Cruisin' with the Chases

The week before Christmas we were able to take a week off from school and go on a cruise with the Chase family.

We Drove to LA to board the Carnival Paradise for 4 days/4 nights of fun and relaxation.

While at Catalina Island, Brent and Dennis was able to do a little parasailing. Lori stayed in the boat to take pictures. (Hey- someone had to sacrifice! lol) They sailed 1400 feet above the ocean.
LOOK MOM- NO HANDS!


In Mexico, we were able to see the blow hole. It was an amazing sight, but not as amazing as seeing 29 Chases running around wearing matching T-shirts. I think we freaked some people out!

It wasn't long before most of the ship knew about the Chase family.


Amber and Dennis were able to spend time with cousins that they don't get to see very often. They had a lot of fun, and loved the freedom of running off and doing stuff without parents hanging around. (Hey- they couldn't go to far- it's a ship!)

I think the boys ate our cruise cost within the first day. Teenage boys and 24 hour food service-ya! we got our moneys worth.

I think the best part was being able to have fun with family and not having to worry about food or activities, we were able to just enjoy being with each other- and we did!

Family reunion on a cruise ship- now that's a good thing!

4th of July Weekend

Brent's parents came up from Arizona to spend some time with their kids that have decided to live in states that you won't MELT in.

We were able to do some fun things. One day was spent shopping. Girls at girly stores and boys at- where else- Cabela's

On Friday we got together with Brent's brother and his family and spent the day around Monte Cristo biking, fishing, swimming, boating and four wheeling. Lots of fun! (And lots of sun- ouch!)

On the 4th we went swimming at Brent's brothers house, ate hamburgers and made homemade rootbeer (our 4th of July tradition). Afterwards we came back to our house to watch and set of fireworks. We are lucky enough to see the city's fireworks from our front yard. Little did we know that our neighbor was shooting off a better show than the city. No joke- probably $10,000 in fireworks. What a show!!!!

On Sunday after church we went to my Mom's house for a BBQ with the Miller side of the family. More hamburgers, more rootbeer, and more fun. I think the 4th of July is one of my favorite holidays because it encompasses the 4 F's: Family, Fun, Food, and Fireworks!

We hope everyone had a fun and safe 4th of July holiday. Thanks to the sacrifice and dedication of thousands of our fellow countrymen- we live in a free country! Please take the time to thank a soldier for their hard work and sacrifice on our behalves.

Thanks to my brother, Kerry (Army Master Sargeant), and to our friend and neighbor, Steve (F-16 pilot) for their tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan. WE LOVE YOU!!

High Adventure in MOAB!!!

Brent and Dennis spent 4 days biking and river rafting with the teachers quorum.

It is hard to believe that Dennis is 14, almost 15 years old. Where does the time go.

How do you like the shaggy hair. He went from straight hair to this kinky curly hair in about 3 months time. I think it is thanks to Uncle Loren.

I think Brent was more excited to go on the trip than Dennis. He has really taken a liking to biking.

Check out the white legs! BLINDING!!

Boys will be boys! You will notice that the leaders were right in the thick of it all.

River rafting on the Green River.

(left to right) Sergio, Mitch, Bro Nielsen, Aaron, Ryan, DENNIS (in green and white swim trunks), Bro Gertge, River, Connor, Bro Howard, Brock, BRENT (hiding in the back- red baseball cap), Corey. (On raft) Daniel and Josh.

Brisbane, Australia

WOW! What a treat to fly half way around the world to see such a beautiful country.

Welcome to Brisbane. This is a scene from the balcony of our hotel room. The huge Ferris wheel sits right in the middle of town on the banks of the river. It was beautiful to watch at anytime of day, but I loved when it was all lit up at night.

One of the first lessons with Carson was singing "The Ferris wheel goes round and round, round and round, round and round..." Next lesson was the circular hand movement to imitate the Ferris wheel movement. He had it down in no time!

Our first adventure was to Alma Park Zoo. It had rained all day, so when we arrived, there was no one else at the zoo. We started out in the kangaroo cage. It wasn't long before we were surrounded by the furry little creatures. We were afraid that Carson would freak out, ( since he does with any other animal) but he did great. But even with all the excitement of the roos, his favorite part of the zoo was the mud puddles.



Brisbane's City Cat is a boat system that takes you around the city. People use the City Cat just like we would a bus system. We traveled around the city and visited several parks including the botanical gardens. It was a shame that it was winter there and we had to endure the 75 degree weather.



How can you visit Australia without including the Australian Zoo- better known as Steve Irwin's Zoo.



Roos, roos, and more roos. They are so cute, cuddly and soft. I just wanted to pack one up and bring it home.



And who could go to the land down under without a view of the Koala. (For your education- they are not bears, and you get mean looks and quick correction if you call them bears!) But alas, a view was not enough, I had to touch. Meet Millie! She is 2 years old with soft fuzzy fur and sharp claws.



Steve Irwin's Zoo would not be complete without Crocs. These guys are big and mean. Many of these crocs would not be alive had they not been captured and saved by Steve Irwin. You wouldn't think that instructions would be necessary on how to stay safe around crocs, but dumb

people ruin it for the rest of us.

Crocs "could" get this big- if they were not hunted in the wild. Luckily for us, this one was just a model. Watch out Carson- I hear that little boys is one of their favorite treats.

One of the prettiest views from our hotel room was the Brisbane Temple. On our last day we visited the temple grounds and saw the beauty of the Lord's House.

You would like to say that everything about the trip was enjoyable, but 19 hours on a plane is just sick and wrong. But thanks to Star Trek technology, beaming will soon be available. Cricky Scotty! Beam me to the land down under!

Hi everyone I just wanted to tell you have my life as Amber Lee Chase has been flipped around. In May of 2008 I found out that I was pregnant. I went through a long 9 months carying my beautiful son. On Feburary 1 2009 I had a feeling like I was not the one that was going be taking care of him. On the 10th I started looking at profiles. I recives so many out whole living room filled with them. I got a profile from some people in my uncles ward. I just skimed through it and looked at the fun pictures. That night I knew that they were the family. When I went to bed I had a dream about the family that they were tell me about their family and all about them. The next morning I rush to grap their profile and I started reading. At the end of the profile I realized that my dream that I had had all the things in the profile. On the 16th the family found out that I was picking them. That week I was running around packing up all the babys stuff. On the 20th we had the face to face and I was not weird at all I felt like they were family. On 21st was the day I was placing. (I am in school right now so I am not giving lots of detail) Now I am blessed alot by doing what was right.

Lookin' Cool

Wow! Check out that family!