Alexander

On May 26th, 2012 Alexander Joseph Kulpinski was baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Brian baptized him and Lonnie confirmed him where he received the gift of the Holy Ghost. There were many people in attendance including many of his family and ours. It was a beautiful baptism and the spirit was felt strongly. I know he has made a decision that will bless his life tremendously and I am grateful to know such a wonderful young man. Melissa and Alex have been dating almost 2 years and  have endured a whole year at different universities and remained as strong as ever. He applied to BYU and was accepted so they will be going to school together in the fall. I wish them both continued success in their studies and relationship.

My sweet little boy

Zane working on his homework

being a cutie at the counter

last night for his birthday celebration

my favorite picture of the two of us

That title is so perfect for my youngest son Zane who shares a birthday with me today. I remember when I was due to have him and my doctor said I could choose any day during this certain time frame and one of them was my birthday April 6. I chose to have him on that day because I couldn't think of a better gift than a brand new sweet baby boy. He has been a very special gift and a complete blessing to our family. He is a "little guy" and actually looks more like he's turning 5 rather than 7 but he will hopefully catch up someday and if not thats ok too because in my eyes he is perfect. He has such a tender spirit and has an amazing ability to know when I need a hug from him. He loves to cuddle with me which I try to do as much as possible! He's a great reader and very smart. He hates cleaning his room or any other mess he's made, so he is kinda lazy. Most of all he loves video games and can literally play them all day and all night. (thanks Brian for that gene mishap) I love him with all my heart. I am so glad that we get to always share our birthdays together. Happy 7th Birthday Zane Allen Campbell!

Trenton lately

Trenton going for the ball. they placed 2nd in this tournament and then 2 weeks later played these guys again and beat them!

a little tired and disappointed I think

Thats him with his cheesy grin

I made him this dragon cake (dragons must be genetic) ha ha

his nose... we thought it was broken, thank goodness not

this note says.... Dad, I love you. Everyday you make me smile. I'm happy I get to spend my life with you. I love you so much and you make my life better.

...
I know I haven't blogged much lately and the only one asking about why I haven't is my mom. I'm sure she is the only one who reads it, which is fine. I have some recent pictures of Trenton so I am going to make this post about him. He turned 10 in January and I never posted his cake that he asked for at he last minute or about his recent soccer adventures or almost breaking his nose at school playing football. Also his cute letter he wrote to Brian on Valentines day. I got one from Zane who brought it to my bedside at 2:30 in the morning with a dollar bill in it that he had gotten from the tooth fairy. (cute) Trenton has been so busy lately with soccer. We have a tournament in Vegas coming up soon. He's also been on Brian's case to get his pinewood derby car completed and with science fair projects due soon he has been the focus lately. He's a great kid and so full of life. I am enjoying watching him grow and develop. I LOVE YOU TRENTON!

San Francisco Jan. 2012

starting our day on the cable cars

in China town where I had an interesting conversation with a homeless man

My sister and I at Lombard st. ( famous curvy street)

my sister and Brian hanging onto to the cable car

I've never seen an In n Out like this before.

Brian in front of a store for Melissa!

Sea lions at Pier 39 ( a must see)

Funny

Jared and Jake , my cute nephews...don't smile!

The Muir Woods, these trees were amazingly tall.

Brian and I inside a tree that had caught fire.

This store in Sausalito had the strangest candies and gum, including ranch and bacon flavored dental floss!
The Golden Gate Bridge

I thought this sign was interesting considering so many people commit suicide here.

We were able to use some vouchers that we had been given by Brian's mom Debbie ( our flights to LA to connect to a flight to Israel that we never ended up going on because Brian's mom had a heart attack a few days before we were to leave. Thank Goodness she is ok now) The tickets were going to expire on Jan. 26 so we decided instead of getting each other Christmas presents this year we'd just take a trip together. We left on a Thurs. evening out of Flagstaff and connected in Phoenix. We were met in Oakland by my sister Janay and her 2 boys Jake and Jared. She works in downtown San Francisco at the federal building, which we were not able to get a tour of because of all the protesters. (thank you lame people who look like unemployed hippy bums who have nothing else to do but protest.) Se took us to the ferry building and with cable car passes we went all over the city and enjoyed all the important locations. The weather was perfect and our lunch at famous "Scoma's" was too. The next day she drove us over the San Rafael bridge and we saw "San Quentin" from the bridge.... went to the Muir Woods which I had never been to before and it was free because of MLK holiday. (thank you Mr. King) We enjoyed lunch in Sausalito, such a quaint little town and Brian and the boys got to watch the football game while we were there. We took a drive over the Golden Gate bridge and then got to walk back on it a ways while Janay and Jake sat in the car. The parking was ridiculous with none to be had. We spent Sunday quietly at her house which was good because the weather was miserable. Thank goodness we did all our sightseeing the 2 days before. We had a great time and enjoyed every minute. Thank you Janay for taking us allover the city and for giving up your bedroom for us to sleep in. Also, Thank you to all those friends who took our kids for the weekend. I know it wasn't easy, especially my good friends who kept our little Claire ( the handful) ha ha...now I will look forward to the trip we got for Christmas from the McCleves to Branson, MO.

New Year "catch up"

Brian's Grandpa, Steven Read Campbell an amazing loving man.

Lacey and Jordan Montiereth Dec 27, 2011

Alex at the winners table. He was in the top 8! (awesome prizes)

Our 10 year old son Trenton.. where has the time gone?

We had a nice Christmas at my parents home in Gilbert this year, with barely enough time to breathe we were off that night in a rental van to California to make it to Brian's Grandpa's funeral the next morning. We had a nice time seeing all the relatives and participating in the service. The cemetery was beautiful and brought back memories of when I was a child driving by it. (Rose Hills) It has grown into it's own city. Then the next day was Brian's sisters wedding at the San Diego Temple where Brian and I were married. It was a perfect day and she was a beautiful bride. We enjoyed spending time with Kathy and Carolyn, Brian's aunts and being together with Carrie and Mason, Brian's sister and her husband. Then it was back to Gilbert to ring in the new year at The Checks annual casino night party which was just as fun as last year. They definitely know how to throw a party. Thanks guys! Then Trenton just turned 10 and we had a couple of his friends over for a low key celebration. Life has been so busy and hectic lately I surely hope this isn't a sign of whats to be this year. Life is good...sigh!

My attitude of Gratitude

This could have been me

I wanted to document this event that recently happened in my life and my complete attitude of gratitude. I had left the house at the beginning of a snow storm to go into town to purchase some things to decorate the church for our ward Christmas party. I had gotten about 5 miles from home and an RV began to brake in front of me. I slowed down and watched it veer into the left lane to miss the semi in front of it making a flat bed truck that was in that lane try to go diagonally between me and the semi. It skid sideways and smashed its back end into the semi but managed to keep going off the road into the snow. I was terrified and looked into my rear view mirror only to see a semi coming at me and sliding around as it was trying to brake. The person driving that semi truck saved my life by going into the lane next to me and rolled their truck into the embankment. I could hear cars crashing behind him as I slowly went around the semi in front of me and proceeded to call 911. I then went to town but was so shaken up turned right around to head home knowing the freeway would be closing and sure enough the west bound lanes were dead stand still. I sat there for about 20 min and then decided to drive illegally in the emergency lane to the next exit "Flagstaff Ranch Rd" I was able to go down the road a bit and get back on after whatever accident was blocking both lanes. The snow was so heavy I had to drive about 15 mph. There were more accidents causing the highway to close for 8 hours. I think about how close I was to possibly being hurt or killed and because I was being watched over and protected I am still here to be a wife, mother, sister, daughter, and friend. I am having Christmas and able to hug my children and tell them how much I love them. I have so much gratitude for the way it turned out and I will forever be thankful to my Heavenly Father. I Love my family so much and hope that they will never have to be without me until I am old and gray!

more Halloween and Veterans Day

pumpkin carving time

Zane working hard and Claire having fun too

My little "heartless zombie" is all tuckered out!

Trenton's loot and Claire already diggin' in

Natalie wearing Trenton's mask

Trenton singing a song to the veterans

reciting part of his poem

Trenton posing with a veteran from the vietnam war

Here are some more pictures from Halloween this year of the kids. I haven't been the best with pictures lately as it seems every camera I have gets broken by me. I don'y know why I just can't seem to take care of it probably because I just throw it in my purse and it gets all beat up in there. I wonder if I had one of those great big beautiful Canons or Nikons if I would cherish it more and take excellent care of it? This past week was Veterans Day and Trentons class put on a program for our Veterans. His teacher this year was also Melissa's teacher in the 6th grade and this is her last year teaching. She spends weeks having the kids write to veterans and invites them to the program. It was so special to attend this event and be reminded of how much has been and is being sacrificed for our benefit. There were songs sung and poems read and a beautiful slide show with music. All of the forces were represented in uniforms and even some wounded veterans. Of course I cried through the whole thing! I couldn't even hold it together as Trenton as a boy scout carried in the flag and we all stood to sing our national anthem. I have such a special place in my heart for veterans, my own grandfathers who served our country and for my mothers father who died on Iwo Jima as a marine doing his duty when she was only 4 years old. I am blessed to live in this country and have all the freedoms I have. Thank you veterans one and all! Happy Veterans Day!