Hawaii Part 2

We spent 5 hours on Wed doing a zip line course across a mountain range. There were 7 different zip lines going from the top of one ridge to the next. It was over 3 miles of flying and was so amazing. Not only were the views breathtaking, the feeling of flying was so exhilarating. I would not describe myself as boring but I have never done anything as daring as this and yet it was not scary! The harnesses felt extremely secure and the guys who were working the operation were awesome.

It was pretty windy and rained a tad so it was fairly chilly. You cant see it in the picture below but this was a complete rainbow. You could see where it started and where it ended. I'm certain we could have found the pot of gold if we would have tried:)

Me getting ready to take off. Zippin

This was one of the ridges that we zipped over. We were 650 feet above the ground at one point. That is quite high but yet it was not scary.

There were 11 of us total so some of the time was spent waiting for our turns. The last line that we went on was the longest and fastest. They said we got up to about 40 mph. Chad and Jared decided it was a race and didn't take the proper measures to slow themselves down very well. Chad hit his knee on the brake on the last one but that was the extent of any injuries that occurred while on this crazy adventure.

It was definitely worth every penny and was so neat. If you are ever in Maui I would strongly recommend Flyin Hawaiian.

Hawaii Part 1

Our room was so much more than I even imagined. I was so happy to call it home for 7 days. It had a full kitchen and the bathroom was huge. The bed was cozy as mine at home. It was just icing in the cake. It was so nice getting off the plane and going to our condo. I can barely stand flying but it was worth it I must say. The Larson's room was right next door to ours and that was nice to not have to go far to find their company.

This was our first day there and I was still in shock at how awesome the view was from our room. We were on the tenth floor and looking right out over the ocean. I'm pretty sure that our doors never shut. I slept like a baby for the most part, listening to the ocean all night will do that to me.

I know I am a total dork and love golf. I have not played much since high school but I love the peace and scenery that goes along with golfing. Its quiet and as calm and methodical as you make it. I have to say I felt it was some what of an honor to tag along and see all that Kapalua had to offer. To say it is beautiful is an understatement. Majority of the holes are with the ocean in view. I loved it even with the weather conditions. It was truly amazing!

The guys had to hit over the water for this hole. It was awesome!

I think this last putt may have been for dinner but I will leave who ended up buying a secret:) We didnt have great weather the first few days but it didnt matter. It is just amazing and the scenery is like nothing I have ever witnessed.

Easter 2010

We had a great Easter this year doing all the same traditions from the previous years. Lots of fun coloring eggs and hunting eggs full of treasures. Grandma Cutchen warmed the jacuzzi and we had our first swim of the year as usual. I am so blessed to have such a wonderful family. I so grateful my kids will grow up having cousins who are their best friends. I could not ask for a better family and thank my Heavenly Father for them everyday. We had chicken in the dirt and homemade ice cream at Kyle and Linda's again this year. This is a tradition handed down from generations and I think its awesome to keep it alive. The kids think their house is the greatest playground ever. Well it kind of is. They live on a mountain so my kids love to hike to the top and look back at everything. I sure missed having my B not with us on this day. Its never complete without her!

This picture just makes me smile. I'm not sure any 4 year old has her amount of personality!

I think the older I get I appreciate the Atonement and those events that transpired the week leading up to the Saviors death. I'm certain more understanding comes with age but for some reason this year more than ever I just felt so blessed to have a Savior. I know that I am never alone and I know that Jesus has ascended below any other person and suffered for me for my family and for you. I know that it is through His example and our faith in the perfect plan that we can fully utilize the amazing gift that we have all been given. I didn't earn it, if anything I have done the opposite but its a gift and its one I am thankful for on a daily basis. I can not think of a more amazing offering than to be able to repent and better myself continually. It is only through Gods grace that we can be made whole. I am BLESSED, I know that He is on my right hand and on my left and walking this journey with me. I am truly blessed!

What we Have Been up to....

We took the kids to Disney on Ice to celebrate 100 years of Disney. They enjoyed it and it was a fun way to celebrates Brooklyn's B-Day.

Staci is always good at keeping us in the loop of what shows are coming. Thanks Staci for always taking the time to plan these fun activities.

Brooklyns Birthday

Just the thought of having a child in double digits makes me feel old. I am so blessed to have been entrusted to watch over B. She is an awesome daughter, student and friend. She is stunningly beautiful and a lot of fun also. She has a great personality and I am enjoying that she is starting to figure out who she is. She is developing her personal interests and not just what others are doing or want her to be doing. I am certain that I push her to do a thing or two that she would rather not do. However I know she will thank me later when she can serenade me on the piano. I know that I am very behind in posting this but here are 10 things about B as she has just entered into her 10Th year.

1. B is a social butterfly and loves to spend time with her family and friends.

2. She has had straight A's this entire year and manages to stay ahead even with all the extra things she participates in.

3. She can fall asleep in nothing flat. Typically once I have tucked her in she is asleep within minutes.

4. B is in the middle of her 3rd season playing fast pitch softball. She loves going to her practices and games and is constantly throwing the ball around. She has done amazing learning to catch and pitch.

5. She is a singer and loves music. She always wants tunes on and typically knows all the words to the songs. If she has heard a song she knows the words.

6. She was the Vice Pres at her school but was asked to take over as the Pres because the girl that was the president changed schools. She has taken the extra responsibility and done a great job.

7. She has a few different things she collects but snow globes, pencils and chap sticks top the list.

8. I don't think I have had to remind her to do her homework once this entire year. She comes home and just gets it done. It is so nice to not have to struggle about that.

9. She loves chicken enchiladas, and pretty much all meat. She is a pretty good eater and for the most part I can get her to try new things. Except she does not like anything with cinnamon. No cinnamon rolls, churro's, french toast and so on.

10. She is only a few inches shorter than I am and her feet are only about 2 sizes smaller. My guess is by the time she is 11, we will be eye to eye.

Its so crazy how quickly life goes by and how fast she has grown up. I could not be more pleased with the person that she is already and what she is becoming. Sometimes we take different paths in our lives, some of which are harder than others. From the moment that I held my 10 pound angel I knew of my worth and that being a mother would bring me joy that nothing else could. Yes I was only 18 but from the moment I laid eyes on her I wanted nothing more than to be her mother, and the best mom I could possibly be. That feeling has never waivered. I love you Brooklyn and appreciate all that you have blessed me with in my life. You truly are one of my best friends.

Spring Break

Fort "No Sleep"

I promised B that over the break she could have Larken and Cassidy sleep over. It ended up being a fun little slumber party. Or should I say lack there of slumber? Its not all that often that the 3 girls get together so we were excited. Tate decided he wanted in on the action and Cache was more than happy to oblige. Well and Tylee was just elated to be included! She was so happy to hang out with the bigger kids. They wanted to build a fort they could sleep in so I did my best. My fort making skills are a bit rusty but it worked and they didnt seem to mind the kitchen floor:) We shut all the lights out and they watched a movie and had popcorn in the fort. I was a lot of fun and took me back to being a kid. I love that we are surrounded by family but mostly that they love one another. They really enjoy being together and cant seem to get enough. I think I heard the last of the giggles about 230 or 3 am and heard then start back up about 630. We were all exhausted but had a lot of fun.

Silly Girls

Sunrise with Fam and Friends

We had such a blast the last week of spring break taking the kids up to snowboard and ski. It worked out that the Larson and Lamb crews could also come. We put both B and T in the ski class and they learned quite a bit. B only did the morning class of snowboarding and then was able to come down Midway with me. Tate did both the morning class and the afternoon with skiing but he loved every minute of it. It was so fun to finally snowboard after 7 years with Chad. It was also fun to not fracture my tail bone this time:) We had fabulous snow and even better company.

B is in the blue jacket and white pants in the above pic, making her way back up the hill. Good job Taryn
B loved it and picked up on it so well. I was such a proud mama:) It was so cute to see Tate make his way down the hill grinning ear to ear.
Randa showing her skills she pretended she didnt have. She looked good while doing it also. I was so proud of both she and Chea for skiing. I dont have a pic of Chea but she was there and tore it up also.

I did not have my camera so Jared was kind enough to give me a copy of the pictures he had.