Annular Eclipse in Cedar City, May 2012

A rare annular eclipse - a ring of sunlight as the new moon, passing between Earth and sun, blocks most, but not all, of the sun's disc. It is striking to see. Differing from a total solar eclipse, the moon in an annular eclipse appears too small to cover the sun completely, leaving a ring of fire effect around the moon. The eclipse cast its shallow path crossing the West from west Texas to Oregon then arcing across the northern Pacific Ocean to Tokyo, Japan. (Taken from Boston.com) Another one won't be visible until 2023.

Chris and Amanda talked us in to coming down to see the annular eclipse.  It was to be the best shot from Cedar City to St. George.  In fact, the sweet spot to see in Utah was Kanarraville, just a couple miles south of Cedar City.  It did not disappoint.  What an exciting thing to see.

 We had to have special glasses to view it.

This is what we saw when it reached its climax.

It was totally awesome, dude!  Then just a couple of weeks after that we had a partial lunar eclipse.  Then on June 5, was another seismic solar event.  We witnessed the Transit of Venus. The planet Venus transitted between the Earth and the Sun. The planet appeared as a small disc passing over the Sun's surface. This is the last transit of Venus during the 21st century, with the next transit occurring in the year 2117.  This is what it looked like (Curt, Grandma Kjar, and I watched it from about 4:30 p.m. to sunset).  It was awesome!

It was just a teeny, dot crossing the face of the sun.  We had to use our special glasses that we bought for the eclipse to view it.  Here's another picture.

Cool stuff happening this year . . . .

Jayleigh and me (and Pompa, too, of course!)

 Mother's Day weekend, Curt and I tended Jayleigh for Lacey and Landon while they celebrated their 5th anniversary in Las Vegas.  We had a grand time.  We went to the park . . .

She's a brave little girl.

 We pushed her baby in the stroller . . .

 She played on our swings . . .

 We visited the great grandmas . . .

And, she got to climb in Pompa's bus.  She is so good to play all by herself.  She also spent hours playing with the Little People and their house, dolls, phones, purses, etc., etc.  We had a great time.  She even went to church with us on Sunday.  She decided she didn't want to try the nursery, though.

Hugs for Mother's Day 2012

Since the Larsen's aren't in Utah anymore, Cashelle had all the kids make me giant hugs for Mother's Day.  It was so cute.

 These two pictures are with all four of the kids hugging me at the same time.

 So cute.

 We had Jayleigh that weekend while Landon and Lacey were celebrating their anniversary in Las Vegas, so we took pictures of each one of the kids hugging her.  This one is Madalynn.

This one is Spencer.

Audrey giving Jayleigh a hug.

Last but not least, Thomas.

That was such a cute, loving, memorable Mother's Day gift.  Thanks for all your hard work, kids!

A. J.'s Summerlin Half Marathon in Las Vegas 2012

 A. J. did a Half Marathon in April.  I just don't know how he does it.  A.J., we are so proud of you!  Cashelle completed one in June--so proud of her, too!  Here we are waiting at the finish line. 

 Audrey made the cutest sign for him.

 Here he comes!!!

 And there he goes! (With the girls running behind--so cute!)

 Happy family at the finish line.  Hey, where's Audrey?  I can see her feet.  She is hiding behind Madalynn.  Sorry, Audrey!

A.J.'s medal.

 Now, for the yummy stuff.  We went to the Excaliber buffet for lunch.  It was so good.

 Had to stop and visit one of Curt's favorites, Pawn Stars.  We tried to talk him in to going inside, but he wouldn't wait in line.  Spencer had been so tired and quiet all morning.  I asked Curt what he could take in to pawn--and he said "You, of course!"  We were all laughing and Spencer piped up all of a sudden and said, "Yah, Grandpa.  Pawn Gammy!"  and then he giggled.

 Here we are waiting for the Bellagio water show.  A.J., you were such a good sport.  After running 13 miles in the morning, we dragged him all over Las Vegas.

There she blows!

After we got back to the hotel (Earlier, we had been all over the place.  Spencer said he wanted to go to the hotel with beds, lol.  He was so tired), A.J. took the boys and put them and himself to bed.  Curt, Cashelle, Madalynn, Audrey, and I ventured down to see the Titanic Exhibit.  It was fascinating!  We saw a replica of the Grand Staircase (they wouldn't let you take pictures inside), a large piece of the Titanic, an iceberg, plus many, many artifacts.  There was one display made from an actual photograph that showed the dishes in a perfect line--three lines to be exact.  They figure the cupboard resting on the ocean floor had eventually disintegrated and left the plates in perfect lines.  When you went in, they gave you a name to follow through the exhibit.  At the end, you got to find out whether that person had lived or died.  Of course, Cashelle, Madalynn, Audrey, and I got females.  When they got to Curt, she said, "Oh, you need a male name."  Curt said, "Well we know I didn't make it!"  After it was over, you can actually see it in the photo, there was a bulletin board where you could write a note.  Audrey wrote the cutest note, saying how the people were so brave. And then at the end she wrote, "God bless you."  It was so cute.  We had a wonderful time in Vegas with the Larsen's.  Can't wait to see them when Curt and I go visit this summer.

Easter 2012

 First came the egg coloring.  Carter and Cody had some help coloring the eggs.

 When we were writing names on the eggs, Carter grabbed a pencil and stuck it right in the middle of the egg.  What a silly kid.

 After all the treats were hidden, the kids were anxiously waiting at the door to go claim their finds.

 Wow, Cody, you have a whole sack full!

 Now, it's time to roll!

 Sweet Grandma watching the festivities from the car.

 Now, that's a load of eggs!

 The Easter Bunny arrived.

Had to get a picture of Carter with his sunglasses.  Lol.