To the Bahamas . . . and Beyond!!

We thought the best way to celebrate Kohler coming home would be to take the entire family on a Disney Cruise and just get away for one week with him all to ourselves!

 Before we got on our cruise ship, we spent a few days in Orlando doing some of our favorite things.  We spent a day at Discovery Cove, which is Hailey's all time favorite place because of all the birds!  

Check out these two!  Abs galore and gorgeousness all over!!!

 We also went to Epcot which is probably our very most favorite place ever!  This is our fourth time to Disneyworld and every year we have taken a photo in "China."  It was so fun to see all four years put together like this (thanks for doing that, Kelsey!) 

 We treated our little princess to a special morning at the Bibbiti Boppity Boutique!  Hailey was able to pick out her own mermaid outfit and get her hair done with braids, sparkles, and pixie dust!  We all came in to watch her and she felt so special!

 We stopped in Nassau, Bahamas.  It was pretty but a little scary at the same time.  Right off the boat a few crazy things happened but we were glad to get with a tour guide and find a nice quiet beach to enjoy the white sand, blue water, and get totally sunburned haha! 

 This restaurant was our favorite because the mirrors on the wall would turn into movie screens and "Crush", the turtle from the movie, "Finding Nemo" would come alive and talk to people in the restaurant.  I don't know how he saw people, but it was hilarious!

 The other stop we made was on Disney's own private island, Castaway Cay.  It was beautiful, but crowded and expensive.  Still, we had a fun time!

 I loved this picture SO much that I turned it into our Christmas Card for 2017!

 A little TITANIC moment ha ha!

 Check out Hailey's rasta hair!  Wow!

 Kelsey and her sweet daddy . . . sure love these two!

 Kelsey is just beautiful, isn't she?!

 Of course, Tom isn't too bad looking either!!

Thanks again for another great trip!  Peace Out Disneyworld!!!

Summer Happenings and College Kids!!

Spencer had a tennis tournament in Tucson and boy, it was tough!

Over the 4th of July weekend, we celebrated MY PARENT'S 50TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY!!  All of my siblings and their children came to Utah and we had a fun-filled weekend to honor our sweet parents who we love so much.  We played kickball, had a picnic at Rock Canyon Park, went to the Stadium of Fire, had a fun musical program for them, ate a delicious tri-tip dinner, and watched fireworks light up the valley from the view at our Draper home.  It truly was a magical weekend---just what my parents wanted!

We hired a photographer to capture some family photos for us and they turned out really nice.  

Kohler went and relaxed at his first pedicure.  Those are the best!

Later in July, Spencer went on our Stake Pioneer Trek. 

Spencer had such bad allergies that he had to wear a bandanna around his nose because it wouldn't stop dripping.  Poor guy

 I couldn't help but look up an old pic of Kohler and Keaton when they went four years ago!

Kohler and I went to the Mesa Temple and did family sealings.  It was so special to be able to take my returned missionary son.  All the sealers were asking him where he served because he looked "fresh off the boat!"

 On our Disney Cruise, Hailey got beautiful braids put in her hair.  It lasted for about 3 weeks and was so pretty on her!

Shopping for school supplies

The day we took the braids out, Hailey's hair went SO frizzy!!!

 After she washed it and curled it, her hair was back to normal.  What a beautiful girl Hailey is!

 Here is a quick pic of our bedroom with the new paint and curtains.

 Kohler left this on my bed the other morning and yes, it made my day!

 Here he is with Carter, Braxton, and Kiersten Nielson having a good time (and missing Hermana Nielson of course, ha ha!)

Tom and his friends were able to perform for the future Vice President, Mike Pence, at a Republican Rally.  Sheriff Joe Arpaio was there too. 

 As I watched Spencer walk to his first day of high school, tears ran down my face because I have absolutely LOVED every day with this son of ours.  He is such a light and joy and I know that once high school starts, it seems to fly by.  I don't want time to fly.

 First day of school pics for Hailey, Spencer and Izzy!

We took our staff to the Ritz Carlton in Tucson for some training on customer service.  We stayed there and learned so much--then went and relaxed in the pool.  

 Kelsey took some beautiful senior pics.  This is one of my favorites.

 Eden LaDuke was super sad because her dad was out of town for the daddy/daughter dance.  But, Kohler came to her rescue!  They had so much fun and it was so good for them to spend time together.

We flew to Tulsa, Oklahoma so we could attend Tyler Stratton's Missionary Farewell.  He has been called to the Italy Rome Mission and leaves in August.  We are so excited for him!

Kelsey and Kohler got accepted to Utah Valley University so we made a fun "Going Away to College" dinner for them!

When we got there, Tyler was getting ready to enter the MTC and a few nights before, he and Kohler had an arm wrestling contest!

Here is Kelsey's apartment room.  I think it looks pretty cute!  She and Kohler are living at Carriage Cove in Orem.  

Kohler's room.  He said this was WAY better than any apartment he ever had in Argentina!

Tom and I were invited to sing with Rob Gardner's Choir in a concert called Cinematic Pop.  It's a unique combination of modern music set in a symphonic orchestral setting.  It has become super popular on YouTube and we felt so privileged to be able to perform with them!