Air Show - Nellis Air Force

 A new tradition for us. The Nellis Air Force Air Show in Las Vegas. Jeff's dad LOVES planes and is always wanting to go - last year, Lucas, Jeff and his dad went. This year Abbey wanted to go. I had to ask her several times if she really wanted to go. Yep. sure? yes. really? yes. I wanna go with Daddy, Lucas and Grandpa. sure? yes. Alrighty then. Lucas was less than thrilled and spent the next few hours trying to convince her to stay with me, Lea, Ammon and grandma. Threatened to stay home - he kept his comments to a minimum. :) Jeff was nervous taking her, but loved that she wanted to be with him. She still talks about the helicopters, airplanes and spending time with the boys. When Lea was asked if she wanted to go: definite head shake no with an even more emphatic said: No.

Off to the air show:

Wanna buy a plane?? haha!

Below - RADAR planes

Looking out over the wing of the plane

trying out the O2 mask

With permission from the Air Force guy - push all the buttons you want!

Sleeping bunks

Leaving the RADAR plane

random pictures while we wait.......

This is how Abbey watches an air show......

still covering the ears

this plane was guarded and this is as close as they got. It's a stealth plane......oooooohhhhh, aaahhhhhhhh.

This is where Lucas got lost......see Jeff's dad walking towards Jeff taking the picture -No Lucas. When found, Lucas said 'Grandpa left me' - he had followed and then got lost in the process of Grandpa returning. Lucas is in a couple other pictures similar to this - Jeff not knowing he was lost - he's over by the white truck directly behind Jeff's dad.

Checking out the Humvee

SNOW!!!!!! (remember where we live.....it's exciting!)

checking out the communication gear - search and rescue

trying it on - satellite next to abbey and the name on the radios is Jeff's company - Harris.

Helicopter

The Apron

The Story of the Apron:

Last Christmas, our friends the Allens, had a 'Not-so-Silent Night' Christmas party. Jeff and I were able to attend and had a great time. White Elephant gifts are always entertaining with as many sarcastic and dry sense of humor friends we have - us included. :)

Heidi runs her own catering company and has a plethera of aprons. Some friends decided they would 'borrow' one for the next year and send it all over the world. It's been to the Great Wall of China, Florida - almost eaten by a croc, Utah to visit friend who moved, Applebees (down the street) for a girls lunch and various other places all over the world. We took it with us to Vegas.....!! I've been holding off on posting these pictures as these friends were putting together a book of all the photos. A couple weeks ago, this year's party was held (I was gone to Washington, but Jeff got to go). The book was given along with some of these next photos: Happy tears were shed by Heidi - wish I could have been there too.

Taken in the Bellagio Hotel
Forgot to mention - Jeff got a speeding ticket on the way to the Strip. I was tempted to have the officer put the apron on so we could take his picture - he was not a HAPPY officer. Gave us the ticket and said call in 4 weeks to pay it......what??

 Beautiful Garden inside the Bellagio

 

 So sad.......

 WAHOO!!!! (no money was won or lost during the taking of these pictures) ha!

 The 'Eiffel Tower'

 More of 'Paris'

 The Bellagio Fountains

Seriously my favorite picture - EVER. These girls were out in front of the Bellagio, along with Buzz, Mickey/Minnie (both guys....), a guy disguised as a tree, posing for pictures. 

Awww, Vegas.  

(don't worry, we washed the apron, it reeked of smoke after being in the casino and well, ya just gotta wash everything after being on the strip for any amount of time)

new calling

As Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we are called by God through our Bishopric and other auxiliary leaders (Primary, YW, Relief Society, etc) to serve. We don't get paid and a lot of callings require more than Sunday to fulfill the duties required.

I have been blessed to have been a Primary teacher for the last year and half. I started teaching Lea's class, then when the new year started, her group moved up to a different teacher(s). I continued to teach the CTR6 (kids who are 6 turning 7), with a new set of kids - all of whom I have come to enjoy and love dearly. They are so inquisitive, sometimes they're bored (and say so), other times they spin in their chairs, but for the most part we accomplish a lot of learning through the lessons and talking about what goes on in their lives. I love it and I was really looking forward to a different group next year. 

Then I get a text from Jeff: meeting at 3 pm with Brother Durda, I get to come too.

(awesome) Typically if a spouse gets to come to the interview, it's a big calling, one that requires a lot more than simply teaching a lesson each week. So no more primary teacher, but what then. Honestly, didn't want to be in Young Womens - love them dearly, but didn't want to be there. Didn't want to be in Relief Society either, I'd gladly be a secretary, but just couldn't imagine being in the Presidency or a teacher for Relief Society - gives me great anxiety just thinking about that teaching calling.

3 pm, 3:15, 3:16, 3:17....... and I stand around wondering if I can leave the building fast enough and how long can I avoid Brother Durda...... apparently not very long. Opened the door and in I went, then the family came in. Then came the call: Thanks for being a primary teacher, we'd like for you to serve as (drum roll please) 1st Counselor in the Primary.........(still holding my breath, I finally let it go). Ummmm, sure, I guess. (really!? surely there is someone else!!) With Jeff's busy calling and now this, we'd have to do some fancy scheduling - we could make it work. I've been the Primary President one time, we'd been married only a couple months: Our BYU student ward - 14 kids, all under the age of 4. Easy peasy.

Brother Durda then turns to Jeff and asks if he will support me. He says 'Of course, she'll be great. I'm not surprised. Her whole family is great with kids - it's in her DNA.' 

(sweet husband)

So a new chapter of responsibility for me. I've been trying to hide out for a long time. :) No more I guess.

Sisters ski team

 And even a couple sisters ski too. My OLDEST sister doesn't ski - she knows how, but doesn't.

2 of my sisters (in-law) could care less about the water and tolerate this family vacation.

This sister (in law), Rozann, skis and enjoys is so much, they bought a boat! :) Too bad we don't live closer to water in AZ.

 Kristin

 This sister, vinyl letters after she skis........some people and their hobbies. :)

NOTS - any guesses as to what that means?? yeah, I had no idea either. 

NOTS = Not On The Sabbath (which is when we don't ski and what my dad said he wanted to call the boat)

My mom....she used to ski in her younger years and before she got 2 new hips. We have one picture of her in a head-to-toe wet suit, swim cap and a 'life jacket' that went around the waist - she HATES this picture - I love it, but I also value my life and will not post the picture. It's on the wall at my sister -the one who does vinyl lettering on boats after skiing - at her house. So my mom rides the wave runner and rides in the boat.