Spring Break 2010

I just had to get a picture of this...how cute..nothing like a brother.

Zane wouldn't pet the huge lizard thing but he wasn't afraid of the tortoise.

This was so cool..they gave you carrots to feed the giraffes.

Can't get any closer to a zebra..we learned they are very mean.

This was CRAZY..but a great show. So glad no one got eaten while we were there!

This guy almost had his foot taken off!

I think Lions can jump higher than these fences..the boys enjoyed walking around.

Here's "Boom Boom" he's 38 yrs old and stayed in this spot all day.

Swimming on Wednesday.

Zane saying "look mom, no hands!"

Claire loved it and had no fear..scary!

LOVE this picture. After this she spilled the drink in the pool..aggh!
Trenton got to go on this jump thing at Desert Ridge. He loved it.
Claire got into Natalie's markers, and all her headbands around her neck.

This years Spring Break wasn't as spectacular as years past but we still managed to get in a couple fun things during the week we had no school. I decided I would take the boys to Out of Africa in Camp Verde. We have wanted to go there for awhile now but always thought of something else to do, I mean have you been to Camp Verde? There isn't a whole lot..but after going to this place I have to say I was impressed. It was pretty good. I enjoyed the safari ride on this big open bus and the boys enjoyed seeing many exotic animals, especially "Boom Boom" the Rhino. I guess he was saved by Marc Echo of Echo clothing as he was sold for a "canned" hunt and he paid double to free him and now he lives in Camp Verde! The Tiger splash show was awesome and I am shocked at how these people interact with these wild animals..can anyone say Siegfried and Roy?

Then we were going to go to Vegas for a night but changed our mind at the last second and decided to go to Gilbert to swim at my parents clubhouse that they have in their neighborhood in Val Vista Lakes. It was great and the kids had a good time. My Dad is gone to Italy to guide Melissa and Natalie's Dad from Japan and his girlfriend Yuko around. So, I think my mom enjoyed the company. We had to come back Thursday night so Melissa could leave at 4 a.m. for her speech and debate tournament down in Phoenix. She is still there and will be home tonight, hope she did well. The snow is melting fast and the weather is so nice..hallelujah! Finally, SPRING is here!

Happy Anniversary

March 15, 2001 San Diego Temple

The girls were so little then.

At our reception luncheon in La Jolla, California

Today is my 9th wedding anniversary. Nothing really big but I wanted to post a little something. We take turns planning our anniversaries and valentines days. This year is his and the big 10 next year will be mine. I kinda like that so then it's not always one persons responsibility. I am hoping to do something big next year like a cruise or trip somewhere..hopefully our financial status will be better. I am so blessed to have found someone as wonderful as my husband Brian, (thanks Audra!) He is truly an amazing father to all of our children. He is a good provider and is trying hard to build his business. He is a lot of fun and loves to wrestle and play with the kids. He enjoys taking them fun places and recently took them all to Peter Piper Pizza while Melissa and I had a day together. He is caring and has a sweet spirit. He never says a bad thing about anyone...and I mean ANYONE! He always takes the high road. He has a strong testimony of the Gospel and had been doing so much better with reading the scriptures and having family prayer. I am soooo truly blessed to have him as the leader of our family and to know that we will be eternally together. I love you Brian, Happy Anniversary!! ( oh, and you better have planned something fun or romantic!) ha ha..

State Cheer Competition 2010 & Feelin' Crafty

Melissa (the flyer) in her "all girls stunt"

Group huddle before going out..she is the little one.

She is the flyer in the middle with no guy back spotting. (Nice Crotch shot..sorry!)
Melissa 2nd from right. (another great shot!)
Her stunt group..aren't they cute?

Visiting the "Lundell's" (Brian's sister's family) G-pa Ron is in background..still recovering.

Cousin's playing non-stop. The weather was sooo nice..no snow! Yeah!

The girls stunting Zane..he'd make a great flyer, he's so small.

FHS Varsity Cheer..Melissa front row with knees wrong way.

Some of my recent banners.

I think we are gonna do one like this for Craft Night.

Last weekend we took a trip down to phoenix to watch Melissa compete with her Flagstaff High Varsity cheer team. They decided this year to compete in the smaller varsity group so they wouldn't have to go against "Cactus Shadows"(they win every year..seriously amazing team) anyways, they competed and came in second place and got another trophy for best sportsmanship. They got that last year too. She also competed with her little stunt group in "all girls" and they came in 10th outta 19th... you can view her videos on my Facebook page. I am so impressed with their team and how well they did. Melissa has put in many, many hours of work and dedication to her cheer team for the past 3 years. I am so proud of her accomplishments and hope that she will cherish these times throughout her life. Go EAGLES!

On another note, I have been feeling crafty lately and have been practicing these banners for our next "craft night". I got a Cricut machine from my sweet husband a couple years ago and lately I have been obsessed, ignoring my other duties like feeding children lunch and doing laundry etc..All I wanna do is CREATE! I better put my priorities in check! P.S. Brian, you don't need to get me a birthday present cuz' I kinda went shopping for Cricut cartridges on Ebay!

uh-oh...

Pinewood Derby

Trenton and Natalie showing off his car.

Racing his BFF Garrett.

The girls were there to support.

My friends son's car that featured Steve Nash from the Phoenix Suns.

Trenton and Brian before the race.

Trenton's 1st Pinewood Derby was last Thursday night. He was so excited and worked on his car with Brian for a week or more. They actually got online and printed stuff out on tricks to make your car faster. They got help from a neighbor with the graphite and weighing it, which most likely helped him do so well in the race. He came in 4th but if you ask him, he says I shoulda been 3rd! He has really enjoyed being in boy scouts and I think he is learning a lot. I hope he continues to do well in it and someday will get his Eagle Scout.

Presidents Day Polar Bear Arizona Tournament

My sister Janay and my baby girl Claire.

My mom and Natalie, Claire, and Zane.

My brother Ryan with Melissa and Natalie.

My Grandpa and his wife June with the girls.

All of us at my parents house.

Jared playing on the Tri-Valley Blue Devils out of the S. F bay area

Jake posing for a picture.

The cousins at Red Lobster after the winning game.. notice Zane under the table.

Showing their medals in front of my parents house.

After the win..so emotional!

This past weekend we went down to the Valley to see my sister and her family. Her boys were in a tournament and played other teams from all over the U.S. and Canada. It was so exciting to watch them play the sport they have been doing since birth. They are both very good players and I was amazed at how rough the sport is..especially with Jake's team. They are 13 and 14 years old but some of them are as big as grown men! When I say it was exciting to watch that is an understatement. Both teams were undefeated the entire tournament and then it came down to the championship where Jake's team was playing a team from a town near Calgary, Alberta, Canada. I took one look at the goalie(about 200 lbs.) and thought that's it.. they are not gonna beat these guys. After all Hockey is in those Canadians DNA right? Well, it was a pretty stressful game and they were up 1 to 0 then 2 to 0 and I was thinking,"this might happen" My nephew Jake scored the 3rd goal and during the last few minutes of the game, the other team scored 2 right in a row..so if it wasn't for Jakes goal..it would've been tied and gone into a "shoot out" So, he made the winning goal and won the Championship. I was so so so excited. Tears came to my eyes as I saw those boys throw off their helmets and run and hug each other lifting Jake into the air. It brings tears to my eyes just typing this recollection. Although Jared's team didn't win the final game ( the Canadians from Vancouver won), I was extremely proud of them both and felt honored to see them play. I love my sister and her family so much and am so thankful for them in my life. There is nothing like the bond that sisters share. I hope that we will be able to share more moments like we did this weekend. Congratulations Jake!

Trenton's baptism

At the baptismal font

Trenton and his family

Trenton was baptized on February 6, 2010 by his father, my wonderful husband Brian. It was truly a wonderful occasion and many people were there who truly care for him and his family. Brian's brother and sisters family came and all their kids. It was a great time and so fun for all the cousins to be together. They all enjoyed some fun "snow time" and we enjoyed all hanging out together. The baptism was on Saturday at 10 am. Trenton was so excited and when we got to the church Brian and Trenton went to get ready right away. I went to set up our room where we would all be meeting afterwards. It was a very intimate setting as Trenton was the only child from our ward getting baptized that day. He was dressed all in white and entered the waters of Baptism. When Brian said the words... and in the name of Jesus Christ, I felt such a warm and peaceful feeling. I was assured that my son was making a righteous decision in his life. Then while they were changing we all went in our room and I had everyone write down on a little card (that would later be put into a book) their messages to Trenton on this special day. Then Trenton came in looking so spiffy in his suit coat and tie and we all watched the video his sister Natalie had made for him compiling many pictures of him with beautiful music. It truly brought tears to my eyes as I realized even more how fast they grow up. Then Grandma Debbie gave an awesome talk on the Holy Ghost. I now it was special for him because he too had tears in his eyes. The Spirit was truly amazing. Thank You to all who made the journey and were able to come. We are so thankful. It is a day I'm sure he will always remember.

Our house is somewhere behind all that snow.

Crazy!

Love this picture of Claire..reminds me of myself whenI was little.

Emmie's birthday celebration..so fun and such a sweet family.

Brian kissing Miley's hand. So cute!

I'm learning.

This month was crazy snow so I wanted to document it for my journaling and throw in some extra pictures. I am really hoping to put all these into a book soon. I am so thankful I started this blog because when my computer crashed I knew I still had ones on my blog. As I sit here now writing this I can hear the snow melting off the roof and it gives me hope that someday we might have a ground in the back and front to run around on. I really hate the snow. It makes my car so nasty dirty and then when I pick up Trenton from karate I have to put a towel down on the car or my carpets would be black. Makes me think I should of got black carpets just for that reason. I hate driving in it at night because all the melting snow turns to ice after sunset. There are many more reasons why I hate it but enough of that. I have a crazy week this week with Trenton's baptism around the corner and I have New Beginnings at church for Young Women tomorrow night and Preschool here at my house again on Thurs. I love my life, I really do..I just need a vacation! Then I think of my sister in law who is caring for my father n law who has been ill with a horrible infection after he fell off a ladder and then his fracture blisters got infected and he almost lost his leg and his life. I know it is a daily sacrifice to care for him and it is difficult to be all to everyone. I have hope that things will improve and that our Father in Heaven only puts things in front of us to make us grow and learn...I'm learning.