America Part 3- Utah, Vegas & Hawaii

We spent a week in Utah and got to catch up with great friends and fit in a few sessions of conference while we were there. It was a great experience and we are already trying to figure out how to get back there.... After that we caught up with the Krokies again in Vegas which was short lived as they got a bad stomach bug the day they arrived and ended up driving all the way back to AZ. We did miss them but more so felt bad that they had made the drive out there just to spend the night in the hotel room and drive back the next day.... From Vegas we flew to Hawaii for the last week of our Vacation- and LOVED IT!!!!

Josh's mission Pres and his wife drove down from Wyoming to have dinner with us which was a real treat for all of us!

This is Ray Ray- one of Josh's best friends in the whole wide world! He came to Australia for our wedding 3 years ago and this is the second time since then that they have been able to see each other! I didn't even ask them to pull this typical "make your cheeks touch girl style photo". Thats how much they love each other!!!

These are our friends the Blackners who we met 2 years ago when we did the Book Of Mormon tour in Central America. They are so much fun and we were so glad to get to catch up with them.

Then with Sienna back under the seat we flew to Vegas!!

When the plane landed we let her have a turn of the big seat. She could hardly sit up on her own!! haha. I forget that she has gotten older. She was about 3 months old here. She pretty much still looks the same now... :)

These are the only pictures I got of our time in Vegas... I love how scared Sienna looks in this photo!!! And Atticus's face.... like- "whats wrong with her"?

                               

Finally- one where they are all looking. The funny part is, I didnt even tell them to do this, Thurston and Atticus just did the exact same pose.

Then Sienna crashed out after playing with the boys. I just love how she crosses her legs to go to sleep. When I look into the back seat to see if she is asleep I can only see her feet, and if they are crossed you know she is out!!! 

Kim and Ethan bought Josh a Sprout Master for his birthday. And for any of you that know Josh well, you will not be shocked to find out this was his favourite present ever!!! He was legitimately so excited about it!!! Thanks guys x Sienna liked it too... well the wrapping at least!

We also got to spend some time with my cousin Kim and her family. They TOTALLY saved us and baby sat Sienna while we were there so we could spend a night out together. We had a great dinner and went to see a Cirq show. They came into town to pick Sienna up- looked after her all night then dropped her back into us late at night. THEN- the next morning came and picked us up for church, then drove us to the airport after feeding us lunch! They were AMAZING and we were so grateful for all of their love and help! We hope to repay the favour when they come to Australia one day.

Then it was off to Hawaii for some relax and sunshine. We got plenty of both! Our first few days were at Waikiki. We scored an awesome apartment on airbnb which had huge windows looking directly over the beach. We spent the whole time with the windows wide open and enjoyed the fresh air and ocean breeze.

Oh- and this was also where Sienna had her first ever modelling shoot!

She was a natural!

Then we went to the North Shore for the last few days. We stayed at the beautiful turtle bay which was right near BYUH and we got to catch up with our great friend Marc. He really loved spoiling us and showing off the beautiful place he lives in. While we were there one of Josh's dreams came true.... he got to surf pipeline!!!

Josh also got to feature in one of the shows at the PCC (not another dream of his, but he was still happy to play along). This was him being welcomed onto the Marai at the NZ village.

And exchanging greetings with the Chief via a big fat HONGI!! (Thats the Moari man kiss).

My two babies- exhausted after all that fun!

We loved Hawaii and look forward to returning again someday!

America Part 2- Church History Tour

I loved flying once I figured out she was small enough to sleep on the floor under my feet. We literally took about 20 flights during this trip so she got pretty good at it by the end.

Once we landed I pulled her up to get off the plane but the poor little thing was just too tired!!

Our first day in New York. It was FREEZING out side. Thanks Aunty Jade for the warm Zebra suit. It was perfect and she looked so adorable!

Here is a few shots of the sacred grove. It was just beautiful. This first shot is from the kitchen window of the Smiths home. I just love to imagine how it would have felt looking out that window after the events that transpired there... how beautiful! 

This is the building where the church was first established. "Out of small and simple things... shall great things come to pass..."

So close to Niagara Falls, we had to stop by. In the back ground you can see the water still flowing, but the water below was totally frozen over.

Newel K. Whitney store

This is in one of the rooms above the store. Its the "school of the Prophets". I felt privileged to sit in the same place where such amazing people had sat before me and some beautiful teachings were received. Very humbling.

This was not part of the church history tour but we were so close so we had to go see. We went through an amish village and there were horse and karts all over the place, stopping at traffic lights and everything. It was really cool. I especially liked the stop signs for the horses. "Whoa" :)

Sienna was so great with her sleeping. We literally slept in a different hotel every night. So I would strap her to the seat coushins and off she went. Looking back I cant believe how good she was being moved around so much! 

This is probably my favourite place out of the whole trip. Adam-ondi-ahman. There was nothing else there, no visitors centres or tours or anything, just a big open field in the middle of nowhere, but imagining what has taken place, and what will take place there was just... overwhelming. Im so grateful to just have been there.... a really amazing experience for me.

Sienna just enjoying some time out during one of our tours at the visitors centre. It looks like she is crying and flailing her arms about, but actually she was quiet calm and just enjoying the bright lights above her. I just love how this picture makes it look like she has been left by accident...

Beautiful Nauvoo temple. The last time I was here, we just walked around the corner stones of this temple. Its so beautiful as it stands at the highest point in Nauvoo looking over the plains. It truly is a beacon to the world. Something I hadnt noticed before was that the stone becomes a more purer white colour from the bottom up. I love how everything in the temple is symbolic.

We had a wonderful time doing the church history tour. It was a very fast week, full of some of the most spiritual experiences in my life. I am so grateful for the example of the early saints, and i think what i took away most from this trip was that despite the MANY challenges they faced, they were a happy people. I wondered how that could be, and I can only put it down to being unified in the cause of righteousness. Living the gospel really does bring true and lasting happiness.

America Part 1- With the Kroks

I have committed myself to blogging more regularly.... (again)!! and so i decided to start with our last America trip. This is our first week with the Krokies in AZ. I realised how terrible I am at taking photos when I looked through the album only to find these 6 different occasions i took out the camera the whole time we were there... SLACKER! Despite the lack of video evidence, we had a REALLY great time and absolutely LOVED our time with family!!

Siennas first time in a walker. (she has her own now and her feet have only just started reaching the ground...)

Our day date to the health expo. Ethan and Kim thought Josh would enjoy it, and he did!!!! :) The kids did too because every stand was passing out giveaways and free food! Oh and the giant jumping castle slide... these two on the other hand just enjoyed another day of being carried around in their little chariots!!

Dave gave Josh and I some golfing lessons. It was the first time EVER i actually enjoyed golf (well driving) because I actually connected the club with the ball and it went really far. It was awesome- thanks Dave.

Love this shot of the kids sun baking after a big swim at a local pool.

Just near by Ethan and Kims place is this perfect spot for shooting clay pigeons. Ethan had fun showing off his guns, and while we felt like we were doing something illegal, we secretly enjoyed it too!! I have some video which ill put up next week. It was great fun! Thanks Eth! Oh yeah- and i especially picked that first shot because Ethan looks so natural at throwing the pigeons.... haha. I remember one throw he made and the pigeon just missed the back of Josh's head and the whole thrower came out of his hands.... SO funny- wish i got that one on camera!!

Just me looking like i know what i'm doing... (I didnt) haha.

Thanks Krokies! We sure do love you and miss you HEAPS!!! xx