Our USA Trip

Our First Stop

After about 24 hrs of straight flying and

the girls only having had 3 hrs sleep.......

This is the view that welcomed us at

Chad and Megan's

The girls 1st trip to the SNOW

Even though the snow had kinda finished the girls were
fascinated with all the snow on the mountains.

So we took them up to the snow - so the could experience it.

After this experience I emailed Scott and said that if
he wanted to take the girls to the snow - he was on his own!!

Madison hopping on the sled - awaiting a ride with Oaklee.

Then Madison deciding that she really didn't want to go for a ride after all!!

Granny and the girls - sacrificing her jacket to keep Madison warm.

Believe it or not - there is a Coyote up there somewhere!!

CABELA'S - What a treat

We took at trip to CABELA'S with Chad, Megan and their family.

It was AMAZING - the pictures really don't do this
place justice....
I can't believe how big it was.

The kids all had a great time feeding the fish, and looking
at all the animals
- it was hard to get them out of there!!

Whilst we were staying with Chad and Megan, we took a drive down to Benson to visit Dusty Reece and his family on their dairy farm.

Chad showing Madison the calf's.

Madison didn't like getting that close!

Neither did Megan.

Granny was very brave with the cows -
I guess that is because these were only day old Calf's.

It is very interesting to see how the farm is run and
to catch up with Dusty and his family.

Catching up with the Rasmussen's

One evening whilst in S.L.C we were able to catch up with
Preston, Kayce, Abby and Davis.

It was so great to catch up and talk about old mission times.
Preston was my 2nd Zone Leader on my mission and has become a great friend -
I am so thankful forthe internet and we are able to still stay in contact.

I love how kids, never having met before -
are able to play like they have know each other all their little lives!!

The birth place of HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL

It was such an exciting day......

They day we went to "East High School" Utah.

Madison is in LOVE with these movies and it was so much
fun to be able to take her to a place where it was filmed.

I am sure she will never forget it!

Many people I have told -
about the famous Basketball Incident -
if you haven't heard and would like to know -
pleae email me (LOL) -
let's just say if you want to get into mischief

don't take Madison!

MY FAVORITE PICTURE

This would have to be one of my most favorite
pictures taken on our trip.

It was taken at Temple Square.

They are just studying the flowers - there is nothing else there.

Megan has a habbit of doing this if there are ants about -
she will lay there and look at them for ages -
but today at Temple Square she was just looking at the flowers -
she was there for such a long time and was happy
just to look at them..........
appreciating Heavenly Father's beauty all around us!

CATCHING UP WITH OLD COMPANIONS

While I was in Utah, I was able to catch up with Tionna Norman
(my last companion on my mission).

We went to the all famous "Chucky Cheese".

The whole way there - Madison was saying
"when are we going to get to Stinky Cheese's"

Megan couldn't get enough of the floor show -
that is where she spent most of her time!

Madison was a PRO at the water pistol game
and once she figured out she was able to win tickets -
well that is all she did!!

My thrill seeking daughters - this was the
start of wanting to go on rides, that took you up
and took you fast - as you will see when you get to
the Disneyland Pictures!!

Chucky Cheese was very much like a Resturaunt
we used to have here
in Melbourne called "Billy Bob's".
Those that had been there will know what I am talking about!

THANKSGIVING POINT

Our last day in Utah - saw us visiting the absolutley AMAZING

"THANKSGIVING POINT"

It was great for the girls to get up close and
personal with the animals.

Ride a horse......pat goats......see bunnies......
try to milk a cow and the list goes on.

Madison certainly had no fear what-so-ever of the animals.

However my little Megan -
well I think she was just as scared as Granny of the HUGE horses.

It was such a lovely day.

We spent the day there with the Dautel Family.
Darren taught and Baptised mum many years ago -
and we are great family friends.

Some of their children are the same age as mine -
so they got along like a house on fire!!

I was also able to catch up with Michael Lybbert
and his lovely wife Betsy.

I served around Michael on my mission and
we have remained great friends!

We were so sad to leave all of our very very close friends -
I just wish there wasn't such a big plane flight between us all.......
I am counting down the days till we can go again and
I am able to catch up with those that I missed out on!

(I am glad you liked your package Jordan and Annie!!)

HERE WE COME !!

Scruffy Princess Madison's New Bathers

Madison was so excited to get some new Cinderella Bathers.

She wanted to wear them even though she wasn't going swimming!

A day at Barbara's

While we were staying with Alison
(our first stop in L.A.)
we drove to see a old friend from the "Doll World".

Megan just LOVED Barbara's little dogs, and spent most of the time on the floor with them!

UNIVERSAL STUDIOS

We were lucky the day we went -
as it was a day after a Public Holiday -
so there was no-one around and the girls got to spend
quite a bit of time with DORA - which they loved of course!!

Megan had this thing while we were away
That any time she was tired
(NO MATTER WHERE WE WERE)
She would just put her nappy down on the ground and then just lie down.

Princess Dinner @ "ARIEL'S GROTTO"

The girls were so excited to have Dinner with the Princess'

This took place at "ARIEL'S GROTTO" in California Adventure Park

Madison had been waiting this WHOLE trip to see Cinderella

and she didn't dissapoint.

Cinderella was LOVELY.... she was so good
with the girls and spent a bit of time talking to them!

RIDES AT DISNEYLAND

On this trip I have figured out that my little
Madison is a "Arenillen Junkie"

(sorry for the spelling)

She just loved rides that go UP and DOWN
and round and round .... oh and FAST

Madison can never doubt the love that Granny
has for her as Madison wanted to go on a ROCKET RIDE -
Granny was a little scared whilst Madison laughed the whole way round!

Then came the "Tea Cups" -
Mummy stayed off as she doesn't cope well with rides like this -
but Granny and the girls loved it!

Megan was a little green at the end - but loved it none the less!