Even though I only have a few pictures of our family night of bowling with the Shumways, I had to include them because this was actually our second attempt at a fun family night together. We tried to go bowling with them before, and waited for over an hour for a lane, only to end up leaving frustrated, hungry, and the boys totally crying and upset. It wasn't pretty. But we didn't give up, and we did finally have that fun night with them, which is always a bonus because our boys get along so well and have so much fun together.
Russ and I also got to get away for a weekend of fun and friends in May, which was heavenly and much needed! We had found a great deal on a short cruise that left out of San Diego, which also worked out nicely for us, because Russ's parents had just returned from that same cruise (same ship!) a few days before us, and were willing to take the boys for us. (We are VERY lucky to have two sets of grandparents who are always so good to us and so happy to take our kids!) About a week before we left, we were unsure what was going to happen with our cruise, because the AWESOME swine flu had reared its ugly head in Mexico, which is where we were heading, but thankfully Carnival re-routed us, and we ended up going to Catalina Island instead. The weather was actually quite a bit chilly too for that time of year, but we still had a blast.
You always have to start a cruise by going to their "orientation" of what to do if there's a "Titanic" emergency...and we have to know how to put on our life jackets. Russ wanted to make sure Toni and Jared were going to be fine apparently...
Dinner is always one of my favorite times on the cruise. There's just something about getting dressed up - but not having to go far to eat great food, having so many different options of what you can eat - and not having to worry about the price of anything you order, and the laughter and memories that happen over dinner are priceless. (Thank you for embarrassing stories, and the never-to-be-forgotten legend of TUGGER!)
Catalina Island has changed a lot since I was there so many years ago, and although there wasn't great shopping or beautiful weather to lay out, we had more fun with the golf carts. We should have known what we were getting ourselves into with Russ, Jared, and Kenny all driving us around on the island, but it made for some very crazy (and scary!) races, two-wheeled turns, and close calls on the cliffs! (Okay, maybe Kelly and I were more paranoid than we needed to be, because we were all fine and in one piece in the end!)
Kareoke and dancing (but mostly kareoke!) were a big part of our nights, and the nicknames of Marchy and Sexual Chocolate were born. The DJ was head over heels for sweet Jared, who was more than entertaining for us all to watch, and quickly became a crowd favorite.
The last day the weather wasn't great again, so we decided to have our own scavenger hunt, which was a riot. It was guys against girls, and the competition was fierce. Even though the guys feel like they won, I'm pretty we deserved to win for being more creative.
What more can I write. We had a great time, we were lucky to go with great friends, and we took more than enough memories home for one weekend.
We also managed to go to Utah for my cousin's wedding in Salt Lake, which I somehow have no pictures of. I know it was a quick trip, a beautiful wedding, lots of family members were seen, and too much to fit in one weekend!
At the end of May, we went to St. George for a quick family getaway with the Jones family. Ben's parents have a second home there, which was more than enough room for our two families. The boys all have a great time together, and we managed to swim, play miniature golf, go on a couple hikes at Zions (along with the rest of the world!) eat a lot, swim again, and visit with my brother Kacey and his wife Nikki. It was a great trip, and too short as well!
Miniature golfing was VERY hot, as you can see from their red faces!
Swimming at Nikki's parents house...their water slide comes off their balcony and is VERY cool. Jackson and Jackson were more than stoked to go first, Mason and Max needed a little more encouraging, and then were the last to stop going down because they loved it so much. Even little Cooper went down with Ben! (not so in love with it!)
And finally, at the end of May, our little boy graduated from Ms. Heather's pre-school, and had a little graduation ceremony. I didn't think I would be as emotional as I was (who am I kidding?!) but I was very proud of him. He had read and passed off over 50 books and knows about 75 sight words, which I think is incredible. He's such a smart little man, and we are so proud of his accomplishments. My parents were able to come down for it, along with (Aunt) Bryna and (Uncle) Bryson, because the end of May madness just carried over into the start of our equally crazy and busy June!
2 comments:
So . . . . what about June and July? (j/k) I know it's so hard in the summer--not enough time!
Wow, Jackson Is getting so old!! Can't believe he's already graduating:) But wow, he knew quite a bit, I'd say he knows a lot more than i knew in preschool! that was a fun graduation.
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