A Visit from Elizabeth and Evelyn

Elizabeth and Evelyn came for a visit the week before Christmas!  It was great to have them here!  Sarah had made a gift for Evelyn that she wanted to be opened first thing.  It was fun to watch Evelyn's face as she tried to tear apart the paper.

 Of course, the paper was the best part!

 Such a happy, pleasant baby.

 Evelyn has the cutest smile with dimples.

 Great-grandpa Harrieth was taken to the hospital at the beginning of their visit.  We took Evelyn to visit grandpa.

 We took the family out to dinner at California Pizza Kitchen one night.  The food was great!  And the entertainment was even better!

 Evelyn shared grandma's dinner.  Most everyone else ordered pizza, but grandma had pasta, with chicken and broccoli.  When grandma was done, Evelyn helped clean up the plate.

 At dinner we have Matthew, Jonathan, Sarah, Martha, Elizabeth, Katie and Evelyn.

November--Monterey Bay Aquarium Trip

It's been four months since I posted anything.  Time really does fly by.  Besides the time, there have been some very challenging experiences to deal with, which distracted me from posting.  

At Thanksgiving, the younger kids and I went to the aquarium.  We wanted to get another visit in before our years membership ran out.  I think I could look at these displays and never get tired of them.  My family knows how much I love "critters" and can watch for a lengthy period of time.  I find a peace in watching the fish glide through the water.  I marvel at the extensive variety of water creatures.  I am grateful for God's creations.

 The best "critters" at the aquarium that day were the three in the above photo!

 There is a marvelous display of sea horses.  More than I thought were possible.

 This is actually a leafy sea dragon.  It is related to the sea horse.  Look at the fine details of this animal.  There were some really talented designers helping with the creation.

 My kids were probably the "biggest kids" there that day.  They would pop into cubbies like this one and be silly.  It was great to watch them!  And, I wasn't the only one watching them. . .

 Jonathan really doesn't like his picture taken.  So often he will quickly turn around, make a face, etc.  This time, he said I could take his picture like this.  I like the arrow pointing out his height!

 One of the displays is full of moray eels.  They are difficult to count as they are usually hiding in the rocks.   I came up with the number 13 that day.  They usually are poking only their heads out, but this day, there was this guy that was draped over the coral.  I have never seen one all the way out like this.  Besides that guy, you can see three other eels.  On top, is a spotted one that I didn't catch his head.  Just below is this fancy yellow and black design.  On the right, you can see the tail of a black and white striped eel.  

 Here are two more.

 And another two different eels.

 This was a favorite display!  They crawled into the kids tunnel to hide from me.  But I found them!

 It's fun to be together with family.

 We couldn't have picked a more beautiful day!

My everlasting pearls.

Summer Harvest

In 2010, we failed to put in a garden.  I missed the fresh taste of garden vegetables.  Jonathan helped dig up and spade the dirt.  I bought seedlings and Jonathan and Martha helped me plant them.

This is the first real basket of harvest we got.  Yumm!

We Took Hunter to the Beach!

Since summer was fading fast, we spontaneously went to the beach one Monday!  Sarah has Monday off, and it was her idea to go.  We were joking around about taking Hunter and then thought, "why not?".  It was fun, but not really the place for him.

On our way to Santa Cruz, we had to stop and Jonathan and I traded seats because Hunter didn't like having to sit in the back.  So I sat in the back with him.

The beach held fascinating, new things for Hunter!  And if you know Hunter, you know that he did not stray from me too far.  As we were leaving, I noticed that he was walking funny.  My thought was, "oh no, he stepped on something in the sand".  However, turns out, the sand was just really hot for his feet~  I carried him to the car.

Hunter kept an eye on four little boys that were next to us.  They were very active and gave Hunter something to watch!

On the way home, Hunter was exhausted!

Sleeping most of the way home.

Sarah wanted to get some ollali berries to make jam.  Driving up the coast, I was amazed at the beautiful coast.  Looking out to the ocean, I was struck by the many, berry and artichoke fields.

The fields were just there. . . .next to the sea.

Instead, Sarah brought home a sunburn in the pattern 

of her swimsuit!

A fabulous day at the beach in Santa Cruz!

Girls Camp 2011!

In July, Martha and I were the "craft ladies" at girls camp.  We had such a great time!  Our stake has become so small with the youth numbers, that girls camp this year had only 40 girls.  I remember when Sarah started to go, there were at least 120 girls.  The economy really shows when you look at our stake.


At the moment, I can't find my photos of the items we made, so I will just write about them.  When I find the pics, I can post them.


We made tutu's, soap, and watches.

At the Cabin -- Bear Lake, ID

On July 4th, we all headed for the family cabin at Bear Lake!  It is one of our most favorite places to be!  I was so busy having fun with the family, that I hardly took any pictures.  However, we did have a great time!  Some of the activities:  tennis, golf, swimming, reading, napping, holding Evelyn, rented Sea Doo's at the lake, canoeing, napping, milk shakes, games, napping, chatting with each other, expressing fond memories of the cabin.  Thank you Grandma and Grandpa Wheelwright for building a cabin in such a beautiful spot!  

Since it was the 4th of July, we had stopped in Winnemucca, Nevada to buy some fireworks!  The Bear Lake West beach was a perfect place to set them off!  One of my most favorite, is to be out on the lake on a Sea Doo!  We had the rentals for 3 hours and I think I was out there for 2 1/2 hours.  Katie was like I have never seen her before!  Miss Dare Devil herself!

Jonathan, Evelyn, Katie, Martha

Jonathan, Evelyn, Katie

Elizabeth and Dave

Evelyn's Blessing Day

July 3, 2011 was Evelyn's blessing day.  There was much family in attendance for such a special day.  Grandpa and Grandma Whitaker came from Florida, and there were many family members that live in Utah.

On Friday, July 1st, Martha, Scott, and I drove back to Utah.  The car seemed empty with just the three of us.  Jonathan was still at EFY and Sarah had to work on Friday.  The both of them flew back on Saturday evening.  Unfortunately, Matthew could not join the family for the weekend.  

We attended church and witnessed a beautiful blessing to this sweet baby.  Dave is a wonderful father already!  I know Evelyn has wonderful parents!  I love to see the photos of Evelyn that day.  

Aren't these the cutest feet?

Scott and Sarah with Evelyn

Aunt Sarah

Aunt Martha

Grandpa and Uncle Jonathan

Elizabeth made some very tasty nibbles for us to come home to!  

She is an awesome cook!

I wanted to sew a blessing dress out of eyelet.  It was a little big on her, but she can grow into it!  Sarah made the darling headband.

Great grandma and grandpa Whitaker, Dave, Evelyn, Martha, Cody

Wheelwright's

Whitaker's

Brad, Evelyn, Dave and Elizabeth

All the men

Scott, Jenette, Elizabeth, Dave, Evelyn, Becky, and Wayne

Aunt Katie likes to make her smile!

A beautiful family!