Grants Pass Mini Vacation Day I

After an extra early start to our day, and a couple of needed stops, we were finally on the road - just a big girls outing. The girls were very excited to know we would be spending 4 wonderful days with our friends the Seables. The mapquest thing we ran said it would take us several hours to arrive in Grants Pass, and the GPS on my phone wouldnt work. It ended up taking us HALF the time we planned on to arrive. We surprised Grandpa Seable by arriving so extra early. The girls and I helped him tidy their cute little house before Grandma Seable arrived home. We had a wonderful time just visiting with them both. We found out from Holly that Keenan had a track meet, and since we had arrived so early, we decided to surprise him at the meet. This pict isnt the best since the sun was behind Keenan, but you can see by the look on his face that he was very happy to see us there, and that it was a surprise. We all thought it was funny that Keenan ran the warm up with his shoes in his hands vs on his feet....

Keenan tried the javelin for the first time at this meet. He didnt do too bad for a first attempt, and I think he learned alot too. This was only the first official meet of the season, so lots of time for lots more success.

Keenan ran both a long distance and a short distance race. He was happy that he beat his own records.

Keenan's Jarvis cousins also competed in the track meet. One of the boys is state champion in his event and both the boys rocked with their scores. It was great to be able to be there and support all 3 of the boys. Not something we ever get to do. After the meet Keenan went with us to Grandma & Grandpa Seable's house. We got treated to the first of many wonderfully, amazing meals and then got to sit in on a temple prep class they were teaching. I know I learned alot from that class time. The kids had a great time just visiting. It was the first day of fabulous memories that would be made over the long weekend.

Grants Pass Mini Vacation Day I

Kaeli is really becoming quite the photographer herself. She has such a good eye, and is already mastering techniques it took me ages to learn. She took several of me, but I still keep coming back to this one of my fave. Anyone who knows me knows how much I extremely dislike being in front of the camera. The last pict of me I was willing to post was clear back in November...I keep thinking I want to delete all of them of me, but then I remember what someone told me once about regrets about not ever being in picts with their kids because they were always behind the camera. That same person also told me how important it is for kids to have picts of me and Preston too. So, I let one or two of me get posted. I am sure Ceana & Kaeli will want to post more... It was just fun to take turns with the camera. These are the most recent picts I have of the girls. The weather was just too beautiful to not take advantage of lots of photo opps...

Keenan got some time to just hang out with us between his events. Of course, the kids just love goofing around. He always knows how to make Ceana laugh hysterically...

Grants Pass Mini Vacation Day II

Day 2 of our mini vacation was spent mostly without my camera. We hung out at Gma & Gpa Seable's house for the AM. Our big "April Fool's" surprise was first thing in the morning, hatched by the kids' cousins. One of the boys came down to tell us that he had wrecked his truck that morning, and that his brother had broken his leg. Several of us let out big gasps, and then with a total straight face still, he said "April Fools". Boy, were we relieved. Apparently April Fools Day is quite a big to do with the Jarvis family. The boys couldnt wait to pull the same trick on their track coach. One of the boys is state champion, and they knew it would totally drive the coach to craziness. Big meanies...(we heard the big story after, and they totally tricked their coach, he totally flipped out because he was so upset...) It was actually Sabrina's birthday, so we got to join the Seables and extended family for a "big girls only" lunch at a Mexican BBQ place. Seems funny to say Mexican and BBQ in the same breath, but it was GOOD. Holly ordered loaded nachos that had all the trimmings including shredded BBQ beef (or chkn) and it was way yummy. After lunch Holly and I took all of our girls shopping and everyone found what they were looking for! That doesnt happen often. We went back to Seable's house to just hang out and try to stay calm before the big surprise of the night. The other little surprises had gotten slipped, so Holly was hoping the biggest surprise would still be a go. Just when it was time to go to where the surprise was, Holly gathered all the big girls with the pretense of picking up other girls to come to Sabrina's house...except she didnt know that the surprise was on her, and waiting for her at the other girls' house. The biggest fun of the night was having Sabrina be totally shocked and surprised to see a dozen+girls yelling "surprise" at her and then spending a wonderful overnighter with lots of food, fun, and laughter. I think that it was everything Holly hoped it would be, and I think Sabrina was extremely happy. It was a fun way to spend Sabrina's birthday.

Grants Pass Mini Vacation Day III

Between conference sessions we all piled into different cars and headed for a favorite Seable family outing place. All the little kids were SO excited, and we couldnt figure out why - until we got there (after our not so fun parallel parking experience) We ended up in this darling, old fashioned soda fountain shop. Every inch of it was antique and darling. It was pretty busy when we first got there, but eventually, all the girls ended up at the counter. The menu was incredible, so many choices, it was really hard to decide. I think everyone ordered something different just so they could share. The really incredible thing was that these old fashioned sodas are still only 25 CENTS. None of us could believe it, but it was true! What an amazing place, and an amazing price (esp for families that are big like ours and Seables). We had a wonderful time and we know we will look forward to going with the Seables again on our next visit! Love this cute pict of all of the girls. I tried to keep everyone in focus, but it didnt quite work with them all spread down the counter. That is ceana way in the back. It is a fun memory anyway...

These little cuties are more of Keenan and Sabrina's little sisters. They were bouncing off the walls when they found out where we were going. They love this family outing.

Of course, we go to this amazing shop with tons of things to choose from, and what did Kaeli choose - a cup of vanilla ice cream...I guess when you know what you like, you know what you like...

Grants Pass Mini Vacation Day III

This is just a fun shot of my drink and the menu. I ended up trying a chocolate cherry soda. We dont usually drink soda, at all, so I had forgotten what it tastes like and how much I dont like the bubbles in my nose. The drink was a great combo though. It will be fun to go back again and try some of the other flavors! Thanx for Allie for being my hand model...

Little miss still wasnt very warmed up to me even by Saturday. I think this profile turned out great.

Darling little soda fountain shop. Could've stayed there LOTS longer finding things to take picts of...

It was really fun to watch how each of the sodas was made.

Grants Pass Mini Vacation Day III

The girls talked Keenan into climbing their big tree out back. They kind of changed their minds when he went all the way to the top branches....It was a bit too late by then. I dont think they were happy until he was safely on the ground.... I think ALL th kids enjoyed jumping on the trampoline. I was laughing so hard at some of their poses it was hard to take the picts....

Grants Pass Mini Vacation Day III

More of the kids having fun outside....

Grants Pass Mini Vacation Day III

I promised I would put ONE pict of me in the post. Not sure how the kids ever talked me into getting onto that trampoline. Something I havent done for decades...My old body paid the price though. I could share a couple of things that are funny now, but werent so funny then. Maybe someday.... The kids thought it was hysterical though, so I guess that was the fun part for me.

This cute little miss is Keenan & Sabrina's youngest sister. Isnt she a doll? Grandpa Seable had this monster sized apple (I'm not kidding, it was HUGE) and Adam thought it would be awesome to take little miss' pict with it. I was thrilled to finally get a smile from her. She finally warmed up to me on the last night together. Isnt that the way it goes with little people. I was so happy to get some cute shots of her that will always help us remember how little and cute she was and how big that apple was :)

We had a fun night to play games with all of the cousins. This was a "girls against guys" game of TRIBOND. I think the kids enjoyed trying a new game, and there were lots of laughs. Esp with Grandma Seable swapping teams :)

Grants Pass Mini Vacation Day III & IV

This is Ceana and a couple of the Jarvis cousins. They got quite the monster (literally) game going Sat night. The girls loved every minute of being in the fray of TONS of cousins running around, and esp having cousins that are their same ages. This game took all of us to set it up, and I think they only got a couple of rounds finished (apparently it can take HOURS to play). It is similar to the old "Dungeons & Dragons" with all the little pieces (some of the monsters were quite hideous) representing armies and stuff. The kids were all so enthralled with it. The girls are hoping to get a chance to play again next time we get together with them. It was a grand time for all the big kids to get so much time to spend together!

This is a pict with the kids and Grandpa & Grandpa Seable (Adam's parents). They were so wonderful and gracious to let us stay with them for the long weekend. They opened their home, and their hearts, and their fridge! Grandma Seable fed us non-stop when we were there! I am sure I gained at least 5lbs :) She made the most wonderful meals, and all big enough to feed an army (which I guess we kind of were) :) It was so amazing listening to all of their stories, being in constant awe of all of their life experiences, being taught gospel principles, having gospel discussions, laughing, and just enjoying every minute. The kids all worked so hard to help with meals, and clean up, and anything they could do to show their gratitude to Gma & Gpa Seable. They were just so happy to be there. We made wonderful memories together. A favorite memory for Kaeli will always be our last dinner at the house. I had been praising her often for keeping her belching (which gets rave reviews and fist pumps at our house from her dad) under wraps. We had a yummy spaghetti dinner and homemade bread for dinner, and I guess all those starches got to her. She did a pretty big belch, though thankfully kept her mouth closed. It was still heard by everyone at the table. I scolded her, while everyone else just stared at her. Then all of sudden Grandpa Seable said "You're the man!" which made everyone laugh hysterically and then a whole conversation ensued about belching at meals, including stories from Grandma & Grandpa Seable's missions....

Conference Sunday at their house was so special, and is now filled with so many amazing and sweet memories - of sharing in the joy of the gospel, and time together, and all the extra yummy meals and treats (thank you again to Aunt Heidi Jarvis for the mouth-watering, delectable caramel rolls!)

I had fun taking picts of the big kids together. As always, the best picts are of them goofing around and just having fun together.

This is Grandpa Seable in his workshop. He is an exquisite artist. We got the rare privilege to get a tour of his workshop and to see some of his beautiful works of art, some in process, and some finished. He loved to tell us all of the stories behind his work, and each one was unique and fascinating. Ceana loved walking around, slowly, so she could try to take in every corner. There were works of art everywhere, even hanging from the ceiling! It was amazing.

Grants Pass Mini Vacation Day IV

This piece is one of several that Gpa Seable created after seeing a famous Russian couple who had performed with the Russian Ballet. He told the story of how the dancers touched his heart, and how wonderful it was to watch them dance. He used his wonderful gift to create something equally wonderful. We were so blessed for the opportunity to see such beautiful works of art, and hear the stories behind them. Thank you to Grandpa Seable for sharing your time and beautiful gifts and talents with us! It was so fun to watch the kids, including the Jarvis cousins walk down the gravel lane with Grandpa Seable. It was the most natural thing in the world for the kids, and Grandpa Seable made each one of them feel he was happy to have them by his side. He makes everyone around him feel extra special and has his own endearments for each of us. It is no wonder the family loves him so. After we said good-bye to Grandma & Grandpa Seable (being sent off with kisses blown to us and enthusiastic waves and smiles) We headed to drop off the kids before we headed home. We had discovered in 4 days time that Grants Pass has ALOT of streets with very unusual names. The kids begged to stop to get picts (mostly to stall our going home :), but I was happy to oblige them and the weather was willing too. The kids thought that Drury Lane was an awesome name for a street. They started brainstorming all sorts of ideas for picts to take there. Dont be surprised if sometime soon you see picts of kiddos dressed as bakers, holding pans of muffins.... LOVE this pict. When we were taking the other picts, they discovered another street called "Idle", well, they couldnt pass that one up. Dont you just love the poses they chose? This was just another fun one to for sure get a pict of the street name. The kids had so much fun with such a silly outing. It was a wonderful memory to add to our last day with them. After we were done taking picts, we took the kids home. I got talked into "one more song on the piano" or "just one more movie clip". It was really hard for us to go. The kids have just enjoyed each other so very much, and being in the middle of all the fray of the cousins and being so spoiled by Grandma Seable. I realized just how hard it was to leave when about 5-ish minutes after we were finally on the road I heard an unusual sound from the back seat. When I turned around to look, Ceana was just sobbing. She was so sad to be leaving everyone, again. The kids are all such good friends, and they have built such wonderful friendships. I know it was wonderful for me and Holly to have extra time together too. We are so blessed that the Seables/Jarvis/Savage families are in our lives. We love ya tons!