Eliza signed up for the police camp that Wylie ISD holds in the summer for kids who are in 7th going into 8th grade. She has had an interesting and crime scene investigation, so this was a fun experience for her.
Westley also did this camp. Travis would have, were it not for COVID. In fact, they had invited the 8th graders going into 9th to it also because they didn't get to do it last summer, but he decided not to do it. It's a good camp and the only cost is the cost of the shirts.
In-N-Out Burger incentive trips for their employees. If you are a store manager or higher, you can earn a trip to Hawaii every three years when you hit 95% of your goals. Corey barely hit 95% (I think it was actually 94.something) and was allowed to go. I guess that every time they go to Hawaii, they go to someplace different. This time, we got to go to the Big Island of Hawaii and stay in the Four Seasons near Kona.
In-N-Out really goes all out for their store managers. They put us up in the Four Seasons for a whole week. We had most of our meals hosted by In-N-Out, meaning they paid for it. They also had arranged "buy-in activities" or activities that they found for us to do on the Island--things like a helicopter tour of the island, ATVing, snorkeling, horseback riding, touring the volcano, etc. We were given $1,000 to use for these activities. Corey and I chose horseback riding, snorkeling, and ATVing. Every day there was something different to do. One of the days was all In-N-Out sponsored activities--a workshop and teambuilding activity, followed by a picnic and concert.
Corey and I rented a car so that we could have transportation all over the island. We are so glad we did because while we were there, we discovered to our delight that the nearest town, Kailua-Kona, is the home to a mini temple, the second temple on the Hawaiian islands. It was built in 2004. We had no idea there was a second temple in Hawaii besides the one on Oahu. Because it was a mini temple, the hours were very choppy and we had to make an appointment. But we found time in our schedule and were able to do a session there.
We flew out early in the morning on April 27th, had a layover in Phoenix, then flew to Kona. We arrived in the afternoon and relaxed until the welcome dinner. On Monday the 28th we had a duet massage together. We then went to Kailua-Kona and went shopping for snack foods and lunch foods for the week. Then we had a big fancy dinner with In-N-Out that night. On Tuesday, we went snorkeling. We had put on sunscreen and reapplied a few times, but got burned anyway. We were in the sun for five hours with no shade the whole time! It was cool, though, as we saw pilot whales, dolphins and monk seals. Plus the view of the island from the ocean was gorgeous and the ocean itself was amazingly blue. Wednesday was the In-N-Out teambuilding, workshop and picnic day. On Thursday, we went horseback riding on the North side of the island. Unfortunately it rained all day and we were soaked after riding in the rain. That night we attended the temple. On Friday, we participated in an In-N-Out sponsored photo safari scavenger hunt of the island. On Saturday, we went ATVing on the north side of the island and saw some magnificent waterfalls. On Sunday we spent the day packing and relaxing and hanging out. Our flight back wasn't until 10 pm and then we had a layover in Phoenix Monday morning. We didn't arrive back in SLC until after noon.
My mom and Corey's mom watched the kids. My mom watched them from Sunday through Thursday and then Corey's mom (and sister) arrived and finished out the week. The kids were happy to have us home and we were glad to be back. It was a great trip! The kids loved the Hawaiian clothes we bought them too. I hope that Corey can meet his goals again and we can go again in three years!
2008, You've been a good friend to us, but now it's time to say goodbye. You've brought both challenges and the blessings that have come from these challenges.
Corey was able to finish 36 semester hours during 2008, 15 last Spring, 6 in the Summer and 15 more in the Fall. He also moved from the Tempe store (#195 in In-N-Out-ease) to the new Chandler store (#219) in July and was able to help open the new store. He's spent the year working hard and studying hard and getting closer to finishing his undergraduate education.
Jenna spent the year learning to love her children more and appreciate these years when they are so young and precious. She started working on her book again (finally) after a several-year break from it, with the goal to finish the book by the summer of 2009 and submit it for publishing (keeping fingers crossed). Despite the down days where staying home with the kids seems so trivial and useless, she has really started to appreciate these first years, especially now that Westley is in school and those first five years for him just flew by. She's realized how short they really are and is trying to be better at enjoying even the trying times with them.
Westley progressed in so many ways in 2008. He went from 4 to 5 in May. He learned how to ride a 2-wheel bicycle by himself. He started kindergarten and has learned to read, and he's currently reading at a 1st grade level. West loves to draw and his talent in that area has greatly improved. His creativity has shone through in his many book creations and other games he creates for he and his siblings to play.
Caleb has also grown much in 2008. He turned 4 in October, has greatly improved his speech skills, and has really found a talent in art as well. He loves to look at books, especially about animals, and is our resident animal-lover. Caleb has also become the oldest child while Westley is at school and has come into that role quite well.
Travis, our little Travis, has become such an inquisitive little toddler this year. He is talking almost as much and as well as Caleb now, he turned 2 in September, and he loves to engage in the same imaginative play that keep Westley and Caleb very busy. He adores Charlie Brown and tells everyone that he comes across how he was Charlie Brown for Halloween. And he's my hugger (for now); he is always giving tight, long hugs.
Eliza started out the year as a 1 month old baby and is now coming up on 13 months. She has grown teeth, learned to eat table food and learned to walk. She has been through many bouts of illness, I'm sure having three older siblings has exposed her to more, but she continues to be our happy little princess whom her older brothers simply adore. Recently, she and Travis have really become buddies, little partners in crime, and it's fun to watch them play together.
2008, you've been a blessing to us. We've acquired two better vehicles this year, been able to rid ourselves of some of our debts, spent some time getting better acquainted with family in Utah, Texas, and California, as well as those overseas. We've enjoyed this year, despite some of the difficulties that we've been through.
2009, I hope that you are just as good of a year. I hope you bring more opportunities to us. We don't know where we'll be or how things will be for us one year from now, at the end of 2009, but I'm sure that Heavenly Father has good things in store for us again in the coming year.
We hope everyone is having a happy new year! Our resolutions as a family include the following:
1. To have regular scripture reading as a family 2. To have regular family prayer, morning and night 3. To have weekly Family Home Evenings 4. To better our financial situation 5. To get some exercise together and have some fun doing it 6. To eat better
We'll see what the course of the year 2007 brings our family and we hope for the best for all of you!
