved it.

We snorkeled in Cozumel, went to a Mayan ruin in Belize, rode a zip line in Honduras and swam with sting rays in Grand Cayman.  We loved being on our own schedule and being taken care of on our cruise.  And, of course, we ate all the time.  Our motto for our trip was "Let's go, we have things to eat!"

Utah for 4th of July and Gma Donna's 80th birthday

This year was Grandma Donna's 80th birthday! She's such a fun grandma! We rented a big house in Salt Lake to stay for the week.  We got together at Tanya's house to celebrate.  She had a huge blow-up water slide that the kids loved.  And a trampoline and slip n slide. We filled her backyard with all the cousins. 

There were tons of fireworks restrictions this year because of several forest fires in the area, so we couldn't do fireworks at Tanya's or at our rental. We watched the Pleasant Grove City fireworks from a church parking lot where we also set off our own fireworks. Danny was really excited about lighting the fireworks this year.

We went to temple square and the church history museum. The kids had a great time.  And we timed it just right to be able to walk around the grounds and then we headed into the museum just as it started raining.

After three days, Bob and I left for our cruise and the kids all stayed a few more days.  Grandma Zonda and Aunt Kristal were so nice to take care of the kids in Utah and then drive them home to Las Vegas.

School's out! Visalia here we come!

School got out and we left for Visalia.  This has become our summer break tradition.  We love it.  It's low-key and fun; just what we need after a busy school year.  It's also when the frogs hatch at the retention pond near Grandma and Grandpa's house.  Tiny frogs are out all over the place.  Such great entertainment for our five kids.  Seth even got in on the catching this year.  Ruby like to watch, but didn't want to touch.

Bob came out with us for the weekend and then flew home and we stayed a few more days.  We went to the waterslides and the movies and lots of parks.  It was a great visit.