We went to St. Louis
1) to see the Archway to the West - we're underneath looking straight up.



We rode up in a little car inside this arch. At the top, Jess and I looking out at the city of St. Louis.



This is what we saw - the city of St. Louis, Missouri.




2) We also watched Graham's basketball tournament.






I love this team photo.






Hustling for the ball.




While we were gone Tyler accompanied the Mesa High Basketball team to the State Playoffs. Doug and Patty sent us this picture of Tyler at the Glendale Arena. Sounded like an ugly game for Mesa.



We've enjoyed following the "shockers men's basketball team". We will miss watching them. We don't want this season to end. Graham is a senior and is finishing this years season by playing in the NIT. He has a great work ethic - he works really hard at basketball and puts in extra time shooting after practice. He has been a good example to his teammates - now some of them stay and shoot after practice also. He has also been honored academically.

We stayed in the neatest little hotel. It had the feel of a bed and breakfast because it felt so homey/cozy, but it wasn't. They had delicious hot, homemade chocolate chip cookies every afternoon for us to enjoy after being gone most of the day to basketball games.
I wish I had a picture of it, but I don't.

I made some "worms" for my grandsons to eat. I thought they would really like them. Jaxon was not going to touch them. Jaxon agreed to taste them only if Boston and Jason would taste them. We all had to show Jaxon they were ok to eat, then he was a good sport and tasted them. They actually liked them.



3/12/2011

Tyler getting ready for his first date. Studly. We were gone so Jen helped him spruce up. So glad he brushed his teeth! (He is actually really good about brushing his teeth - so I shouldn't worry - but I do).

16 on the 16th

Tyler turned 16 on 1/16, and we held his Eagle Court of Honor on 1/29.
We were busy celebrating him. Tyler is very obedient. He never complains about serving others. He is quiet, yet he is heard.


Tyler in his 1st Suit. (Sorry we cut the top of your head off - in the picture)

McKay Angle, Jeremy Skelton and Tyler sang "Armies of Helaman" at their Court of Honor. I teared up a little. These are 3 very good, obedient kids and when they sang the words "we are as the armies of Helaman", I couldn't help but think that they really are.

Receiving their Cow Skull because they each went on the Mormon Battalion outing.

Sitting in the "holding" Eagle's Nest.

Wonderful grandparents attended the Eagle Court.

Tyler's family and future Eagle Scouts.

The Eagle Scouts.

They played a game that Tyler was so excited for. He wrapped up a jar of pennies with layers of newspaper and duct tape. The boys would roll the dice and whoever rolled doubles would get to try to open the wrapped present. The boys didn't know what was inside. Jen and I had put dollar bills in the jar, but Tyler (penny pincher) replaced the dollars with pennies. The kids went a little wild, tearing that thing open. It was fun to watch.


Kenny and Brother Stahle (one of Tyler's wonderful leaders) enjoying some cake and ice cream.

Tyler's Display table at the Eagle Court.

Tyler and Edward looking at McKay Angle's display table.

Tyler, McKay and Jeremy meeting with the man representing the Mormon Battalion.

McKay and Jake working on their gum art. They softened up their bubble gum then had to make a picture on an index card and then the adults had to guess what their picture was. Only boys could have fun with this.

Tyler D.J. & Rome working on their gum art.

Thank you to all who supported Tyler in his celebrations!

CELEBRATIONS:
Christmas 2010 + Jen's Birthday



Jennifer received the game "Scrabble" for Christmas.
We enjoyed playing scrabble during the break.

Family Time = Game Time
Playing "Ring Around the Nosy" for Jen's 20th Birthday.
She's such a good sport. Jaxon was having fun, but Boston wouldn't let us put an elephant nose on him. His participation was putting the rings on our noses.







We also played "Guess Who". Again Jaxon loves playing and Boston thinks he's playing when I let him flip the people's faces up and down on the extra tray.

Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season. I did. Loved it!
And a BIG HAPPY 20TH BIRTHDAY TO JENOUGHER.

Maui Invitational - November 2010


Hula dancers during half time ... only in Hawaii!

The Maui Travelers: Quinlan (oops, eyes closed), Renee, John, Kenny, Jessica & Lori

A good picture of John and Renee.

The reason we were in Maui. Graham shaking hands with his opponent.

Kenny, Jessica & me. Some of our pictures were a little dark - maybe it's our Hawaiian tan?!

Kenny & I had eaten at this restaurant 25 years ago while on our honeymoon in Maui. It was recommended to us way back then and it was still running strong. It is an Italian restaurant named "Longi's". While we were driving through Lahaina, we're trying to remember the name of the restaurant - we didn't remember the name but as we walked past it, we saw the black & white tiles on the floor and we both said "That's it!"

Having lunch in the open air by the ocean.

Jessica & Kenny "Bring Some Aloha home"

Shopping in Lahaina.

Now you know why Kenny agreed to go hiking!

We hiked through a golf course (John's choice) Jessica, Renee & Quinlan down below. I think they are too little to see.

We hiked along the beautiful coastline.

Again, hiking along the coastline.

Hiking....

We took a driving tour around the island. This is a little one lane road we were on. Kenny called it the "white knuckle" drive. If a car came around the other side they had to back up until they found a cranny in the cliff to pull over so that we could pass.

The ocean is sooo blue. It's beautiful.

I loved the little church in the valley.



We had such a wonderful trip. Weather was beautiful. Food was great. Company was fun. Games were exciting. What more could you ask for?!
ALOHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!