Kauai

I love having a time share in Kauai.  I know that we wouldn't be able to go there if we didn't.  This way we use it or lose it....we prefer to use it! We also use Sky Miles so our Airfare isn't anything. (only way to go) This year we scheduled our trip to be over our 33rd Wedding Anniversary.  It was pretty perfect!  

We left very early Nov 1 to the Airport to head to Kauai.  The nice thing about leaving early was we arrived early in the afternoon and could enjoy the wonderful scenery right off.  We drove around a little and went to the grocery store before trying to check in....we were still a bit early.  We were able to check in and I was thrilled with our room.  It's the best location of rooms we have ever had.  Our view was of the Ocean~so peaceful!  We listened to the ocean whenever we were in our room.  We decided that since this vacation was to relax and since we had such a great room we would enjoy it more than we normally enjoy a room.  We hung around the room a lot and watched movies and read and seriously just relaxed.  I enjoyed seeing my hubby relax....that was probably my favorite part of this vacation.  (I can't remember the last time I saw him relax)

I posted the picture of our view on Facebook and learned that Steve and Jill Lamb were coming to Kauai the very next day also celebrating their Anniversary. We thought it would be nice if we met up with them for a lunch or dinner.  They liked that idea and called us after they arrived.  They were there to relax too but still had a few things planned that they wanted to do.  We ended up seeing them 3 days and had a great time visiting with them all.  

We went for walks and ate shaved ice and we tried paddle boarding this time.  We ate out once a day and enjoyed little snacks at night.  We kept things simple which was a great thing.

With the Lambs we went paddle boarding again.  Larry and I planned on sharing a board but OOPS he forgot!  I was sitting on the beach and knew he wasn't coming back so I could take a turn.  I razzed him but actually thought it was funny.  The bright side was I wasn't salty.  He took me out for dinner the next night trying to make up for being forgetful....I seriously was fine with it.  The ocean wasn't as fun as the river or at least that's what Larry said.  (I was the watcher of everyone's stuff)

A few days later we went kayaking up a river and hiked to a waterfall with the Lambs.  Larry and I have done that a few other times on other vacations and this was the worst trail of all the times we have gone.  It was so muddy and slippery.  I was stiff that night from being so tense for the whole hike.  It was pretty though and so it was worth it.  I enjoy kayaking with Larry...it's one of our favorite things to do.

Larry and I went Miniature Golfing one day.  We went years ago when this place was first built and planted and the few years have made a huge difference in all the plants.  It was so pretty.  The last time we golfed here was with the Winters about 3 years ago and I was stinking it up because I didn't know the little mark on the putter meant anything.  This time I did much better and was staying neck and neck with Larry until the last few holes.....which I blew!  Oh well sometimes I would rather have Larry win~he is a better winner than loser.  We had fun!

 I loved this vacation.  Our Ward was told on Sunday that our Bishopric was being changed the following week and it was nice being away from all the talk and speculation.  It was nice coming home and having that change made. (That's why Larry was able to relax...he had taken care of all the issues that he could before we left)  Life can be so wonderful....if we take the time and let it be!

I'm Happy!

Yippee....another year has come and gone and we are still together and happy!  In fact I could say we are at one of our highest points of happy!  I guess all the trials and hard times really are worth it as we work through trials and grow closer. (I'd like to just try it on our own from here on out)  I'm happy for this guy of mine!  I'm happy that he took a chance and asked me to marry him.  I'm really happy I said "yes".  I'm happy that we haven't let our struggles divide us for very long.  I'm happy that we really haven't had any major ordeals and that early on we committed to work things out instead of throwing in the towel.  I'm thankful that we are both much better today than when we married.  I'm thankful for the way Larry has treated me and taken care of me and our kids.  I'm thankful that Larry is easy to please.....small things matter to him....he likes my texts....I like his too!

I'm thankful for all the fun adventures we have had together.  This guy has shown me so many parts of this beautiful world I would never dreamed of seeing.  He's taken me to places like: Italy, New Zealand, Australia, Germany, Israel, Meso America, Hawaii, and all over the United States.  It's been fun being his travel companion. I'm thankful that Larry has dreams and makes them come true as well as making my small dreams come true as well!  I'm happy that he even takes me Disneyland every now and then because I love it...he's that cool!

I'm happy that Larry loves the Lord and follows Him.  I'm happy that he feels the "Spirit of God".  I'm happy that he makes good choices and isn't tempted easily.  I'm thankful that he listens to me even if sometimes I have to talk loud so he will. (kind of kidding....but sometimes it does take a few times of saying something before he really gets it)  I'm happy that he doesn't point out my faults and imperfections....I know them and I don't need anyone reminding me or making sure I didn't miss any.

I'm just happy for the 33 years we have shared and look forward to forever with this kind, caring, respectful, funny, tender, sensitive, hard working guy of mine. (he really is this great!)

Zaden is Five...

I can't believe this little character is 5.  What a blessing this little guy has been to our family.  He is such a fun kid.  He loves catsup and bread.  He usually has a matchbox car in each of his hands.  He loves coming to grandma's to play any time he can.  He loves playing video games and on the computer and i pad.  He's a smartie when it comes to electronics.  He is silly and stubborn.  He makes us all smile.  I love hearing him express himself.  He is enjoying preschool.  He's a fun kid and loves his family and cousins.  We all love him too!

Trunk or Treat

Halloween is fun and I have so many fun memories of taking my kids Trick or Treating.  I loved getting them dressed up and taking them to my mom's where I would film them as they Trick or Treated to the houses I Trick or Treated at as a kid.  We lived in a good neighborhood in Roy and the kids were able to trick or treat there too.  I so loved watching my little "spooks" venture out for candy.

After the kids Treat or Treated around we would drive to Hooper for homemade doughnuts from Larry's friend JoAnn and then we would visited pumpkin alley and always Trick or Treat at Larry's parents.  Even when we moved to Hooper the routine was pretty much the same.  We would have to drive the kids to the neighbors because the houses are so far apart.  I was glad when they came up with the idea to Trunk or Treat.

Since we live on a dead end street it was decided to have it down our road by our house.  That has been great except the five years we were in another ward because of boundary changes.  Then I thought the ward we were in should have had this road.  Everyone on the west side of our road was in the 10th ward and only 3 houses on the east side were still in the 7th but it was the 7th ward that claimed our street.   I did not like those years of having to hurry and get out before the other wards Trunk or Treat started....it was a pain...and sore spot.

I like that my little grands come out to the Trunk or Treat so that I can see them all and still have time to make a run to my parents as well as Larry's.  The trick is you have to be on time for Trunk or Treat...unlike Church they start before the chosen time. (ticks me off that they would start before Bishop was even home...I get over it)  I think the Trunk or Treats are a great idea for country kids since the houses are so far from one another except a few neighborhoods.  The whole Trunk or Treat lasts about an hour....that is including chili  or doughnuts and a few kids visiting our treats 2 or 3 times.

I enjoy seeing everyone come around...it's fun to see how creative some people are.  Since our family has gotten older they don't enjoy dressing up and won't and so I don't either.  I would prefer to dress up but it's not fun when the others don't like to....that is why I dress up with my friends. (maybe Larry still would if he had time once he got home but since they have been starting them earlier he does good to show up with his own face)

Halloween is a fun holiday to me.  I really like the fun things about it.  I like Halloween parties and dressing up and fun dinners.  I love seeing my grands make memories.  I love sharing candy and eating a little too.  I love seeing house with carved pumpkins on their porches and other decorations. I love putting my few decorations around my house.  I love corn mazes and listening to others talk about Haunted Houses. I really don't like being scared.  It's funny and freaky at the same time...but I prefer not to be scared.  So it will never be my idea to visit a Haunted House but I won't say I never will go.....I suspect I will.

I love Halloween Traditions and my memories of all the Halloweens I have enjoyed.  Great Times....Great Memories!  ***I just remembered that when I was in primary we always had a costume parade...I remember dressing up as a ballerina.

Halloween Bowling

I really enjoy bowling because we always have so much fun.  Today is Halloween but only a few of us dressed up.  The team I am on now always dresses up and we had a great time.  We decided to come as Angel's but didn't get the memo to Lynn...actually she did get the memo and she chose to be herself...actually we planned it this way. ☺

Seriously out of about 40 people only 7 of us dressed up...I don't want to grow old. (wink)  A lot of the other ladies did wear Halloween shirts.  Oh...and my spirits were deflated today when a guy that worked at the bowling alley came over and told Shirley she had the best wings. (she did have the best wings)  A few minutes later he walked by again and told Debbie he liked her outfit best.  Seriously I don't care really but I told him he had just shot me down and he could leave now.  He looked at me and was trying to think of something to say that was best about me.....he never did.  Debbie tried helping by saying something about my lashes and sparkle but that didn't help either.  It was actually very funny....but that's not all.  He came over one more time and said: "I need to think of something for her" I told him to just leave...it was too late. ☺  He didn't mention Lynn either and she was a great lil Devil!

We had fun but only won one out of four games.  I guess maybe we should have all just worn Halloween Shirts instead and acted like old ladies. (just kidding)  Fun times!  Fun Friends!

I Love the Changing Seasons

I love when one season says good bye and another one says hello.  I love that I have always lived in a place that we get to enjoy all the seasons.  It's funny how my favorite seasons have changed over the years. When I was a kid I loved Spring and Summer.  I know I loved summer because we got to play more and stay out late and swim almost every day.  I loved Spring because everything started to bloom and baby animals were born.  Spring has always been a fresh start....a new beginning. 

As I have grown Spring also means that weeds too wake up and before the pretty flowers there is a lot of plainness.  I still enjoy seeing the tulips & daffodils pop their heads up first and I always love seeing the babies in the fields. But, my favorite season now is Fall.  I love the trees as they change colors.  I can't believe how pretty they are right now as I drive around town..the color in the mountains is gone but around here the trees are gorgeous and I am loving the colors.  I also love the temperatures.  I love the cool, crisp, chill in the air.  I love snuggling in blankets and putting on my fuzzy socks to keep warm. Fall is a cozy season.  (I read more in the fall and winter)

I have always enjoyed Winter as well.  I think everything looks so pretty covered in snow.  I love snow. I do not like snow on the roads though.  It scares me to drive when there is snow on the roads. I love the frosty trees.  I don't enjoy the winter as much when we don't have snow.  I like color and when the earth has color I enjoy it more.  However white is nice for a short time.

I think we live in a beautiful world.  This months visiting teaching message is about how the world was created just for us...we are the reason He created the universe!  President Uchtdorf said: "This is the paradox of man; compared to God, man is nothing; yet we are everything to God."  Knowing that gives me chills. (I do know it)  God does know and love each of us so much!  I know a few people that don't believe that and it makes me sad for them.  I love Heavenly Father and it is obvious how much he loves each of us....just look around!

National Chocolate Day

The Best Day ever is one where chocolate is Enjoyed!  I was craving chocolate this morning and was lucky enough to have a little in my "secret place".  I was breaking off bits of my symphony bar when I received notice from my sis in law that it was National Chocolate Day!  Well okay, I don't need to be told twice....I will celebrate! (some more)☺

I have heard that chocolate makes you happier.  I believe that is true....at least it is for me!  I'm happier when I have chocolate! ☺  I looked up a few facts about chocolate...take it or leave it....

1. Lowers cholesterol, according to a study in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) in 2003. (The white chocolate consumers, the control group in this study, experienced no health benefits.)
2. It is good for your skin; the flavonoids found in dark chocolate offer some protection from UV damage.
3. May improve your ability to see in low-contrast situations, such as poor weather according to study, from England’s University of Reading in 2011.

4. The fiber in chocolate has been shown to reduce the rate of colorectal cancer. It may even slow dementia.
5. Cocoa has anti-clotting, blood-thinning properties (American Journal of Clinical Nutrition).
6. It has been shown to repair liver cells after alcohol consumption!

7. It has been shown to help stimulate insulin, thus stopping the insulin resistance that can lead to diabetes.
8. The ingredient phenylethylamine that gives chocolate the reputation of being the ‘love food’ raises serotonin and dopamine level, which stimulates the nervous system, and even raises libido.
9. Could keep you from coughing, according to doctors at the British National Health Service.

10. Chocolate helps with Math, according study in Northumbria University in the UK.
11. Women who ate more than 45 grams of chocolate a week had a 20 percent lower risk of stroke than women who treated themselves to fewer than 9 grams of the sweet stuff, according to a 2011 Swedish study.
12. Chocolate eaters have lower stress levels.