Camping!

Oh how I love camping!  I wish I could go more often, alas, having a job that makes me work weekends doesn't allow for that too often, and having friends with real jobs that work Monday through Friday doesn't help either; not that I blame them, sometimes I wish I had a weekday job.  After some adventure finding the campsite and going down unknown dirt roads, we camped in a fairly cold place on the rim.

Maryann

Sarah and Maryann with "Indian Toilet paper" leaves (I tried to google it, but it came up with questions like "Do people in India use toilet paper" etc.)  It is a very soft leaf though that grows on the ground.

Lake trip

Sarah, Jakeb, Maryann, and Maryann's brother and I went to Saguaro Lake in April.  Maryann has a waverunner and we enjoyed that a lot.  It was great!  I've never ridden a waverunner independently.

Sarah really enjoyed the cheeseballs

Spring break vacation

So I apologize that this will be brief and mostly pictures.  I know people want updates and this is the quickest way to do it.  I went to Utah for my family's spring break.  Elmina and I made candy for Easter. 

Customary Weeny roast in the back yard

As a family we went to the dinosaur museum at Thanksgiving Point and Cabella's fish tank.  Sharon and I went to a place where we can paint our own ceramic stuff and made bowls.

Latest family photos

When I was home for Christmas, we took family pictures cause it's going to be a while before we're all   together again. Edith left on a mission to Florida, Tampa, Spanish Speaking at the end of January.  Herschel left to his mission in North Carolina, Raleigh this last week.

Everybody from left to right: me, Heather, Edith, Henry, Andrew, Dad, Elmina, Mom, Cordell, Herschel, Melinda, Matt, Caroline

The boys: Herschel, Andrew, Cordell, Henry, Matt

The girls: Melinda, Elmina, Caroline, Edith, me, Heather

I know, I know

OK people, I know that I've been a slacker lately, but I do have an excuse.  I was living without internet, and going to library to blog was absolutely cumbersome.   Don't you worry little campers, it's coming!  I've got internet again!  It'll be great!  Much like this food was!  Betcha can't wait!

Strips and heels and shorts...Oh my!

So on my recent trip home I missed my flight because of the weather, and had to get a later flight back to Phoenix.  The airport held a treasure for me that I must share with you. 

Yes, those are horizontal striped black and red leggings/tights.  I wish you could see the vertical black and red stripes of his corset, and the black heels.  I'm glad there's not a front view though.  Any fast movements and  we'd all be in trouble!

"Surprise family!"

Well, I made a surprise visit home recently.  My sister Edith is leaving on a mission for the church, and I went home to surprise her and the family because she'll be gone for 18 months.  I got off work Sunday morning, and got on a plane.  Melinda picked me up and she was the only one in Utah that knew I was coming.  I called home on the drive down from Salt Lake, saying, "I'm sorry I won't be able to be there today."  We showed up at the church building and I got mixed reactions.  My brothers were pretty much like, "Oh.  It's you.  Hey."  Dad did a double take, and was fairly speechless.  Edith was way excited.  Mom's reaction was the best though.  She looked at me not twice, but three times before she realized it was me, and then had a face that was pure shock and delight.  It was like unto the face she made when she caught Herschel in his tighty-whiteys swimming on a vacation. I would show you the tighty-whitey picture, but I've been pretty much blackmailed into never putting it on the internet.

So adventures at home are great, and you never know what you'll get.  This time, we decided to revisit childhood (for some of us) and become flying super heroes.

Mom and Cordell; Edith and Henry; Andrew and Elmina; Herschel and me

Elmina flying!

Edith, Mina, and me