2015 Disney Cruise!!!

I was bound and determined to go on a Disney Cruise to celebrate my graduation from nursing school. I started planning the cruise a year before we left. I even put the word out to my family. They were invited to come. Low and behold, they came! It was a family reunion on a cruise ship. Best family reunion location ever!

When I was putting in the reservation for the cruise, I signed up for a special program that would automatically upgrade the room if any upgrades were available. Little did I know that the handicap rooms were an upgrade. The bathroom and room was huge! The room fit all 17 people without any problems. We did not all have seats, but there was plenty of room. 

Our roomy closet.

Our bed and couch.

Our cozy bed.

Cousins! Brielle does not look happy but she really did have a great time!

Grandma, Brent and Jake.

Brinley Bear.

We had a little coffee table that Kellen enjoyed hiding in for fun.

Grandpa Lyle.

Katie and Brielle.

I think this is Shellie and Diana.

This little dog was on our bed the first day of the cruise.

Our cruise ship.

First stop, the bahamas!

Me and my favorite people.

Kellen and Tom went swimming and Kellen found a Konch shell within the first five minutes. We were told by the lady the was braiding Katie's hair to have a vendor cook it up for us to try. We did and it was pretty good. I was the only one to really eat it. Tom was did not want to risk it because of his allergy to shell fish. Of course we took the shell home!

Katie got a portion of her hair braided. She got to sit and choose beads to put at the end of the braids. 

Here is the final product.

The kids built some awesome sand castles.

We found this cute little hand towel turkey when we got back on the boat.

We had a pull out bed for the kids. Hayden and Landon came to spend the night one night. They all managed to fit and sleep well.

Queen Katie.

King Kellen.

Castaway Cay!!! Disney's own island. I do not have a ton of pictures from this island because I was swimming. We went snokeling and rode a water bike. Katie and I went on the bike while Kellen and Tom rented a Kayak. I would say that Katie and I got the better deal!

We got to pose with Olaf!

We found a little robot when we returned from Castaway Cay!

Our last sunset.

Here we are at dinner time.

We had the best waiter! He really thought Brinley was super cute. 

Kellen was tired so he took a little break.

Here is a little sea turtle that we found on our bed.

We had such a good time on that cruise. I wish we could do it every year!!

Santa Baby!

This year Tom was called one day by the Bishop to see if he could play Santa. I am not sure why the bishopric thought of Tom when they thought of Santa. Perhaps he was the perfect person to fit into the suit? Anyway, when the Bishop left the message he asked if playing Santa would be in Tom's wheelhouse. We got  a good laugh because Tom really did not know if playing Santa was in his wheelhouse. Well, I can now say that Tom did a great job! Tom rode in on a carriage pulled by horses all dressed up as Santa. What a fun memory!

Of course Katie had to try on the Santa suit. She looked so precious!

Will had to jump on "Everett's" lap. 

Shawn had to tell Santa what he wanted to Christmas.

I had to pose with Santa!!

Handsome Santa!

Katie and Kellen had to pose with their dad, I mean Santa.

Kellen with Santa.

Christmas Tree

I love Christmas. I love that everyone is just a little nicer (usually). I love the lights, the trees, the decorations, the smells, the gingerbread houses, seeing Santa, buying gifts, and especially remembering our Savior's birth. This past year I talked Tom into putting up the Christmas tree up before Thanksgiving. We were going to see Brent in California for Thanksgiving so I wanted the tree to be up before we left. Thank goodness the family agreed. For Family Home Evening we put up the tree. While we were decorating, Katie, Kellen and I hopped into our Christmas tree holder. It was large enough to fit all three of us comfortably. 

Here is the finished product. Sadly the picture is a little blurry but you get the idea.

Hiking Camelback

On a nice Saturday afternoon we decided to hike Camelback mountain. The kids had a blast!! They did a great job even though the hike is a steep hike. They did not complain but instead pretty much ran up the mountain. I wish I had their energy!

Kellen in his manly scouts hat. 

It's especially fun to have friends along for the hike. Reese and Reaghan came along for the fun. Reese wore slippery shoes and slid down a portion of the mountain. She loved it!! 

Good times!