'4th' Tag

This is the 4th photo in my 4th folder in my 4th folder (we have lots of folders so I just kept picking the 4th one). Its my brother, Dan, holding Audree with my mom giving her a kiss. We are in San Diego for some fun before my parents moved to AZ. My sis-in-law, Sandy, is in the background.

E.R.

Ethan had his first emergency room visit last weekend. I knew he would be destined for an e.r. trip before his third birthday. He can be so crazy. I don't even think that he walks anymore, he is always running. His new favorite thing it to wrestle with his dad. So he ran into one of our dinning room chairs, they have arms on the head and foot chairs. He smacked right into the arm of the chair and flew back. I watched it happen! The noise was so loud I jumped up (I was still in my chair). We had some family over for dinner and the table was pushed out a little farther than he is used to so when he ran by there was no hope. He hit right on his brow bone and ripped open his eyelid. He was such a trooper though. luckily it was almost bedtime so we packed him in the car with a bottle and Audree went home with my parents (thanks guys, your the best). He only cried for a minute or two. They doctor put some topical anesthetic on for about an hour. In that time he had fallen asleep. Yay! He slept right through the stitches. Taking them out was the hard part. The poor little guy. I guess his skin started to grow over the stitches and they had to pull the skin back out. He sat there still as could be and when they were done he turned to me and said 'that really hurt me'. The scar is almost gone now and it is barely noticeable. Ethan makes me nervous a lot. He is so crazy and has cheated death too many times before! and he is not yet three years old! Boys! They are nuts!

in the e.r. waiting room

waiting for the doctor

fell asleep waiting for the anesthetic

right after they ripped of the tape from his eyelid

a few days later (during a nap) his eye turned every color under the sun

taking them out!

Happy and Terrified!

Many prayers have been answered with the passing of prop 8 in The Golden State and prop 102 in Sunshine State. YAY! I was so worried about what this prop could do to our church, and just that it was an issue again after we already voted for it as prop 14 years ago! Anyway, happy happy happy for the sanctity of marriage to be confirmed in our state constitutions!

But lo, what sudden darkness veils the skies! Really America?!? Obama!? I know a few of my fellow LDS friends who support this nonsense! I am afraid for the future. I know that some people just want change, because they think Bush has done a terrible job presiding over this great nation of ours, (I don't) but we need GOOD change, not just ANY change! Obama is for 'live abortion'. If you don't know what that is look it up(www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=51121 ). I cannot believe that an LDS person can have a clean conscience and vote for this!!! Health Care problems will not fixed by making it mandatory. Bringing our troops home under his plan will, I am convinced, lead to a 3rd world war. Redistributing wealth will not solve personal debt problems. Stem cell research. So many jobs will be lost to over seas workers. He is not even proud to be an American...All of these issues and many more are signs of the times. The time is nearer than we think. But when I think of the Second coming I am glad. I pray for the end to be soon every night, so I guess I did pray for Obama, I guess I can't be too upset, even though I did not vote for him.

I think it was my brother, Dan, who gave me a wonderful solution. We should all move to Mexico and demand free health care, food, and education. May God bless America, now more than ever.

Sunday Fun

I have been testing my skills as a seamstress, and I love this dress I finished for Audree. It is a shimery gold fabric. I am proud to say that Audree loved it too. She was so happy to pose for me for a few picture memories. Ethan looks all grown up in his little suit!
It was Audree's idea to have this red flower in the picture.

Vacation

We finally made a trip to California. I went with my mom and my kids. Friday was my cousin, Bobby's, wedding. The ceremony was beautiful and my first wedding in the Newport Beach Temple (many thanks to Suzanna for watching my kids). Then of course we had to do the Disneyland thing and go to the beach. Disneyland was so much fun, a perfect day, but the beach was really cold. It was actually nice to cool off a little. We watched a line of sailboats pass which the kids thought was fun, then we started on the long trip home.



Ethan is in the front and Audree is in the middle behind him.

the new place

We have been asked for a quick tour of our new place, so here it is. I dont think the pictures do it justice, because it is so much cuter in person! you should come and see for yourself! I dont have any friends yet out here. It's a good thing I have such a cool family to hang out with.
This pic is from our front door looking to the street at our little park, which we go to often. this is the whole house. It is a corner lot.

I love the semi-circle covered doorway. It's cozy.

This is right inside the front door. Fun arches.

Next is the living room. I want to paint this wall where the tv is some kind of neutral beige color.
Then the dining area and kitchen and a half bath.

The stairs are right inside the front door.

The upstairs is open to the first floor. This is the view from the small loft. There are three bedrooms and two full baths upstairs. One room is our office for Clarks work and my sewing stuff and Mary Kay stuff. The kids share the other (below) I love the beach theme. I hope we can paint some of these sterile walls soon.

This is a cross stitch that I made while I was pregnant with Audree. I didn't know that I was having a girl when I started it, so i am glad that it worked out nice that I picked the girl picture and not the boy one. I also have a cute picture of Audree picking up shells at the beach that looks very similar to this. I want to blow it up and put it in her room...someday.

more kids room

My room still has boxes in it, so I will not be embarassing myself with pictures of it, but maybe when it is done I will. There is also a nice sized laundry room upstairs with lots of shelves. I feel very spoiled in this house. I love it! Maybe I will love it a little less when we get our electric bill. I have to run the a/c 24 hours a day. It is too hot here. People were not made to live in the desert! but I will endure for a season and then really enjoy the winter.

I would love a visitor! Anyone is welcome to stay here and visit anytime.

quarter century

In the morning I will be 25 years old, or young... I am not quite sure if this is the year that I will grow up, but I hope not. I am so greatful and I feel so blessed to have the family that do. I love being a mom. I enjoy learning and growing with my kids. Though some may say I started too young, I only hope my future happy, grown kids can say they are glad I did. They are so close to my heart and soul. I cannot picture life without them. I feel like this is what I was born to do, and I am so blessed that I get to do it! With all of my imperfections I feel unconditioal love from my husband and children. I am thankful for my testimony of the gospel of Chirst. I feel unwaivering devotion to my personal witness of Jesus Christ and Joseph Smith. I know for sure of the truthfulness of the Church of Jesus Christ of LatterDay Saints, and I am greatful for that knowledge and the strength it gives me. My husband and these wonderful kids are mine forever! I think 25 is going to be a great year!

My mom and Audree saying goodbye.
The classroom on the first day. Audree is front and center in the pink shirt.

School!!

Yikes! Audree started school yesterday! (Clark took the camera to work, but I will post pictures as soon as I can) Kindergarten is a full day out here. She is at school from 8 am to 3 pm everyday! Yesterday I had a great, overdue cleaning day and I think I will get a nap today, but I am worried that I will get really bored and miss her so much by the end of the week. She is loving it though. I knew that she was ready for the social interaction and she loves making new friends. I just hope that she doesn't cut me out of her life too much yet. Kids grow up too fast! Maybe its time for another...

93/200

Here's what you do: copy the list, and then bold the things you have done. I'm 93/200. I guess I need to do some more exciting things. Next thing on my to do list: Grand Canyon!

1. Touched an iceberg
2. Slept under the stars
3. Been a part of a hockey fight
4. Changed a baby’s diaper
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Swam with wild dolphins
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a tarantula
10. Said “I love you” and meant it
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Stayed up all night long and watched the sun rise
15. Seen the Northern Lights
16. Gone to a huge sports game
17. Walked the stairs to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown and eaten your own vegetables
19. Looked up at the night sky through a telescope
20. Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Bet on a winning horse
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Taken an ice cold bath
28. Had a meaningful conversation with a beggar
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Ridden a roller coaster
31. Hit a home run
32. Danced like a fool and not cared who was looking
33. Adopted an accent for fun
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Felt very happy about your life, even for just a moment
36. Loved your job 90% of the time
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Watched wild whales
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Gone on a midnight walk on the beach
41. Gone sky diving
42. Visited Ireland
43. Ever bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited India
45. Bench-pressed your own weight
46. Milked a cow
47. Alphabetized your personal files
48. Ever worn a superhero costume
49. Sung karaoke
50. Lounged around in bed all day
51. Gone scuba diving
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Done something you should regret, but don’t
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Been in a movie
60. Gone without food for 3 days
61. Made cookies from scratch
62. Won first prize in a costume contest
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Been in a combat zone
65. Spoken more than one language fluently
66. Gotten into a fight while attempting to defend someone
67. Bounced a check
68. Read - and understood - your credit report
69. Recently bought and played with a favorite childhood toy
70. Found out something significant that your ancestors did
71. Called or written your Congress person
72. Picked up and moved to another city to just start over
73. Walked the Golden Gate Bridge
74. Helped an animal give birth
75. Been fired or laid off from a job
76. Won money
77. Broken a bone
78. Ridden a motorcycle (only on the back..)
79. Driven any land vehicle at a speed of greater than 100 mph
80. Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon
81. Slept through an entire flight: takeoff, flight, and landing
82. Taken a canoe trip that lasted more than 2 days
83. Eaten sushi
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read The Bible cover to cover
86. Changed someone’s mind about something you care deeply about
87. Gotten someone fired for their actions
88. Gone back to school
89. Changed your name (last name)
90. Caught a fly in the air with your bare hands
91. Eaten fried green tomatoes
92. Read The Iliad
93. Taught yourself an art from scratch (not so good at it though)
94. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
95. Apologized to someone years after inflicting the hurt
96. Communicated with someone without sharing a common spoken language
97. Been elected to public office
98. Thought to yourself that you’re living your dream
99. Had to put someone you love into hospice care
100. Sold your own artwork to someone who didn’t know you
101. Had a booth at a street fair
102. Dyed your hair
103. Been a DJ
104. Rocked a baby to sleep
105. Dropped a cat from a high place to see if it really lands on all fours
106. Raked your carpet
107. Brought out the best in people
108. Brought out the worst in people
109. Worn a mood ring
110. Ridden a horse
111. Carved an animal from a piece of wood or bar of soap
112. Cooked a dish where four people asked for the recipe
113. Buried a child
114. Gone to a Broadway (or equivalent to your country) play
115. Been inside the pyramids
116. Shot a basketball into a basket
117. Danced at a disco
118. Played in a band
119. Shot a bird
120. Gone to an arboretum
121. Tutored someone
122. Ridden a train
123. Brought an old fad back into style
124. Eaten caviar
125. Let a salesman talk you into something you didn’t need
126. Ridden a giraffe or elephant
127. Published a book
128. Pieced a quilt
129. Lived in an historic place
130. Acted in a play or performed on a stage
131. Asked for a raise
132. Made a hole-in-one ( only mini golf)
133. Gone deep sea fishing
134. Gone roller skating
135. Run a marathon
136. Learned to surf
137. Invented something
138. Flown first class
139. Spent the night in a 5-star luxury suite
140. Flown in a helicopter
141. Visited Africa
142. Sang a solo
143. Gone spelunking
144. Learned how to take a compliment
145. Written a love-story
146. Seen Michelangelo’s David
147. Had your portrait painted
148. Written a fan letter
149. Spent the night in something haunted
150. Owned a St. Bernard or Great Dane
151. Ran away
152. Learned to juggle
153. Been a boss
154. Sat on a jury
155. Lied about your weight
156. Gone on a diet
157. Found an arrowhead or a gold nugget
158. Written a poem
159. Carried your lunch in a lunchbox
160. Gotten food poisoning
161. Gone on a service, humanitarian or religious mission
162. Hiked the Grand Canyon
163. Sat on a park bench and fed the ducks
164. Gone to the opera
165. Gotten a letter from someone famous
166. Worn knickers
167. Ridden in a limousine
168. Attended the Olympics
169. Can hula or waltz
170. Read a half dozen Nancy Drew or Hardy Boys books
171. Been stuck in an elevator
172. Had a revelatory dream
173. Thought you might crash in an airplane
174. Had a song dedicated to you on the radio or at a concert
175. Saved someone’s life (my crazy children...more than once)
176. Eaten raw whale
177. Know how to tat, smock or do needlepoint
178. Laughed till your side hurt
179. Straddled the equator
180. Taken a photograph of something other than people that is worth framing
181. Gone to a Shakespeare Festival
182. Sent a message in a bottle
183. Spent the night in a hostel
184. Been a cashier
185. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
186. Joined a union
187. Donated blood or plasma
188. Built a campfire
189. Kept a blog
190. Had hives
191. Worn custom made shoes or boots
192. Made a PowerPoint presentation
193. Taken a Hunter’s Safety Course
194. Served at a soup kitchen
195. Conquered the Rubik’s cube
196. Know CPR
197. Ridden in or owned a convertible
198. Found a long lost friend
199. Helped solve a crime
200. Responded to a NJP newsletter

I tag everone who reads this!

Bobby's Fiance

While on our recent trip to California, Stefanie and I went to the closing night of Joey and Bobby Mascio's play "Nine Ways to Kill Mrs. Robinson". The show was fantastic ...their shows always are, but as a special treat, we were fortunate to be first in our family to learn about Bobby's recent engagement to Amy. At the end of the show, Ron had Amy go up on stage so he could make a public annoucement to the audience. We are so happy for them. Congratulations Bobby and Amy.

Cake, Camping, pink hair

My moms birthday was the 20th. We had a little party at her house and I smooshed the cake in her face kinda on accident, kinda not, but then she got me back...good fun. I rubbed my chocolate face on Audree, but she didn't think it was so funny, she cried.

Father and Sons! Clark was able to take Ethan this year with my brother-in-law, Geoff, to the ward Priesthood recognition camp or what ever they are calling it now. Here is their tent.

Ethan liked the fire.

My favorite boys, camping!

This pic is random, but fun. I gave my niece, Lucy, pink hair! She loved it!

Gardening

Clark has been building these big planter boxes to go in the backyard for gardening. He has worked so hard and they turned out great! Soon we will have carrots, cucumber, melons, peaches, oranges, green beans, strawberries, spinach, tomatoes, cantelope! I hope it will be fun for the kids to help us weed and water. I know it will be good to teach them about the earth. Plant a garden and watch it grow

We hope to paint the brick so it will be the same color as the wall.

Sunshine! and Peach Festival

Audree is in a singing and dancing group called Sunshine Generation and she was in her first performance last weekend at the Peach Festival. She did pretty well for her first time on stage.

After Audree's singing and dancing we had a great time playing at the fair and picking yummy peaches! I was so glad that my dad came! The hayride to the orchard with blue ice stained all over the kids mouths!

Ethan had a great time picking up all the peaches off of the ground

Grandpa picked us some good peaches!

Yumm!

This cactus is ready for the prayer.








My sis and her baby. (yes Geoff has a gun)










Me and Ethan. (yes Clark has a gun, too













Clark, Ethan and Rosco. Geoff and Clark had lots of fun shooting cacti with their little guns. This is a little trail in Gold Canyon.

There were too many bugs and rocks on this trail, so next time we will take another trail. At least we had fun being with our family.