Disneyland: more princesses than one man can handle

Michael's Birthday was Monday. Disneyland has a special that on your birthday you get in free. John (Mike's friend) is a little more than 50 and had never been to Disneyland. So off they went at 3am yesterday morning.

They were there a short while and had just exited the haunted house when the now 16, princess Emilee tried to pick him up, not to be left out princess Summer, princess Gracie and princess Rachael also got into the bit. Someone made a dollar. Rumor was that if Rachael could find Michael he'd give her a dollar coin, if they were in toon town it would double.

So John wouldn't feel left out they went to visit Princess Jasman where John had a princess all to himself.

At 4am this morning Michael came in and gave me a fright. I was expecting him but was sleeping pretty hard. After a few hours worth of sleep off to work he went. He said it was the longest day ever. He was back a sleep shortly after coming home from work. He did say they had a really good time and that he'd like to take me on my birthday. I told him only if we can get a hotel and some sleep , put our feet in the ocean the next day and then start home. I'm sure he'll add some more pictures and comments when he's more awake.

Michael at the pulpit

Part of Michael's new church job is speaking on the 3rd Sunday every month in a different ward in our area. Today it was Meridian Ward. Sometimes the time is during our church so I cann't attend, but then sometimes I can. We heard a rumor that he was going to mention Kathy today, so Kathy and I went together. The assigned topic today was family, prayer, and faith. He started out fine with business and other such information, and then his eyes got misty when he started to introduce the topic. He started by saying that during his ward's meeting the speaker reminded him that today was his father's, father's day. I saw him get misty then, but I didn't know that it would be part of his talk later. He talked about how thankful he was to Father in Heaven for giving him such a GREAT father. That he taught him many things, and that sometimes he catches himself using some of his dad's mannerisms and phrases. He misses dad alot. He talked about Kathy and the family that had tried so hard to have their own children and how their ward had fasted and prayed and how smoothly and how much comfort was felt on both sides. Every talk he gives he gets better and better, but seems to be how he is anyway. He becomes a better father with each passing year and a better husband. I am very thankful to your parents for bring him up so that he would become the man he is. One time I wrote your parents telling them so, I hope they remember.
Ginger

June Birthday Fun

June is a popular month for birthdays. Emilee on the 18th, Kathy on the 20th, and Michael on the 29th. With everyone coming and going so much on vacations and activities we threw them all together and had a slightly impromptu party, only 32 in attendance. It took 4 fire bugs to light the candles, even though Michael's cake only had 2 (we didn't need to invite the fire department too). It took hardly any time at all before everyone had cake and ice cream and the visiting could begin. About 9:30, early for most, we were back to just us. Hopefully everyone had a good time, I think the birthday kids did.

16!!!!!! Emilee's First Date!!!!!

Emilee turned 16 today. She had many happy birthday songs, babysat for Rachael, and then came home to get ready for her first date. The young man came to the door, knocked and came in to meet mom. No horn honking drive by. Mom took some pictures of the daughter and the date and then proceeded to discuss curfew. Mom followed daughter and date out to car. Took picture of car, license plate, date and daughter. I've learned that those Gillespie genes (jeans) can sure look good. Need info incase the date does not return daughter. So far this tactic has worked well for dates leaving from our house. Not so well when dates leave from the school, or friends houses. There's always a loop hole. Oh and by the way, this is the only date you go on where your mother gets to kiss your date goodbye.

Well we went and raced go carts, then over to bass pro shop to see the fishes, and bought some fudge, not fish flavored! Then over to Famous Daves for dinner, shared some fudge with our waitress, Famous Meagan and even got a candle on our dessert and funny money for a tip. all in all a good time was had by all!

I Want It All
-Gilbert's Musical Theater
Julia, Benjamin, Ashlynn and Mason were each in this production. Last week we had Gunner in the show, check out the White's blog for an awesome clip. Julia was an ugly stepsister in the Cinderella bit, a little too graceful I think, but great with her lines. Ben was Jay Leno. He was trying to be that serious boy, but he had a blast and all they could talk about on the way home was the friends they made and the fun they had. Over the years this has been a wonderful thing that our children have had the opportunity to participate in. I'm very grateful.

I'd like to thank Angela White
for inviting us

Dawn and Andrew for transporting
our children to and from

Angel's mom for letting me help a
little with some scenery

Cristal for being stage crew
while Mike and I were in
Las Vegas

Joan White for opening her home
to our family for dinner Saturday
between rehearsal and showtime

Trip to Las Vegas (no lost wages here)

Our trip to Las Vegas last weekend was pretty cool! Literally, the weather was perfect for napping, going to the temple, having dinner with friends, checking out the car/rocket dealership, swimming in the pool, checking out the new dam, and yes, that is Mike holding Mara and she is under 1 year old.
Just for information sake, if you travel directly to Las Vegas it takes about 6 hours, but if you swing thru Flagstaff and down hwy 89, it takes 10 hours and yes it was worth it to drop Emilee off at girl's camp. We did have one incident, thank goodness for our resident mechanic. He put an alternater on in Wickenburg, Sunday afternoon. We are really spoiled. Thank you dad for the use of the stuff. Sleeping in a real bed made all the difference for me. I feel like I want to be too old to sleep on the ground in a tent, but you know I will if need be. I'm always up for an adventure. We did drive down the strip in time to see the volcano go off, a bit of the pirate ships, and the fountains dancing to music. I still recomend the 6am stroll if you want to have Las Vegas to yourself. You can get all kinds of great pictures without all the tourists in them.