Easter Weekend

On Saturday we were able to participate in a community service project with the church at Fort Rosecrans military cemetery in Point Loma.  We spent the morning cleaning off the headstones.  It was a great experience and I was glad that our family could give back to these deserving soldiers.

Wyatt was a lot of help scraping off bird poop.

I'm telling you, he really did his part, it was great.

After Wyatt woke up from his nap, we took him to the Spring Fling, unfortunately he slept through his age group egg hunt, but we got there in time to see the band.  He is such a fun kid and loves to dance.

Wyatt's learning to kick the soccer ball, but is a bit more interested in the dog.

Oh finally, he gets to touch the dog!

My mom sent me a link for this talk given by Elder Holland, entitled None Were With Him, several years ago.  I've kept the link because I enjoy watching it from time to time.  At this time of year, it is especially touching.  I am so thankful for our Savior and his sacrifice that will allow us to spend eternity with our families, I can't think of a more precious gift, there is nothing I want more.

We celebrated Easter by heading to church, then coming home and having an egg hunt, followed by a delicious dinner of ham, funeral potatoes (thanks Grandma Jean for the recipe), asparagus, and a yummy banana pudding pie.

Wyatt found all of his hidden eggs, he loved looking for them with Daddy.

Bella sniffing the loot.

Checking out all the little candies that came out of the eggs, his favorite were the mini m&ms.

Attending Grandma Jean's Funeral

All of the family was able to go to St. George this past week to attend  Grandma Jean's funeral on Wednesday.  Even though we were gathered for a sad occasion, we were able to make the most of it.  It was nice to see all of the family.

Wyatt and Cooper had a blast on Grandma Dana's rolling chairs, they rolled all around the kitchen.

Cooper's new favorite toy!

Even Andy and Kim had fun playing with it...or maybe just Andy.

Two little babes taking their bath together.  Sammy and Wyatt look pretty content here, but don't let this photo deceive you, Wyatt did not like sharing the tub with Sammy.

Hanging with uncle Andy in the hot tub.

Cooper lounging at the Holiday Inn pool.  "Hey, you looking at me?"

More playing at the pool.

Wyatt and Daddy swimming!  Wyatt loves the water and is a great swimmer.  He doesn't want to use his float anymore, and will jump in on top of you, he is a dangerous little man right now.

Remembering Grandma

We got the sad news yesterday that Grandma had passed, it had been a long, tough road for her these past few years.  She really was such a fun Grandma, I have nothing but pleasant memories.  I am sad that Wyatt will not know in this life what a kind and loving Grandma she was.  I can't wait to see her again and I hope she knows how much she is loved and will be missed.

 What I remember loving most about Grandma Jean

-She always remembered holidays and birthdays, and made sure on those days you felt special

-She really made an effort, even after she became ill, to attend meaningful events in your life

-She loved being around the grand kids and great grand kids

-She had a wicked sense of humor, we always giggled together about "sick" things

-Her laugh was contagious

-She tried to get mad at you if you went too long without calling her

-She wasn't a good cook, so she always took you out to lunch or dinner

 and most of all...

-I loved her kind and loving heart, she truly wanted the best for all her grand kids.

Day At Disney

Wyatt and I went to Disneyland for the afternoon on Wednesday.  For about the first hour we just rode up and down Main Street in the different cars. 

Here we are on the firetruck!

This driver was so cute with Wyatt, he let him honk the horn and pretend to drive.  Wyatt also got a shiny fireman's badge sticker, he loved it.

Next we rode the horse drawn carriage.

He mostly loves just to run around and play at the castle.  He likes to feel like he's exploring.

We loved these baby ducks with their mom, Wyatt is still not saying Mom, When?

Checking out Snow White and the Seven Dwarves fountains.

New Haircut and Christmas Comes Again

Wyatt got his first official, second haircut this week.  Actually his first cut was a buzz done by me and some clippers.  This "official" cut was at a kids salon.  He loved it at first, because they put him in a car and that occupied him until the stylist sprayed him with water.  I think it shocked him and from there it was all down hill.  He cried the entire 10 minutes, but I think she did a great job under the circumstances.  He would not hold still!

Since Wyatt's birthday is so close to Christmas, he got so many gifts.  I decided to save one of his gift cards until later.  Well later came yesterday and we hit Toys R Us.  He got a pop pusher(I love this, even though it's pretty annoying, but nostalgia hit me, I had one as a kid) and a "big boy chair".  He is so happy he can sit in his own chair and hop down whenever he wants.

One more dancing video, just because it's too cute.  Kevin was giving him a bath tonight with the radio on.  I guess this C + C Music Factory song came on and he went nuts, he had to immediately get out of the tub and dance.  Our little man loves 80s hip hop, well who can blame him?

So Far Away In India

Kevin has been in India on business for the past week and a half.  I can't wait until he gets home.  He should be home tomorrow afternoon.  We have been using Skype a lot, so that has helped.  Wyatt gets excited every time he sees him on the monitor.  His first word is "Dad", even though he said it a few days before Kevin left, now he really uses it.  He says "Dad" every time he sees Kevin's picture, it is too cute.  He also said "duck" 2 days ago.  Hopefully "Mom" is next, wishful thinking right?  While he was there he got to visit the Taj Mahal, he loved it.  Right now what I love...tomorrow afternoon.  We miss you babe.

I wanted to add a few pics from my trip.  It was hard being away but am definitely very fortunate to have the opportunity to travel to such an incredible place.  I was there for a strategic planning meeting that we wanted to hold at our site in Gurgaon, India since our site has grown to >1000 people there.  It was a great trip professionally and personally since we were able to build even stronger bonds with our team there.  Here are a few pics.

We traveled to the Taj Mahal on the Saturday we were there.

It was even more incredible and beautiful than I could have imagined.

A pic of the India and US team members that came together for the meeting.

The next two pics give a view of the stark contrast between prosperity and poverty that still exists in India.  This is a view from the beautiful Westin hotel where we stayed and had our meetings.  You can see a glimpse of the pool and spa building that are on the property.

 Zooming in on a portion of the pic you can see a tent city that is next to the hotel.

 Here is our building in India.

The India and US call center teams that came together for the meeting.

 India won the Cricket World Cup the Saturday that we were there and it was one of the biggest celebrations in India's history.  It was great to be there to celebrate with them.

Kaushik and I after India won the World Cup.

Transportation and safety laws particularly remain out-of-date as we saw many times while driving on the roads.  Here are two parents and their young kids traveling on one motorcycle.

Mimi & Tia Visit and The Grown-Ups Take a Cruise

Carlee and Kathleen were nice enough to come and watch Wyatt while Kevin and I took a Caribbean cruise.  Wyatt immediately welcomed them by marking his territory as soon as they brought in their suitcases.

Showing Mimi his mad driving skills.  He is way too big for this little walker, but he loves it, so I just keep it around and he climbs in and out on a daily basis to cruise.

Hanging out in Little Italy the day before we left.  Wyatt was getting a kick out of everyone laughing, so he was doing his fake laugh to keep up with the crowd.

Showing Mimi and Tia his swimming skills, this little guy LOVES water.

Off to Miami Port to catch our cruise!  We got on the boat around noon after taking a red eye to North Carolina, then to Ft. Lauderdale, then a bus to Miami...that much travelling sucked, I'm ready to be on vacation!  We changed in our suits at the airport so we were ready for the boat.

First stop pool, destination open sea.  Of course we immediately hit the outdoor BBQ waiting for our room to be ready, a hot dog never tasted so good.

Norwegian has specialty restaurants on there boat, basically you pay a small cover charge and get to eat at different types of restaurants if you choose, instead of eating in the main dining rooms.  First night we had teppanyaki at 9pm and were the only ones...crazy our own private samurai!

Shrimp and steak, can't beat that.

First night on the boat, after spending the day laying out at the pool.

The kissing swans made out of towels, oh how romantic. 

The second day we hung out by the pool all day, it was wonderful.  I don't think I've been able to read a whole magazine in one sitting since Wyatt has been born.  Both Kevin and I caught up on our reading AND pina colada drinking!  We decided to hit the main dining room for dinner at Aqua, it was ok, but we preferred the speciality restaurants, mainly just for the ambiance.

Leaving the third day for Grand Cayman, where we spent our honeymoon.  We were so happy to try some new things and see some stuff we remembered enjoying. 

Getting ready to swim with the dolphins, see them jumping in the background.

After enjoying some time swimming with the dolphins we caught a boat out to Sting Ray City.  Notice the guy to my left in the speedo, I tell you that couple was everywhere, and by everywhere, I mean on our boat eating dinner the same time as us, seated at a table next to us, laying by the pool by us, and on BOTH of our excursions.  For the amount of people they pack on those boats that is pretty remarkable.  I told Kevin we could be best friends with the couple, one if they spoke english, and two if the guy didn't wear a speedo.  Talk about single white female.

Just arriving at Sting Ray City.

Both Kevin and I got backrubs from the rays, man was it good!

Look at these monsters, some of them were huge!

Kevin decided to feed one.  I kind of thought it was a bad idea, you know, feeding a wild animal.  Don't they always say not to do that...

I was right, it was a bad idea.  Kevin about got his finger sucked off. This picture was taken moments after, his face may be disguised as happiness, but this is shock!  Notice how he is holding his right hand, trying to shake off the pain.

Kevin enjoying a pina colada at Breezes, where we also ate one day on our honeymoon.  Yum bucket of shrimp and some conch fritters.  Now that's living.

We love this sting ray fountain.

We headed back to the boat to leave for Mexico.  That night we ate a delicious dinner at Cagney's Steakhouse, once again, not too crowded.

Waking up in Cozumel on day four and ready for some adventure.

This is the location in Cozumel where we did some snuba, which is basically scuba, but the tank floats above you.  It was Kevin's first time and he did awesome.  We saw lots of colorful fish, sea urchins, and even a moray eel!

Getting "suited" up.

Kevin trying to get the hang of it, his mask was causing him troubles.

Hey Kevin, you got it babe, now just unplug your nose!

Now you're looking like a pro.

Fish in a barrel?

Outside of the snuba and lunch stop.

Kevin after our dive enjoying fajitas, guacamole, homemade tortillas, and Mexican coke.  Speaking of you know why coke is so much better in Mexico?  The amount of sugar, wow its 1/3 more sugar than our cokes, it was delicious.

Outside a souvenir shop, with the "shopping cart", we had to get Wyatt some maracas.

Heading back to the boat for some more pool time.

Eating dinner late that night at Le Bistro, a french restaurant, it was my favorite, I love lamb.

Debating is this a pig or a dog?  Whatever it's cute.

We enjoyed beautiful sunsets from our balcony every night.

Our final day at sea we hung out by the pool some more and... 

watched this guy carve this amazing ice sculpture in less than 15 min.  Wow!

Last night at dinner at an Italian restaurant, Impressions, once again it was delicious.

We were so ready to get home to the little man.  Happiness for Wyatt is having mom and dad home and showing up with presents, ya for maracas!