Disney Cruise Trip April 2008

We had such a great time in Florida and the Bahamas on the trip. A big thank you to my Mom and Dad for putting the whole thing together. I can't think of a better vacation we've ever had. We had a lot of fun and much relaxation. The first day we arrived in Orlando we enjoyed the evening at our Sheraton resort. What a beautiful setting. Huge pool and lots of palm trees and waterfalls.

The next day we went to Animal Kingdom for a mellow Sunday activity. It was really fun and we even got to enjoy one of those southern rains in the afternoon. We dared to go on some pretty exciting rides and got to go on a few safari rides to see some African animals and such. It was a great day of fun. Unfortunately, Mom and Dad were getting in that evening so they didn't get to go that day.

The next day the boys and girls split up and the girls went to Hollywood Adventures and the boys went golfing at a Jack Nicklaus course called Grand Cypress. We were able to get 27 holes in and one of the holes was an island green in the model after the Player Championship Stadium course.

The next day we took on our most ambitious day. We made our way over to the Epcot Center and then over to the Magic Kingdom. When we finally got to Epcott we were pretty hungry, so the boys stopped in England for fish and chips and the women headed over to France for an over-inflated dinner. We walked through the various countries and realized that there wasn't really a lot of action at Epcot so we headed on over to the Magic Kingdom on our park hopper passes we got from the Osmonds. (Yeah, it helps to be connected) We had a blast at the Magic Kingdom. The kiddie rides, splash mountain and space mountain were a real hit. We really loved Fantasia too! The fireworks at the end really capped off the week for us.

On the next day we made our way down to where we loaded for the Disney Cruise. Of course the first night there was a bit odd with not having our sea legs yet. By morning we were all feeling better and we had a nice breakfast on the deck and pulled into Nassau. There we debarked and took a ferry ride out to a remote little island where we got to swim with Dolphins. We danced with them and hugged them. What an amazing day that was.

Throughout the cruise we saw New York Broadway quality shows each evening and those were really a treat for the girls. On the 2nd day we visited Disney's own island called Castaway Cay (pronounced KEY). Susie, Chris, Dad and I took off for a great kayaking and hiking excursion. It was great we found shells and saw rays and even a shark. I also found an old coconut too! We cracked it open and it reeked so bad. The kids played on the beach and hung out with Grandma. We had a great dinner that evening and a relaxing evening at the spa. After that we had to get off the ship early the next morning. After a crazy day back and forth from the airport and a hotel and back we finally got on a plane and headed home for Salt Lake City.

I'm sure Susie will fill in more of the gaps below on the real details of the vacation. I sure had a great time and it was nice to spend time together as a family doing something so fun. Lots of love and thanks to Grandma Lee for making it all possible.

Hope of America

This was Hope of America in Provo, Utah at the Marriott Center. Alissa and Mariah and their friend Samantha Dela Cruz were in the yellow part of the crowd and they sang patriotic songs and did hand and dance movements. It was an amazing site. The highlight for me was a 92 year old lady who danced around all by herself and at the end did the splits. She got a standing ovation. That for me symbolized the strength of our country and the freedom to be free and prove the nay sayers wrong. She did the unbelievable. I love stuff like that.

Down below there is a video clip of the girls singing the last song about America being a light to the world. Very touching. It was very emotional. It sure gives you hope for our country when you see children perform like that. It was an amazing event that avoided all the pitfalls of such shows. It was just a very patriotic night filled with lots of great entertainment.

Puffy Butt Audrey

We took these photos of Audrey around Easter time. She's kind of crazy sometimes. She just started stuffing clothes in her pants. Then after that she started playing around with these fake teeth. She's always doing creative, slightly weird things like this. We love having her in our home.

School Choir Music Program

This was a Christmas Choir Program last year that the girls had. They did a wonderful job. I'll see if I can put a video of the program up pretty soon. Check back when you can.

Stryker Photos From The Past

This is picture of Susie and Marc at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. She was 8 yrs old, and she was there to see President Kimball. My family was also there. It was a special day for me and I remember very strongly the spiritual impressions I had of the day. I remember hearing President Kimballs raspy voice. I think it is just amazing that Susie and her family were there for that very special day just like I was.

Results of the IQ Test are in

Over this weekend Susie was reading a book about IQ's, which had a test in it. She took it and scored a 137. I think that puts her in the top 6% of the world or something. So, it got my curiosity going. I was pretty sure I'd be lucky to get to 100. Luckily, I scored a 126. Thus, proving once again that Susie is far more superior to me. I can attest to the fact that that is not just intellectually. She is an amazing woman of many talents.

General Conference Spring 2008

Watching conference from home is a unique opportunity for me. Growing up I can remember driving into to town to go to the church and watch conference there in our church clothes. Now, I watch conference in my jammies. I can't help but think that this easyness makes me and my family loose the sacred importance of this bi-annual ritual. I wonder if my children really will understand the spiritual nature of conference in this modern era.

My thoughts after the General Priesthood Session were reflective on the legacy and example I am leaving for my family. As President Monson told the story about the boy in the crowd at a stake conference that copied every move Pres. Monson made until he wiggled his ears, I couldn't help think about he example and traditions I should be trying to teach my children. President Uchdorf gave a very powerful talk about the dangers of setting our course off by the smallest degree, talking about a sight seeing flight that turned into a crash into a mountain because the the course was mistakenly set by just 2 degrees off. I realize more now how at times in my life I have set my course off by minute degrees and the pain it causes in my life. Now, I understand even more that if how being off by small degrees affects my family. As the sole priesthood holder in the home it is my responsibility to rise up and call down blessings upon my family through righteous living and setting my course on the same course that the iron rod is set to.

Saturday session was an opportunity to see how organized and inspired the church government is. I am thankful for a church that is sure and true. Often I think about how wonderful it is to have modern day prophets that speak to us in such positive ways. They encourage us to do our best, without criticizing, but with emphasis on loosing ourselves in Christ's name by serving, loving, being present, open, awakened to our true spiritual selves. I was amazed at how many of the messages were powerful witnesses of Jesus Christ and his ability to sanctify our lives when we look to him. Helaman 8 makes the connection through the prophet Nephi of how when Moses raised the brazen serpant it was like Christ being risen on the cross. How easy it is to look to the raised Christ and live. Yet, we are covered in our ego, our natural man. More and more I want to understand how to be more like the prophets we have watched over the years. Pres. Kimball, Benson, Hunter, Hinkley and now Monson. I think of these men are individuals that truly love the Lord, forget themselves, and are completely awakened to their true mission and purpose in life. That is what I want to aspire to. Being who I really am, not what my past, or thoughts tell me I am. So, when the spirit witnesses or instructs - I act.

Oregon Summer Trip 2007

These two sure have a lot of love. This was taken by the lazy river called Mill Creek on the Gill Family Reunion near Silver Falls. Pretty cool considering my Grandma Erma lived in Millcreek area in Utah years ago. It was a fun time just drifting down the river with the sunlight and berry branches tearing in our flesh whenever we got lost in the moment and forgot to paddle. It was so fun we went twice.
When we first got to the Alders Gate, a religious compound, where we had our reunion we quickly decided to go for a walk. Out on the trail we came by what I can only describe as "Jacob's House" (for those of you that watch LOST). So I had to take a picture of it. Below you will see more pictures of this hike including Mariah and Audrey discovering blackberry's and a picture of me as "Forest Stump"! There are few other pictures that show the beauty of the thick forest in these areas and beautiful big ferns.







We had an amazing time last year in Oregon for the Gill Family Reunion. Here is a picture Susie took of me climbing the rock wall they had there. We stayed near Silver Falls which is a beautiful place. Ok, Susie here. Silver Falls State(?) Park is south of Portland and has a myriad of waterfalls you can hike to, some paved, most not. It was like being in an enchanted forest. I'm used to forests and such from my NJ heritage but these trees are immense and covered with green moss and the floor has lots of red mulch. Much like I've imagined as I've read the Twililght series.Back to the WALL. Can you believe I made it all the way to the top after 4 children and very little exercise in the time leading up to that trip?! Yeah - I was surprised but determined to show up my husband I guess. Roxy made it too, having never climbed before. Alissa and Mariah did really well too. Strong women!
As you can see there were many fun activities we participated at while we were there. We did archery, hula hoop contests and drifting down a natural lazy river on tire tubes.
Yes, that's right a perfect bullseye! I guess that Archery merit badge was actually legit! Below you will see Roxy and Alissa duke in it out in a hula hoop contest. Roxy won. She goes forever, seriously I think she could go for the world record. It doesn't even look like she moves her hips that much. It's amazing.

While were in Oregon we saw many beautiful things. We traveled up through Idaho and up across the Oregon/Washington border along the Columbia River. We saw Eagles, several damns and lots of boats. We came down through Portland and down to Silver Falls. Below are a few pictures we took on a Sunday hike at Silver Falls at the end of our Gill Family Reunion.



After the Silver Falls trip we made our way up to Portland for a few days where we went to the Zoo and met up with the McCann's which was fun. We also had the opportunity to visit the Portland Temple and go inside and do a session while there. It is really amazing in there. We especially liked the dark woods. Susie now wants to redo our entire house in dark wood. Unfortunately, we haven't figured out how to keep the house as clean as the temple to really get the full effect. After the temple we went up along the Oregon coast. The highlight of the day was visiting the Tillamook factory where we had ice cream and saw how cheese is manufactured. The coast is really amazing, windy and cool. We tried to get some local tips on a place to eat while we were up there and unfortunately, the locals don't have taste buds anymore, because the place they told us to go was pretty bad.


















After Portland we headed off back east passing three sister mountain range, Mount Hood, and stayed a few days near Bend. We played golf, went swimming, and just were pretty lazy. It was nice. Leaving there we went across Eastern Oregon to Idaho and checked out Shoshone Falls on the way home. All in all, a pretty amazing trip that put some serious miles on our car!