Cruisin'

This past September, Steve and myself, embarked upon our first cruise experience.  My sister and BIL and my mom and her new hubby joined us.  Our trip began with a flight from LAX to Ft. Lauderdale, FL.  In Florida, I distinctly remember the humidity of the air and the suffocating feeling of it.  My first experience with true humidity.  Yikes. 

We then rented a mini van and drove around Ft. Lauderdale as we had many hours to kill before checking in at our ship.

Our ship, Oasis of the Seas, by Royal Caribbean was insanely large and the best that I could tell from other ships.

On the ship, we were shown to our rooms which were amazing. 

During the cruise we made a few stops and had a few adventures.

First, Naussau.  Disgusting.  I don't care if I don't ever go back.  You know, dead rats in the street and stuff...

Second, St. Thomas.  Here, all six of us went attempted snorkeling at Turtle Cove.  We lost one along the way.  I enjoyed this experience.  Steve, not so much. 

Finally, St. Maartens.  Here, Steve and I went on a Jeep excursion.  We shared the Jeep with another couple.  We had a tour guide that we followed all over the island making a couple of stops along the way.  Steve and I got to spend a couple of hours on a beach and enjoy the white sand and warm, clear water. 

Here are some pictures of our dinner table and waiter.  The food was amazing and dining was a real experience.  Fun.


 

I Don't Want To Be A Deason Anymore

One night, this summer, I made chicken stir-fry for dinner.  There was carrots and broccoli in the stir-fry.  Apparantly, that was all Jonathan could handle.  He decided that he didn't want to be a Deason anymore.  He notified us that he was moving out and going to live next door and become a Meiners. 
He packed his bag and ran away from home.

After 10-15 minutes Steve went next door to bring the runaway home. 

Jonathan wasn't excited to be back and to still be a Deason.

Check out the important things to a six year-old.  At least he took his pennies and socks. 

Mt. Lassen

The day after the 4th of July, we packed up for a day trip to Mt. Lassen.  We made a couple of stops in the park: the Sulfer Pots, Bumpass Hell (3 mile hike in snow slush).

Sophie was sick this day and made it known to all at the visitor's center while we were watching a video on volcanoes.  She threw up all over Steve.  Luckily, there are t-shirts for sell in the visitor's center.  Yay!!!

Poor, poor Jonathan.  He was so scared at the start of the hike because we were hiking a big bad volcano.  He really didn't want to go...

We all hiked, except for Sophie, who rode on mom's and dad's shoulders (mostly dad's)

We had a great time. 

A really, really, good time

 



4th of July 2012 - Lake Almanor

The fourth of July started off with our usual trip to Lake Almanor.  The morning of the 4th the Reno's and us Deason's went into Chester to see the parade. 
Then, fireworks at night on the Peninsula.

Tee Ball 2012

So, in our efforts make Jonathan a well-rounded little boy...
Tee Ball

Love Those Kiddies

Christmas 2011

Christmas was so much fun this year. 

The weekend before Christmas we drove down to the LA Temple to look at the lights.  They are so beautiful and amazing.  It only partially rained this year. 

Jonathan only had one request from Santa this year; he wanted  Count Dooko.  Yep. 

Sophie wanted all kinds of things but

wasn't too sure of Santa this year.  He did bring her a doll and a little pink car though.  She really got

the opening presents thing down. 

Steve got Condors Hockey season tickets (6 games)

Susie got an iPad (Christmas and birthday)

Oh, and most important the week before Christmas we went to PetSmart and adopted a cat.  His original name was Toesy and is a three year-old male.  On the drive home after the adoption I tasked Jonathan with giving the cat a new name.  Jonathan's choice...Kit Fisto.  So we now have Kit Fisto as part of our family.

Halloween 2011 & Jonathan Turns 6

Without fail we went to Disneyland again for Jonathan's birthday.  We had a great time...as always.
Although this trip was against us from the beginning. 
When we were trying to leave Bakersfield to make the drive down South we ran out of gas not 2 miles away from our house.  Boo.
Then, I had to run one errand to Smith's Bakery to give them the cake topper for Jonathan's birthday cake.  While there, they lost my order and spent 20 minutes trying to find it. 
Finally, at the Disneyland Hotel we were going to get on the monorail to ride into the park only to discover that the monorail was closed for the day. 

Geez Louise!



For Halloween our kids went for the Star Wars theme.  Jonathan dressed as Captain Rex from The Clone Wars and Sophie dressed as Princess Leia.  Sophie hated the felt buns so we had to nix those and go for the pig tails.  Trick or Treating was fun.  We went with our next door neighbors, The Meiners.  Gavin was Jack Skelington.  He was too cool!

Marathon #2 and Marathon #3

Well, here I am on the other side of two more marathons.  I made it.  Yay.

St. George Marathon - October 1, 2011

I really enjoyed running in this race.

We had to start really early to take a bus up the canyon.  At the starting point there were bon fires everywhere to help the runners keep warm. 

Closer to the starting time everybody lined up w/ their finishing time groups. 

During the run the scenery was beautiful.  The weather was warm.  I remember hoping and wishing for cloud cover. 

Towards the end, the last few miles through St. George, there were many spectators lined along the route cheering the runners on.  There were even many who were handing out treats for the runners: popsicles, ice cubes, soda, chips, etc.  It was great.

At the end there was a great finishing area and runners recovery area. 
Afterwards, I found my family and went back to our hotel (the laughable Knights Inn). 

The Santa Barbara Internation Marathon - November 12, 2011

I hated this run!!!

I know that it wasn't great because I got a cold a few days before the race.  I wasn't feeling well and strained.  Heather gave me a handful of cough drops that I kept popping throughout the run. 

This was the most emotional run I have had.  I fought and wrestled with myself for most of the run to not to quit.  I wanted to quit so badly but kept going and going and going.  Then, I found myself finishing 2 minutes before the 6:00 mark.  Honestly, I am disappointed in the time but not really because I

finished when I didn't think I could or would. 

But guess what.  I signed up for the Santa Barbara International Marathon for 2012. 

CRAZY

Are We There Yet?

Yesterday, on our drive down South, my son asked this question a handful of times.  At first, I thought, "Oh, how cute."  But then, turned to "I don't know, Jonathan.  Does it look like we're there yet?"  Not nice, I know. 

I started thinking of how many times I think "Are we there yet?" in my life. 

Are we there yet?  Definitely in the car on long trips, but also, during my runs with Heather.  Are we there yet?  20 miles sounds so long and difficult and believe me it is.  Around mile 4 you start to think "Man, I still have 16 miles to go.  16!"  

During the work day, at 9:00 a.m.  Are we there yet?  6 hours to go. 

Important events on my calendar: birthdays, anniversaries, doctor appointments, holidays. 

I am constantly looking forward and thinking, "Are We There Yet?"

Then, there is that ever present secondary question, "When Will We Get There?" 

"Are We There Yet"  and "When Will We Get There"

I can't help but feel how these correlate with the Gospel.  I keep looking forward to that day when I have reached my eternal goal and can meet with my Savior and have him hug me and say "Well done, thou good and faithful servant."   But not necessarily asking relentlesly "when".  It will happen when it will happen. 

In the mean time I am pressing forward and try to enjoy the scenery from my car window. 

Fourth of July Lake Almanor Style

We spent the fourth of July up at the lake house on Lake Almanor, CA.  This year it was the Deasons (including our niece, Olivia), the Renos, and my mom.

• Beach 
• Water fun 
• BBQ
• Late nights looking at the stars and satellites 
• Laughing
• Fighting
• Books
• Crossword puzzles 
• Fireworks
• S'mores

Mom pulling the wagon of water toys.

Golf Cart Chaos

Lauren and Jonathan dancing.

Thomas, Sophie, Lauren, Nathan, and Jonathan

Thomas

Lauren

Jonathan

Sophie

Nathan



Becky & Danny



Steve & Sophie

Paper, Scissors, Rock