Miscellaneous Pictures from February to May

It's well past time to catch up on posting some of our many random pictures from the last 4 months.

Nate's learning how to snowboard.

Nate has a talent for making freaky faces.
This is his evil look because he made the best ice cream sundae in the world.




The Provo City Center Temple open house. This may be my favorite temple ever.




My kids like doing pranks.
Nate made his special concoction of toothpaste and was trying to trick people into trying it.





We visited the Norman Rockwell exhibit at the BYU Museum of Art.
They did pretty well most of the time but got a little bored at the end.

Breanna, Rob's sister, had little baby girl. This is her brand new and still in the hospital.
In't she da cootest wootest?

I love this picture of Nate because this is the face he makes when he's having a hard time holding back his smile when he's too embarrassed to show it.
He's sucking in his cheeks to prevent his smile from leaking out.

Rob took this one of the girls with one of his vintage film cameras. This was taken a couple of days after our Mexico trip and these are the dresses we bought in Valladolid.

One of our gifts to the kids for Valentine's Day was a note from Rob and I
telling each of the kids what we love about them.

We always love our casual play-at-home pictures. 

They really capture what our children are like in the everyday. 

Notice the Shopkin on the cat's head in this pic...

She looks like a natural on that pony.




Sometimes Rob works from home and sometimes it looks like this.


I was called from the nurse's office at school and needed to go pick up Madeleine because she got hit on the head with a swing when the kid next to her jumped off of his. Poor thing!




These friends created The Morning Cafey one afternoon and served us the most delicious brunch.







This was hilarious. Nate and his friend were just hanging out on the periphery of the restaurant, watching, but not wanting to participate. The girls didn't have any customers so we had to quietly convince (and bribe!) these two boys to give the "cafey" their business. Begrudgingly, they did so. They were so uncomfortable and awkward that Rob and I couldn't stop laughing behind our menus.





Madeleine's birthday party was rollerblading at Classic Fun Center.


Dying eggs for Easter.

Some of the other pics we took at Madeleine's baptism that I forgot to put in the other post.

4 Generations on the Williams side of Rob's family.

Mountain biking

Madeleine's new hobby is sewing. I taught her the basics of using a sewing machine
(all I know are the basics anyway!) and she took off and ran with it.
She has been buying fabric and making all sorts of creations including scripture bags
and these super cute skirts that she made for a few of the little girls in the neighborhood.

So that's it! Our last 3 months in picture-worthy moments. 

The non-picture worthy moments include homework every night, another failed set of swimming lessons, reminder upon reminder for three kids to brush their teeth, crying over bumps and bruises and emotional distress, thousands of door knocks, loads and loads and never-ending loads of dishes, heavy sighs of frustration, lots of extremely interrupted work for me, and lots of pressure and stress at work for Rob. You know, real life. 

This is our family. A family who sometimes keeps trying after we fail and sometimes just gives up. 

A family who wants to be easy-going and cheerful but one who let's ourselves 

get angry and annoyed from time to time (or more often). 

A family who is learning how to deal with our imperfect selves and imperfect others.   

A family who loves, and even likes, each other very, very much. 

We wouldn't give up on one another for the world!

Madeleine's Baptism

We had such a special family weekend last month.

On Friday the 8th we drove up to Layton to be at our nephew's baptism. Then Saturday morning was Madeleine's baptism. The next day, Sunday, was our niece's baby blessing and that night was her brother's (another nephew's) baptism.

It was truly a weekend full of love, support, and the spirit whispering to us that we are children of God and that He loves us.

Madeleine was the only child being baptized that day so she had the whole program to herself. We had many family members participate and I'm sure she felt very special.

I took down some quick notes from the blessing she was given after being confirmed.

• Heavenly Father is proud of you for choosing to be baptized.
• We love you and are excited for you.
• Stay close to the Holy Ghost and be comforted by him when you read the scriptures, pray, and serve others.
• Your love will swell and you'll rejoice when you help others.
• You'll do well in school and your studies.
• You'll feel peaceful when you are a peacemaker.
• Continue on the path of good choices.
• Talk to your parents and friends.
• Feel empathy for others.

After the program we all went back to the house and enjoyed pizza and good company.

Our family feels extremely blessed to have had the support and love of so many extended family members and friends. We love you all!

Hanging in Valladolid and a Mad Dash Home

After leaving Coba and the refreshing waters of a nearby Cenote we made our way to Valladolid. The day had already been one of incredible sights, ruins, food, and color. Valladolid didn’t disappoint.

Valladolid Sign - shot on iPhone 6s

Our purpose to traveling inland to Valladolid was to experience some of the colonial architecture and inland culture. We’d have preferred to go to Merida but it was just too far to justify on our short trip.

The city is full of one-way streets and it took us a little while to get our bearings and find our hotel. Google maps was not terribly cooperative and Julie had to bust out her honed mapping and directional skills to get us where we needed to be. She is very good. Part of traveling off-the-beaten path is the frustration of getting around without help in an unfamiliar place. We end up with little periods of stress mixed in with wonderful new experiences, rewarding sites and sounds, and amazing food.

Line of Motos on a Street in Valladolid - Shot on Ektar 100 with QL17

We wandered around the streets taking in the architecture and goings on. During the time of our stay we took many fantastic photos of the street right outside our hotel. It was a lovely spot just off the central square of the city.

VW bug on street outside our hotel - shot on iphone 6s plus

cute corner - Shot on Ektar 100 with QL17

fun lighting - shot on iphone 6s plus

We wandered around the square and checked out the historic church in the area. It was an amazing area.

Julie in front of the main church in Valladolid - Shot on iPhone 6S Plus

Main church in Valladolid after nightfall - Shot on iPhone 6S Plus

The central square was a cute little spot. There were many people hocking their wares and trying to make a living. The paint colors are so pleasant and endearing and in the evening hours there was an incredible commotion of birds calling loudly.

Valladolid Square - Shot on Ektar 100 with Canonet QL17

Valladolid Square - Shot on iPhone 6s Plus

We spent the evening wandering the streets. Here are a couple of shots from that night. That night we went in a little early because Julie was not feeling well. We listened to the horn and percussion band playing music in the streets in our charming and lovely hotel room (see the link below).

Post About The Hotels

You would not believe the number of birds in the square. At dusk they went completely nuts. Listen below.

The next morning we enjoyed a lazy morning, a breakfast in bed, a wonderful walk around another part of the town and a relaxing lunch before our drive back to Cancun and the airport.

Morning Light in Valladolid - Shot on iPhone 6S Plus

Rob blown away by the color and texture of this wall

Julie on a lovely street

Cool corner

Cute square with school kids

Table cloth from our last restaurant

While eating the last meal of the trip before heading home we reflected on the trip. We had a great time. Little did we know we’d be in for a mad dash to get back to our children that night.

It turns out that Valladolid is not in the same timezone as the coast. The time change must occur very close to the coast as we did not drive very far inland to reach Valladolid. We left Valladolid with what we expected to be a very easy drive to the coast with 2.5 hours to drop off the car, get to the airport, relax, and catch our flight.

We drove most of the way to the coast before we noticed the time on our phones change (apparently the time zone changed at the beginning of 2016). See the time zone map below. We started getting nervous, but we still had a good 1.5 hours to spare right? Wrong. The rental car agreement had a bogus address on the front page. Google maps took us deep into the ghetto of Cancun. It was a residential slums with dirt roads and potholes so deep we were lucky to get out of them. I kept thinking, “I’m sure we’ll pop out of this and find ourselves near the airport.”

Time Zone Map - Crap

After determining our serious mistake we assessed the damage. We’d lost about 20 minutes and the new map to the airport pegged us with a 45 minute drive to drop off the rental car. This would leave us with about 30 minutes to drop off the rental car, catch a shuttle, get through security, and make it to our gate. What a tall order!

My old courier skills burst into prime time and I started driving like a local on dilapidated roads. We were under a significant amount of stress during that drive. At one point we were stuck behind a flat-bed truck fully loaded with cinder blocks. The load was not very well secured and I said to Julie, “I don’t like the look of that load…. looks pretty sketchy to me.” Julie blew off my concern and chocked it up to my intense safety focus. A few moments later I saw two blocks come off the truck directly in front of us. I exclaimed, “They are coming off,” as the blocks hit the pavement and shattered. Julie looked up in time to see several pieces of shattered cinder block careen around our little car. Yikes!

With 30 minutes until the plane was scheduled to leave the gate we finally arrived at the car rental facility. In a panic we pulled up and started unloading the car. The rental car company employee greeted us and asked to see our rental agreement. I handed it to him and asked when the shuttle would leave. He said it just left and that another would leave in 15 to 20 minutes. He then proceeded to hassle me about being 30 minutes later than the return time on our rental agreement. I proceeding to explain the situation in a very inflammatory and anxious sort of way.

I told him, “we don’t have time for this, just tell me what you want!” I was not about to miss a flight over such a small mater. Finally I asked, “how many pesos do we still have Julie?” We had about 300 pesos left I think. I said, “we’ll give you the 300 pesos that we have if you’ll drive us to the airport in this car right now.” He accepted the deal and off we went to the airport.

Finally we arrived at the airport with 15 minutes to spare before our international flight was schedule to depart! Ahhhh! I figured we would not make it. Here we are running through the airport just hoping that security would be fast. Luckily there was no line in security (if this wasn’t a tender mercy I don’t know what is). The security agent didn’t like that our electronic boring pass because it showed the boarding time instead of the departure time (Thanks a lot Delta) and didn’t want to let us through. Ahhhhh! Finally, they figured it out and let us through. As one last insult Julie’s bag was held for inspection. Ahhhh! We decided that I’d run to the gate and hold the plane! At this point it was about 6 minutes before our flight was scheduled to leave. I arrived at the gate with about 4 minutes to spare and sorted out our boarding passes (they changed our seats). With about 2 minutes to spare Julie came around the corner and we were allowed to board the plane.

We were both completely exhausted and emotionally drained. We made our flight despite disaster after disaster! We’d be making it home to see the kids that night. Nice!

Made the flight!!!

Landing in a Cold SLC

Overjoyed to see the kids!!!

Things Overheard When Trying a Female Urination Device

Pre-Ramble: If I see you in person and you skirt away from me with a sideways glance, I'll understand.

For you un-enlightened folks who have never before heard of a FUD (female urination device), it's basically a silicone funnel. Let me paint a scenario for you.

Imagine yourself as a female who likes to travel and hike. Imagine yourself also having a very overactive bladder after harboring 21 lbs of human bodies for over 2 years on top of your delicate, cushy plumbing (3 babies X 7 lbs each for 9 months X 3). Ok, I admit, that math is a little shady but is anyone actually going to argue with me about it? Didn't think so.

Add the fact that two of those three babies are girls who have gotten older, also like to hike, and have overactive bladders themselves.

Remember, you are all now too old to pull your skivvies down around your ankles and squat in the great, wide-open outdoors (or filthy indoors) every 15 minutes when nature calls or, more accurately, sirens.

You're also a fearful mom who has to hold up daughters while they hover two inches over the dirt and who, no matter how many times has practiced, inevitably gets peed on every time.

I've spared you an actual picture but it's a pretty awesome mental picture, eh?

The proposed solution to the above problems comes in the form of a product called the Go Girl. Knowing we would be doing some long hikes last week, I grabbed one when I walked passed it at Walmart ($9.99).

I took it home and nervously opened it up and watched some (non-graphic!) how-to videos. The following quotes were overheard thereafter:

--After opening the package--

"Wow. That's kinda weird."
"That's NEVER going to fit back into that tiny tube."

"You should really practice in the toilet first."


--After explaining it to my daughter and then she told my other daughter about it--

"...blank stare..."
"I am NOT going to use that!"

"Mom! {laughter} My sister told me we have to pee in this! {nervous laughter}"
"Never. Never. Never. I'm never ever going to pee in that. Ever. Never. Never."


--While Hiking--

"Do you need to pee? Wanna use the Go Girl?" "NO."
"Do you need to pee? Wanna use the Go Girl?" "NO."
"Do you need to pee? Wanna use the Go Girl?" "NO."
"Do you need to pee? Wanna use the Go Girl?" "NO."

"Come on! Just try!"
"You are too old to have your butt and privates out in the open!"

"You're lucky, dad! YOU have a built-in Go Girl!!"
"I'm just going to sit down in this freezing cold water and pee in front of everyone."

"Ok, mom. I'll try the Go Girl."
"No. Never mind! I don't want to! I don't want to!!"

"Ok....I'll try it."
"No. I can't! I can't! I can't do it! I can't do it!"

"Ok. I can't hold it any longer. I'm going to try it. No one watch. Turn the other way. Make sure no one is coming."
"Hmmm. It's working. Kind of."
"EEWWW!! No it's NOT!"
"Is someone coming??!!"
"It's not funneling fast enough!!"
"I STILL got pee on myself!"
"Why don't we have toilet paper??"
"SICK!"
"GROSS!"
"NOW what do I do with this thing?? Just shove it into the backpack?!"
"It's dripping everywhere!"
"UGH!"
"DISGUSTING!"

"You'll just need to practice again."
"NO. I don't. I can go a very long time before trying that thing again."

Verdict?
We tried. We failed. We just have to continue to hike with full bladders like civilized ladies.


PS. I'm sure we'd have more success with more practice along with carrying a ziploc baggie and baby wipes AND not waiting to use it until you have a very full bladder.

So keep those things in mind if you think you'd like to try a Go Girl.

And good luck.