karaoke, fireworks, & coney island.

One of the questions that was asked to the youth last Sunday at church during a Sunday school lesson was, "What things can we do to make a family happy?"

One thing that makes my kids happy is family time. Not necessessarily always spending money to go on trips, but just simply being together and bonding with one another. Perhaps having dinner together, playing games, just talking.

Being members of the LDS church we set aside one night a week in which we have family home evening to have a spiritual lesson in the home, and/or just venture out as a family to do something fun.

We have been very fortunate to be able to do all of the above and then some. Being on a budget (especially with Jon currently out of work) is trying for me because I love going on family trips. We've gone on small vacations, the shore, and various trips around New England. 

We even try to go the temple with the girls to do baptisms for the dead. They have kept their recommends renewed every year so they can be able to do that with their dad. That's been a tradition for them ever since Sierra turned 12, and as much as we love the temple we also make room for fun!! 

This past weekend we decided to splurge a little, and go to Coney Island where my husband and I rode the Cyclone for the first time. The girls had already been on it numerous times, but this time I was unafraid and rode this nostalgic, wooden roller coaster, and it was fun!! The last time I rode on a roller coaster was back in 1997 in Las Vegas. They had just opened up New York, New York casino and it was great! It felt so good hollering as we dove down. I had tears from giggling so hard, but boy was it fun! 

This day trip was literally the best because we spent all day here. We left Coney Island as soon as the  fireworks ended. The girls took advantage of every single ride including the Boardwalk Flight which freaked me out by seeing my girls high up in the air swinging back and forth from a harness. I seriously thought they were going to hit the railed fence! 

These girls are fearless!

This was Noah's first time getting on the kiddie rides, and Chelsea was there to guide him through just as Lexie was when Chelsea was Noah's age! I got a little bit of deja vu for a moment watching him.  Noah really enjoyed all the rides, and he felt so safe being surrounded by his sisters on certain rides that he felt were still too big for him!

He was 18 months old the last time we were here, and I think his favorite part was eating Nathan's hot dogs. The time spent with family is precious and nowadays priceless! In all honesty there are moments when we question ourselves and say, "do they really need to get on that ride" or "should we really go on this trip" , and "can we really afford this."  

The answer is yes, yes, and yes! 

Why? 

Because they grow up way too quick, and because I didn't even do half of the things they are doing while I was a youth. Especially with Sierra heading off to college, and doesn't have the mentality of "I'm too cool to hang out with family attitude" we are loving this time together. The best part of the evening was listening to her do karaoke singing "Sunday Morning". That was fun!  

So with all that being written here is a taste of our day in Coney Island.  

I count my blessings for being able to go on trips with our kids without going hungry! It's so important to do even the simplest things as a family. Whether it's going for walk, riding down the bike trail, going for a drive, or an extragavant vacation to an exotic island (which we haven't done...yet). 

Building these memories with our kids is something that I hope will be treasured enough that one day they will sit down with their own children to tell them stories of us. Stories of their grandpa, and abuela always going on trips when they probably shouldn't! Building love and happiness in our children is important, and that's all that matters in a family.

The ad from the LDS church couldn't have said it any better...

Family...isn't it about time.   

It always is in the Jorgensen household! 

Have a great week y'all!