Alien Adventure

This is what happens when you visit a rest area in Roswell, NM

After we finished visiting Carlsbad Caverns we drove up to Albuquerque to visit my sister and her family.  Our route took us through the town of Roswell, NM.  Ever heard of it? Do aliens and UFO's ring a bell? We decided to stop and see if we could have any close encounters.  Lucky or unlucky for us the town was very crowded because it just happened to be the annual Alien Festival.  Lots of "unique" individuals roaming the streets that day - even a guy dressed up in tin foil to look like an alien - or maybe it actually was an alien?!?!?!?

Here are some photos from our very brief stop.



We tried not to be disturbed about a freezer full of aliens

Having lunch with new friends

Defying gravity

Ryder meets a new friend

Should I be worried?

RT phones home

Mel even got to perform some surgery

Now we can say, "Been there...done that."

Carlsbad Caverns

This summer we took a 3+ week long family vactation.  It was a classic road trip.  We rented a mini van to hold all of our stuff, and off we went.  The first of our many stops was a long anticipated by me (35 years:)  visit to Carlsbad Caverns.  I have been fascinated by caves and cave formations since I was a child, and have always wanted to visit Carlsbad.  I was worried that after wanting to see it for so long, it might be impossible for the actual experience to live up to my expectations.

The week before we went there were massive "forest" fires (I put forest in quotes, because does New Mexico really have forests?) that burned the entire Carlsbad area.  The park was actually closed for several days, and they had fire patrols surrounding the visitors center to protect it from the flames.  Fortunately it had reopened by the time we arrived and amazingly enough nothing smelled like smoke.  Here is Harrison standing where you can see the terrain surrounding the Visitors Center.

C'mon now, was that really ever a forest?

You can see how it burned right up to the edges.

We decided to walk down into the caves via the natural entry.

Just before you walk down there are multiple signs reminding you to not touch any of the cave formations. Finger oils contaminate and prevent them from continuing to form.  The Park Rangers are smart and know that everyone will want to touch one to see how they feel, so they placed one outside the entrance and encourage you to touch all you want - and LEAVE THE REST ALONE! So we touched it.

Here are some pictures as we were hiking down.

It was incredible - and a waaaaaaaaaaaaay better experience than just taking the elevator down.  We saw so much and it was neat to feel the change in temperature and atmosphere as we descended.

Once we got to the bottom we were able to wander through the enormous rooms of the caverns.  We had rented wands that provided us with a self guided tour.  Before we left, our Bishop had told Ryder about the "Bottomless Pit" where there was a huge drop off in the caves.  Ryder anticipated seeing the bottomless pit for weeks. Here he is when he finally got to check it out.

Nice face!

Darren had been to visit Carlsbad Caverns as a child, which made me jealous.  However, when he recreated his ONLY memory of the experience, I was no longer jealous.

Somehow as a child, he got his head jammed in the revolving doors by the elevator.  I will now try and refrain from making comments like, "Well that explains alot."  Because that would be cruel ;)

Here are a few more pictures from the caves.

Whale's Mouth formation - can you see it?  One of my favorites.

OK, I'm laughing right now as I realize why Ryder has such a "crazy cave face" in all of his pictures.  The first couple of pictures we took of him he blinked because the flash is so bright in the caves.  So his eyes were closed in the pictures.  I asked him to try and keep his eyes open when I took the pictures.  Aparently, he listened and made a real concerted effort!

Park Ranger Harrison

It was an amazing day, and it FAR EXCEEDED my expectations.  I loved it.  Can't wait to go back.  Words just can't describe the majesty and enormous volume of the caves.  They should be included as one of the 7 Wonders of the World.

Another School Year Comes To A Close

Mother's Day Party with Ryder
Don't you love the hat he made me?!?!



It's hard to believe that the 2010-2011 school year is already over.  It flew by so quickly!!!! The kids are excited for some time off to swim and travel.  I'm excited to have them home more, and to be done having 4 kids in 4 different schools!  Next year we will be down to 3 schools, because Melanie will be in HIGH SCHOOL next year which means both she and Nicole will be at PHS!

Here is a hodgepodge of pictures from the end of the school year.

Darren's Freshman seminary class that he taught enjoying
their last early morning together for the year

Nicole's Seminary class on their last day

Ryder getting his picture taken with his 2nd grade teacher,
Mrs. Eggelston, after the awards assembly

Here is a sweet card that Ryder and I made for his teacher.  He really enjoyed being in her class!

He also gave her a "Nothing Bundt Cake"  white chocolate raspberry mmmmm. . .

Every year we go to dinner after the last day of school to celebrate.  This year we went to the Blue Goose to enjoy mesquite grilled tex mex yumminess!!  Here's Harrison enjoying the evening:

I notice the chips are already gone and dinner hadn't arrived yet :)  They make some really good salsa!

And I'll sign off with a picture of Melanie and her friend Thi modeling the masks they made as part of their last English project. 

Looking good girls.  Enjoy your summer!!!



Cousin Fun

Clayton, Ryder, Max, Emily, Harrison, Megan, Melanie, Nicole
Fort Worth Stockyards

I guess I need to send Jerry Jones a thank you card. As a result of him building a state of the art football stadium for the Dallas Cowboys, and for TCU scheduling a game against Oregon State there, my brother Win (a die hard Oregon State fan and alum) brought his family for a visit over Labor Day weekend!!!

We had a wonderful time hangin'out and visiting, touring Prosper, watching volleyball and football games, bowling at Main Event, and swimming.

Now their trip did have a bit of a rough start.  Before they ever boarded their plane, my nephew Clayton walked into the corner of a metal laptop table at PDX, and gashed his forhead open. Paramedics were called to the scene, and amazingly enough got him cleaned up and put back together just in time to board. So when they arrived, first thing the next morning Clayton got to visit our pediatrician and have his wound evaluated and glued shut. Of course this meant that he couldn't get it wet, even though we went swimming a couple of times. Clayton was great at following the doctor's orders and found ways to be in the pool without messing up the wound.

He even kept it dry when they posed for this adorable group shot!

Clayton, Ryder, Max, Emily, Melanie, Nicole, Megan, Harrison

Of course we musn't forget the OSU vs. TCU game.  What a blast!!  Emily, Megan & Melanie made some signs before we went.

And my brother Win, bless his heart, got us 4th ROW SEATS!!! That's club level my friends, and the view is magnificent when you're sitting that close!! We even got on ESPN :) in case you were watching!

They also got to meet Blossom.  Megan liked having her do tricks.

And she got a chance to help bathe her.

Clayton loved her too.  I think they need a Havanese puppy!

And what's a trip to Texas without some authentic western fun?  We visited the Fort Worth Stockyards where Clayton got to ride Big Jake, our very favorite Texas Longhorn.

It was so funny to hear the crowd that had gathered around when Clayton got up there. I overheard, "oh, isn't he so cute!" "Bob, take that boy's picture, he looks better than Jeffery did up there." Everyone's cameras were flashing when Clayton was on :)

One of the things we did at the Stockyards was get a group picture (per Grandma Hjordis' request). Darren brought the tripod, and we used the timer to get this one.

Then we all moved over in front of the water tower to get our best group shots. Darren set up the tripod, and pushed the button for the timer to start. What happened was that he got a picture of us not expecting it, and when he ran over and joined us the camera didn't take the picture of us all smiling (we couldn't see the timer light on the camera to know what had happened because it was so bright out). So we got this picture.

Caught unawares - and where's Darren?

We were so disappointed! So I tried adding Darren in at home.

The perfect group shot.  Darren was able to join us.

Words cannot describe what a wonderful time we had. We are so grateful for family, and for this chance we had to spend time together. Y'all come back now y'hear!!!

Swim School Is "Way Cool"

Nicole was recently asked if she could teach swimming lessons to an adorable little preschooler.  I know... whaaaaaaat? We Romneys can swim, but we're not exactly known as having exceptionally spectacular swim skills.  It turns out the little guy just needs some one on one water time a few days a week, so Nicole dove right in and accepted the offer!

They have been doing the usual holding on to the side of the pool and kicking, practicing treading water, and he can even swim a short distance to get to her.

But what they really like to do is jump in

I'm hoping they'll come up soon!

Phew - they made it!

But of course her little student had a better idea. . .

You may think he was super brave and jumped in himself. . .

No, he gave Nicole his bestest little grin and got her to jump in with him on her shoulders!!!

Of course she did it, because they have a little mutual admiration thing going.  He told his dad that he has a new swim teacher named "way cool" (awesome! sounds like Nicole right:), and that she is "weally pwetty."

I know, adorable!