Long Course Season Kickoff Meet

The Long Course Season started off after spring break.  I was sure that I knew exactly what was going on.  I read the emails, notes, and Ryder shared all the info he learned after each practice.  I knew we were headed to Cedar City since the only pool in Southern Utah was on the SUU Campus.  I also knew that we needed to leave early enough to eat, drive, and find the pool.  Warm ups begin at 4:30.  We set off just the two of us.  We found the building with a little help from Google Maps now we had to find the pool.  Of course we take the long way and find it on the other side of the building.

WOW!!!
That is a big pool!!!
Do I have to swim that far??

This was a huge pool over 50 meters long.  The kids reaction was priceless as they walked in.  You could tell the first time participants by how big their eyes were.  The older kids were busy chatting strategy with their friends.

Warm ups begin

5 events tonight
He wasn't participating on Saturday.

I was volunteering again as a timer with the first event being a 200 meter.  This event was going to take a long time to get through this one.  Ryder found his team mates and was soon cheering each other on.

He is in my lane
Can I record him for Dave to see?

We did it!!!
Time to wait until our next evet.

First Place...3.30.2

I started recording the 2 event of the night.  However, the line judge quickly told me that it was against the rules to stand behind the starting blocks to record.  I stopped since I didn't want to be the reason he was DQ.  The pool is large but the timing spots were really small.  The large amount of kids running around, officials, and volunteers made for a hot smelly mess.

Another 1st Place in the
100 Backstroke.

5th Place in 100 Breast Stroke

Unknown on this event
The time didn't show.

He survived and swam all 5 events but was extremely tired.  As we left the pool we discovered the much shorter way out to the parking lot.  Wait a minute everything is all wet.  It had been raining while we were inside and not just a little bit.  We headed towards home with Ryder crashing for most of the drive.

The official times & places have yet to be announced.  The only thing for sure we know is that he didn't get DQ on any of them.

CVE Spring Choir Concert

 Surprise!!! there is a concert tonight!!!  This was the news that Ryder greeted me with when he talked to me after school.  What? When? and Where?  most importantly where was the notes & emails that usually come?  Since I wasn't sure whether to believe him or not there was still time to call the school to verify.  The secretaries were still answering and assured me that yes there was a concert and they have no idea why there weren't any reminders. 

No swim tonight instead find your choir shirt, dress pants, and comb your hair.

Getting ready to start.

I love all the actions

Great music

This concert featured all new music with positive messages.  It was really impressive that they learned a couple of songs from the Greatest Showman.  I have loved how positive the director is and how much fun the kids have while singing.  

This concert makes the end of choir for the school year.  It's a reminder to everyone that school will be out in 9 weeks.  Ryder isn't sure whether he will participate next year or not.  He did have a great time with his friends this year.

Easter + April Fools + Birthday + Conference

Equals a crazy Sunday and one that we didn't have to get dressed up for.  Our conference tradition is having scones for breakfast.  This year was an added bonus of a lot of chocolate to enjoy from the Easter Bunny.  The kids are growing up and requested chocolate for their baskets.  

Can I eat it all?

I'm taking it with me
and not sharing!!!!

We enjoyed listening to the conference talks, eating chocolate, and lounging in our pajamas.  Before too long it was time to get Easter Dinner ready as the Wheelers & Rawlins were coming to celebrate with us.  It was yummy and again everyone needed a nap before the next celebration.  We missed the first part of the second session of conference.  As everyone grabbed their phones to see if there were anymore announcements.  No more Home Teaching or Visiting Teaching was the headline.  I immediately said April Fools!!!!  As all the online chatter & conference progressed we learned that it wasn't a joke but real.  We would have to wait for additional directions from the leadership but how exciting is change.  I personally love hearing about change it gets us out of our comfort zones and makes us stretch & learn.

It was time for dessert and the last celebration of the day.  Rylee's Birthday!!!  It is officially tomorrow since everyone is in town it was time for day 2 of the 16th Birthday Celebration.

Presents... Gift cards for makeup and
more makeup. 

And two new cars
Corvettes in fact.

Cake
A yummy ice cream cake full of
cookie dough, chocolate cake, and vanilla ice cream.

Still frozen!!!

Thank goodness for Julie's muscles. She was able to get through to the bottom and we soon were enjoying the yummy birthday treat.  There were a few pieces left for the birthday girl to enjoy on her actual birthday.  

Tomorrow she will be celebrating with her friends with a surprise party.  I really hope that she is surprised and has a lot of fun.  It's hard to believe how fast time has flown by and how grown up she is.   Here's to another year full of excitement, hard work, and determination.  

Easter Weekend

How did Easter sneak up on us so quickly.  I guess it didn't sneak up but came early this year.  This was going to be a busy weekend and could we have fun?  Dave & Rylee headed off to the Easter Car Show in Hurricane with a neighbor.  Ryder wanted to go the SkyWest Easter Egg Hunt and Reganne reluctantly agreed to go to but only with the promise of shopping for a new dress.

Waiting patiently
for the whistle.

Maybe if we ignore Mom
she won't take anymore pictures.

Get ready!!!

GO!!!

5 minutes later
a basket full of eggs.

The winner!!
She looks so grown up.

Ryder's turn
Doesn't he look sharp in that hat.

They both found birthday presents for Rylee, new clothes, and maybe a few surprises.  We decided we need to go back to TG Maxx again.  It was time to take lunch to Rylee & Dad.

I need music!!!

I need a nap.

Getting a hug & a treat
from the big bunny himself.

The trophy!!

The first car show they attended together they get a trophy.  Of course they were both beaming!  Rylee is now searching for the next one. 

It was now time to head to dinner to start the celebrations for Rylee's big birthday "16"

More Spring Break Fun

Everyone was up early except the Water's Family.  The MacPherson Boys were off to Las Vegas for a Cubs baseball game.  That left the girls to hang out and all they wanted to do was shop.  We headed off for some retail therapy.  I do believe these girls are crazy and could keep going all day.  One of the last stops was to PetSmart.  Rylee needed some animal therapy after so much retail therapy.

In heaven with a snake?

Grace was the brave one
willing to pet it.

Everyone was keeping a
safe distance away.
I was even further back.
Thank goodness for cameras with a zoom feature.

Other customers checking it out.

It's Raining!!!
At Devan's Ultimate Frisbee Game

We got to spend a little of time with Devan & Kayla in between games.  The day had turned down right cold.  It was time to head home, warm up, and find something to eat.

It was a great break from school.  Now it's time to get back to work and finish the school year strong.  It will be a busy 11 weeks but I am sure we can do it.

Heading Home

It's Friday already and time to head for home.  We still had plenty of time to have more fun before catching our flight home.  We had to pack, clean up, and eat.  The kids begged to try the Cheesecake Factory.  We have passed it so many times when it has been packed to overflowing.  Today we were going to beat the crowds and have an early lunch.  We arrived just as the doors opened and where treated to amazing service.  The food was amazing with amazing portion.  Everyone was stuffed some of use still had room to try the Oreo Cheesecake.  It was big enough that we had a hard time finishing it.  This is definitely an addition to our list of places to eat when we are back in town.

We were stuffed and still had 7 hours to kill.  It was time to head to the beach but not to play in the sand but to check out the shops.  We were headed to Long Beach.  It has changed a lot since our last visit but not the shops.

Wanted Poster?
We definitely want her alive.

Peter Pan or Reganne?

Fun Shop Pirate's Cove

While everyone was shopping it was time to check flights and make sure everything was on track.  Surprise or Not!!! the flight was down to 1 seat.  We were still first for standby but would it make a difference with the 5 of us.  Thank goodness for friends who were still working and could give me some good alternatives.  There wasn't any except driving home.  Thank goodness our rental car was able to be dropped back in town.  One last call to the rental agency to make the adjustments.  Thank goodness I followed the advice given to me before we left and picked the right company.  The one call did the trick and we could enjoy a little more time shopping before we had to start driving.

Ryder & Rylee saw these two
cars back to back.
Who knew you could ever see these together
anywhere.

Walking on the pier.
It was chilly the closer we
got to the water.

Family Selfie
Only one of 20 Dave snapped.

We needed another
group photo with the Queen Mary in
the background

Look at all the boats.
Could we take one for a test ride?

Walking back
and watching the clouds roll in.

Our ride home.
What an airplane!!

Getting everything adjusted for the long ride home.  Could we beat rush hour?  We hit the road and with no such luck hit the traffic right off the bat.  We plugged into Google Maps and tried to follow the crazy directions it kept giving us.  We saw a lot more of Long Beach than we wanted to.  We made through the traffic, a few rain showers, a few bathroom breaks, and car sickness.  Over all we made great time and got to the airport just before closing time.  

We made it home just a 1/2 hour after the flight.  There were two empty seats left on the plane and the other 2 standby's made it home.  All said and one we would have still been one seat short.  I a glad we decided to make the crazy road trip home.  We made it home to a house full of company to share the remaining couple of days of spring break.  Let's have some more fun.

Disneyland...

Ryder was up really early and could hardly wait to get the day started.  One problem the sisters weren't ready to get moving yet.  Dave took pity on them and got Ryder ready.  They headed off for an early adventure.  We were about an hour & 1/2 behind them with a quick stop at Starbucks for breakfast on the run.

We met up in Tomorrowland and ready to play.  Ryder couldn't help bragging that they had already rode everything they wanted to without any lines.  The girls weren't impressed but were eager to ride the ones they wanted to.

Getting along??
Maybe?  Not so much.
The preztel M&M's were soon rolling down the path.
So much for sharing.

A little better while waiting
in another line.

Or even the same line.
Do I have to pose again?

Submarine Ride

Take my picture!!!
Everyone found a seat and was ready for the ride to get start.

Picture perfect!!
The Matahorn is the perfect backdrop.

The only way to ride this ride is the single rider line.  It takes about 15 minutes to get a seat versus 2 hour wait in the regular line. 

Small World with Reganne
I amazed her with knowing all the words to the song.
That includes both versus.

Autotopia
Driving himself.  One minor problem
His legs weren't long enough to press the gas pedal all the way.
Mine were just long enough but of course he wanted to go
FASTER!!!!

Can we take these home as pets???
That would be the only way Rylee is going to get a snake.
They decided not to spend their money on plastic pets.

Waiting for Pirates
The girls were happy to ride this twice.
While the boys bragged that they got 3 rides.

Love these smiles
I hope they enjoyed the day.

There is one more ride that I didn't get any pictures of.  It is the Search, Scan, and Wand ride as you enter the parks.  Disney is determined to keep their parks safe.  They will search your bags as you walk in.  Then if is off to the metal detectors, and if you beep then the wand comes out for one more check before you can enter the lines to enter the park.

It was another fun day at Disneyland.  Even a bad day at the parks beats at day at home.  Our flight home isn't until 7:00 so what adventures can we find to enjoy out last day in California?