Final adventures

We were SO very blessed to enjoy a final, few adventures over the last year before Keaton's big departure day. 

I can't think of anything in life as wonderful as spending time with my family. 

There are just a few things that are absolutely essential to check off the list early in life . . .

Pose as Sasquatch

Create your own totem pole

Fake a really great happy face for every ride mom begs you to ride

Score 25 open-ended fast passes just because the cast member was impressed with how nice you all were as you waited in a little line.

Strike a random pose for the fun of it

Accept an invitation for a "free smoothie" and find yourselves starring in Fear Factor Orlando! Poor Landon wasn't old enough and was so disappointed. I do not know why! It was much worse than this picture might lead you to believe.

Win!

Take a picture with your champion "I ate a bug" mug and dinky water bottle while the poor kid in the background gets situated.
(I was SO going to frame this picture!)

Offer to allow your dear friends a turn to drink out of the now invaluable momento

Show-off your syncronized walking that you've spent years perfecting
(Wearing matching All Blacks shirts was a nice touch. Sadly, Jake was going to Brazil and didn't have an All Blacks jersey but he got the walking thing down really fast!)

Try to establish yourself as king beast

Use positive peer pressure to get your friends to skip an "important educational function" and go with you to the Houston Zoo - even in the rain

Enjoy every missionary moment with the best elders in THE Mission (Texas Houston East!)
I wish I could post all of the pictures because they're all wonderful elders.

Accept an inviation to play in a jeep for your 19th birthday just before you leave. Thanks Bishop Gross!! 

He will never forget having so much fun on his birthday!

At last, his VISA arrived just in time!

He read all the little details

Made a couple of calls to let the family know it was really happening and it was time to pack.