California Adventure

 We were FIRST in line for the turnstiles! Unfortunately, Ben's MagicBand didn't work and as I ran off to the rope for RD, he was left yelling for me to come back with his ticket. I came back and all worked out fine, but Ben wasn't happy that I left him in the dust. I learned my lesson and stuck by his side the rest of the trip ;) We were at the front of the rope, but about 50 people still ran passed us as we raced to Radiator Springs Racers. It all worked out, thought.

So many people!

We rode Luigi twice- we love that ride!

Silly Swings

Toy Story Mania- I beat Ben by a lot. I also beat him twice on Webslingers, but he beat me by a ton on Buzz Lightyear over at DL.

We got these tacos at San Fransokyo and weren't impressed.

Grizzly River Run- we did this three times, and LOVED every minute. It may be our new favorite ride. I haven't laughed so hard in forever!

Soarin

Ben is in the back row of Incredicoaster. I wasn't willing to go on it with him, though he tried hard to get me to do it.

Spiderman does an awesome show!

We always get the crazy cones for lunch- yum!

This was my favorite food item of the whole trip- it was a mango/coconut/orange smoothie and it was amazing!

Pixar Parade- so cute!

Cars again- we rode it three times! Once at rope drop,and twice using single rider.

Ben loved the tiny fork at Pym's Kitchen- where we are supposed to be as small as ants so the food is greatly enlarged, and the utensils are very small

This was a blueberry mousse treat which was really yummy

This day could absolutely not have gone better. It was perfection!

Disney Adults!

While all the girls were at girls camp, Ben and I decided to take advantage and take a quick trip to Disneyland! We debated between DL and NYC, but because I went so WDW three times without Ben last year, he was really feeling the FOMO and wanted to go to Disney, so we did. We only had two days in the parks but it was incredible. We did 46 rides in two days! We went HARD for two days, and were thoroughly exhausted by the end. But it was absolutely perfect. The crowds weren't bad (6/10 at CA on Thursday, and 4/10 on Friday at DL). We ate lots of yummy food- before, in efforts to save money we ate outside the parks a lot, but now we are at a point where we'll pay for the fun foods inside the park.

On the flight.

We went and walked through Pixar Place. Maybe someday we will stay there- it is gorgeous after being newly refurbished.

A $17 shake in Downtown Disney. It was HUGE and delicious.

Up Hosue in Lego

Earl of Sandwich

Pixar Fest was happening, which didn't make a huge difference to us, but the decorations were fun, there was a cute Pixar parade, and some yummy Pixar treats.

We stayed at a new hotel, The Kings Inn. It was fine. Nothing fancy, but for a quick trip with just the two of us it was perfect.

Finished!

 Time to celebrate!!

My friend and colleague Kristen Anderson told me about a program to get graduate credits for teacher pay advancement that was super cheap and could be done relatively quickly. Most of you probably know teachers get paid based on their level of education. I already have a Masters and have no interest in getting a second Masters, or spending 30k to do so. I needed an additional 60 college credits to get to the second highest level of teacher pay. The highest level of pay requires a PhD, which I currently have no intention of persueing, so really it was a matter of getting those additional 60 credits.

With this program, it was a fraction of the cost, and would take as little or as much time as I wanted. So I got to work. It has been HARD! If you know me, you know there's something wrong with my DNA and I can't do anything half way. I went all in and I have been working my behind off to get these 60 credits completed. A lot of hours went into it (approximately a bajillion), but I finished 22 classes and 60 credit hours in about 3 months!

I learned a ton. I love teachers! I love the profession and all the research and strategies that we get to learn to best teach your kids. We are true professionals, just as much as doctors and engineers. Respect teachers! We are pretty awesome at what we do

If you're a teacher looking for lane advancement classes, reach out to me if you want more information. The 60 credits cost me about $3,500. Way better than 30k which the other programs I looked at were going to cost! It is definitely worth it. I'm so glad I did it, and mostly....I'm so glad it's DONE!

Now, summer break can really start for me!

HXP

 We are having great difficulty getting the pictures from HXP. Here's the few that we can get.

Audra said the Utah girls all dye their hair beach blonde. The scariest part was a gigantic terantula bigger than her head climbing behind them at dinner. She is extremely proud that she learned how to make cement- she keeps talking about that. She particularly liked a boy named Nathan. He had a crush on her, she on him. We lives in Windsor so maybe someday.

The van wasn't working for them to get to chruch, so they said a prayer, got outside to push it, and it immediately started and they were on their way

She's tired and dirty and a little sick, but she's HOME!

 She hasn't slept for 48 hours. She took 3 flights to get here. But it all worked out, and we have our girl back!

Softball

 We have made our first foray into softball as Camille wanted to give it a try. She's on a team with a ton of friends and she is really enjoying it. She got a hit! And has walked a couple of times, and last night scored her first run!

Letter To Home From Audra

I was very excited when that Title popped up in my inbox! On Monday, we finally got something from Audra herself saying how she is doing. Here's what she wrote:

Dear Family,

Hey! I'm so happy that you guys let me go on this trip. I have made some memories that will last a lifetime and had some incredible experiences. I have met really awesome people and have come closer to God. So thank you so much for providing this opportunity to me! Working at the worksite has been hard but incredible. every time I feel like giving up I remember how much God loves the children that will use this school and I keep working. I have also learned how to make cement which is pretty cool. I love how united everyone is. We are all working towards the same goal, so we share all of our successes

and losses. This trip has been very eventful and I have become closer to God because of it. We have been blessed to have so many miracles. I am so happy to have my checked bag, and that we were able to get the bus to work, that we have been well fed and always had a place to sleep and so much more. I have learned how much God is in my life and how much He loves me as an individual. I am so blessed to be able to see the strength of the Tamboril Ward. I don't understand anything that is said in sacrament meeting, but the spirit remains the same. Their testimonies are powerful and have helped strengthen me. I have so many stories to share with you guys.

I can't wait to see you again. I love you all so much! I'll be back soon.

Love,

Audra