Mexico

We went (drove) to San Carlos, Mexico- yes, call us crazy! It was crazy, but once we got there it was a blast! The girls loved the beach and had fun spashing in the ocean and making sandcastles. We went kayaking to a little island and found tons of seashells and saw hundredes of baby pelicans. We saw dolphins jumping and explored the beaches. The beach house was nice. It was really right on the beach! Everything was beautiful! The last day the guys went out on the fishing boat, they didn't catch anything but saw lots of whales and dolfins that swam up close to the boat!

My little beach babes

They loved playing on the beach.

The sunsets were beautiful
Me and the girls
Emma with uncle Ryan
Splashing in the water. This was the girls first time to the ocean.
Abby The beach house
Kayaking
Abby loved running up and down the beach!
It was so fun to watch her.
Abby
We went in to town to shop and have dinner, we had delicous tacos!
"downtown"
A "native" house made out of soup cans! Yes, people live there - crazy, I guess if you utilize what you have you can do about anything.
Say, "cheese!"
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The baby pelicans - there were hundreds on the little island.
We also found tons of sea shells, Emma carefully picked out her own.
The princess sandcastle made from our found seashellsSay "cheese!"
Abby meditating
Uncle Ryan and Emma


Uncle Ryan and Abby Kayaking notice little Emma in the corner :)
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The last night we went out to eat at a really fun restaurant, there was a live band and the food was great. Abby and Lance danced the night away!


great moves!

It was a fun place.
Goodbye San Carlos!

We had a great time, but then had to get back in the car for the long ride home. It took about 20 hrs.

Exhange Student

So a neighbor called a few days before we left on our cruise and asked if we would like to have an exchange student from Spain live with us for the month of July. Since we were already doing lots of fun stuff that month and since she was from Spain I thought sure, why not? por que no? So the day we got back from our cruise we met Ainhoa Fernandez. She is from Pamplona, known for the Running of the Bulls. She is 15 and very sweet. She was so laid back and cute with the girls. There were 4 other exchange students also from Northern Spain in our neighborhood, so she didn't get too bored. We took her horseback riding, she went to church with us (even though she's catholic) She even went to girls camp, we took her up to the cabin, to swim lessons, to the Aquarium, all the 24th festitivities in Spanish Fork, of course the mall, and Temple Square. We basically dragged her everywhere we went but she didn't seem to mind. Horseback riding at the farm

With the little cowgirls

Ainhoa, me and Emma

Aihnoa on "Socks"

Ainhoa and Abby
After the Aquarium
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We had a Spanish dinner where the exchange students prepared us a Spanish meal of paella, tortilla de patata and flan.

Abby and Emma wanted to dress up for the dinner in thier flamenco dresses from Spain.

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Mirium and Ainhoa liked to watch Lance's softball games. After the games we'd go to the park.

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My mom and I took Ainhoa and Mirirum to Temple Square the Sunday before the left. They really liked it.

24th of July

If your from Spanish Fork you know that the 24th is not just any holiday but it's like next to Christmas. I learned quickly that you got to go to all the events to really make it a day! It starts early, Lance woke up at 5:30 to run the Speedy Spaniard. The race starts at 6:30 at Canyon View park by our house and goes all the way to the Library on Main Street. 6 miles. Lance and Ryan did great! Maybe next year I'll run along with them.

Then there's the breakfast and the parade. It was really hot even at nine in the morning. But the girls had fun watching and catching the sparse candy that was thrown.

They even got a picture with Snow White and Cinderella, this was definetily Abby's favorite part of the parade.

Chill'n at the parade.

Of course we had to get cotton candy... yum!

The Rodeo is that evening and afterwards we watch the fireworks

Lance and Abby at the Rodeo

Emma was all over the place but as long as I was holding her she was happy!
Happy 24th of July!