$$ Tour

Shawn and Kim had told us about the tour they had taken to the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. After hearing about it, Adam and I really wanted to go. We were able to witness how American currency is made. Security around this place was crazy as you can understand. As we pulled into the parking lot we heard over the PA system that we had to leave everything in our cars. They wouldn't let us bring any cameras or cell phones in with us! We entered a building and had to go through a security check point. Adam had to practically get undressed before they would let him in. :) After the security point they bused us to the building where the process actually took place. There are only two places in the Unites States where our currency is made and one was right there in Ft. Worth, Texas. The other is in Washington D.C., but it is a much smaller facility than Ft. Worth. There are 800 Federal Law Enforcement Officers guarding the facility at one time. When we entered the building, we were taken on a tour. They took us on the catwalks above the printing and processing equipment. The day we were there, they were printing $5's and $20's. Have you ever wondered why your money doesn't fall apart when it accidentally goes through the washing machine? We leaned that bills are not made with any paper at all. It consists of 80% cotton and 20% Linen. The facility prints 1.6 million dollars an hour. That is why they need all that security! The process was absolutely amazing! The kids loved it as much as Adam and I. They showed us how they print each sheet with specific numbers and in certain sequences so everything is accounted for. If there is a flaw in the process or the sheet gets jammed in some way, the process stops and every sheet is accounted for. They "somewhat" explained and showed us how they print so it's hard for people to counterfeit. Right now they print three different colors on each bill, but can print up to fourteen. Printed on every bill is the location of where is was made. If it is made in Ft. Worth, you will find a small FW on the bill. If it is made in Washington D.C., it will not have any distinguishing mark on it. They told us that the Ft. Worth facility is printing 67% of the United States currency right now. After the tour, we went into the visitors center and saw some really cool things and heard some amazing stories. We also went to the gift shop where we purchased an uncut sheet of $1 bills. Granted they do know how to make a few extra bucks. An uncut sheet of thirty-two $1 bills cost us $50. Crazy I know, but it is pretty cool! They told us that we could cut one out and spend it if we wanted. It was all legit because of the markings and numbers on the bill. If you ever have the chance to go to the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, we highly recommend it! The kids loved it and it was very educational!

There were about eight rows of chain link fence strung with razor wire along the top. The facility sits back in on the property so there is not a chance of getting out except their way!

After the tour, Shawn and Kim took us out to lunch at Joe T. Garcia's. This is one of our favorites! The atmosphere is amazing and so beautiful!

Cooking with Grandpa!

Grandpa Shawn had some fun activities to do with the kids while we were staying with them. First they made some yummy homemade bread. It was a really interesting recipe. You begin the process with a starter, and there is no yeast added to the dough. The dough mixture absorbs the yeast that is in the air. They also helped him make his amazing homemade beef jerky. This is definitely a family favorite! Shawn is awesome when it comes to having patience! He spent several hours in the kitchen helping and coaching the girls. The kids loved spending time with grandpa.


The bread was delicious!

Fun with Grandpa & Grandma

We have so much fun spending time with Shawn, Kim, and Logan. One of my favorite things to do with them is playing games around the kitchen table. It never fails that our game nights end with tears because of much laughter! We were fortunate to participate with them for their monthly family and friends FHE. Kim is a great host and went all out for the kids. After our Easter Lesson and dessert, Kim put together an Easter Egg hunt for the kids. Even the older kids got in to it! Anything for candy and money, right? ;) Shawn and Kim still live in the same ward Adam grew up in. He was excited to see so many friends and familiar faces. Adam was especially grateful to see a few of his Young Men's leaders and tell them what a difference they had made in his life. The girls loved going to primary in a different ward. Kaitlyn thought it was funny that the ward only had two primary classes, which meant she and Kourtney were in the same class. I am sure it only seemed strange to them, where we come from a ward of about 160 primary kids and about 12 classes (only in Utah). A little girl gave Kourtney and Kaitlyn a beautiful real Hawaiian Lia for visiting her ward. She was such a sweet little girl who was such a huge example to them about showing love and kindness. I think they will always remember that.

Ft. Worth Zoo

We must have had the same idea as everyone else this day. The Zoo was sooooo busy! According to the regulars that live in Texas, they have never seen it that busy! That would be just like us to go on such a busy day! The kids loved it besides the fact that it was so hot that day! I think the Ft. Worth Zoo is one of the best that we have been to. After seeing many of the exhibits, the heat won and the kids were done. Poor Kaitlyn was overheated. She was trying to be tough, but after finally making it to the parking lot, the tears of discomfort let loose. It was great to spend a fun day with family. Shawn, Kim, and Logan came with us, Caleb and Mubeen came with the kids, and Kali and Jay brought his little girl Cami. After the zoo, we went and experienced Babe's Fried Chicken. This place was very unique and VERY good. The menu items are: fried chicken or chicken fried steak. Then they give you all the sides, served homestyle. Definitely NOT for the dieters!!

Along the Route...

We knew that as we traveled we would have to stop along our route. Our first stop was about an hour outside of Moab. We drove around a bend and over a small hill to spot the Monticello, Utah LDS Temple. We took a small detour and jumped out for some pictures. It was quite cold and windy so we didn't stay long but it was so pretty! We also passed by Chimney Rock and Ship Rock. They were pretty impressive! Next we stopped off on the official old Route 66. The kids thought it was quite cool since they have seen it in the movie Cars! Once we made it to Texas, and our hotel, the kids had a blast swimming. Our kids have one rule, so they tell us. "Our hotel must have a swimming pool!" On our second day we stopped off at the famous "Big Texan" steak house in Amarillo. This place is know for the famous 72 oz steak. The challenge is it you can finish it within one hour it's free! I wished we could have witnessed someone try, but no one was up for the challenge that day.

4 states in 1day!

For Spring Break this year we decided to take our first 22 hour road trip to Texas. I have to say, preparing to leave made me worried. The longest road trip we have been on was 11 1/2 hours. This was practically double! I wasn't quite sure how the girls would handle it! Adam told me he was more worried about me than the girls. I wasn't quite sure what to think about that! We decided that we wanted to stop at every state line and snap a quick family picture! I was so glad that we did this! It broke up the ride and gave us many things to laugh about! This first picture of all of us was taken at 4:30 a.m. (in Utah) right before we loaded in the car to head out!

State line in Colorado. It was absolutely freezing! There were ice pellets hitting us from the side. I would love to know what the people that passed by were thinking? We received strange looks and a few horn honks! :)

New Mexico state line. We were literally in the middle of no where! This is the state we spent most of our day driving in. I was so anxious to see green grass and green trees!

Finally after 14 1/2 hours in the car, we made it to the Texas state line! We were getting closer! We still had 7 more hours in the car before me made it to our final destination. I was amazed at how well the kids traveled! It might have been a long drive, but it was a drive we will never forget! I have to say there are perks about driving instead of flying. For one, it is much cheaper! Also, the time spent together can never be done the same on an airplane. We had so much fun playing games, telling stories, and just being silly. We have many memories from this road trip we will never forget!

Hard Work Pays Off for Kaitlyn

Kaitlyn came home the other day and told me she had a surprise and some fabulous news! She pulled a coupon out of her back pack and handed it to me. It was a coupon for a new bike. She told me that her school drew one name for the "Read to Success Program" for a new bike and her name was the one drawn. The students are encouraged to read a certain amount of minutes every month, and if they do they get to put their name into a box for a drawing at the end of the year. Adam and I are always commenting on how we wished we had some of our children's luck. This is the second bike Kaitlyn has won in the past three years. If she keeps going like she is, she could keep us in an endless supply of bicycles. :) Makell is loving the hand-me downs! With her coupon she was told to go to Wal-Mart and pick a bike of her choice. Kaitlyn really got to see first hand that hard work pays off!