The BIG family Vacation!!!!

We started out on our BIG family vacation on Broadway, at Wicked!!! It was AMAZING!!!
We went on a subway to Ground Zero and saw where the twin towers used to be, it is incredible to imagine the height of them, and the terror that must have been felt on the streets. I loved this memorial to the brave firefighters and service people who helped so many people on that horrible day. We were all in awe of what happened on this spot and felt renewed patriotism for our country.
Lady Liberty was fun and FREEZING!!!

Time Square was intensely overwhelming, but oh so very fun! I want to come back on New Years Eve to see the ball drop! We especially loved the M&M store, the Hershey's store (see a pattern here?) and Toys R Us!!!
Hey DUMB DUMB give me some GUM GUM!!! Jaemon was ECSTATIC to see this famous "thing" from Night At the Museum in the museum of Natural History.
Yummy NYC ice cream in front of the Radio City Music Hall!!!
The view from the Empire State Building! Josh and Tyler were terrified, but in the end, they were glad they went up the 90 floors to the top!
Does it get any better than the American Doll store? HEAVEN!
We took the train from NYC to Buffalo, an 8 hour drive through beautiful country, full of lakes, trees and cute little towns!
We met my parents to tour many church history sights, they were all amazing. This is the Kirtland temple, first dedicated temple for our church. Even though it's not owned by us anymore, the Spirit is still strong inside. We loved touring it and the surrounding areas, like the Whitney Farm and the school of the Prophets, the Mill and where Joseph Smith lived for awhile.
Next we were off to Niagara Falls!!! YAY! Dad and I got to go into CANADA!!! Our home sweet home!!! The majestic beauty and sheer size of these falls are breathtaking!

We went on the Maid of the Mist, the boat that goes right up close to the falls. We were SOAKING wet and it was more than a little terrifying! Josh, Brennan and Tyler Jon and my dad absoloutely LOVED it! Me and the little ones stood back a bit. Words actually can't describe the amount of water that comes over these falls! It is so loud too! Incredible!!
The RCMP! (Royal Canadian Mounted Police)
Toronto Ontario Temple
A HUGE highlight for me was seeing my 2 best friends from high school, Shona and Cheryl. We got to go out to dinner and reminisce about old times. It's funny how even after many many years, it's like we've never been apart! I LOVE these girls!
In Belleville Ontario we went to visit graves of our Great Great Grandparents. Grandpa told us lots of stories about them and we planted flowers next to them and cleaned them off. What a great experience for my kids to get to know their ancestors!
We went to Old Fort McHenry in Kingston, a working Fort from the British Army. They did a whole re-enactment of enlisting privates! The kids got to where tunics and they put Jen and my dad in jail with muskets! It was so fun!
One of Jon's favorite places to eat from his mission days is New York Fries, and no they are not in New York! They are a Canadian Franchise. You have to eat the homemade fries with malt vinegar and they are everyone's favorite! (Well, not mine, for obvious reasons) but everyone else loves 'em!

This picture in the Sacred Grove is priceless. We told all the kids to go and find a quiet place to pray about Joseph Smith. This is what a found around the corner from me, it's Gracie and Jaemon kneeling by a bench. This was the neatest thing, the greatest place. The Spirit in this grove is tangible, it is so strong, you can almost touch it. Truly one of the best places on earth.
We had a family testimony meeting in the grove. I pray with all my heart that the things my kids felt here on this day will remain with them through their whole lives.
The Hill Cumorah.
We did baptisms for the dead in the Palmyra temple. It was a great experience. The temple is small, but beautiful and the window that looks into the Sacred Grove makes it so unique and special.
Outside the home where the church was organized. We learned so much.
There was a big storm as we left Chicago, but above it was the most beautiful sunset. I hope none of us will forget this trip. I had prayed and hoped for my kids to gain a stronger testimony, a greater appreciation for pioneers and Joseph Smith. A knowledge and gratitude for family. A closeness with each other, and insight into things they had never seen before. My expectations were far exceeded and I'm so so grateful we were able to go!

Tennis anyone?

Josh had a great tennis season this year. He had the best varsity record on his team, lettered in varsity for the 2nd time in a row, kicked some booty in singles and overall, he won third in the region, altogether, which is AWESOME! We think he seems to do much better with that tongue of his hanging out every time he serves or hits!

Watch out Wimbledon, here he comes!

(oh btw, one of his ambitions for playing tennis was to acquire a "killer" tan) but, unfortunately, the weather didn't co-operate, it was snowing and rainy and cold most of the season! Maybe during the summer he can work on it!!!

Good job bud!

These are the women I come from!

Grandma Mildred Dyer
Grandma Evelyn Bennett
My mom, Patricia Dyer Bennett

I love these amazing, wonderful mothers. Thank you for the influence and example you are in my life. I love you with all my heart. Thank you for being you. I hope in some small way I can be the kind of mother you are, beautiful, kind, unselfish, giving, righteous and wonderful. I know I will never compare, but I am so grateful for you! I love you! Happy Happy Mother's Day!

Is he really old enough?

For PROM that is? I can't believe this big boy in a tux, is MY son!!!! He looked so handsome!!!!!
These beautiful girls said yes to Josh and some of his best friends for Prom this year, I couldn't be more thrilled with their choices! Their dresses were elegant, modest and beautiful and they were kind and sweet too, what more could a mom ask?
Josh, Nic, Michael, Zach and Hunter. Such great kids. I am so thankful Josh has such great friends.
What cute kids.
Josh and Saysha. She is one of Josh's good friends and a real sweetie. I'm glad they got to go to this big dance together. I am so not ready, so, so, so not ready for him to grow up in so many ways. But, at the same time, I love seeing him have so much fun, with great kids who have the same values and standards as him. I loved my high school years, they were so different than the ones he's experiencing, and I'm so grateful he is living it up!!!!! He'll always be my baby, but he is growing up, whether I like it or not, and I'm glad he's turning out to be such a great kid!! What a fun night!!!!!!!

What a week!!!

The week started out with Josh getting answered to Prom! He's going with a very cute girl named Saysha.

Jen had an incredibly busy week. She was Wendy Joe in Footloose at her school and did a GREAT job, and she also tried out for the high school cheer squad. In her spare time she decided to also run for student council, so we got to come up with a slogan, make posters and write essays.
Brennan had his 5th grade Wax Museum. He did his state report on Illinois so we decided to do his famous person on Pres Obama. It was fun to color his hair black and put a little "tanner" on his face. We think he makes a stunning Commander in Chief!

Gracie was a pixie in her very first dance performance. She did such a great job and was so sweet in her little blue tutu!

It was a very very busy week, in all honesty, most weeks are just like this, but this one was particularly fun!

I love watching my kids do things that make them better people, that stretch them a little, or a lot. I enjoy helping them and being there for them.

That's what being a mom is right?

Yep! And I love it!

Good job guys!!!

Fun in San Francisco!!

We had a great trip to San Francisco for Spring Break! It was a very long long long long drive, but we made the best of it, and NO my daughter is NOT flipping you off, it's the other finger :)

We had a great time at the Golden Gate Park


The Beach was too cold to swim in, but fun to look at!


The infamous trolley was a great ride!
The beautiful Painted Ladies (I LOVE the houses in this city!)
While on the sightseeing bus, everyone was STARVING so Jonny went and got a whole butload of hot dogs.....made the hot dog man really really happy!

The double decker bus was windy windy windy, but a fun ride.
And of course, no trip is complete without lots and lots of swimming.
We had a good time at Alcatraz, I think I'm going to post this sign in my house.

THE ROCK! (can we leave naughty children here?)
We had yummy crepes for breakfast one day, mmmmmmm mmmmmm good.
On the pier there were a whole bunch of Sea Lions, they were barking and fighting, it was pretty cool!
Cold and beautiful sunsets.
No trip to San Francisco would be complete without a trip and a big SUNDAE from Ghiradelli!
A ride down the crookedest street is so fun and different!
On Easter we went to a beautiful Catholic Cathedral, Jen and Marissa lit candles. It was a change from what we were used to and a neat church to see.
We went to the Palace, it was pouring rain and freezing cold, but made for pretty pictures!
Muir Woods and the Redwoods was gorgeous!

We had such a great time together, with great friends. What a fun trip we had. It is so fun to go to new places and see things we don't usually see. San Francisco is such a unique, and beautiful city! The kids were great, the company was great, the food was INCREDIBLE, and the memories will last a lifetime!