Puerto Penasco, Mexico

Fun+Relaxing+No worries=Vacation! That is what we did!

Kalia and Quincy

Ty and Matt

We traveled all this way to have the beach in our own backyard and what does Ty want to do? What he does best at home ... swim in the pool at the resort. Maybe next year he'll be ready to ride the banana boat!

Kalia, doing what she does best: having fun!

Ty and Susie

Susie loved hanging out at the beach, especially since she received royal treatment from the locals (getting her hair braided, eating tacos, and shopping!).

Ty

We were so happy to have Cousin Quincy party with us. If you asked her how much fun we all had, I'm sure she would say, "Tons!"
Happy Ty

Susie with her 2 BFF's-- Even on vacation, they're inseparable!

Princess Kalia
How would it be to have your hair done everyday by someone?
Wonderful!

Cousin Quincy

Tim with his daughter Ally

We couldn't have had as much fun without the Murphy's. (Is the condo reserved for next year?)

Poor Ty-Ty

I refused to make Ty vanilla pudding, so he took matters into his own hands. Rather than adding milk to the mix, he decided to pour the powder in a bowl and cook it in the microwave. Can you guess what happened next? Yep-- he burned his little finger. I think the hurt subsided just enough for him to fall asleep.

Sweet and Innocent

I pulled my iron and ironing board out to iron yesterday. Since I knew I would have a few more items of laundry to iron today, I decided I would leave it out. Ty noticed the iron and asked me if it was hot. I replied, "No." He looked at the iron again, hesitating to touch, but very curious, then again he raised the question to me, "Is the iron hot?" By this time, I turned to him to see why he wasn't touching the iron. I finally approached the iron to show him that it wasn't hot. I told him that I'm touching it ... he still was reluctant, but decided, if my mom is really touching it then it must be ok!


A little lesson in life of how precious children are.

Vancouver, BC, Canada

Even though I was born in Seattle, Washington, I spent most of my childhood life in the outskirts of Ogden, Utah. I have several aunts, uncles, and countless cousins who reside all over Washington state. My late grandma, grandpa, aunt, uncle and cousins also live outside of Portland, Oregon. Growing up our summer vacation would often take us to Oregon to visit my relatives and along our travels included passing along the Columbia river. I knew that on the east side of the river is Washington. I have always wanted to see what Seattle would look like as my parents moved me away when I was of one year of age, and since, I have never been back.

Upon arrival to Vancouver BC, Canada, I knew that this is what Seattle must feel like; cool crisp air (which I tolerated very well considering I'm always cold), beautiful evergreens, a duplicate of the Space Needle (just like the one in Seattle except with better views--I've been told), and the endless harbor.

We visited Capilano Suspension Bridge. I have never seen anything like this. Capilano Suspension Bridge is breathtakingly suspended 450 feet across and 230 feet above Capilano River. But crossing the bridge wasn’t the only excitement. We crossed over to towering evergreens, cedar-scented rainforest air, serene trails - a series of suspended footbridges that offered a close encounter with the very heart of the rainforest and stunning views. Definately worth seeing!

From my hotel I would capture the airplanes take-off and land.

They would take tourists to Vancouver Island.

In a Vancouver tourism brochure, I came across this advertisement for "Belguim Fritz." Ever since Matt served his mission in France, he has never stopped talking about these European French Fries. I had to go check them out to see for myself if they would live up to all the hype he has talked about for so long...Let's just say...I won't respond!

Out front the Westin Hotel, we were waiting for our rental car!

I think I finally got a feel of Seattle in Vancouver!