Back to real life

Last Sunday, Kyle was ordained a Deacon. This Sunday he had his first experience passing the Sacrament. It was a bad Sunday for this, as our ward had a double Missionary Farewell happening, so there were tons of people there, and extra sections of overlow opened up. Some of the deacons just didn't know how to work it, so they were wandering all around, once two guys sent trays down the same row at the same time. It was a bit sad. Sometimes I want to go explain to them how to read and follow the little passing chart they have. Some of them just don't seem to get it. I wanted to take a picture of Kyle passing, but seeing as how freaked out my kids were when I took of picture of them in the foyer at church, I decided I better not. Also I think it may be frowned on to take pictures during the Sacrament.

Sandra and I made our yearly trek to this wonderful place. Shriner's Hospital in Sacramento. We got some good news, sort of. She has extremely good functionality in her arm and hand, so unless something develops, they don't think they will ever have to do any correctional surgeries in her joints. However, we will need to continue to watch as problems could develop during puberty, and there is a very high likelihood that she will need some cosmetic surgery as a teenager. We don't have to go back for two years. Shriner's is great because we don't have to fight with our insurance to go there. They have some of the top doctors in the area working there. And they don't treat you like an idiot for wanting to know and understand what is wrong with your child.

Cammie decided one day, that it was too much work to carry her baby the normal way.

Mindy and I went to the Stake Activity Day program. She had a great time with her friends and was so excited to finally meet Claire's cousin who was visiting. She also enjoyed the classes.

The boys went on a campout. For the first time Andrew did not go, as he was needed at home to care for the litte girls while Mindy and I were gone. The boys had a good time and survived.

Travis had his quarterly Endocronologist visit. His Hba1c went down significantly. This is great news. He grew over 1 1/2 inches and has now surpassed me in weight. Cammie had her second blood draw at the same visit for the TrialNet Study. Now we have to wait six weeks for the results.

2nd Formal Night

Andrew deciding caviar is better as fish bait.

My favorite pictures

Easter Sunday

We were on the cruise for Easter. I was a little bit sad all day because I was missing my kids get their baskets, and do the Easter hunt, and seeing them in their new clothes for the first time.

The ship had this really cool Easter display. The chocolate eggs were huge (bigger then my head). We wanted to abscond with one, but they were guarded, so all we could do was bask in the yummy chocolatey smell and dream.

Easter was also the first formal night. Here we are at dinner.

Tortola, BVI

We woke up the last day of the cruise, docked on the island of Tortola. The water there was the most beautiful I had seen.

The beach at Brewers Bay had decent waves. We had heard that it had good snorkeling, but when we got there, the waves were too rough for snorkeling. However they were just about perfect for body surfing, and this made Andrew's day. (if you look hard you can find him in the surf)

I actually managed to catch a few and get a good ride. I think this was the first time in my life I have successfully done it. I also had one of my most embarrassing moments and am still hoping that no one related to me actually saw it.

The beach even came complete with cute little critters, and wild chickens.

Sadly for Andrew, it was a short port day, and being the last, all the women decided they wanted to get back early to do some last souvenir shopping, so he didn't get to spend as long as he wanted in the waves, but it was a nice finish to the trip.


(the donkey you were supposed to pay to get pictures of, but I snuck one while walking by.)

St. Thomas

Next port of call: ST. Thomas

Andrew and I rented a scooter and we explored the island on our own. It rained off and on throughout the day.












In the early afternoon we ended up at the same beach Dave, Diane and his parents had taken an excursion to. Magen's Bay, one of National Geographics 10 most beautiful beaches. It just had some mild very calm waves, beautiful water and sand. It wasn't very exciting, so Andrew took off on the scooter to explore some more. He then came back and got me, to go show me the views from the top of the island.

Antigua

Antigua was a restful day for us. Several members of the family had planned a shore excursion to go on zip lines over some canyons on the island. Those of us that were too scared to do such a silly thing, or pregnant, or just didn't think it was worth it, opted to just get off the boat and see what we could do. Mainly we planned on it being the souvenir shopping day. As we got off, Andrew and his Dad saw a church up a hill and decided they would rather hike up to it, then spend time haggling over prices of t-shirts.