Another Trip to Sea World

At the Salt Lake airport on the way to San Diego. When is the flight going to leave ?

On the San Diego Trolley on the way to Sea World. A little Pizza makes the time go fast.

Finally - Where's Shamu ? Oh well, Aunt Melanie found a hat shop. Who needs whales when there are shops around ?

Sea World

Along with Shamu, the penguins, sea lions, seals, sharks, etc, a really interesting exhibit was the Manatee Rescue exhibit. Kaitlin now has a little Manatee stuffed animal she purchased. Way cute !























Trying to get up courage to pet the sting rays !


















Kaitlin just decided to go for it. Melanie just decided to watch.



















Waiting for the big show to begin. The night shows are really fun.

San Diego Stay

Breakfast in bed for Kaitlin. Someone could get spoiled . . . . but she brought her own rice krispies.

View from the room of the San Diego Marriott Resort and Marina.

The pool was a mere 23 stories down from this room shot. Just beyond the grounds is San Diego's Seaport Village. The girls had some fun there.

Heading home from the San Diego airport.

Driving and Soccer

Melanie took a Southwest flight early Saturday, Aug 8, to Seattle. Megan met her at the airport and they started the car journey with Kaitlin, Jake and Emily from Seattle to Salt Lake City. After overnighting in Boise, they pulled in early afternnon and the visit to Utah began. All survived the trip well as you can see from this photo.

Meanwhile, Jorja and her family invited me to go with them to a Real Salt Lake soccer game. We scored some excellent ADA seats and had a great time. Nice stadium . . . lots of fun.

Ben wanted to wrap up when the sun went behind the stadium wall.

San Diego - With Danelle and boys

Melanie, Danelle, Erik and Austin took a little weekend pre-school trip to San Diego to visit the beach and Sea World. Melanie snapped the pictures,but she really was there. Here is a family group photo of the lucky boys with Danelle.

Brothers enjoying the beach at La Jolla.

Danelle joins them in the surf (sort of)

Sea World San Diego

Austin and the birds.

Erik and Austin pose with a SeaWorld horse

The family and friends

Austin and Mom enjoying San Diego before the Dolphin performance.

Wei Yongle Comes to the USA

The Spirit of Utah national guide for China, Wei Yongle, a close and dear friend of all travelers on the three Spirit of Utah China trips, made his first trip to the United States the weekend of July 25th. Melanie and John met him as he arrived in Seattle, later joined by Al and Elsa and a whirlwind tour of places and events in the Seattle area began.

A visit to Pike's Place was followed by visits to the Museum of Flight, Seattle Center, Space Needle, floating bridges, a reception at the Bothell Ward building for Al and Kay Carlisle's 50th Anniversary. Sacrament Meeting in the Bothell Ward Sunday morning

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More visits through Sunday and Monday to the Asian Art Museum, China Town, Museum of Seattle History, Seattle Aquarium, Qwest and Safeco Fields, Seattle Waterfront, University of Washington, Microsoft Museum, a ferry ride to Bainbridge Island, etc, etc.

A reception for Wei was held Sunday afternoon at the home of Bob and Sandra Terry which was attended by the Seattle contingent of Spirit of Utah travelers. It was a wonderful visit with our good friend Wei.

SPIRIT OF UTAH

Melanie brought the "Spirit of Uath" bus sign from the 2007 China group trip.

John and his buddy Bill "Goose" Ellis.

Wei with Sue Titus. Wei proudly wore his Utah shirt. The purpose of the shirt was to signify Utah, the State, not the team.

Melanie with Jan Bean, family friend and ward member when Melanie was a mere teenager.

Hales Family Reunion - Raging Waters

Friday was Raging Waters fun. A favorite game was crossing the islands with the help of a rope net. Andrew was pretty good at getting across.















Tate loved going down the slide and then getting some more food to eat.

More fun with the ropes.


















Jen and Grace playing in the water.

Snickers the Clown

At the Hales Kids reunion, Snickers the Clown aka. Snickies made a visit to do some magic and tie some balloons for the little kids.

The cousins were in awe whiles Snickies performed his magic.

Each one got to choose his/her own ballon, color and shape from any type of animal or object they wished.

Here are the cousins who selected a parrot and a pirate eye patch.