Family Vacation: The end!

After we went to Arizona for Thanksgiving we went to the happiest place on Earth: DISNEYLAND!!  We had a really good time, and the kids were so well behaved.  There was hardly any whining, or complaining, which in a normal day unfortunately happens quite a bit.  Maybe if I played Disney music all day they would be happier....hmmm, might be worth a try!

Anyway, here are a few selected pictures from our 3 days in Disneyland.  I think we had over 1000.  Good thing I don't scrapbook. :)

Tigger was our first character encounter, and we were pleasantly surprised that Brody and Seth were happy to meet the characters.

Disneyland was already decorated for Christmas.  Doesn't "It's a Small World" look great!  I love all the lights.

Fireworks the first night.

Our family with Mickey. 

This is what Brody did to each of the characters.  It was really cute. 

One of our favorite shows. 

Finally, one of the highlights of our vacation.  Brody loved the Buzz Space Ranger ride.  The last night Brody wanted to go on the ride one more time.  The highlighted one is Rob's score. 

Isn't he all cute and intense?  And I mean Rob, not Brody!!! ;)

We had such a great time, I can't believe it's already been 6 months.  I'd say it is about time I am done with blogging about this trip.  I think because there were so many pictures to choose from I was a bit overwhelmed.

Our Family Trip-- Part 2

I know it has been two months since I posted, and you probably don't really care about the trip we took back in December, but I want to write this down, so this is the post you get!

We loved the Phoenix Zoo!  

Brody and Paxton...Seth didn't want to get on the dragon!

 I loved watching this monkey!

The zoo has an awesome play area.  My boys could have stayed there forever. 

Seth chatting with the goat.

Seth playing with the goat!

Surprisingly, Brody was even brave enough to brush the goat.  It did take him awhile to warm up to the idea!

Mesa Temple Lights

Thank you again Wilson's for such a fabulous time.  We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and hope you didn't mind the chaos we brought with us!  We also want to visit again sometime, definitely in the winter time again!!

Our Fabulous Family Trip!--Part 1

Wow.  I know Thanksgiving was in November and that it is almost March, but I still need to write about our family vacation to Phoenix and Disneyland.  It was so great.  The boys were really good during the drive and it was an all around good trip. 

Our friends, the Wilson's, live in Phoenix while Matt is doing his medical residency.  They invited us to spend Thanksgiving weekend with them, and I am so glad we took them up on their offer.  It was so nice to have Rob with us all the time, and it was fun to spend time with Matt and Heather, and now Paxton, again. 

SIDE NOTE!! Rob and Matt have been friends for a long time.  I know they were friends in high school, and maybe middle school too.  Rob and Matt used to play in volleyball tournaments together.  Here are a couple of pictures from the Park City Tournament the last summer they were able to play together (2003). 

Okay, back to our trip.  We arrived in Phoenix Thursday afternoon and had a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner, all prepared by Heather.  She did a great job, and the Pecan Pie was AWESOME.  Brody, Seth and Paxton became quick friends. 

 

Friday we went to a train park in Mesa.  Brody loved it, as right now he is a little obsessed with trains!  There is a carousel, quite a few playgrounds, and a train that goes around the park.  

The wait was a little long for the train, and the kids got a little restless.  Well, ours got a little restless, Paxton is quite the easygoing guy!

Brody and Paxton quickly became buddies.  Brody really enjoyed having a boy his age to play with all the time! 

While Brody and Paxton were walking nicely together, Seth was off by himself trying to catch the birds!

 

The kids had a great time on the playground.  It was quite warm though, and with the kids running all over the place, Brody's cheeks got quite flushed (we loved the Arizona weather over Thanksgiving!).  Here are our two little monkeys!

After the train park, Rob and Matt took the boys golfing at the putting green in their community.  Notice Brody doesn't understand the 'putting green' concept!

It was a really nice day, and we were all exhausted by the end.  Coming next post, the Phoenix Zoo and Mesa Temple pictures!

I DID IT!!!!

This past weekend I went with a group of about 35 ladies down to St. George and ran the Painter's Half Marathon. I can't believe I did something like this. And, what is even more unbelievable, is that I'm already planning on doing another one this year. I wasn't very happy with my time, so I have to do another one! Anyway, we had a fantastic time together, and it was great to accomplish something I had never thought possible--since I HATE running!!  Thanks to all those that encouraged me. If I can do this, anyone can!!

Okay, here are two pictures.  The first is most of the group in the Dixie Convention Center before the race. We did get matching shirts.  The front said, "South Jordan M.O.M.S--Miles of Marvelous Silence"  And the back had a line of stick people running and with arrows saying "She made me do it!" (Which is true, just see my post from Sept 28, 2009)

 
I really shouldn't post this next one, because it was terrible, but I will because you can see that I really was at the end with one of the blanket things.  I had met up with my friends who had finished before me, and we all started crying talking about how we finished.  Yep, cried.  That's what girls do!!

Remembering, once again.

2010 started out all right, and has gone downhill pretty quickly. Hopefully the rest of the year won't continue to be like the last week has gone.

My oldest brother called me last Thursday and told me that my Grandpa Kemp had passed away. I had just seen him the Sunday before, and he looked great--better than I had seen him in years. Unfortunately, he started having chest pains Thursday morning, and when they took him to the hospital for tests, he never made it out again.

Grandpa was always a dreamer. He always had an idea that was going to change the world. He loved farming and ranching and taking care of animals. He was proud of his family and his posterity, and always had the biggest smile when he talked to the great-grandchildren.  He never failed to bear his testimony when he had the chance.  We'll miss him, and the strength he was to our family. 



Norvin LaVell Kemp
September 18, 1931 ~ January 14, 2010
Our beloved husband, father, and grandfather passed away January 14, 2010 in Murray, Utah. Norvin was born September 18, 1931 in Price, Utah to LaVell and Thelma Ewell Kemp.

Norvin married Voris McKinley for time and all eternity in the Idaho Falls Temple October 11, 1950. Norvin was a lifelong active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served diligently in many church callings. Norvin and his sweetheart served a thirty month service mission at Welfare Square. They also served as ordinance workers in the Salt Lake City Temple.

Norvin enjoyed farming, ranching and the hard work which this required. He also enjoyed fishing vacations with his children and grandchildren

Survived by his wife, Voris Kemp; Children: Larry LaVell (Adelina), Brent McKinley (Roseann), Jeannene (Joe) Williams, Norvin Kiel (Maurina), Roger Arthur (Debi), Annette (Raul) Gomez. Siblings: Gene J (Joy), Shana (Kent) Olson, Charlotte (Dennis) Jensen, 26 grandchildren and 35 great grandchildren

Norvin was preceded in death by his parents and 2 great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, January 19, 11:00 AM at the Spring Meadows Ward, 132 N. 570 E., Tooele, UT. A viewing will be held Monday from 6-8 PM at Larkin Sunset Gardens Mortuary, 1950 E. 10600 S., and on Tuesday from 9:45 to 10:45 AM at the Ward. Interment at Larkin Sunset Gardens. Online condolences may be made at www.larkincares.com