Nauvoo Vacation: Friday June 22, 2012

This summer we signed McKenna up for EFY in Nauvoo. We decided to make a big family vacation out of her adventure. We left on Friday, June 22 returning on 13 days later on Wednesday, July 4th. 

DAY #1: When we left Friday morning for the airport this is what we saw out our back window... it was tough to leave not knowing what would happen while we were gone. Fortunately, before it took any homes or lives, the wind turned and the fire went the other way. Prayers are answered.  

 Just as we were walking out the door to leave for the airport McKenna realized she couldn't find her temple recommend. Lucky for her... her dad just happens to be the bishop and we could stop at the church and he could do an interview with her for a new one. She needed it for EFY in Nauvoo... they were going to be doing baptisms at the Nauvoo temple! If she hadn't realized it when she did she wouldn't have gotten to participate.

 On the shuttle to the airport... headed for Chicago! We were all so EXCITED!!!!

 After getting our rental car (We ended up with a Tahoe... the car we were going to get wouldn"t fit all of our luggage! Two weeks worth of luggage for 4 people is more than you think! Especially when 3 of the 4 are girls!) we checked into our hotel and headed North to meet my sister and her family at Six Flags Great America in Wisconsin. We didn't tell the girls until we pulled into the parking lot! They were so excited!

 We got there about 8 pm... and the park closed at 10...so we only had 2 hours but we made good use of the time. Dan, Doug and McKenna headed for the big rollercoasters and Cheryl and I took the little girls to the less crazy rides. Everyone was happy!

 I know this picture is blurry, but it was the best one I got. Courtney, Abi, and Maddi. They were so cute! The funniest part of the night was when I bought the girls "dippin dots" and Abi looked right at me and said, "Oh thank you Aunt Stephi! My mom would NEVER have done this!" It was hilarious because my sister had just told me she was thinking about buying them ice cream. Love my beautiful little nieces!

 We hadn't had dinner and we were starving so we stopped at a McDonalds right across the street from the park. It had an "Elvis" theme. We had to get a picture of Kenna with Elvis because of her tremendous aversion to him. From the time she was really little maybe 2 or 3 years old, she has despised Elvis. We have no idea why. Neither does she really...but to Kenna he is No Bueno!

 Our girls in our "car booth"... what a fun first day!!!! After a quick bite to eat we headed back to Chicago to our hotel and the fun adventures awaiting us tomorrow!

I Hope They Call Me On a Mission....

Our first nephew got his mission call a few weeks ago. We are so proud of Alex and his decision to go on a mission... he is GREAT young man and will make a wonderful missionary! He is going to be serving in Bolivia!!!! We can't wait to receive letters and emails about all of his great adventures!

USA Swim Team: 2nd Annual Mini-Triathalon

This morning at 7:00 AM Courtney was able to participate in her first "mini-triathalon". They started with the run.... then the biking... and then the swimming. I saw this sign they put out on the road and thought it was hilarious!

 All three levels...Red, White, and Blue gathered out front. They had different distances for each of the three  groups. Courtney's group had to run a half mile, bike a mile, and swim 600 meters...

 I was glad they put up cones and had parents stationed at each intersection... and one following each group at the back to make sure they didn't lose anyone...

 Courtney took off quick on the run....

 She came in first on the running! Grandma King aren't you so proud!?!

 She grabbed her bike and was off just as quickly....

 BUT... when she hadn't gotten back and her entire team had finished biking I was REALLY worried. I just about went to look for her! Come to find out, BOTH tires on her bike were flat. She never stopped... but the "sweeper" felt so bad for her! Courtney could hardly breathe when she finished and was really sick to her stomach.

 Determined to finish, she pulled on her swim cap and goggles and headed into the pool....

 She finished 100 of the 300 meters and we had to pull her out of the pool because she was coughing and almost puking. It was so sad. I felt so bad for her. When I pulled her out everyone told her how impressed they were with her not quitting on the bike and how much harder she had to work than everyone else just to finish that mile. She just didn't look good... kind of had me worried... but she did her very best. She said she almost ditched her bike at the side of the road and just ran back! It was a great experience for her, and next year she will do awesome! AND... we will check her bike BEFORE she participates!

Youth Conference Activity 2012

Last night we hosted a Youth Conference activity at our house. The kids and leaders all came over to make sure the kids could put up a tent and to go over the packing list. They also needed to threaten the kids with having to meet with the Bishop (with their parents) if they bring cell phones, etc, to Youth Conference...

 It was sooooo COLD! I think the kids wearing shorts were wishing they had wore a little more clothing!

 First they set up the "girls tent" and the "boys tent"....

 After the "hard work" they were rewarded with smore's around the fire pit. That turned into using marshmallows as "hacky-sacks". These kids know how to have a good time!

 They all ended up playing outside until at least 11:00. It may not have "felt" like summer last night to most of us...but these kids made the best of it and had a blast! Youth Conference will be so much fun!

Courtney's 1st Swim Practice

Courtney had her first swim practice this morning. It was SOOOOOO COLD! In this first picture you can tell the kids were all jumping around trying to stay warm. I was freezing and I wasn't in a swim suit! Yikes! Poor Courtney doesn't have an ounce of body fat... I was actually kind of worried about her. But the Coach told them after they got in and started warming up they would wish they were cooler! 

 That's Courtney with the white swim cap... it was hard to take pictures from where I was...

 Finishing up... these are all the teams... RED (Courtney), WHITE, and BLUE.... Go team USA!

She did GREAT and just enjoyed a long HOT shower! She's got this!!!!

Family Night at the Floyd's

Tonight we had plans to hike to Battle Creek Falls and have a picnic for Family Night. The girls and I ran to Subway and got sandwiches and packed the picnic basket... but when Dan called on his way home I could tell he just wasn't up to it. He had a bit of a rough day... getting everything rolling at the facility... and he is still getting over a nasty cold. We decided we could have just as much fun on the deck... and we did!

 After dinner McKenna decided to work on her fly-fishing skills... and she is good! She and Dan are planning a couple of fishing trips this summer...

 The funniest part of watching her was her choice in fashion attire. I don't think I have ever seen anyone wearing a Hawaiian grass skirt while fly-fishing! She bought it today in preparation for her upcoming Kids Camp Hawaiian themed day... if you haven't signed your kids up yet, call her! It's going to be awesome!

 While Kenna was "fishing" Courtney decided to roller blade on the canal... she is ALWAYS moving.

 Enjoying an otter pop while showing off her mad skills....

 Now it's time for a rest in the hammock...

 After a couple of hours of fun in the back yard we headed in to read scriptures as a family.... but of course Dan needed to put Kenna in a "3/4 Nelson" first. For those of you unfamiliar with the sport of wrestling... this is a great move used to pin your opponent. I can see Dan using this on Kenna's future dates when they come to pick her up....

Not the night we expected or planned.... but we had so much fun. I sure love my family!!!!!

Our Future Olympian....

On Friday, we ran to a swim store in Midvale called "Aquaholics". We needed to get Courtney a swimsuit she could wear for practice everyday and some flippers. We also found a great swim bag and a "nose plug". She decided to model her new swim gear for Dan this weekend. She wouldn't let me put the most hilarious pictures on here... but these one's are still really funny...

 Look at those guns! She may be small but she is tough!!

 She has been so excited ALL weekend... she had her bag packed an suit laid out and ready to go. This morning was supposed to be her first practice... at 7:00 AM!!!!! I took a picture of the clock in my car to prove it!

 Unfortunately, they can't start until Wednesday... and we weren't in the email system yet. But her sweet coach was there just in case some of the kids didn't get the message. (We weren't the only ones who showed up!) Oh well... it will be worth the wait! Doesn't she look sad?! I promised that we will go swimming later today....

We will get some fun pictures and video on Wednesday!