The busy days of Beach babin'

It's hard work to sun, sleep, tan, eat and still be a home (sand-castle) maker. But alas....someone has to do it.

We didn't actually build this one...we could only get our beach babe bums off the beachchairs long enough to take this photo and grab another Ho-Ho. Okay thats not true either...they were twinkies.

The beach is awesome and all the sweeter with a little help from my friends!


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An Update from Elder Runyon

Here are some cute pics of Jakie Poo and an excerpt (sp) from his latest letter.

Hey family

well, i will write you really quick about my week. First it was Tuesday, and we had kind of a rough day workwise. not one lesson until the very last hour of the day, but the best part was that I got your blogs. I got dad´s, tiff´s, and Dixon and Shays. I loved reading them. So that was a blast. I hope you all keep them coming. Then on Wednesday we went to Guayaquil for zone conference. It was pretty crazy. We had to get up at like 5, to leave by 6, to get there two hours early... We could of just approached it like a normal day, and not be dead tired all day. It feels so wierd driving into Guayaquil. Guayaquil is pretty. With the rivers that dump into the ocean, the mountains in the background, then the actual city reminds me of downtown Los Angeles minus the traffic. They say that guayaquil is the Las Vegas of South America. Haha. Conference went well, we were taught by president johns, and then a little bit by President Ibañez. He is area authority from Venezuela, who really honestly talked about the book of mormon for 5 minutes and about he met met his wife the rest of the time. But it was good, and then his wife taught us a really good lesson on how to just be better. Then we headed back to Vegas. Then Thursday was service and we did a group service with all our zone, and it was good, i got burnt pretty bad. hehe. THe really cool part of the week was Friday. We went to Avisbas again, and we taught two families out there, and the people there are so humble. Avisbas is this little town about 20 minutes from Milagro. They live in little shacks really, and they dig trenches for water, and the best part I think is the indiana jones bridge they have made out of rope, and suger canes. The people there are really anxious to hear us, so we ahve been teaching them, and we think we will have some real success. Some bad news is that the house we were going to buy, we cant, and we have to stay in our cockroach motel. Things are getting better there. We finally baught a chair for us to study on, and we bought like 10 bottles of Raid to kill the roaches. This Sunday we had 5 people at sacrament meeting and that was great. Then in the night, I came across somethign I had never heard of in my life. We go to this house, and there is this young girl about 20. We teach her, and out of nowhere she tells she is a member, was baptized about 3 years ago, with her entire family. She goes on to explain that she thinks the bible is true, and she doesnt believe in the book of mormon. We talk to her more and the most crazy thing came out of her mouth... ."you can teach from the bible, and doctrine and covenants, those are the only things that I believe." She believes in the Doctrina y convenios, but not in the book of mormon. we tried to explain to her, and she wouldnt listen at aall, we have an appointment to go back again and try to solve this mystery. Then today in the morning, we went and played soccer for a while. The latins were impressed and began to call be David Beckham.... Holler.




Did I mention I love being a missionary mom!

Dog Lovers Beware.

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This is not an "I love Dogs" post. This is not a nice post. This is a very emotional post.

I try. I try every single day. I try because it's important to my husband that I try. HE IS THE ONLY REASON OUR THREE RODENTS CALLED DOGS ARE STILL LIVING ON OUR PROPERTY. Yes, all caps means I was yelling. Spitting and drooling as I typed it. Yes the smoke detectors almost went off with all the steam coming out of my ears.

I tried again today. I thought....I'm only going to be gone a hour, maybe an hour and 15 minutes if I stop for a soda. Poor doggies have to be in the kennels so much. Its so stinking hot outside. They stare at me with their puppy dog (Satans spawn) eyes. I give in and let them stay in the kitchen/family room. Open the back door in case they might have an epaphamy and realize they really can pee/poop outside without my begging, cheering and giving them more meaty treats than any real animal deserves.

This is their thanks for overpriced healthy dog food. Dog toys that cost more than my kids toys ever did. Enough household and yard damage I could have bought a vacation home. Here is their ungrateful little offering.

Yes, that is urine soaking the back of the chair. You might even spot a wedding annoucement, USA Today and one of Keith Car magazine, the $15.00 kind. If you look even closer you will spot an ink pen and my favorite Sudoka book. I apoligize that I didn't take a photo of all the barf on my couch (poor babies musta ate too much paper) or the s#*t all over Keith's office. Yes I closed the door but Buddy can open doors now. What a talented puppy.

Sorry baby. I know this will make you feel bad. I know you think I am too harsh. But I am not a fan.



PS...sorry for the rage. and the swearing. and the venom. BUT I AM NOT IN THE DOG FAN CLUB.

PSS. There...all you people that say they can't imagine me losing my temper and yelling and stuff....you got to witness it 1st hand. Don't worry. I'm over it. I'll try the dog thing again tomorrow.

Introducing Mr & Mrs Troy Smith!

Wow! What a wonderful day we had on Friday. Kadee (my niece) and her new husband, Troy Smith, were sealed for time and all eternity in the Las Vegas Temple. It was beautiful. Her wedding party was so cute and the reception was ADORABLE! I wish I had taken my camera to the reception. It was a fairy tale setting.

I noticed at the reception that there wasn't a lot of mingling between the Smiths and the Leavitts. Wow, are we snobs? I really pondered it that night and tried to be observant of all the guests that were there. What I determined was this. All the family was friendly and social. We had loads of friends, co-workers, ward family that we caught up with. But at the end of the day.... I looked across the 10-12 tables there in Rod's backyard, I laughed as one particular one stood out. There was probably 15-18 Leavitt's crammed around one table. There was so much laughter and animation and genuine love eminating from that one table.

We're not snobs. We just really like each other. I wouldn't want it any other way.





Congrats Kadee & Troy!!

PS.....Hope all your underwear made it to Puerta Vallarta!!

What is the "magic" of Boys & Golf?

Keith and Alec went golfing today at TPC. They were joined by Wade, Dixon and Chase ("pony").

Seriously...they started at 230pm. In Las Vegas. It's 109F. What do they do out there?

Today I decided to drop in and see what all the fuss was about.






What I have learned is this. They laugh. They compete against themselves and each other. They grow closer. It's quiet and beautiful and HOT out there. I think they have a crush on the cart girl.

I might like golf. I would like it on a beautiful coastline at about 75F. But that's just me.

I'm glad they have found a "magic" place.

jlr

This is why we let him go....

I love Mondays!! We hear from Jake on Mondays. It's the best day of the week!

This is why he is out there...



And this is our blessing....

isn't he just the studliest, handsome-est, funny-est, I could go on forever, kid in Ecuador? My cup runneth over.

Time to put Australia behind us......hello tomorrow

I loved my trip. It was packed so full of so many adventures that it deserves just one more post.

We had a fun day at an odd little zoo the Steve Irwin and his Dad founded. The tour guide on our bus, who was very anti-American, droned on and on about how nobody really cared about Steve Irwin in Australia. He was just a hollywood creation that Americans idolized, how stupid the whole "crikey" saying was... blah blah blah....then later he tells how the whole country of Australia was stunned at his untimely death. How they mourned as a nation for two months.

The zoo was fun. Very small but intimate. Steve Irwin and the word "crikey" is EVERYWHERE. The only person or thing seen as commonly is Bindy. Seriously...she is more over-publicized than Shilo Pitt and Suri Cruise.

Here are a couple of photos.






It's time to start looking forward to my next great adventure. I have a "to-do" list for the next two weeks that is miles long. I am excited to take it on.

But, before I forget.

Alyssa & Jessica-Thank you for being the kind of young women that make me want to be a better person. You are such a joy and fill my heart with love.

Wade-Thanks for being such a fun and loving brother. I think back on all the crazy trips and adventures we have had. Thanks for cutting me some slack on the "cheap sister" thing. The kind of "declares" going around were, frankly, a little out of my range...at least when I'm not carrying the Platinum! Love you.

Judy & Kori-Wow! Another amazing adventure you have shared with me. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. There are no words.

Peace Out-
jlr

PS. Big Brother starts tonight WOOHOO!!!

My only Australian regret....

I regretted it the minute I said no. When I knew I had answered incorrectly...the moment was gone. I didn't jump off the AJ Hackett Bungee Tower. I wish I had. What a loser. Oh well.

Here are a few shots of Wade and the girls. They were awesome. Kori & Jessica went up to their waists in the water...very exciting. Wade & Alyssa had a powerful father/daughter experience. It was one of my favorite days in Cairns.





There is good news though.....my boobs aren't dragging on the ground behind me :)

so let me show some of my vacations photos...teehee

So I survived the 27 hour trip home..woohoo!! It's great to be home!

Keith surprised me with a new MACBOOK!! Yeehaw...can you picture me doing a little jig...well don't try to picture it, it isn't very pretty. So Thanks Pookie!! I can't wait to get started learning about it.

I'm going to update a bunch of photos and descriptions because...... this is supposed to be my journal/scrapbook...:)

These photos are of a bunch of us climbing the Sydney Harbor Bridge. 434 feet above the street and harbor below. It was so fun. It might be in my top 5 of the whole trip!!


The photos are the following friends and family.

Our Crew: Judy, Kori, Alyssa, Jessica, Wade, Chet Cox, Allison Shepherd (Coach Shep's wife), Barb Kruger (Coach Krug's wife) and some of the other coaches kids, Aubrey, Gentry and Bekah.

It's too late at night for a catchy title

It's about 100am here (800am yesterday in the US) We depart for home in a couple of hours. Depart hotel 400am. Depart Cairns 630am. 2.5 hours to Brisbane. 2.5 hour wait in Brisbane. 13 hours flight to LA. Customs. 2 hour wait in LA. 1 hour flight to Las Vegas.

Shoot me now.

Seriously though...I have so much to update and write about. But...I started this little post 2 hours ago and two computer reboots ago....so I'll uplaod some great stuff when I get home....glorious home...and my pookie, who I have missed so much it hurts.

See you in a couple of days!!

jlr