Some Black Magic

Downtown Christmas Lights

Our annual trip down to downtown Salt Lake City was awesome as ever! We added a few new traditions this year.

We parked down by the Grand America so as to not have parking issues and we rode the Trax where we needed to go. The kids love riding the train.

We went a did a scavenger hunt at the Grand America Hotel. It was a fun game that tooks around the whole hotel (which is huge). The kids had to read the clues and then find the symbol in the various pictures displayed. They had a gingerbread house all made of candy and food that was amazing. AT the end of our game the kids got a treat from the candy store.

Then we headed down to Temple Square for the lights!
Katelyn had my camera the most of the time and her photographs are amazing!

"Bountiful Hurricane"

Marcia and LeGrand were staying at our house taking care of Brigham and Christian when the worst wind storm in Bountiful's history happened.

They experienced upward of 100 mph winds. Serious hurricane force winds. LeGrand said it was pretty scary listening to the wind blow. He said he could tell something very different was going on.

The Sunday after we got home we had stake conference. Our stake president said that just in our stake alone we lost over 700 trees! The landscape of Bountiful really has changed. I have found myself just driving around every now and then still looking at all the damage. I don't mean to belittle the damage or the experiences, but it is amazing how many blessings were received. This storm brought service- lots of service. Just last weekend Mike was able to go out and chop up some more trees.

This is a picture of the line to the dump. People said they waited for 3 hours in the line to empty their debris at the dump. Because the line was so long they set up temporary dump sites at the high school and church parking lots all over.

The big pine trees were the hardest hit. Their root systems aren't as strong or deep so those strong winds knocked them down like dominoes. Luckily we didn't loose any trees and had no damage to our roof.

Our neighbor across the creek lost over 10 trees and a one of them fell across the creek onto our deck and hurt the railing.

haPpy biRthDay 5th bRighAm!

We finally had a birthday for Brigham! Good thing he was a 5 year old that was oblivilous. His one request was a pinata. We went to the store and he chose a flamingo- so Brigham!!

Thanksgiving in Blanding

We headed down to Blanding for Thanksgiving. We couldn't believe it had been a year since we had been down south. We had tons of fun!!

Marcia made delicious food the WHOLE week. We went on an amazing hike to Firehouse Ruin. Movies at C&Ks. Lots of Nurtz and games and COUSINS!!

mInuTe tO WiN It!!!
Kristin put together all these fun Christmas games. It was a blast!

On our way home we took Jessica and Lori to meet Grandpa Buckley for the first time.

Kauai: Tues 12.06.11

Last day on Kauai...
Let's go back to the unique North Shore. When you travel with Mike amazing things happen and it was the same this day. The sun was out on the North Shore, which is a rare thing.

One road around the island and there was an car accident so that slowed us down a bit and it was interesting to see what a mess traffic was.

Kilauea Point and Lighthouse

There was a 3-5ft swell around the shore that morning so the water was a little rough. We explored and watched turtles. We found Tunnels Beach eventually. The underwater topography made this place amazing. Turtle, all the normal fish. You are in a tunnel of sand and you head out and all of the sudden the reef drops off and the ocean floor is deep. The kids had a good time on the beach and were good sports to babysit while we snorkeled one last time.

Mike and Jessie had a good time in the waves.

Feeding the birds

So I mentioned the kids obsession with coconuts... we stopped off at a farmer's market and walked around. Sampled passion fruit, and star fruit.
We visited with a sweet old lady that cut up papaya for us.

We ate those mini bananas and the had some coconut water and ate the coconut meat. Even Amy tried it all!

We checked out of the hotel early so we wouldn't have to go back and get our stuff. We had a yummy Italian dinner at a quaint restaurant and ten headed to the restrooms at Hanama'ulu Bay to shower and change for the plane ride home. I sat there holding Jessie waiting for everyone to shower and felt the cool breeze and breathed the air , listened to the waves crash and watched the clouds pass by the moon. Hawaii is beautiful and I will miss it.

Kauai: Mon 12.05.11

HaPpy BirThdAy to bRigHam!!! 5 years old and we aren't there to celebrate so we hope you will forget and forgive!

We had a busy Sunday so we relaxed again on the South shore and soaked up some more of that Hawaiian sun.

We went early to Poi'pu before the lifeguards were there and Mike snorkeled out around the reef. He said it was amazing! He saw lots of turtles and big fish. When he got back I took Tyler out (and my cell phone) we were a little braver this time and went further too and ran into the "snake" again. We sat and watched the eel until Tyler was okay. The fish were amazing!

Splashed in the big waves at Brennecke Beach. Amy's favorite beach!

We kept seeing a turtle in the surf and I was so jealous of Mike's morning swim with the turtles so I went out to get me a turtle.

Took Katelyn out and couldn't find the turtle again.

Went back for some lunch and to wash up! Then hiked along the lithified sand dunes and cliff cracks.

Shipwreck Beach and Makawehi Point a popular place for pole fisherman. While we were walking we saw a guy catch a fish and the kids got to touch it.

Drove through abandoned Sugar Cane fields to Gillin's Beach, a popular place for windsurfing. We ran into another seal. Katelyn and Ty enjoyed the swing.

Went back to Spouting Horn to buy souvenirs!
Just taking a look for some decent snorkeling at Prince Kuhio Beach and we heard a lady get out of the water because there was a turtle! Yeah!!
We threw our gear on as fast as we could. A big old turtle was just snacking on rocks and we got so close. Too close for mom! Katelyn got to swim with a turtle!