It Really is a Small World!

Here is a story for you. Today I was sitting in Sacrament Meeting. The topic for the day was on the importance of the Church Educational System (CES): Institute and Seminary. When who should be our main speaker? My 9th grade Seminary teacher Bro. Draut. He is now the CES director for the Lansing, Michigan area. How weird is that. He taught his first year of Seminary at American Fork Junior High School, which happened to be my first year of Seminary and my first time to really study the Book of Mormon. That was one of my favorite Seminary classes and teachers. (In Utah, we have released time during our regular school day and, so we don't have to get up early.) To this day, when I'm using my old seminary scriptures, I still use some of the notes and markings that he taught and had us put in. I realized today that in the Church it really is a small world.

San Fransisco Here We Come!

That's right, Ryan and I took a vacation without most of the kids (we took Rachel along). Ryan had to go on a business trip to San Fran, so I tagged along and left Morgan with Zach and Lori, and the Triplets with Brittney. It was great having only one child for 4 days. When we got there, my dear husband had invited my Mom and Chris to come along. They were there waiting for us at the baggage claim and it was a nice surprise.


After leaving the airport and checking in, we drove over the Golden Gate Bridge into Sausalito (I think that's how it is spelled). We saw some really cool military bunkers and great views of the bay area.


While Ryan was working, Mom, Chris and I shopped and walked along Fisherman's Warf. There was a lot to see and since it is a tourist trap a lot to buy. I recommend Peir 39 at the Fisherman's Warf, the Sourdough place right there on Peir 39 (I don't remember the name), Bubba Gump Restaurant, and Ghirardelli Square. They were fun to see.


Peir 39 also has just acquired a bunch of seals. They began to arrive in 1999 and have never left. Now they are protected. You can watch them, but your not allowed near them and you aren't supposed to feed them.


This was Rachel during our visit to the seals. She sat, played and napped in her stroller for 3 days. She was such a little trooper. We just plumb wore her out.


Grandma Jean Ann looking out over the seals.

Alcatraz Island

On Friday, we all went to see Alcatraz. My mom and I had been there before, but it was Ryan and Chris' first time. They loved the history and stories behind the bars.


Alcatraz Island


This is what you see when you get off the ferry. It is the main square.


The is cell block D for the more hardened criminal.


This is Isolation. I don't think I want to go in there.


This is the veiw of the bay.



This is a regular cell on cell block C. Actually this is one of the cells that 3 prisoners tried to escape from using fake heads. They were never heard from again. Did they escape or did they drown?


Another view of the bay.


This is looking out at where the Guard living quarters used to be. Now they are just piles of rubble.


This is Rachel getting tired of looking at old bricks. Actually she was very good and only fussed when tired, hungry or when we weren't pushing her around.


This is me going down hill with the stroller. It was steep and boy are my shins killing me but it was fun.

Oakland Temple and Coit Tower

After Alcatraz, we visited Coit Tower and then went to Oakland to see the temple. Coit tower had a great view of the Bay, and I just realized that we didn't get a picture of the actual tower, just the bay. It took us a few wrong turns to find the temple without a map, but Ryan got us there safely.



Us infront of the Oakland Temple.


This is us at Coit Tower. The Tower is up on a hill and you can see San Fransisco from all directions.

AT&T Park and McAfee Stadium?

We went to a Giants game (Wed night) and an Oakland A's game (Friday night). The nights were nice and breezy, the games not very exciting, and the stadiums interesting (AT&T park is a lot nicer than McAfee Stadium), but Ryan gets to check two more stadiums off his list of ball parks to visit.

Our Pretend Dragon

Morgan and the triplets were pretending that a Dragon was coming to our house. Jaxen was a little nervous and was shocked to hear it growl and beat its wings. Here is a cute video of them pretending.

Gracie's Fro

Humidity does not love Gracie. Gracie was blessed with blond curls, however, they become very unruly in the humidity here in Michigan. I comb them once and sometimes twice a day, but they always seem to end up in a huge bushy bird's nest. Gracie didn't want her picture taken, but I couldn't resist.

Backyard Fun

Since putting in a fence in our backyard, we have enjoyed playing and hanging out out of doors. I will be sad to see summer go.


Joshua watchin all the caos below.


Jaxen swinging


Gracie hanging out


Rachel even enjoys going for a swing every once in awhile.

Beach at Lake Michigan

After Blueberry picking, everyone but the Triplets and Mommy went to Lake Michigan for a dip. They all had a great time and were surprised at how nice the beaches are here.


Fluegel Family: Robb, Robin, Elizabeth, Ashley, Jessica, Laura, Rebecca, Emma and Sarah.





Robin with Sarah.


Emma and Morgan.


Elizabeth and Ashley.


Elizabeth, Jessica, Ashley

Blueberry Picking

I was on call the weekend they were here, so while Mommy was away, they all went Blueberry picking and had a great time. Allison, Malory and Max Mortensen joined them. Morgan and Max had a blast hiding from Allison.


Mallory, Gracie, and Joshua picking away.


Rachel relaxing in her stroller.


The triplets at the end of the trip.

Dutch Village with the Fluegel Family

Last weekend Ryan's childhood friend Robb Fluegel came to visit with his wife Robin and their seven girls. We had a great time visiting different places and hanging out in Michigan. Here we all are at Dutch Village a little place to visit showing off Dutch Culture.


Emma, Gracie and Joshua petting the baby goats.


Joshua, Jaxen and Gracie petting the bigger goats with Jessica.


Emma and Morgan dancing "Dutch" style.



Gracie, Morgan, Joshua and Jaxen sitting in the horse buggie.


Gracie going down the slide.


Joshua not to sure about going down the slide.


All the kids riding the swinging ride.

Painted Ladies and Gents

While Brittney was babysitting, Morgan decided she needed her toenails painted just like Brittney's. In the end, Gracie, Joshua, Jaxen and Rachel all wanted theirs painted too. It was quite cute and fun.

Grandma and Grandpa We love you!!!

Thanks Grandma and Grandpa Christiansan for the cute t-shirts. We wanted to pose for you and show you how good we look. We love you!!! Please forgive the bed head, Mommy wanted to get the pictures while our shirts were still clean and fresh.

Joshua and his Walker

We got Joshua a walker for when we are outside and doing a lot of walking. He still prefers to crawl and the cement and grass are just too hard on his knees, so he can use his walker to get around. He continues to walk more and more everyday, but if you walk by him or touch him he still lacks the balance to resist falling down. Doesn't he look so proud?

Dirt. It's got to be good for you.

I think all of my kids love to eat dirt. Maybe, it's because with five kids all the same age, we tend to let them get around on their own instead of carrying them everywhere. Here is Rachel after visiting the ward garden. She was one dirty little princess.