Keep on swimming...just keep swimming...

As the heat comes to the Desert, the girls welcome being able to jump in the pool for some friendly competition. It's friendly to Natalie ... Savannah on the other hand takes it a little more seriously! Wonder who she gets that from?

Spring Has Sprung

Our Spring Break couldn't have been any better...Grandma Gibb came to our house for 10 whole days and spoiled us with her presence. We were one of the last visits she made on her "Gibb Family Tour" following her retirement. Here is a list of events (not in any specific order).

March 29th, 2010 - Grandma Arrives

Rest and Relaxation

Swim Practices

Hike Indian Canyons
Keep Teenagers Happy

Easter Bunny Remembered Grandma too!

Overnight trip to Laguna Beach

Patience with Teenage Drivers

Kids off to school

Quite Talks and Hugs

Spring Cleaning

Stories and Piano
Impromptu Naps
Laughs and Hugs
Homemade Granola

Grandma Leaves for Oregon - April 8th, 2010

April 10th, 2010

The girls competed in their first swim meet. It was a very long day to say the least...7:30 am - 5:30 pm (and I thought baseball games were long). They had fun and learned alot and in the end that's what it's all about. Natalie was so excited to share with her Dad she had placed 3rd when Savannah called her out on there only being 3 people in her heat. You gotta love little sisters! LOL!!!

April 27th, 2010

Natalie had here 12th birthday! She was Happy with a trip to the Mall with her good friend. They browsed shops, got pedicures and ate dinner at Pat and Oscars. The Young Women in our church kidnapped Natalie and took her to Yogurt as a suprise. Good times!

April 29th, 2010

The whole family...I mean the whole Hampton Family (all 26 of us) headed to Conrad, Montana for Gramma B's 100th Birthday. We flew in with a snow storm and were stuck at Great Falls Airport until power lines were cleared from the road. Quite an experience for us Desert Rats... Once getting to Montana, we met up with more extended family and managed to book the entire Super 8 Motel. Our weekend was filled with lots of Berthelson Family time (good thing there is lots of us cause there's not a whole lot to do in Conrad, Montana). We were able to have a few good visits with Grandma B and loved every bit of seeing her anticipation for the Big Town Party in her behalf. There were many priceless moments spent together with family from near and far and we thoroughly enjoyed the serenity of Montana. Best of all was seeing the beauty in the eyes of our family Matriarch and sharing in her turn of a Century.

May 6th, 7th, 8th & 9th, 2010

Devin performed in the LaQuinta High School musical, "Suessical". Bright colors, fun music, and lots of talent were displayed by the cast. Devin was a Wilkersham Brother (monkey) and played the part perfectly. He ended the whole experience hungry for more!

In between all of that other non-sense we've been busy gardening, playing kick ball in the back yard, gather and selling eggs and getting ready for summer. It's been a great Spring all around and is really hard to believe another school year is almost behind us.

We've Got Eggs

Pretty exciting...we've started producing eggs! This is what Devin decided to do with the very first egg he found in the coop. He calls it, "Becoming one with his chickens".

2009 LaQuinta High School Winter Ball

Devin Hampton and Tori Mellard

Devin is Sixteen

I disagree with what Devin quoted throughout the day..."It's just another day". Our oldest son is now 16! It's a crazy feeling for us as parents. However, Devin has always been very mature for his age and he is more than ready to be 16, driving and dating. He got his drivers permit the end of December and will be eligible to get his license the end of June. He will be an expert on the road after driving an Excursion during his learning curve. We couldn't ask for a better example as the oldest in our family and it is really thrilling to watch him grow up. The family helped compile a book for his birthday listing all the great traits Devin has according to the ABC's. Here is a photo of him reading it.

Savannah's Ninth Birthday

Savannah celebrated her 9th birthday with a few freinds at home. The evening consisted of face painting, coloring contests and hula hoop. The highlight of the evening was a real live magic show! The girls tried their best to figure out the tricks (there were lots of giggles and squeels). It just so happens, every little girls favorite dinner is Dino Nuggets, Mac n' Cheese, and Orange Slices! Happy Birthday Savannah!

Picture France From Inside A Mini Cooper

We've walked all of Monaco that could possibly be walked and decided that since they only show movies in French we would spend our fifth day in Monaco inside a Mini Cooper driving to Canes, France. The inside of the Cooper was a little cramped and we were unable to get actual footage so I will paint a mental picture for you. A Mini Cooper isn't the most ideal vehicle for 3 full grown Americans especially one being 6'3". Our 4 passanger vehicle quickly turned to 3 passanger after Troy was uninimusly voted chofure for the day and moved his seat into driving position. I was given the front passanger seat after having a closterfobic spazz attach in the back and Sarah graciously shared what was left of the back seat with Devin while we went on our way. Due to the driving conditions here most vehicles are either missing their side mirrors or they are somewhat damaged. Let's just say the larger vehicle on the street always has the right of way and most streets look the size of a side walk.
While starting on our adventure Troy felt it was best to follow a local driver. I'm pretty sure we made it to the highest point overlooking Monaco. Despite the rain, it was a beautiful view and we continued on to Canes. Canes is well known for their film festivlas (so we hear). This particular day it was full of cold wind and alot of rain. Needless to say, we found some great shops and a dry warm pizzaria to have lunch. After being "Cooped" up for long enough and being unable to find a Starbucks for hot chocolate or carmel apple cider we retired to our rooms for another 6 hour nap thus ending our day. We're headed to Italy tomorrow for shopping and hopefully no rain...