Quality Time With Our California Family

Dan's brother Jeff and his family live here in Southern California and while we have been here they have been amazing to us. Sam absolutely loves them. He may not always act all warm and fuzzy to them but he still tends to be a little shy. When we are not with them he asks about each one of them constantly. I think he adores them so much because they are so loving to him.
This is a marble roller coaster of John's that Jeff and Jenny setup just for Sam. He LOVED it!

This is Caroline and Sam at their ward 4th of July Kid Parade. Jen gave us decorations for Sam's wagon and Caroline pulled Sam in the parade. Sam loves his cute cousin!

After the parade we came back to Jeff's house and the guys had a water fight with the kids! I wonder who won?

Later that night at the RSM Lake, they had a fireworks display. We laid out our blankets and enjoyed!

Sam with his cousins, John and Caroline (Kate was off with a friend.)

The Bike

Before we were about to become "House Poor," we thought we should invest some money into a good mountain bike for Dan. I knew this would be important so he could have some good quality male bonding time with his brother. His brother is huge into mountain biking and goes several times a week. Let's just say he has put some good use to it already and he is looking forward to more bonding time with his bike, once the move is over! And of course, once he got the bike, he decided he needed new shoes, shorts, gloves, helmet, etc... I thought I was bad with clothes.
One of the many trails.

Jeff (brother) Dan

Danno and his bike on the trail.

Yay, We're a Family Again!

After a month and a half, Dan flew in to SLC Airport and met Sam, his mom and me. This meant that we were now going to be back as a family again and on our way to California to start a new adventure.
Just like most boys, Sam has a fascination with cars. Sam also loves his grandparent's cars. It almost became a bit annoying because day and night, night and day, Sam would ask to see their cars. It might have only been 2 seconds to pass by and Sam would ask to see them again, but to Sam it must feel like an eternity. Even now as we are away he talks about their cars.

More Visiting While in Utah

This round of visiting Utah, since I had a little more time on my hands then others, I was able to visit with the family a lot as well as visiting with friends I had not been able to see for several years. During my days of working and creating memories at Party Land, I developed several friendships. A few of those friends were able to make it to a get together for some much needed catching up time. Ele and Jen are just as beautiful as ever and it was amazing to see where life has taken each of us. Two amazing mommies!
Sam is fortunate to have both of his grandmas in Utah. So when he comes for a visit, he has a lot of spoiling time provided by them! Grandma and Grandpa Stromberg love this kid and when we're at their house Sam gets his story time with Grandma every night. Special moments I want to capture, so he remembers how loved he is.

Something we always try to arrange is for Sam and I to get together for lunch with both grandmas. So this time we went to the Sandy Aquarium and then did lunch.

My brother Joel has a little girl Samantha that is a few weeks older than Sam and they also share a similar name. Something special for those two to share. We went for a BBQ at at the park with them while we were there. I think we had to bribe the two with cookies to get them out of the swings. Fun memories!

Finally, my parents discovered that I had not been to the Thanksgiving Park. So since the tulips were at peak, we ventured to the park for a stroll. Something I want to be remembered is how amazing my dad is with his grand kids. He is always right by their side discovering, exploring and playing with them. Every one of the 7 grandchildren LOVE their grandpa because of this genuine interest and love he shows them. I love that about my Dad!

My beautiful Mom and me with Sam!

I Love My Family

I feel very lucky to have an amazing relationship with my extended family on both my Mom's and Dad's side. That is why I feel I should document it, so my Sam will realize how much it means to his Mom. It seems my family is always finding excuses to get together. So because of that something is always being celebrated. We have a great time when we're together and their is always lots of laughter and teasing. What I really love about my family is that we are always there for each other in times of joy or despair, we can count on our GREAT family. LOVE them!
Party time spent with the Johnson side.

An Easter in Utah

During Sam and my stay in Utah, we enjoyed a beautiful Easter with the family. Of course it would have been better if Dan was with us, but he was busy in CA training for his new air frame.
Sam was spoiled by the Easter Bunny with a 4- wheeler Quad and a Football Easter Bunny. The 4-wheeler became a quick love, not only for him but his little cousins as well.

Sam's cousins Tristan and Liam were also nice enough to share their toy vacuum. It became a cherished item for Sam. We still don't understand what Sam's fascination is with vacuums, but he nestled right up to it and found some zzz time.

Moving Time!

It's a good thing the Air Force has trained us to be vagabond gypsies, because it is time to move again. This time, however, it was of our own accord. Since Dan left active duty, and Continental furloughed him, we decided to take up the offer of a friend to join the California Air National Guard, destination March Air Reserve Base, Riverside California. We decided to do the move ourselves, and to let the Air Force reimburse us. We stood to make more money this way, but unfortunately that money was at the expense of sweat equity as we were soon to find out. We finished packing up the house, and loading the trailer around the first couple of days in April. Here Sam stands on what was once our lives, all boxed up and ready to go.
We moved with ABF, and with the help of our good friends the Hulses, Palmers, the missionaries and our brother in law Mr. Hix we actually made it happen. It was weird to see our entire life boxed up in a trailer, but we were glad that part of the journey was over.

Sam and I flew to Utah, while Jordan and Dan drove our two cars across the country, starting in New Jersey and ending in California. While in Utah Sam was able to play with cousins, and I was able to get some much needed rest.

Here Sam and Tristan show off their matching PJs. TROUBLEMAKERS!

Much needed play time with Grandpa in the sandbox.

I Cry When Mommy Sings Too!

Absolutely hilarious. That is all I can say. Laura would crush me if she knew I was posting this, but I have to, it is my husbandly duty. The other day Sam wanted to get down the stairs. Normally he will come, but sometimes when he is tired or just being lazy he will ask for us to carry him down. So mommy said no to carrying him when he asked. But, she encouraged him, she would wait at the bottom of the stairs for him. Then she began singing one of her favorite songs as he crawled down the stairs. "I'll be there" by the Jackson 5. She loves the Jackson 5, and this song was more than appropriate. "I'll be there, I'll be there, just call my name, I'll be there... I'll be there, I'll be there, whenever you need me, I'll be there." As soon as she started singing he got this pouty look on his face, then he really started crying. So I ran to get the camera, and forced her to do it again. I don't think she thought I would have enough guts to post it. BTW, this may be my last post...

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I guess you could take this one of two ways; one-horrible noise to his ears or two-maybe this song brought back some very sad memory from long ago. Actually I think his mom has a great voice, especially when compared to my tone deaf singing attempts.

Possibly the Last of the C-17 for Us

As part of the last minute details we have intended on doing before leaving New Jersey, we took Sam out to what has been daddy's airplane for the last 10 years. We took along a previous YW of mine that has shown interest in the Air Force and we all had a blast playing on the plane!

See ya in awhile Tull Family

We have made some amazing friends during our travels in the Air Force, but the Tulls have been there since the beginning when Dan was in ROTC at BYU. We were fortunate enough to live by them for several years in Washington and then in New Jersey. After a move or two (or three) they wound up in Virginia. As we are now on our way to the other side of the nation we wanted to take the opportunity to see them before the big move, after all, who knows how long it may be before we hang out again?

We met up in Baltimore for dinner at the Rusty Scupper for some good seafood, which is funny since Dan and Mandy are the only seafood fans. Before dinner Dan and I took Sam to the Baltimore aquarium. I think Sam was most interested in the turtles and also having his freedom by running around the harbor while we waited for the Tulls to arrive.

It was such a nice night and a beautiful area by the harbor. And of course, the kids were great entertainment. All in all it was a great night, we are going to miss the Tulls, and we wish them good luck on their next move to Fiji and can't wait for an ROTC reunion with all our friends!