Jo & Mom's trip to San Diego

Jo and Jed took their 3 little ones and mom on a family vacation to Sea World and San Diego. They left Springville on Sunday, 9/9 and came home Saturday, 9/15. Just a few of the fun pictures and memories they created.

Reese running on the beach practicing her "10" movie premier. She loves that the sand sticks to her.

JoJo and my cute niece Reese
Reese is a natural fish. She is so happy to be in the waves. The blue water matches her crystal blue eyes...

Jed, Cy, Mom, Reese, Gage at a 4-D movie in San Diego's Sea World.

Alamosa revisited

More pictures from Alamosa, CO. This was Tuesday, 8/27/07. We just came back from seeing the Colorado Gators and were starving. We went to an Alamosa original - some Mexican restaurant. Lots of yummy food. Rebecca and Mary-Gail were watching us eat, so we decided to see if they were interested in eating...

Me feeding Rebecca a piece of ice. Mary-Gail would rather suck on her toes.
Auntie JoJo trying with a piece of ice
This is why I LOVE the morning time! Look at that big smile!
Mom and Mary-Gail during feeding time in our hotel room

Blackbaud and friends

Back: Stefanie, ME

Front: Chanel, Ashley & Rebecca, Cynthia & Mary-Gail, LeAnn

I couldn't leave Charleston without stopping in to say Hello to my former co-workers. Of the 3 years we lived in Charleston, 2 were spent working at Blackbaud. Re-living the "work hard, play hard" attitude was invigorating. As soon as I crossed the threshold, I felt like I needed to administer the Wonderlic test to new candidates and coordinate on-site interview trips, etc. Wow! Just breathe! Friends I love and miss from a former life...

Good-bye Charleston

Sunday night was a very restless sleep for me. I had felt this way once before - right before we decided to move back to Utah: The decision to move home was not easy - I loved Charleston. The history, the culture, the church members, Tony's family, but things worked out for us in ways we never thought possible. I couldn't believe that our trip was over - only 2 days to play and feel at home. Funny how one place could feel so comfortable, and another place - nearly 2,500 miles away, can feel the same.

We went to Gail's work to say good-bye to her. Jack took her to work, so we were lucky to see him and say good-bye to him too. Instantly we were surrounded by Gail's co-workers who were so gleeful to see the girls. They said Gail posted pictures of Rebecca & Mary-Gail on her office door, and each time we sent a new picture, Gail would move the older pictures down, and put the most recent at the top of her door. Apparently, Gail's whole office door was plastered with Rebecca & Mary-Gail (and their many wires and monitors and oxygen cannula's). These ladies were so sweet too. They just praised the girls and the Good Lord for watching over them and blessing them with miracles.

Gail announced to her co-workers that she was a new Great-Grandma and proudly showed off her 3-week old great-grand baby to them. Jada was oblivious as she was sleeping soundly. Here are some pics of our last few hours in Charleston.

Wow! 2 new grandbabies & 1 new great-grandbaby in less than 9 months!
Rebecca looking @ Grandpa. Mary-Gail wonders where her bottle is
Grandma mimicking Rebecca's coo's
Sweet Mary-Gail sucks her thumb as Grandma tackles two-at-a-time

(Welcome to my world!)
Tickle-tickle Grandpa

Babies galore!

Jack & Rebecca; Gail & Mary-Gail; Calli, Avery & Jada
Calli, Avery, and 3 week old Jada
Tony getting used to the idea that he's a grandpa (and a new dad at the same time!)
"Paw-Paw" Tony
Gail "loving up" Mary-Gail

Lots and Lots of Kisses

More pictures of Charleston

Sunday afternoon at the Charleston Pier...

Rebecca wants to sleep, but there is too much going on

Tired little girls

Our 3 week old grandbaby, Jada Neaveh Kemp

The ocean breeze finally put Rebecca to sleep
Precious Baby Rebecca
Mary-Gail loves being held by her daddy.

Just as happy as can be!!

Leaving the pier - some silly Captain Morgan pose

Sunday summer fun

Sunday was a great day for us. We went to Stake Conference and were able to see most of our friends from our old ward.

After church we headed downtown to the Market. We ate at Bubba Gumps, then went to the Market to search for deals from local vendors.

Lovey w/our babies, Calli & Avery & Jada

Waiting for our table at Bubbas

Lovey is in charge of all the babies (he's hung Jada's car seat on the double stroller)

Local artisian making the famous sweetgrass baskets

We bought the girls shirts. Mary-Gail is eating hers

"Carolina Girl...best in the world"

After that we headed to the Charleston Pier to swing on the swings. It was a beautiful day, and the breeze we felt at the pier was so inviting.

Charleston Pier with several large porch swings under each pavillion

Waterfront park

Kemp Kuties - Lovey w/Rebecca (asleep), Mary-Gail, and me

Avery & Calli

We rushed back to North Charleston for supper at Pat & Kim's. Pat grilled chicken breast, Kim made a green salad with dried cranberries (my favorite), and baked potatoes and rolls. Yummy! But best of all, Kim made a dessert that my mouth still waters over. I have to get that recipe!!

We said our goodbyes and then headed back to the hotel to pack. Our vacation was at a close...

Cook out @ Kim's

Last night we headed to Pat & Kim's for a summer cook out. We asked Kim if we could have some of the church members over for supper and without hesitation Kim obliged. Pat grilled hamburgers and hot dogs, Kim made several side dishes, and some of the ward members brought dessert. Lots of good food, lots of fun people - we had a great night! Most thankfully though, Tony & I were so happy to have Avery & Ali there with us.

Kemp Klan - where's Mary-Gail? (She's eating - don't bother her!) :)

Back: Kim w/Brella, Calli, Avery, Pat w/Jesse

Front: Dalton, Me, Lovey w/Jada, Ali w/Rebecca

Kaitlin Thornton feeding and tending to Mary-Gail

Big sister, Ali, feeding Rebecca

Lovey relaxing. Avery tending to Jada

Avery playing with Savannah

More IOP beach fun

Aunt Kim w/Rebecca
Aunt Kim & Me talking

Grandpa holding Brella (1 yr) & Mary-Gail

Calli, Avery, & baby Jada (3 weeks)

Avery & Calli walking to the ocean

Grandma snapping pictures of Pat digging holes for the kids

IOP Beach

Tony & I changed the girls into their 'cute and pettite' bathing suits. Mom got them at the dollar store - can you believe that? We lathered on the spf 50 sun screen (did you know that sun screen takes up to 30 minutes after being applied to start protecting you from uv A & B rays?) and gathered up our gear. We met Avery & Calli at the van, gave lots of kisses to Jada, and headed to the beach. Jack & Gail (Tony's mom & Dad); Pat & Kim (Tony's brother & sis-in-law) and their 3 kids: Dalton 5yrs, Jesse 3yrs, Brella (Lilly Gabriella) 1yr; were already at the beach.

Kim, in her usual fashion, had everything already set up: shade umbrella, 4 lawn chairs, skid boards & beach towels out. Pat was using his shovel to dig water holes for the kids to play in. It was low tide, but there were several large tidal pools that we played in.

Avery & Calli left Jada with us and walked to the ocean for a quick toe-touch. Jada was sleeping soundly, just like a 3-week old baby should. Mary-Gail & Rebecca kept squinting with the bright sun and cool ocean breeze. Here is me & Lovey with the girls in one of the tidal pools. Let the girls explore these new sensations...



Tony w/Mary-Gail; me w/Rebecca



Mary-Gail loves the water! look at her tongue :)