Huntington Beach

Nikki, Sandra, and I decided that it was time for another Huntington Beach trip. It has been about 2 years since we went. So, we packed up the car and enjoyed a 12+ hr. road trip. As is tradition, when Nikki is driving we get caught in some kind of traffic jam. But we eventually made it and spend 4 days body-boarding, shopping, and eating more than we needed to.

As we left Las Vegas the traffic slowed Californians were making their way back home after a weekend in Vegas.

Ruby's is one of our favorite places to eat. They have great shakes and fried zucchini

Me, Sandra and Nikki

Sandra and Nikki ride the waves

A beautiful sunset

There were a few days that were overcast but we made the most of it.

I am enjoyed relaxing on the beach, listening to music, and reading. Of course I had to use my towel to stay warm.

Renting a wetsuit was the best money I spent the whole trip

Holly catching a wave. I really enjoyed body-boarding; it is one of my favorite things to do.

I always take picture of the surfers too. Not sure who this is but I think I took a good picture of him.

Sneaking out the MTC

As my friends, Sandra, Nikki, and I headed to Huntington Beach we stopped at the MTC to say goodbye to my parents. They were leaving the next day for a 2 year mission in Germany. So, they snuck out of the MTC and we met at the corner and visited with them for 15 minutes. Okay, they didn't sneak out, couple missionaries can come and go. It was nice to see them one more time before they left for Germany.

Apple Smear Fest

Over the weekend that I graduated Matt, Adam and I watched "Cheaper By The Dozen". In the movie the family as a apple smear fest where the kids pitch apples to the dad and he hits them with Tennis rackets. I thought this would be fun to do with Adam and Matt. So, I bought them each a bag of apples and let them be the batters. It was pretty fun and pretty sticky activity. By the end we had lots of apple chunks for a fruit salad.

Matt whacks the apple into space

That's right, I split the apple into 2

Incoming: exploding apple

I think the tongue in the cheek actually makes you hit it harder

Another apple is split in half

More exploding apple

Stubborn apples that refused to leave the racket

World's Greatest Fort

Matt and I decided to build a fort one day. As we were building it Matt decided that one area of the fort was the resting room. This is where we put the bean bag and a crochet blanket Nana made. We also had a game room as named by Adam with different games in it. Then there was the fighting room that housed the different action figures we used to fight with. We also had a ball room to house the balls for dodge ball and Keep Away and a weapons room for the Light Savers and Hulk punching hands. It was quite the fort.

Matt hanging out in the fighting room with the action figures. The snack shack is under the stool.

The game room

The resting room

Oh, what do you do in the summer time?

After driving my parents to the Denver airport I headed to Kansas to spend 11 days with my sister, Heidi, and her family. While here we stayed busy having our own field day, jumping on the trampoline, having a apple smear fest, having an Arizona Snowball fight, swimming, building a fort, watching Cartoon Network, having a water balloon fight, etc. Just doing your every day stuff.

Field Day 2011

Here are some of the events we did.

Chicken Bowling

"You want me to do what with this chicken?"

Matt bowls a strike

Relay race

Who ever knew that running in Holly's clothes could be so challenging

Pudding eating contest

Adam becomes one with his lemon pudding

Matt solution to growing a chocolate goatee

Toilet Paper Mummies

Is that a mummy or Adam?

Gavin is wondering why Matt is wasting good toilet paper

Ball Carry

The boys had to work together to carry the ball without using their feet

Balloon Carry

It not only takes skill to carry a balloon with your mouth but also muscles

Water Fight

Adam runs away from Matt's 100 mph balloon throw

Are you going on a mission or vacation?

On May 28th I drove my parents to the Denver Airport to fly to SLC so they could enter the MTC on May 30th. Based on their attire one might ask "Are you going on a mission or vacation?" And based on there luggage one might ask "Is this a permanent move?"

Susan is working hard to make sure the luggage makes the weight limit; took some rearranging but they made it.

All in total there were 7 bags, 1 laptop, 1 handbag, and 1 purse.

Elder and Sister Leonard entered the MTC

My parents entered the MTC on May 30. They are going to serve for 2 years in Frankfurt, Germany as welfare specialist for Eastern Europe. Essentially, they will be assisting couple missionaries in these countries that are working on humanitarian projects. I am excited that they get to go back to Germany. My dad served his mission there and we lived there twice while I was growing up. I am really proud of them and grateful for the example that they have set in my life.

This picture was taken shortly after Elder and Sister Leonard were set apart. I had the charge of making sure they kept mission rules till they flew to Utah. It was tough but they are both entering the MTC worthy.