DBS Banquet

It was a very nice event this year held at Daytona State College and the food was great we had lasagna and salad and rolls. The kids looked great and enjoyed getting together outside of the pool. There was some nice speeches given and all the kids enjoyed getting there goody bags.

Spring Primary Activity

We had a fantastic Primary activity in our ward. It was called"A walk through Christ Life". The first Station my counselor talked about Christ birth and that he is the lamb of God, then the children got to find little sheep that she hid for each one of them. They were made out of cotton balls and batting way cute. The second station they were taught of him teaching as a boy in the temple, then they made gram cracker temples. Next the heard the story of his baptism were able to view the font and then make origami doves. The next station they went fishing for goldfish and were taught that he is the fisher of men they also heard the story of the feeding of the multitude with three fish and one loaf of bread they then recived a roll and three sweddish fish to eat. The next station they were taught about him healing the sick they then put sticky foam all over there face and then we took there picture looking all sick then we took off the stickers and again took there picture looking all happy! Next station was all about the last supper where there was a lovely spread on the table and they talked about what they might have ate and then tried some flat bread. Next station was all about avoiding the temptations of sin and how Christ payed for all our sins. They got into pillow cases and jumped around boxes that represented the sins. Next they learned of his barrial in the tomb and they then were wrapped up in TP as mummies. Finally we went out side for the last part and talked about him ascending to heaven where we released white balloons into the air. Then they all received a color balloon to take home to represent Christ promised to return again.

Ashley's Visit

Ashley came to visit and all of us had a great time. We were able to go up to Saint Augustine for a day did some shopping while being hit on, went to the fort and had a personal tour once again flirting skills pays off and we saw all kinds of crazy stuff at Ripley's Belive it or Not. We enjoyed our time together getting to know one another and it will always be remembered.

Opening of Long Course Season

This last weekend was a really fun meet. Donovan did so well. He started out the day before the meet by taking the plunge into the big league and shaving his legs. So here are the blackmail pictures. Then it was off to bed early on his own doing. Over night Shauna got the flu. NO FUN. So their was little sleep for all in the house. However this did not break Donovan's spirits. He was a guy with a mission. We arrived at the meet really early... OK besides the coach and the vendors setting up we were it. I was able to talk to the coach a little and he told me not to worry about Donovan that he is taking good care of him. I was appreciative for the comforting comment. I am just not around the pool as much as I was last year and it sure made me feel good knowing that he is being looked after. Now down to the meet. Randy stayed home with the girls and I had the opportunity to time in Lane 6 (2 of the 3 events that Donovan swam were in this lane).
First event- 100 Back 1:15.97 from June 09 of 1:23.79. He is only 0 .88 away from JO time.
Second event- 100 Free 1:02.62 from June 09 of 1:08.34 He made the JO cut of 1:04.79
Third event- 200 IM 2:43.98 from January 09 of 3:22.56 He is only 2.19 away from a JO time.
Fourth event- 100 Breast 1:28.55 from April 09 of 1:35.97 He is only 4.96 away from a JO time.
Fifth event- 50 Free 28.36 from June 09 of 30.43 He made the JO cut of 29.79
Sixth event-400 Free4:55.53 from April 09 of 5:26.50 He is only 2.64 away from a JO time.

After the meet was over. Donovan and I were getting ready to leave and walk by the coach who was talking to one of the other parents and she congratulated him on his 100 free. She looked at the coach and said he is mold-able isn't he. His coach responded with " He's my special project right now." Now when he said this Donovan was already long gone heading for the car. So when I told him the news I think it made his season.

Easter

Had a very relaxing day of watching conference, hunting for eggs and eating great food! For breakfast we had ham,eggs and potato's. For lunch we ate chocolate and for dinner we ate Turkey, mashed potato's and stir fried carrots. But the most memorable part of the day was during the second session of conference the timer went off for the turkey and Randy being so kind got up to tend to it while I continued to watch conference. He had taken extra care of the bird, he injected it very well and he decided to put it in a large mettle bowl to bake in. When he pulled it out of the oven and sat the bowl on the counter it was a little off the counter still and when he went to pull the bird out of the bowl , all the contents went flying and there was hot grease and injected yumminess all over him and the kitchen. He didn't suffer supper bad but he did manage to slice his toe open on the flying bowl. It took nearly 2 speakers later to get the mess cleaned up. But well worth all the chaos. The turkey was very yummy!!!!!

Steph's Visit to Cali

I owe a lot of thanks to my wonderful brother Tim who flew me out to see family. When I arrived I was so starved. Tim took me to a little Mexican burrito shop. They were huge. I could only eat half. Then we arrived at his place talked awhile then crashed. I was so tired. The next day we went to the Disney Museum and spent most of the day there. It was wonderful. It was all about the life of Disney the Man and his life. You could see where he got a lot of his inspiration for a lot of the attractions in the theme parks. The museum was in a prime spot to see the Golden Gate Bridge so naturally took a picture in front of it. After the day at the museum we went back for a fabulous home made dinner of Moroccan Chicken w/Couscous and golden raisins. It was very good. During dinner though I downed so much water because I'm too cheap to buy it while we were out that I was floating. Right after dinner we were going to see "Master Class" in S.F. . We were about to leave when Will pipped up and told me to use the restroom before we left because there would be no women and the men use the lady's restroom. I thought "Oh, great! I just downed all that water!"Sure enough I had to go so during intermission I I asked Tim to look inside the restroom then take guard at the door. I made it without any incident. YES!
The next day we went to visit Gramsie and what a lovely visit it was. We picked up some lunch before we arrived and sat and really enjoyed the conversation we had. She looked great and It was so nice to see her. I love her very much. From her house Kim picked me up and whisked me away to Salinas where I scored some points with the nieces and nephew with some Easter candy. Kim that evening had all of us stuffing 1500 envelopes for a lady running for Sheriff in Santa Clara. We hated it but it did create a fun memory of talking and laughter one with another. The next day their ward had a picnic I think I was the only one bundled up in a blanket. What can I say " I love the Florida weather!" The next morning I awoke to Brianne crying and screaming "Aunt Steffie is gone!" I got out of bed and came to her rescue. Needless to say she was stuck to me like glue for the rest of the morning. I said my good byes after church and Sharon took me to Morgan Hill where I met up with Garrett and Vanessa and we arrived at their house (mom's & dads). We had a lovely bbq with some seasoned veggies that were to die for. Home teachers then arrived and when they had barely left so did we. Off across the bay meet up with Debbie, Theresa and Loretta at a Mexican restaurant. Their is nothing like a Mexican restaurant in California. It was fun to catch up with them. After dinner we went over Debbie's for a bit and saw Dino and Chris. We had a great time telling one another about each others lives now and reminisce of days gone. I left with Tim back to his home.
The next day we went out to Fred and Grandma's house in Pleasenton. Shared pizza with Aunt Kim, Uncle Walt and Aunt Tanya ,Uncle Steve and Aunt Sandy, Uncle Eddie and Amy and cousin Lee. Garrett and Vanessa also came. It was very nice to see everyone. Steve said that I finally don't look 18 anymore. And I hope not being 36 and having a 14 year old. It was fun. And I am glad I got to see everyone.
The second to last day was already here and I wanted to see Gramsie one last time as well as Garrett and Vanessa because I really had not much time with them.
The final day had arrived and Tim and I took a walk in the morning and spent our last little bit of time together. We picked up some Couscous at trader joes before the long flight back home. I enjoyed every moment. It was a wonderful trip.

The Cookie

Shauna has been baking cookies for the kids school lunches lately and this time it was "Snickerdoodle cookies". Well three got stuck together when baking so before we took them off the cookie sheet we snapped this photo. Mickey fans! I know we are obsessed.