Sunny California!!

This post has been quite the hold up on our family blogging efforts!
It was such a wonderful, LONG, trip that there were lots of opportunities for photos.
Too many opportunities!
I have finally come to the realization that there will NEVER be a time when I can edit and sort them all out and put together a "Perfect" post.
I need to stop procrastinating and move forward!
So....here we go!

* * *

Friday afternoon we loaded up the car and the kids,

equipped with our "recently out of surgery" daughter's
Handicap Pass...

and headed to sunny, southern California!!

Coleman and his baseball team were the main motivating factors for this trip.
They were playing in the "Big Dream World Series Tournament".
The tournament took place at various ball parks that had MLB replica stadiums.

The first night included "Opening Ceremonies" where each team was introduced and participated in several skill competitions.

Coleman was selected to compete on the base-running team.

He did a great job in his games!

The team as a whole struggled...
but there is still good to be found when you're playing baseball!!
(Especially in Southern California!)

Which brings us to "the other" parts of our family vacation!!

For starters....THE BEACH!!

Here is a picture of our crippled "3 Ring Circus".
(Funny story here...about the lady that didn't disagree when I apologized for our "circus"...which included Reed being unable to push Kaycee in her wheelchair over a 1 inch lip on the sidewalk!!)

Oh how we LOVE the beach!!

Another highlight was visiting the
Newport Beach Temple!
So PRETTY!!

Our biggest splurge of the trip happened here!
So worth it!!

But "Yum, Yum Donuts" was a close second!!
Baby donuts...SO CUTE!!

We also went to a Dodger Baseball Game!!

Complete with Dollar Dodger Dawgs...

and Cotton Candy!

Pretty Fun Stuff!!

We also visited the church's "Mormon Battalion" historical site!

It was very informational and fun for all of us!! :)

But...without a doubt...
The San Diego Temple was the HIGHLIGHT of the trip
for every one of us!

What a spectacular building!!

Truly a beautiful castle for our 3 beautiful princesses!!

So neat for Jug to be able to do baptisms for the dead with both of his boys!
(Kaycee had to watch because of her knee...bummer!)

This really was a wonderful trip we will never forget!
We have so many awesome memories, and are grateful for the opportunities we shared!
Sweet "family togetherness" that Jug and I will cherish!

(Even if the post was far less than perfect!!)

Girls Camp

We were so sad that after waiting FIVE years to have a chance to go to the Heber Valley Camp, Kaycee has her bad knee
and couldn't go for the whole time! :(
But...she did hitch a ride with me the day I went up with the Relief Society to visit and make crafts!!

We LOVE our Young Women's Group!!
(And have a few favorites!!)
;)

It's fun to have it on a stake level...
and see our other loved ones too!!

We Love Girls Camp!

Summer Fun in Cache County

Reed and his friend, Tanner, decided to go to USU's
"Stay at Home" EFY Session this summer.
Turns out our cousin Emily and her friend signed up for the same session!
They had a good time.

Since we were the "ride home", the girls and I came a few days early and had some fun in Logan as well!!
We were able to see Leisa's new "room".
The room that is ideal for lots of girly fun!!
We were productive...packaging wool kits, painting toes, sewing skirts, pillowcases, and aprons.
We made time for the Logan Aquatic center where Abbie finally got her turn to jump off the "HIGH DIVE"!! We also visited the Gossner Cheese Factory, and of course had to stop by the bead store! It was a fabulous time!

Thank you Mark and Leisa...for the wonderful hospitality!!

A Quick Retreat

After waiting WAY to long...we finally made it to the cabin, for a WAY to short visit!!

But any minute we can be here is wonderful...so we won't complain!

The weather was beautiful and the fishing was good!

The company fantastic...

and the entertainment refreshing!

Warning: Strange things can happen when you escape from the craziness of real life!

It is more exciting than one could imagine!

Kaycee and I still....joined at the hip, but at least with new scenery! :)

Coleman's soul breathing in some fresh mountain air!!

And Abbie helping us see things from a new perspective...

a "Snail's Pace".
They were so fun to watch...slow and steady but very persistent.
Nature teaches great life lessons...we were glad to take some time out to learn from it!