Philip and Jaime Connor

Heather is here for a visit. It is always fun to have her come to stay for a few days. We went down to New Orleans yesterday to check out the historic city. It was the first time there for both of us and we were excited to see some of the famous sites. Our first stop was to Cafe de Monde to get a beignet. Cafe de Monde has been around since 1862 and was the original French Market coffee stand. It is a New Orleans landmark, and offers the original beignet, which is the state doughnut of Louisiana. You can watch them make them at the side window. They roll out the dough, cut them into squares, toss them into hot oil until golden brown and then put them into a bag full of powdered sugar. Yummy! Jocelyn and her beignet. Caleb, taking a big bite. While the rest of us scarfed ours, Chase took his time and savored every tasty bit. Heather enjoying her treat. They even sell a box mix so you can make them at home. I bought some to make on Christmas morning. I thought that would be fu

My parents came down to visit us for a few weeks and it was wonderful to have them here. With Phil gone, I have been on my own and it was so nice to have some help and some adult conversation. We didn't really do anything while they were here except for a nice trip to the temple. We just hung out around the house and it was so great. The kids loved having their grandparents at their beck and call and I appreciated the break. Mom and Dad planned their visit so that they would be here for Halloween. This year it was on a Sunday, so on Saturday I dressed the kids in their costumes and they went to a Fall Festival at the church followed by trick or treating around to the different classrooms. Then we headed to the mall and went trick or treating to all of the stores there. The kids had a lot of fun and I was glad to have Mom and Dad their to help me herd them along. Dad and Chase sitting together on the couch. They were so cute together and would sit like this and converse.

While we were on our way home from our vacation to Utah this summer, we had the opportunity to stop in Wyoming and visit my lovely sister Sandra and her adorable family. One of the activities we did was to go and visit Independence Rock. I have always enjoyed going to Independence Rock. I am a huge lover of history and Independence Rock is one of the great pioneer historical sites in Wyoming. The rock was an important landmark for the pioneers coming West as it lies directly along the route of the pioneer trails and that emigrant wagon parties bound for Utah, Oregon or California, which usually left the Missouri River in the early spring, attempted to reach the rock by July 4, in order to reach their destinations before the first mountain snowfalls. During the period of westward emigration on the trail (from 1843 to 1869), it was common for emigrants to carve their names in the granite rock, especially near the summit. Other emigrants left behind messages, sometimes for parties b

We recently went on a trip to Utah to attend my best friend's sealing and to visit family. It is a long drive from here to there, so we tried to plan fun things to do along the way there and back again . . . hmm that sounds familiar. Anyway, we passed through a bunch of states on the trip and thought it would be fun to take pictures at each of the state signs. The only one we missed was Louisiana. Probably because it was the first, and we hadn't cemented the plan in our heads yet. That one I added through an internet pic. Louisiana was the 18th state admitted to the Union. Louisiana's motto is "Union, Justice and Confidence" and it is known as the Bayou State. The coolest thing about driving through Louisiana is that some of the freeways are built right on top of rivers or bayous. We tried to get a good picture, but there was no place to pull off and we were going too fast so again I turned to the net and found this. Next we went through Texas. We were g

Months have passed, and so much has happened, and I am lazy and am not going to go into it all. It sufficeth me to say that the Connor family has left Hawaii and have moved to the South. The South you say? Yes, the deep, deep South, Mississippi to be exact. We are right here on the Gulf Coast. The land of oil spills and hurricanes. We have really stepped in it this time haven't we? It is hot here, and humid, but despite it all, we have found enjoyment in our surroundings and are having a great time. When you are a military family, moving is part of the whole package. We have moved and moved often in our ten years of Navy life. The trick is to determine before hand that you are going to like . . . where ever it is that they send you. You really don't have much of a choice in the matter to be honest. You need to be able to find positive and fun things to do in all places, because there really are great things everywhere. We are living on base at the Construction Batt

One of the fun things Phil and I did on our anniversary trip was to go para-sailing. It was so much fun! We went early in the morning and even saw a whale while we were out on the water. It was a definite highlight on a vacation of highs. It is so nice to be married to my best friend. We have such a great time together! On the boat Buckling the harness Hooked up and ready to go Take off! Up in the sky. So much fun. The view was fantastic! Taking a dunk. Coming down Landing Two thumbs way up!

Here are some pics from our anniversary week. Phil's parents came out to Hawaii to visit and watch our kiddos for us while we spent a few days down on Waikiki Beach. We had such a fantastic time! One of the great things we were able to do with Phil's parents was to rent a boat at the Marine Corps Base and take them out into Kaneohe Bay. There is a sandbar out there in the middle of the bay and you can anchor your boat to it and walk around. It is very cool. The kids on the boat all ready to set sail...or whatever Oh captain, my captain! Phil and Squishy on the sandbar Joslyn had fun swimming with the aid of her life jacket. Grandmother, Granddad and Nathan hunting for coral Cool cat My turn to snuggle the Squishy Friend Nathan was feeling cold on the way back, so he made like a turtle and tried to crawl into his life jacket. Joslyn fell asleep on the way back to the marina using the boat rail as a pillow. Chase also fell asleep on the way back, but he looks more comfortabl