Tippets Family Reunion

This summer we went to our Family Reunion!  We stayed at a Marriott inn at Thanksgiving Point in Utah.  What a great time!  Aunt Melene organized games, a luau, and lots of fun!  

More Summer Fun

My mom and dad came out earlier this summer.   JD and I took them to one of our favorite restaurants -- White Chocolate Grill.  We had dinner at home and then decided we needed to go out for dessert.  Here we are with 3 big desserts, chowing down!

Amy, Jason, JD and I went to see the X-Factor auditions.  We are waiting in line to get in.  Ironically, the show was taping at the Western Stock Show complex -- where we go to the rodeo.

Watching the X-Factor.  

JD's brother Trevor, wife Amy, and Ella came out for a Denver visit.  We are at my school for my last field day.  

Some Summer Fun

A few pictures from this summer so far...

My dad made this clock from scratch for us!  It is beautiful!  JD and dad are almost done setting it up here.

Our niece, Hailey, has no fear of critters.  She caught a craw-dad and I actually held it for a second or two.

All the kids went to Grandma's house.  Here is Staci and Shana modeling Grandma's gloves.

This bush is a monster!  At Grandma and Grandpa's house.  Lot's of wonderful memories there!  

Here are the grandkids -- just us four.  We love Grandpa!  Staci, Amy, me (ugh -- not my best pic), Aaron and of course, great-granddaughter Gia.

The four kids and one in-law -- Shana.  In Grandma and Grandpa's backyard.  

JD's sister Amy and the kids -- Cicily, Crespin and Simon.  We all met up to go to "The Enchanted Forest" theme park in Washington. I remember going there as a girl.  

Ciciy's a princess and a performer!

Little man Crespin.

Exciting rides all-day-long!

We like the Long Horns.

Greeley Stampede

4th of July with Amy's family

Our first garden and our very first pumpkin flower!

Dental Convention, New Orleans

JD had a dental convention in New Orleans in April.  We had never been before, so we thought it would be fun to go together.  We were there for just a quick, long weekend.

Our first night in NO.  This was a restaurant on Bourbon Street, not far from our hotel.
Bourbon Street wasn't really for us.  With that said, this was the best food we had
all weekend -- right here!

NOLA (which somebody had to tell me stood for New Oreleans, LA).  Anyway, NOLA
is known for their "Beignets" which is fried, sweet dough with a whole lot
of powdered sugar on them.  The word is French -- it sounds like "ben" and "yay".  Here we
 are at Beignet cafe that was on the Food Network. Yummy!

We rode a steam-powered paddle boat on the Mississippi River.

As a gal who seems to be geographically challenged, I had no idea that New Orleans was on
the Mississippi River.  You could walk right up to it!  It was beautiful!

 Most people are buried above the ground in these tombs -- family tombs with lots of people inside.  It floods a lot here, so this was the way it had to be for many years.

JD eating a "Po'Boy"  sandwich (as in "poor" and "boy").  JD said it was named this because it pretty much is a sandwich that you can put anything in it -- your left-overs.  Hence its name.  This was going to make us "poor" -- it cost $15.   Maybe that's why JD looks a little mortified in the pic.

Our paddle boat on the Mississippi.  It is named Natchez.  Rhymes with Matches.  That's the only way I know how to say it!

The Astor Hotel on Canal Street

Mardi Gras beads hanging from the tree in the Sculpture Garden

Sculpture Garden in NOLA City Park

Spring Break 2013

We decided to head off to Disneyland for Spring Break.  We stayed at a Day's Inn just 3/4 of a mile from the entrance.  We woke up each morning at 6:30, grabbed breakfast, walked to the park, and proceeded to wait in line for a half hour -- just so we could take advantage of every minute.  If you know us, we are NOT morning people and we NEVER wake up early.  Somehow we did for this trip...  We spent 3 whole days at Disneyland and California Adventure.  

California Screamin' roller coaster.  It propels you from a dead stop right here to start the ride.  It was awesome!

                                                                             

I wonder who's his dentist?

Riding on Splash Mountain. I can't put my arms up -- ever!

Keep pulling JD!  In Toon-town.

We do love Disneyland -- but I think I like California Adventure even more!   (I am intrigued with the kid behind JD...)

Always looking to promote good oral hygiene!  

Sad to say, but we can no longer ride the giant swings.  Too much spinning.

The ferris wheel

The baskets in the middle do their own swinging as it goes around.  It's a lot more "violent" than you'd think.
They even had "seasickness" bags in the basket for guests' convenience.

Car's Land!  Fun, fun ride.   Long, long wait.

It's hard to tell by the look on my face, but I love this ride -- California Screamin'.  I always have to hold onto JD's harness -- I like to be close to him when I am a little freaked out!

This was the Indian Jones' Ride.  I think we rode it about 15 times, honestly.

                                           

Weekend with (most of) the family

Staci, Kurt, Kennedy, Delaney, Avery and Carson came to visit us in February!  We met up with Amy, Jason, and the kids each day to hang out and do stuff together!  It was so fun!

Okay, this was from the weekend before, but JD and I went to "Saucy's" for Valentine's Day!  I have always wanted a heart-shaped pizza!

Skate City!

Eating at Johnny Rockets!

Laney and Kennedy were just learning how to skate.  The cousins really helped them!  (I love Kennedy's enthusiasm in this picture!)

Who knew that My Little Ponies had magnets in their hooves??

A Denver attraction -- Casa Bonita!   Yummy sopapias. 

Great parents -- my sister and Kurt

And a pinata at Casa Bonita.