Disneyland, Seal Beach, and Sea World

In April, we got to accompany John to California where he was attending a Medical Research Conference. While there, we were able to visit family and go to the beach, Disneyland, and Sea World. Here are some of the pictures of our fun adventure.

Julia making friends while we wait in line...



Rachel in the Jedi Show...

At the Annual Seal Beach Old Car Show with Aunt Shirley, Uncle Peter, and William...

Sea World...

At the hotel...

Our Local Amusement Park

This summer we have had so much fun at our local amusement park. Here are some of the pictures from the last two weekends...

The State Fair

Our Family at the State Fair this fall. We had a lot of fun riding the big slide many times and seeing the animals. We also got to see some of the art work as we got caught in the rain on the way out... mom loved that part... there are so many talented people out there!

Alissa didn't like the smell of the animals... she is proving to be our girly girl.

Rachel (the very little black dot that you probably can't see) rides the big slide all by herself!

What's been going on?!

So a quick update for those who have noticed the span with no new entries...  

• John's grandma did pass away on St. Patrick's Day at home surrounded with her family.  
• We have had all of April to enjoy a little extra time at home with everyone taking ill in turn.
• Thanks to the help of family and friends, we have been able to tie 1 baby quilt and 3 large quilts for the humanitarian department of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  I am still working on the bindings so pictures will be forthcoming!
  
• I attended women's conference with my mom & sisters and just loved it.
• We held a huge 'yard sale style' store closing sale at my parent's house last Saturday which turned out to be a success... but we still have thousands of things we still don't know what to do with yet.  
• John's got a date by which he hopes to have his first article submitted to "Science", "Nature" or "?"!!!!  We are so excited and wish him good luck!
• I've been working on a little advertising for my company, but things are still slow.
• and John's Grandpa ended up in the ER tonight with a broken femur and PE (pulmonary embolism) so our prayers are with him at this time.

I hope to include some pictures of the yard sell and women's conference once I get them, but here are a couple of pictures at Mor Mor's (John's grandma's) funeral.

Getting Ready

Getting Home

Our Visits With Mormor

Here is a picture of our family visiting John's grandparents at their house.   John's Grandma has cancer which will most likely take her life within the next month or two.  Although this is a difficult time for everyone, we are grateful that we have an opportunity to spend time with her before she passes on.  How lucky we are to have 'time'... so many wish for even a few moments with a loved one after their death to let them know how much they are loved and how much they have influenced and touched the lives of those around them.  We have been reflecting on the privilege of knowing such a wonderful lady in this life.  John has been so grateful for the memories of them he has growing up and for their wonderful example of love and service.  Most of all we are grateful for the hope and knowledge we have of life after death because of the atonement of Jesus Christ.  Because Christ over came death, we will all be resurrected and receive perfect bodies.  Because Christ suffered for us, we can, through faith in Christ and repentance, be made perfect through Christ and have the opportunity to live with Him and God (our Heavenly Father) again forever.  We believe that there we can live together with our families forever.  This knowledge of God plan and His love for us gives us so much hope and comfort in this life.

Our Cruise

John and I went on a cruise with my family just before Christmas.  We went to Roatan, Honduras; Belize City, Belize; and Cozumel, Mexico.  We went snorkeling, four wheeling, and zip-lining.  We also enjoyed playing games like shuffle board, wizard, and sand volleyball.   They always had food so we all brought back a few extra pounds!