The Burningham Family

Visitors at Springtime

2011-04-07T11:21:00.005-07:00

I LOVE SPRING! And I love my family, so when we had family visit from out of state during the first week of spring I overloaded! We had a blast, played every board game ever invented and even celebrated Spring with a silly string fight in the backyard.

Queen's Mine

2011-04-07T10:54:00.006-07:00

My Awesome sister planned a great trip down South to Queen's Mine, Tombstone, and Kartchner Caverns all in one busy, fun-filled day!

Audree driving the wagon.

Ethan's turn to reign the horses.

Audree, Ethan, Lucy and Kenny.

Even Clark came with us!!

Howdy partner!

The town was dressed up like the good ol' days in Tombstone.

The weather was beautiful.

Scary eyes, cute baby.
I think Jamie won the "most Exhausted" award at the end of the day.

Exploring the mine.

The fun train that took us deep into the mine.

The kids were so excited!

The Burninghams.

The whole gang.

Zoo Day

2011-02-25T12:25:00.003-07:00

It was perfect day for a visit to the Phoenix Zoo! My cousin, Haley, was kind enough to help me with all the kids and we had a great time. Thanks Haley!

Audree was picked from the crowd to help out with the "show". She was very excited to hold a slimey snake!

Painting Pumpkins

2010-11-24T16:41:00.002-07:00

Carving pumpkins was great messy fun, but it stormed the night we put them on the porch and so they didn't last very long, bummer. There was no way I was going to get all messy again so we just painted some little guys and it was great fun on a beautiful day!

September and October in Pictures

2010-10-27T23:16:00.003-07:00

Here are the cousins waiting for the light rail in down town Tempe, reading the paper of course. Derek, Hunter, Summer, Audree, Lucy and Ethan.

Enjoying the sunshine and the water table from Aunt Emily.

I wish I had a better camera to capture this amazing sunset with. This is from our front yard.

A funny, random picture of a box in front of our library. Apparently there is no public use use.

Audree married Ethan and Lucy (cousins). I think all cousin do this at some point, right? I'm just glad it's at 3 and 4 and not older...hehe.

Val Vista Lakes

2010-09-29T17:44:00.001-07:00

"The Talk"

2010-08-12T17:08:00.003-07:00

Yes, THAT one. It happened. I've been trying to avoid it long enough. Audree really wants a little sister and I keep saying that it's up to her Dad (I want one, he doesn't). She didn't understand why it was his choice because she knows I am the one that grows the baby. She has been very insistent lately and I have been very vague. So today we went to her room and lay under her covers and had "the talk". I was specific, but still in a seven year olds language. I tried really hard not to laugh, but she kept saying, "Eww, that is so gross!" I think I pulled it off really well and she had some great questions, some that I would never think to ask, and have never asked and I still can't find an answer for her. Does anyone know how a female body grows eggs? I can't find any info or pictures on it. I just told her that Heavenly Father grows them with our body's vitamins and minerals and that's why she should eat healthy foods and take her vitamins. She is way smarter than I sometimes give her credit for. In a way I'm glad that I got through it, but I'm also sad. It means that I have a 'big girl' now, and she will only have more questions for me, I'm sure. At least now it is an open topic with us and I hope to keep it that way. I hope she will always come to me with questions.

We will be learning everything together from now on! I mean everything! I think we might be having too much fun, if thats possible...

So cute fabrics

2010-07-27T12:03:00.001-07:00

I love this adorable fabric!

http://artgalleryfabrics.typepad.com/weblog/2010/07/weekend-adventures-fabric-giveaway.html#

Kenton turned One!

2010-07-24T13:42:00.004-07:00

My baby boy turned one yesterday. I can't believe that he has been with us for a year already! He is such a sweet addition to our family. I can't imagine life without my little Kenny. Happy Birthday to my little sweetheart!

He loves Grandma's piano.

He did NOT like the fire.

Not sure what to do...

Like this?

YUM!

SO BIG!

Inspired

2010-07-18T11:53:00.006-07:00

I listened to an inspiring message today. Stephanie Nielson. I have heard her story before but it really touched me today. I have been in a kind-of slump with my mood lately. My undiagnosed problems have me thinking crazy thoughts. Nothing to weird, just the normal 'woe is me' and 'what am I going to do with myself'. I have had four episodes since October last year. So it's pretty much for sure that I have or will have M.S. Yeah, it sucks. I feel like I'm just waiting for another episode to start. I know, it's no way live. But as I was listening to Stephanie talk about her life and how she knows who she is and she is not her body I connected with her and felt like I was the most selfish person on the face of the earth, next to B.O. My name is Stefanie Burningham and I am not my body. Though I have felt lots of pain it's not all the time and I can still be a mother and a great example of faith and courage. I know who I am and I know God's plan. I have a great purpose and work to do here on this earth. I love my husband and my kids. They make me so happy! They are my purpose. I have hope. I can do it and do it great. I am incredible:

yay me!

The Best Spa Treatment Ever!

2010-07-10T12:22:00.006-07:00

MUD PARK!

We had a blast this morning at the mud park. Our city put on a great party with mud, water, slides, and food. Kenny, who is almost 1 didn't enjoy it as much as the rest of us.

A Few Projects

2010-06-28T17:42:00.003-07:00

Audree got a new purple quilt for her bed to match her castle mural (which is now slightly off-centered because we moved the bed). So that called for a room makeover!

I made some girly curtains complete with flowers and lace, all in purple!

(yes the rod is sagging...Clark will fix it for me) And it was really hard for me to take pictures of a window with all that light coming in right where I didn't want it! Oh well , they're really cute in person, you'll just have to take my word for it.

I also recently recovered these nasty old dining chairs for a friend of a friend (kids, pets, husbands, you know...). yuck.

This was my favorite one. The lady wanted all different animal prints. So that's what she got! Of course they are covered with plastic, too. I love my plastic dining chairs (kids, remember?)

and a bunch of matching pillows which turned out fabulous!

That's just a little of what I've been up to. Hopefully my next post will be of a trip to the zoo (if I am brave enough to handle the heat).

More Camping!

2010-05-31T23:11:00.000-07:00

Camping!

2010-05-09T14:45:00.000-07:00

We love camping! I invited some friends in my neighborhood to go camping with us and the Browns and I got a lot of "Oh I went camping in a cabin one time." and "Are there showers?" and "I cant handle dirt." I think they are all missing out! We had such a great bonding time with our good friends. It also helps that we have kids the same age who get along swimmingly. And the memories are priceless. After a little detour we found a perfect spot for our tents and the weather couldn't have been better. What more could you ask for?!

Boyce Thompson Arboretum

2010-04-10T15:49:00.001-07:00

The Arboretum is just beautiful right now. We went with my parents while Audree was at school yesterday.

They little boys were so good, but we were all sneezing before we left from all the beautiful flowers.

Happy Easter

2010-04-06T10:29:00.000-07:00

Ethan Loves to share with his little brother!

Cute Kenny

Audree waits for her turn with the big kids.

Opps, it's blurry. Ethan gets lots of eggs.

And Audree lost her first tooth!

S'mores!

2010-03-30T19:05:00.000-07:00

We love to eat messy things. The kids have been begging for marshmallows, so Clark lit a fire in the firepit and we enjoyed some toasted s'mores! Yum yum. Even Kenny got in on the fun.

Ghandi had it nailed: “First they ignore you, then they ridicule you, then they fight you, then you win. “

2010-03-23T09:45:00.000-07:00

This is a rant. This is my opinion. Sorry, I just need to get it out.

I talked to my kids today about what happened in our country yesteraday and my four year old cries "No! We need our choices!" my 6 year old said "We should move to another country."

They are attacking us at our worst. We are tired! Most of us have been struggling to keep food on the table. We are loosing our houses and loosing our jobs. Of course it would be the best time to strike us hard, because maybe we are a little weak right now. But I say "hold on a little longer"! Dig deep and fight strong! Life Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness: it's worth fighting for.

I am so tired of this! When did the government take over our lives? I am still proud to be an American because I know the people have the power. It is time we use that power to ensure our children have a better life than what 'they' want for us.

If you’re like me, when you call representatives, write letters or attend tea parties, you pick up the tab and sacrifice your own personal time in hopes that someone will listen. I’d much rather spend my time and money with my family, business or hobbies than hoping my actions will result in my federal representatives actually representing. And anyone that could have done anything about the health care bill is in Washington D.C., you can’t meet with them, you don’t know them and you cannot reasonably hold them accountable. How can you really expect them to feel any pressure to represent you? Yes, morally your expectations are valid because they should do the will of the people. Unfortunately, the reality is without the power to exert an opposing force, you will continue to be disregarded as a mere annoyance.In our case, the small market that we can dominate quickly is our state government. From here we can team with other like-minded states and form a block of resistance that has real legal possibilities, much more powerful than rallies, letters and phone calls. Owning our state governments is an absolute necessity.

Ignore the Feds, Empower the States

We have state governments for a reason. Regardless of what today’s media would have you believe, state representatives are not elected state paper-shufflers or federal mandates. State governments share power with the federal government as equal partners in a system designed to decentralize power and protect “we the people” from foreign and domestic threats.

Ignoring D.C. actually means that we must use state governments to defy unconstitutional federal laws, starting with the health care bill today. The federal government itself must be identified as the threat and we must use the legal power of our state governments under the 10th amendment to eliminate the threat, and formally ignore unconstitutional mandates.

Jefferson described the 10th as “the foundation of the Constitution” and added, “to take a single step beyond the boundaries thus specially drawn … is to take possession of a boundless field of power, no longer susceptible of any definition.”

The feds took that step today.

States have many constitutional options when dealing with the federal government including court challenges, nullification and interposition to name a few. Individually, you do not have these, so you must focus on using your influence to make sure your state representatives know about and are willing to use these tools. The first steps are already moving forward as 37 states have introduced Health Care Freedom legislation. In addition, state attorney generals have already stated their intention to challenge these federal bills as unconstitutional.

Individually, “we the people” have a very important role too. We must influence our state representatives, and then encourage them. And, when the going gets tough we must stand shoulder to shoulder with them in defiance of what will be an intimidating federal response. “Ignore the feds, empower the states” must be our mantra.For the most part, the federal government has ignored any resistance to the health care bill. Tea Parties have been ridiculed as radicals of all varieties such as “tea baggers”, “astroturf”, “racists”, and “domestic terrorists”. But, they have never formally acknowledged the existence of this movement. Once we begin to focus our attention on the state governments, everything changes. The media will be unable to ignore a block of defiant states. Personally, you will be ridiculed as a “tenther” (I think this is pretty cool) but once states exhibit defiance it will not be long before the federal government shifts it’s focus to the states not the individuals. That’s when you will know that you are not being ignored anymore.

At a minimum, your state will be ridiculed as out of touch with reality, as constitutional rogues, racists, and more. The governor of your state and your state representatives will be positioned as little more than common rabble rousers and will be the target of incredible pressure to compromise. But this must be overcome before we can win and we must solidly stand with state representatives. Federal funds will be used to coerce states to comply as has been common practice for some time. This will be specifically painful with health care because defiant state’s federal funds will be used to finance compliant state’s health care. However, this cannot be allowed to stand for any significant amount of time so states must be influenced to pass state legislation that denies the federal government what they covet most, tax revenue.

From here on, resolve will be the key. Not just your resolve, but the resolve of the rest of the citizens in your state. So it’s our responsibility to educate neighbors and make sure the right state representatives are in place.In order for us to reset this country and return to spending time with our businesses, families and hobbies; we must again in no uncertain terms confirm the revolutionary message that the people are the source of power. The federal government must fear the people, and the state governments are the legal method in which to achieve this goal. Jefferson clarified the goal:

“When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty.”

Ignore the Feds, Empower the States.

Brian Roberts [send him email] is the State Chapter Coordinator for the Texas Tenth Amendment Center

Sew Crafty

2010-03-21T00:09:00.000-07:00

I love crafty blogs. I search crafty blogs for more crafty blogs. I think I love it because I am not crafty and I need lots of inspiration. Well, I found this little owl teething toy and I had to make it. I have a little baby boy who is teething for sure, and I wanted to make it with what I already had. I don't keep ribbon in stock so I only had one spool. The wing "tags" are made from scrap fabric. But I LOVE it! When Kenny wakes up in the morning I hope he will too. So thanks goes to this cute blog.

Ain't he cute?!

Quilting for Babies!

2010-03-20T10:11:00.000-07:00

I love babies!! And I love my awesome family. I have two sisters who are preggo with girls right now (and yes, I am very jealous!) So I have dabbled into the world of quilting and finished two quilt tops. My wonderful, generous Aunt Jane is going to use her magic quilting machine to make them even more beautiful. At first I thought the heart shape one would be for Sandy and the pinwheel would be for Jamie, but I might be changing my mind, or maybe not. Maybe it'll be easier to choose after they are quilted. So here they are.

2010-03-11T17:49:00.001-07:00

I love springtime! It is so choice. I thank heaven for all the rain that has made this desert wasteland look so beautiful!

Awake, thou wintry earth -
Fling off thy sadness!
Fair vernal flowers, laugh forth
Your ancient gladness!
~Thomas Blackburn, "An Easter Hymn"

Give Thanks!

2010-03-09T16:31:00.000-07:00

Below is a list of very inexpensive gift ideas perfect for people who would like to let others know how much they are loved.

7-UP: 7-UPlifting ideas for a wonderful holiday season. (include seven uplifting thoughts/ideas)
7-UP:7-UPlifting thoughts for a good week. (include seven uplifting thoughts/ideas)
A bar of soap with a note: Just a little visit with you washes away the blues.
A bundle of anything (towels, scrapbook supplies, cookies): Just a bundle of thanks
A dishcloth or gloves: Thanks for the handy work Job well done
A juice pitcher filled with candy canes- We pitcher you raising a little cane during the holidays! Have a merry Christmas!!
A package of seeds: My love for you just keeps growing!
A picture of a clown with a wrapped fireball candy glued to the nose: No clowning around, we love being your _____________.
A plate of cookies: Wishing you ____________ from your "Crummy" neighbors.
A rope with a knot in it: When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on we'll come runnin'!
A small bunch of bananas: We just went bananas when we heard you were sick!.
A spool of thread with a note attached: Friendship is the thread used to weave the material of life.
A sucker: A visit with you makes our life sweeter.
An Apple: You're such a polished person
Any Angel: Hoping you have a Heavenly Christmas!
Any gift: Bundled up with warm wishes!
Any gift: Just a Little Christmas Cheer from Happy Hearts this time of year!! Merry Christmas!
Any homemade food: Seasoned with Love
Any homemade treat: Wishing you a scrumptious Christmas!
Any kind of rolls: Here's a sweet treat Rolled up with warm Holiday Wishes! Merry Christmas!
Any soda: We're soda-lighted for have you for a friend.
Any soda: We're soda-lighted to wish you _______________.
Any soda: We're soda-lighted"to get to know you better.
Any sweet treat mix: Wishing you a rich _______!
Any sweet treat: A sweet treat for a sweet friend!
Any sweet treat: Hoping you have a Rich and wonderful Holiday !
Any sweet treat: Wishing you a ______ filled with sweetness!
Any sweet treat: Wishing you a day full of sweetness
Any Sweet Treat: Wishing you a season filled with sweetness!
Any sweet treat: You're so Sweet...having you as neighbors is really a treat! Have a Heavenly Holiday Season!
Anything Angel: Hoping you have a Heavenly __________
Anything Angel: Thanks for being such an Angel!
Anything Santa: HO-HO-Hoping your Christmas is heavenly!
Apple anything (Pie, cobbler, crisp, muffins): Sending you a Bushel of love!
Apple Anything: You are the apple of my eye, ________!
Apple Cider w/wassail mix: A little something to spice up a cold winter day!
Apple Cider w/wassail mix: A little something to spice up Your Christmas!
Apples and Hershey's Hugs: A teacher can't live by apples alone... She needs Hugs too!!
Bag/box of Whoppers: Hope you have a Whopper of a ____________.
Banana Bread: Banana Bread just for you, because we love you a whole Bunch, too!
Bananas: If we could choose our friends, and we searched the whole world through, we'd go "bananas" trying to find a better bunch than you!
Bananas: We miss you / love you / hope you get well a whole bunch!
Barq's Root Beer: Wishing you a wonderful ____________, it shows you're "Barq-ing" up the right tree.
Basket of Bath Items: When you feel like a basket case, take a break...and slow your pace.
Basket of rolls and bear shaped honey: Have a honey of a day!
Bath oils, bubbles, salts: Some days can be a strain on our body and brain, so when you feel stressed, a hot bath is best, it truly will help keep you sane!
Bear shaped honey or stuffed bear: Hoping our honey of a friend has a beary _______________
Bear shaped honey or stuffed bear: You are Beary Special
Bear shaped honey: Have a Bear-y Sweet ________!
Bell : With each chime of this festive bell, may a Christmas wish come true, and bring you peace and happiness to last the whole year through!
Bell : With each chime of this festive bell, may a Christmas wish come true. And bring you peace and happiness to last the whole year through! Merry Christmas!
Box of light bulbs, candle, battery-operated candle: Have a bright and radiant Christmas!
Box of light bulbs, candle, battery-operated candle: Hope your Christmas is full of the light of Christ
Box of light bulbs, candle, battery-operated candle: May the light of Christ be with you always.
Box of light bulbs, candle, battery-operated candle: May your days be happy, your heart be light, your Christmas merry and the New Year Bright!!
Box of light bulbs, candle, battery-operated candle: Thanks for letting your light shine!
Broom or Feather Duster: You're dust the finest __________ we know!
Broom: You're "dust" the finest neighbors we know! Merry Christmas!
Bubble gum or bubble bath: May your holidays bubble over with fun!
Bubble gum or bubble bath: You have a bubbling personality.
Cake or Cupcakes: You take the Cake ________, We think you're first rate!
Cake with frosting: When it comes to _______, you're the icing on the cake.
Calendar: Keep Christ in your heart the whole year through!
Calendar: Keep Christmas in your heart the whole year through!
Candle: May your days be happy, your heart be light, your Christmas merry and the New Year bright!
Candy Canes: Hope you enjoy raising a little "cane" during the Holidays!
Caramel corn or popped popcorn: Just popped by to wish you well!
Caramels: Hoping you have a rich and wonderful day!
Carrot Cake: I really "carrota" lot about you!
Cheese ball and crackers: Spreading a little cheer
Cheese ball and crackers: We don't mean to sound "cheesy", but we hope you have a "ball" this Holiday Season!
Chex Party Mix: Remember Santa Chex his list twice to see who's been naughty or nice..so be good for goodness sake!! Merry Christmas!!
Chex Party Mix: Santa "Chex" his list twice to see who's been naughty or nice... so be good for goodness sake!
Chocolate Mousse Mix: Merry "Christmousse"!
Chocolate Orange : Orange you glad it's Christmas? Hope your Christmas is a Sweet one!
Christmas music or church music: May the sweet songs of Christmas make your heart rejoice!
Christmas music or church music: May this music bring the spirit of Christ into your home.
Christmas music: May the sweet song of Christmas make your heart rejoice!
Christmas music:May the merry sounds of Christmas bring a joyful melody to your holiday season
Christmas stocking or filled jar: Have a fun filled Christmas this year
Christmas stocking or filled jar: May your days be filled with joy
Cinnamon Rolls: Here's a sweet treat Rolled up with warm wishes!
Cinnamon Sugar for toast: May your Christmas be sprinkled with sweetness, laughter, and love!
Cleaners or sparkling cider: You add sparkle and make our life brighter!
Cleansers or sparkling white toothpaste: You add sparkle and make our lives brighter!
Cocoa Mix: Just something to keep you warm on thse cold winter days
Cocoa Mix: Wishing you a warm and wonderful Christmas!
Cookie Dough: Everyone Needs a little extra Dough for Christmas!
Cookie dough: Here's a little extra dough for Christmas!
Cookie dough: Your a smart Cookie!
Cookies with sprinkles: May your Christmas be sprinkled with joy and laughter this holiday season!
Cornbread or corn muffin mix: We're not trying to be "Corny", we just want you have a ___________!
Crayons and coloring book: May your days be colorful and filled with joy!
Divinity: May your Christmas be Divine and your holidays so fine!
Divinity: May your Christmas be Divine and your Holidays so Fine! Sweet Christmas Wishes!
Donuts: "Donut" you know we love you?
Eggbeater: Have an "eggstra" special ____________
Eggbeater: Have an Eggstra Special Holiday !
Eggnog: Have an Udderly Moovalous Holiday!
Filled Basket: Wishing you a basket full of blessings
Filled Basket: Wishing you a basket full of Christmas blessings
Flower: If friends were flowers, we'd pick you!
Flower:You make friendship bloom all year round!
Frozen or ready-to-eat pizza: Warm up to a wonderful holiday season topped with Christmas cheer.
Frozen or ready-to-eat pizza:Your the Topps! Or You have Pizza-z!
Fruit Basket: May your _________ be festive and fruitful!
Fudge: Fudge a little on the calories and enjoy a day off from your diet!
Gallon of milk: Have an "udderly moovalous" day!
Gift certificates from a fast food place: Lunch is on me!
Gift certificates from a fast food place: Man can not live by bread alone.
Gift Certificates of your time: Make gift certificates that say things like: Good for one scrapbooking session-with my supplies! Good for ___ hours of babysitting!
Ginger bread House: Nibble, Nibble like a mouse, We hope you'll nibble at this house!
Grater and cheese: To a grate neighbor
Grands Cinnamon Rolls (Pillsbury): Have a grand holiday!
Grands Cinnamon Rolls (Pillsbury): We think you're grand!
Grands Cinnamon Rolls (Pillsbury): Happy Grandparents' Day!
Gum: By Gum, You're a great ___________!
Gummy bears: You're Beary Important
Heart Ornament: May the joy and love you give away, come back to you on Christmas Day
Heart: Make a cute woven heart and insert the story Love's Best When You Give It Away
Hersheys Hugs: A friend always knows when you need a little hug!
Hershey's Hugs: Here's a hug for when you need it.
Hershey's Kisses in a wire wisk: We "whisk" you a Merry "Kissmas".
Hershey's Kisses in a wire whisk tied to a bottle of root beer: We whisk you a Merry Kissmas and a Happy Root Beer!
Holly wreath: Happy Holly-days!
Homemade Chocolates: You're so sweet... having you as _______ is a real treat!
Homemade Frozen Rolls: Here's a little holiday treat. Rise and bake, it can't be beat! Warm fresh rolls just for you. Top with butter that's all you do! Warm Holiday Greetings to you,
Homemade Ice cream of a Frozen Treat: Here's the Scoop: Hoping your Holidays are a Blizzard of fun!
Hostess Ho-Hos: Hope a merry HO HO HO fills your heart the whole year through! (Put a santa sticker on the label)
Ice Cream Snowballs and Hot Fudge: Here's some packaged snowball treats: Just Drizzle Hot Fudge and its ready to eat!...Enjoy!!
Ice Cream: Have a Cool Yule!!
Ice cream: Instead of "I scream", have some "ice cream!" Hope your week goes better.
Jar of jam: Hoping your Christmas is jam-packed with cheer.
Jar of Jelly: A copy of the story of 'Twas the Night Before Christmas" with the words "And it shook when he laughed like a bowl full of jelly" underlined! Merry Christmas!
Jar of Jelly: Jelly is like love: you can't spread it around without getting some on yourself! Merry Christmas!
Jar of Pickles: Just in brine, Our wish for a ___________!
Jolly Ranchers: Have a Holly Jolly Christmas
Jolly Ranchers: Have a Jolly day!
Juice pitcher filled with candy canes: We pitcher you raising a little cane during the holidays.
Lamb: Have "eweself" a Merry little Chistmas!
Lamb: We miss / love ewe!
Life savers: You've been a life saver!
Lifesavers: You've been a life saver! Have a great Christmas!
Loaf of bread: For being there when you were "kneaded", for "rising" to the occasion, large or small. For never "loafing" on the job for helping others "heel" with TLC. Not matter how you "slice" it, you do a terrific job loving others.
M&Ms: Have a Merry & Most wonderful Holiday Season!
M&Ms: Give a bag with the M&M Christmas poem.
M&Ms: Have a merry and most wonderful holiday season!
Matches: No one Matches you as _______!
Matches: To our matchless friends.
Measuring cup or spoons: Wishing you a joy beyond measure!
Measuring Cup or tape measure: Wishing you Joy Beyond Measure!
Microwave popcorn and sodas: Pop, pop, fizz, fizz, oh what a good friend you is!
Mints: Our friendship was mint to be!
Mints: Your kindness mint so much to me!
Mints: You're worth a mint!
Mints: We really mint to tell you we love you!
Mints: Friends like you are worth a mint!
Mints: That mint so much! Thank you.
Mints: We mint to wish you a Merry Christmas
Muffins or muffin mix: You're gettin' muffin for Christmas!
Mug filled with Hershey's Hugs mix: Sending you a hug in a mug.
Mug with hot chocolate mix: Just sending a chocolate hug in a mug.
Mugs with hot chocolate mix: To our special friends who are so Dear; We wish you all a cup of Cheer!
Mugs: To a Special Teacher dear, wishing you a Cup of Cheer!
Mugs: To our special friends who are so Dear, We wish you all a cup of Cheer!
Nail polish: Just to put a little color into your life
Now & Later: We thought we should get our Visiting Teaching done Now rather than Later.
Nuts, peanut butter, brownies with nuts, or nutty candy bar: It's the nutty time of the year again, so please don't lose your cool! Relax, and munch this little treat and have a Happy Yule!
Nuts: We're nuts about you!
Orange or chocolate orange: "Orange" you glad we're friends?
Ornament: Gift of Myself - Print out this gift-box shaped ornament, and place a picture of you, your child, or the Savior in it.
Oven mitt filled w/treats: We have to ad-mitt you're a great neighbor!
Paper towels: Blot out your troubles, absorb the Christmas spirit.
Paper Towels: Blot out your troubles; absorb the Christmas Spirit!
Pasta and spaghetti sauce: Have a pasta-tively easy dinner night.
Pasta: Have a pasta-tively happy holiday!
Pencil and notepad: Hope your Christmas is something to write home about!
Pencil and notepad: Just a note of Thanks!
Pencil and Notepad: Merry Christmas from our pad to yours!
Pencil and Notepad: Merry Christmas to a note-worthy friend!
Pie: Just a little hi and a slice of tasty pie!
Pie: Wishing you a scrumptious Holiday
Pie:No matter how you slice it you're a great dish.
Pitcher with Kool-aid: Thanks for being a "Kool-aid" when things were tough
Plant: The kindness you show makes our friendship grow and grow!
Plant: The kindness you show makes our friendship grow and grow!
Popcorn Balls: Hope you have a ball
Popcorn Balls: Hoping you have a Ball this Holiday Season!
Popcorn or Carmel Corn: May your Holidays be Poppin'!
Popcorn: Just "popped" by just to say Hi!
Popcorn: We just popped by to see how you are.
Potpourri: May this sweet scent bring back thoughts of warm Christmases long ago!
Puzzle: We were puzzled over what to get such great neighbors like you, so we hope this fits together to wish you a Merry Christmas!
Recipe: Just like you friend... it's tried and true, just for you! Happy Baking! or Happy Holiday Baking! or Merry Christmas Cooking!
Rice Krispie treats: Snap, Crackle, Pop! We think you're tops!
Root beer: We're "Root"-ing for you to have a great ___________
Root beer: We're "rooting" for you.
Salsa and tortilla chips: Have a hot and spicy ____________!
Salsa: Add a little spice to your life
Scouring pad/sponge: I'd scour the earth for a friend like you!
Snickers bar: Don't snicker; just be glad you got something.
Socks: You're the pair I'd pick!
Socks: Fill with chocolate coins and the Legend of the Christmas stocking poem.
Soup mix: 'You're souper'
Soup or soup mix: Wishing you a Souper ________!
Sparklers: I love to see your sparkling smile it makes me want to smile
Sparkling Cider: Wishing you a sparkling holiday season!
Spices or Seasoning mix: Seasoned with love: Happy Holidays
Spices or Spiced Cider Drink Mixes: Hoping your Holidays are Spiced Just right!
Sprite: May your Christmas be Merry and Sprite!
Sprite: May your Christmas be Merry and Sprite!
Squeeze-it Juice drink & Hershey's Kiss: Here's a squeeze and a kiss, to remind you you're loved and missed.
Star ornament: Remember the reason for the season!
Star ornament: Christmas Star Poem
Stocking or filled jar: Have a fun filled christmas this year!
Stocking: Fill with chocolate coins and the Legend of the Christmas stocking poem.
Strainer: We couldn't restrain ourselves from wishing you a very Merry Christmas!
Stuffed animal: "Pawsing" to wish you a Merry Christmas!
Stuffed animal: Pawsing just to say _________
Sugar Cookies: Rolling out a batch of cheer, for someone we think is very dear!
Sugar Cookies: Rolling out a batch of Christmas cheer, for someone we think is very dear!
Swedish fish: Catch the Spirit
Swedish fish: To a missionary: Congratulations on your call to become a "fisher of men"!
Tape Measure or ruler: with By the yard it's hard, by the inch it's a cinch and together we can do it.
Toffee or peanut brittle: Doesn't matter how you break it, you're the greatest!
Tray of goodies: We tray-sure your friendship.
Tray of treats: We "traysure" your friendship!
Treat mix or bread mix: Whip up this mix for a quick holiday fix!
Veggies and Dip: Dip into the holidays and a healthy New Year!
Veggies and Dip: Dip into the visiting teaching message.
Warm casserole or bread: Bundled up with warm wishes
Whisk Broom: Take a break from a busy day, and sweep all your cares away!
Wooden spoon w/favorite drink or baking mix: Not a creature was stirring...
Wooden Spoon: Whether stirring up cakes, cookies, soups or souffles, you'll find this spoon useful in so many ways, but whatever it's used for it says, Merry Christmas from us to you!
Yule Log: We send you warm greetings this Christmas Season!

Stickin' to it

2010-02-18T16:32:00.000-07:00

This is all a bunch of randomness, but here it is. Life is random, right? I love being a mom and everything that comes with it. I have to say that it is only getting harder as the kids get older. Audree is really making me work on my patience. I am getting a very small glimpse of what it might be like for our Father in Heaven to have to repeat counsel over and over again. Really, its been about a year that I have been working on this one thing with Audree and I'm not even sure if she's close to getting it. "Line upon line"!

Kenny and Mommy. I think he looks a lot like my baby pictures.Kenny with a beanie.
Messy face. He is getting around pretty well in the walker these days.
Baby Stefanie.
Another one of me.

I was sneaky with this shot because he wouldn't let me take the picture, but this is his new cool hat. It's the inside of his construction hat, only it's upside-down. hehe. He makes me laugh.
This is how Audree sets the table in February. Christmas plates, a mug, and soup spoons wrapped in napkins. She is a great helper!

2010-02-04T13:30:00.001-07:00

My little Ethan turned four yesterday! It was a great day. We went to the Phoenix Zoo in the morning with friends and family (pictures coming soon). My parents got him a big-boy-bike and he has been riding ever since. He says, "Mom, I like being four. I always wanted to be FOUR!" He is so cute and has the sweetest disposition. He is a keeper! I love you, Ethan!

Optic Neuritis: Round Three
Yes, it's back. I have a very stupid right eye. At least this time it doesn't hurt (yet) like it did before. I can manage it by moving my head instead of my eyes to look around. I am hoping that it will go away on its own and I wont have to be hospitalized. If the doc says I need another treatment I hope to do it at home and have a nurse come once a day to administer the steroids. I am going to be too buff for my own good when this is over! Meanwhile, I am enjoying all the sparkle lights that are not really there.

just LAUGH!

2010-02-01T10:58:00.000-07:00

Sometimes all you need is a good laugh. Here are some funny ones I found. Enjoy!

Oh Gosh," sighed the wife one morning, "I'm convinced my mind is almost completely gone!" Her husband looked up from the newspaper and commented, "I'm not surprised: You've been giving me a piece of it every day for twenty years!"

A Sunday school teacher was discussing the Ten Commandments with her five and six year olds. After explaining the commandment to "honor thy father and thy mother," she asked, "Is there a commandment that teaches us how to treat our brothers and sisters?" Without missing a beat one little boy answered, "Thou shall not kill."

10 Games for Old Age:

1.)Sag, You're it
2.)Pin the Toupee on the bald guy
3.)20 questions shouted into your good ear
4.)Kick the bucket
5.)Red Rover, Red Rover, the nurse says Bend Over
6.)Doc Goose
7.)Simon says something incoherent
8.)Hide and go pee
9.)Spin the Bottle of Mylanta
10.)Musical recliners

The Male Point System
In the world of romance, one single rule applies:
Make the woman happy.
Do something she likes, and you get points.
Do something she dislikes, and points are subtracted.
You don't get any points for doing something she expects...Sorry, that's the way the game is played.
Here's a guide to the point system.
Simple Duties:
You make the bed (+1)
You make the bed, but forget to add the decorative pillows (0)
You throw the bedspread over rumpled sheets(-1)
You leave the toilet seat up (-5)
You replace the toilet-paper roll when it's empty (0)
When the toilet-paper roll is barren, you resort to Kleenex (-1)
When the Kleenex runs out you shuffle slowly to the next bathroom (-2)
You go out to buy her spring-fresh extra-light panty liners with wings (+5)
But return with beer (-5)
You check out a suspicious noise at night (0)
You check out a suspicious noise and it's nothing (0)
You check out a suspicious noise and it's something (+5)
You pummel it with a six iron (+10)
It's her father (-20)
Social Engagements:
You stay by her side the entire party (0)
You stay by her side for a while, then leave to chat with a college buddy (-2)
Named Tiffany (-4)
Who is a dancer (-6)
And was Homecoming Queen (-8)
Her Birthday:
You take her out to dinner (0)
You take her out to dinner and it's not a sports bar (+1)
Okay, it is a sports bar (-2)
And it's all-you-can-eat night (-3)
It's a sports bar, it's all-you-can-eat night, and your face is painted the colors of your favorite team (-10)
A Night Out with The Boys:
Go out with a pal (-5)
And the pal is happily married (-4)
Or frighteningly single (-7)
And he drives a Lotus (-10)
A Night Out:
You take her to a movie (+2)
You take her to a movie she likes (+4)
You take her to a movie you hate (+6)
You take her to a movie you like (-2)
It's called DeathCop3 (-3))
You lied and said it was a foreign film about orphans (-15)
Your Physique:
You develop a noticeable potbelly (-15)
You develop a noticeable potbelly and exercise to get rid of it (+10)
You develop a noticeable potbelly and resort to loose jeans and baggy Hawaiian shirts (-30)
You say "I don't care because you have one too" (-800)
The Big Question:
She asks, "Do I look fat?" (-5)
You hesitate in responding (-10)
You reply, "Where?" (-35)
Communication:
When she wants to talk about a problem, you listen, displaying what looks like a concerned expression (0)
When she wants to talk, you listen, for over 30 minutes (+5)
You listen for more than 30 minutes without looking at the TV (+10)
She realizes this is because you've fallen asleep (-20)

The Price of Eggs

2010-01-28T15:02:00.000-07:00

I feel like I always have to reevaluate my priorities. Our society and sometimes our acquaintances would have us believe that there are more important things than our families and our church. Why do I ever listen? Weakness is frustrating to me. But luckily I feel like my head is on straight more than it is off. I am so glad that I get to be with my family. I can't imagine missing all the milestones and just pure cuteness from my kids all day. It comes at a price, for sure.

We don't enjoy a lot of worldly luxuries right now but we have what we need. I'm so cheesey about it. Audree asked me the other day if we were poor (we are) but I told her that as long as we have love we will never be poor because money is just a temporary thing but our family is forever. I know, I know, it's super cheeseball, but I believe it and so did she.

Sewing and Christmas fun!

2009-12-26T15:43:00.000-07:00

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

My cutie pies before church! Kenton is always serious, really...I don't have many pictures where he is smiling. Mostly he has 'angry eyes'.

Aunt Sandy (Dan's talented wife) made this personalized blanket for Audree a long time ago. Sandy and I recently found the left over fabric so I made this cute nightgown for her to match it. It is a little big because I made it in a size 7, but at least it will last!

Audree got this mural from my mom for Christmas and lots of little butterflies to put all around her room. She loves it and now her walls are not bare. Thanks mom!

These were the kids Christmas jammies, even though the print has nothing to do with Christmas. It is just cute fabric that Sandy had and it says "I am a Child of God". Kenny is too little for real jammy pants so I made his like overalls with button shoulders. I love matching siblings!! So fun.
I hope that everyone has felt the love of our Savior this Christmas Season. I know that I have many times. It really helps me to keep an eternal perspective on life and always remember what is most important to me: loving my family! I really do have the best family ever and I am so glad that we will be together forever. Always say 'I love you!' to the people who matter most. And if you didn't get a Christmas card from me, I am so sorry, but we ran out of stamps and money or maybe I just don't have your address but either way, here it is:

Tribute

2009-12-14T17:49:00.000-07:00

This past week has been very sad for my family. My cousin, Kari, lost her husband a week ago today. The sad story is explained here: http://www.myfoxphoenix.com/dpp/news/local/tempe/...firefighter-laid-to-rest-12-12-2009

It is hard to see how a Higher Power didn't have a hand in this tragedy. It was Skylar's time to go. He was described by his father to be a great son, and by his Firechief to be the best firefighter, and by his mother as a miracle. I am so glad to know of our Father's plan for us and that we will all be together again. I don't know how people survive tragedies like this without that knowledge. Kari is an amazingly strong woman. Five years is not long to spend with the love of your life. Those precious kids will only have the memories of others to remember their father with, but they are good, strong memories. So many people are comming together to help Kari and her family. If anyone feels the desire, an account has been setup at Wells Fargo in the name of Stock Family Donation Fund to help support Kari short term as needed. The acct# is 7218152986. Skylar we love and miss you. An excellent father, husband and selfless example to us all. http://www.a...bc15.com/content/news/southeastvalley/tempe/story/Tempe-firefighter-dies-when-tree-falls-on-tent/qz0klcUsR0exyQK8Hcs1HQ.cspx

Here is a link to another blog who is helping them out: http://summertimedesigns.blogspot.com/

We love you Kari and you will always be in our prayers! Rest in peace, Skylar.

I Hope You Dance

2009-11-30T12:10:00.000-07:00

I read something today that I hope I can pass on to my kids, not just by saying it, but by living it.

"...I'd also like to think that time and age are like cousins -
they're relative.
Who said you have to go by actual miles?
If you didn't know how old you were, how old would you be?
(me, I'm sticking with five.)

I'll even argue that you can bottle youth.
What you store it in is all up to you.
(I suggest your heart)
If you can figure out a way to keep
the energy and gumption and fire alive,
you'll always stay young.
And where there's youth, there's hope...
where there's hope, there's wonder...
where there's wonder, there's faith...
where there's faith, there's chance...
where there's chance, there's love...
where there's love, there's music...
and dancing."

I hope that I can find all these things in my life. I want to always choose to dance, to overcome myself and live as I was intended.

Almost 4 Months Old!

2009-11-20T17:42:00.000-07:00

He is so fun! I love him so much.

Here we go again

2009-11-15T15:54:00.000-07:00

Dear Hospital,
I hope I never see your stinking face ever again!
Love Always,
Stefanie

It came back! I never welcomed it either. Optic Neuritis can kiss my lovely cheeks. This time I was 6 days in the hospital for a longer treatment of steroids. My doc hopes this was actually the same case I had before and that I just wasn't treated long enough last time to totally cure me. Lets just hope so, 'cause every two weeks in the hospital is going to wear on me. Plus the stupid drugs are giving me such bad acne! I feel like a pubescent teenager all over again, yuck. And he said it is most likely MS, so I'd rather not talk about it.
Anyway, Halloween was so fun. I had a blast making all our costumes, and they fit our personalities perfectly.
This was taken at our ward party on Halloween night. And now that its over I am making plans to put up our Christmas tree ;)
Christmas is my favorite. I hate to put Thanksgiving to the side either, but Christmas is about being thankful too! So for our next family night we will be putting up our tree, and talking about all the symbolism involved in this great season of remembrance.

sneaky boy!

2009-10-19T22:46:00.000-07:00

So our new house has an interesting layout. One side of the house has the family room/kitchen/dining room and the other side has two bedrooms on either side of a bathroom. Kind of like the bathroom is a hallway, but not quite a 'jack and jill'. The kids' rooms are on one side of the bathroom and the office and master bedroom are on the other side.

Ethan has figured out that he can sneak from his room through the bathroom into my room and not be seen! I think it is so cute. I see him do it almost every night within minutes of me putting him to bed. He only thinks he is sneaky! Whenever Clark catches him he gets put right back in his own room, but I dont do that. He always falls right to sleep and he is not doing anything mischevious, so I just think it is so cute! Something about daddy and mommy's room makes falling asleep easier. I can totally relate. Whenever I couldn't sleep I would always end up on the floor in my parents room, even as a teenager (I am surprised I never saw or heard anything I would not have wanted to see or hear!!). So tonight when I was about to retire I found this and it made me happy:

My Bucket List:

2009-10-14T12:00:00.000-07:00

So I was glad to hear that I am not going crazy and there really is something wrong with me.

I saw my family doctor last Friday about my right eye. It is super blurry and painful to move it. I guess my eye wasn't dialting right and she sent me right down to the E.R. But I was sent to a crapy E.R. and they did two lame tests to check for scratches, even when I told them that I didn't scratch my eye and it was not red, and also they checked the pressure, which seemed to be normal, then I was sent home with a vicodine perscription and told to see an opthamologist. I called my insurance to find an eye doctor and they told me, basically, that I wasn't covered unless I had diabetes, glaucoma, cateracts, or if I had a special note from my doctor (apparently a note from the E.R. isn't good enough). I called the opthamologist just to see if I could afford to pay cash for a visit just to rule out any big problems and turns out that I cant afford it ($220 just to make an appt, then more for any tests). So I was pretty frustrated with the whole thing and decided to just wait a few more days and see if it goes away on its own, at least I had a vicodine perscription if I needed it. Clark kept telling me not to give up, so Monday I was at Wal-Mart (I love Wal-Mart) and saw that they had a coupon to see their optometrist for only $35. I made an appointment for the next day when the doctor would be back. If nothing else I would just get a new glasses perscription to compensate for my bad eye. At my appointment I did the basic 'look into the light' test then the doc came to talk to me and get a better look into my eye. At first he said that my astigmatism has gotten 3x worse probably due to having a baby, then he looked inside my eye and started freaking out. He was saying that my optic nerve is pushed forward but he doesn't know why. Then he started asking me if I have been loosing my balance, speaking differently, or blurting random things. I said no then he left the room. He came back in a panic and said I should go to the E.R. After I told him about my last few days he called some more people, including my family doctor, who was already closed for the day. He told me to call another doctor right away who would see me today and send a refurral to this eye center in Mesa. My insurance was retarded and despite the urgency from my doctor they told me I would just have to wait a few days for an authorization number. They said there was nothing else I could do so I decided to wait. Later the next day the optometrist called me to follow up and I told them about the lame insurance deal and she told me that I could not wait and I needed to go to the E.R. right away. I kinda started to panic at this point because I was guessing the worst (a brain tumor) because the doctors were so urgent about it. I called my wonderful, always-there-for-me mother and she took my kids while I went to the E.R. I was pretty surprised at how quickly I was called in because the place was packed, which scared me a little more. They preped me for an M.R.I. and found a lesion/mass behind my optic nerve in the lining about the size of a large pea. Then they told me I needed a steroid treatment that would take three days, so I was moved upstairs and settled in. Lots of tests and three days later there is still no sure diagnosis, but this is what they tell me: I definately have optic neuritis (an auto-immune disorder) which could mean a few things. I could just have optic nuritis and that will clear up on its own and that's all it would ever be with no other effects, or optic neuritis could be an effect of M.S. (a lifetime problem), or I could have a tumor, which would need to be removed by cranial surgery. The streoids have brought my sight back up to about 90%, but I still have pain and odd color perception. The spinal tap on Monday will give a better diagnosis of M.S. (but it will take about a week for results) and I will see the opthamologist on Thurday. The neurosurgeon wants another MRI in four weeks to check the mass and I guess we should know more by that time, unless my symptoms dont improve or if they worsen before that time. So I am finishing my steroids here at home and hoping for the best. I would be happiest to hear that it was just the neuritis and nothing else, if not I think I would rather have a tumor that could be removed, despite a crazy scary operation. I would be most sad, I think, to have M.S. because of all the problems it could cause.

So now starts a bucket list:

I will express more love

I will pray harder

I will forgive all

I will serve more often

I will cherish everything about my little children

I will be more alive in every day

I will let the little things go

I will take better care of myself

Of couse I am kidding when I say 'bucket list' because I plan on sticking around for a long time. But I now feel more dedicated to being a better person and growing stronger in my faith. You never know what tomorrow holds...

I was able to see my kids out in the parking lot of the hospital yesterday and it lifted my spirits to the sky!!

Kenton's Blessing

2009-09-28T20:30:00.001-07:00

The little man of the hour:

In his tux, looking so handsome!

What a special day for our family! People came from far and near to bless and celebrate our beautiful boy. We have such a loving family.

Uncle Daivd took the last of the yummy juice.

Ethan, Clark, Geoff and my dad enjoying sandwiches and my new lovely curtains that the talented Sandra helped me with!

Clark's family: Brit, Uncle Kim, Lisa, Kristen, Kendra and Kimball.

More happy family. It was a full house!

We have been counting our blessings and we feel so rich!

Love for the kids

2009-09-19T10:49:00.000-07:00

Ethan is always so much fun. I love this age, I guess it seems that he is just getting more fun every year. He says the darndest things and keeps us laughing, and he is so sweet. He is interacting a bit more with his little brother, but mostly he just says 'YOUR BABY IS CRYING MOM!!'

Audree is such a good sister to her brothers. She and Ethan will play together all day long, I might have to help with a few disagreements but overall I think they get along great and I only hope it lasts. She loves to hold Kenny and seem to think she can walk around with him just fine, but I am following close behind. She has had a rough start with first grade, but I am learning to give more love and patience. I love this girl.

Kenny is a wonderful addition to our family and I just love him to death!!

cute sleeping kenny and crayons

2009-09-03T20:32:00.000-07:00

If you can't read these prices, let me tell you: sixteen crayons will cost you one dollar and twelve cents, or twenty-four crayons will cost you thirty cents. For real???!!!???

This is my heart melting:

still pregnant

2009-07-13T12:03:00.001-07:00

My amazingly talented cousin Kendyl was gracious enough to shoot some photos for us. I think they turned out to be my favorite ever! Thank you Kendyl, this was fun.

Ethan is 3 1/2!

Audree will be six in two weeks!

They grow up too fast... I only hope I can remember how much fun they are when they are all grown up and gone

Updates

2009-06-17T19:26:00.000-07:00

Well, it has been quite a while since I have been able to log on to blogger. I am not sure why but I wasn't able to get to my account for some unknown reason. I don't even know how it is fixed now, but it is and so I have lots to say.

I did go into labor again last friday. I was at my parents house watching the kids on the pool when I thought my water broke. It wasn't this big gushing thing so I wasn't sure. There was just a puddle on the chair and when I stood up it went down my leg. I smelled it and was sure it wasn't urine (I have been dehydrated so its been smelly) but there was never a big gush so I wasn't sure what it was. I thought if it was my waterbag then I would go into labor soon so I waited about an hour before calling the doctor. Of course they wanted me to come and just to be sure. It turned out that I had a small leak that plugged itself up, but that put me into labor. So we started the crazy trebutaline shots again. My wonderful mother was able to stay with me in the hospital and witness the side effects of that drug. The alarm was going off every other minute because my heart rate was so fast, they almost gave me oxygen because I was kinda freaking out. But we made it through and the drugs worked again to stop labor and I was able to go home. We just want to make it at least two more weeks then the doc wont stop labor if it comes early. I did get the steroid shots, so I feel less stress about having a premie, but man did that hurt! My rear was sore for days! Well the nurse wasn't very nice about it either. It was my second dose so I knew what to expect, but there was no warning and she stabbed me with the needle! I totally jumped and wanted to cry (I am such a baby). I am just glad that it's over. Now I am nervous about going through labor after all this 'bed rest' because I am so out of shape and gaining weight like crazy. I dont want to think about it, changing the subject:

Clark is doing so well in school, on every honor list, I am so proud. We have our seven year wedding anniversary this month, and we are happy to report no itching. Audree will start first grade in August! She now has her yellow belt in Tae Kwon Do and is almost six years old! Ethan is a very busy three and a half year old. He says the darndest things and keeps us laughing everyday.

Close call

2009-04-26T21:44:00.000-07:00

Last night I started having contractions after work at about 11pm. I thought they would go away if I tried to sleep, but they only got worse. So we dropped the kids at dad and moms and went to the hospital at about 1 in the morning (thanks guys, youre the best!). I was contracting every minute and a half (they were very painful) and dialated to a one. I heard two other babies being born in the rooms down the hall which made me very nervous. I am so greatful for modern medicine. The contractions finally slowed after three doses of shots and lots of IV fluids and I stopped dialating. I am home now, still on medicine to stop the contractions, but if they dont go away completely by tomorrow morning I have to go back in. Bed rest is no fun. If any one wants to visit me this week, I would love it!
I have to say that I am very frustrated with my body right now! Why can't it just work right! Ugh!

Kenton Dale Burningham

2009-03-17T10:55:00.000-07:00

top left: face profile, top right: boy part, bottom left: full front, bottom right: foot on knee

29 Years Old! yikes

2009-03-03T21:13:00.000-07:00

You are a great dad and a wonderful husband. I am so glad that I have you forever!

Happy Birthday honey! (I can't believe that I married such an old man) I love you.

Phoenix Zoo

2009-03-01T14:25:00.000-07:00

It was freezing outside! The water acutally felt warm. It was fun to touch the stingrays, but no fun to be wet all the rest of the cold day at the zoo! We got the year pass so if anyone wants to go with us call me!

Ethan

2009-02-03T19:34:00.000-07:00

Ethan, I love you. You bring so much joy and laughter to our family. From your rough beginning, yet quick recovery, to the joys of potty training. From the nights I hear you pray, to the days I can see the world through your eyes. All this wonder in growth and learning has made our forever family closer. These three years have been better for me because of you. Happy Birthday son!

My best friend, Zofran

2009-01-27T15:12:00.000-07:00

I haven't thrown up in a week! I hope this is the end of it. I am in my second trimester now, so I should start feeling better on my own, but I dont dare stop the medication just yet. And I gained one pound this week! I am not showing yet, which makes me sad. I am a little anxious to have a big belly and get to the fun part, but, I know, all in good time. I got to hear the heartbeat this morning and Ethan was with me. He thought is was pretty cool, but I am not entirely convinced that he has any idea of what is going on. He keeps telling me that he has a baby in his tummy too.

Totally random, but I wanted to post this picture of my family from December. I cant believe how we have grown!

The News

2009-01-10T19:01:00.000-07:00

So we are expecting baby number three this July! We are so excited. I think I will be a little more excited when I am feeling better though. I have been so sick. I was really nauseous with Ethan, but not this bad. There were about 2 days where I couldn't keep anything down so I went to the ER to get rehydrated, which helped for about two days, but I am still loosing at least one meal a day. While I am not feeling well at all, I am glad to be able to carry my own children. I just keep telling myself that this is a blessing, and maybe my last pregnancy. It seems that each one just gets worse for me, so I am not sure if I will be up for another round. I am due on Audree's birthday so she is so excited. She keeps telling me that we can put the baby in a box with a beautiful bow and thats all she wants for her birthday. She says the darndest things, but she is so sweet. Tonight when she was on her way to bed she told me that I should dream about already having the new baby and that I am not sick anymore. She has been a great helper for me lately. I know this is gross, but Ethan pooped on the carpet this morning and she was so nice to clean it for me while I was loosing my breakfast in the bathroom, and she did a great job too! What would I do without her! We had a yummy breakfast too. I made sweedish pancakes with fresh strawberries and powered sugar! Yummy! too bad I had to loose it, at least it was good going down.

'4th' Tag

2008-11-29T21:30:00.000-07:00

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.

2008-11-17T23:33:00.000-07:00

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!

2008-11-04T23:59:00.000-07:00

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

2008-10-31T10:28:00.000-07:00

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

2008-10-03T17:10:00.000-07:00

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

2008-09-08T22:49:00.000-07:00

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

2008-08-12T21:11:00.000-07:00

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!

2008-07-24T16:28:00.000-07:00

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

School!!

2008-07-22T10:26:00.000-07:00

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

2008-06-24T21:02:00.000-07:00

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

2008-06-12T14:01:00.000-07:00

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

2008-05-22T23:02:00.000-07:00

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

2008-05-22T22:43:00.000-07:00

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

2008-05-13T21:53:00.001-07:00

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!

2008-04-22T22:51:00.000-07:00

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.

crazy ice!

2008-04-22T22:44:00.000-07:00

okay, you have to zoom in on this picture! The cube in the middle right side froze with a pillar?! How does this happen? And it wasn't only this one time. I have seen at least three times that one cube in the bunch will have this funky growth, and its not always pointing straight up, it was going sideways last time. weird.

water!

2008-04-16T23:01:00.000-07:00

Ethan loves the pool. He does a pretty good job swiming by himself and he loves to jump!

Audree was all over the place and I couldn't get a good picture of her...I bet we will have lots more hot days to go to the pool.

This is Clark dunking Ethan and splashing my sister, Jamie. So funny....

We love Conference!

2008-04-10T23:05:00.000-07:00

Clark and I got to go to conference last week. Clark's grandarents live in Bountiful, so we stayed with them and they got us great tickets. We attended the Saturday morning, Clark and his grandpa went to preisthood, and we went to Sunday afternoon sessions. Saturday we sat way high up in the balcony, but Sunday we were front and center on the floor, which was amazing! We were also happy to be able to visit Clark's cousin in Orem and have dinner with them on Friday night (Trav and Shar, you are awesome!).

Clark and I aren't used to weather...living in California and Arizona we dont get snow, ever. Needless to say, we weren't prepared for Utah's freezing cold winter! It snowed the day we left and there was snow on all the mountains. It was so cold and I didn't even bring long pants with me! I am sure the people in the airport were laughing when I got off the plane into freezing weather in a teeshirt and capris. At least I got a little shopping trip in for long pants!

2008-03-30T16:25:00.000-07:00

My kids are so cute!! I love Ethan's toe in this one.
Our little family. We weren't planning on doing a family pic, so Clark and I are not dressed cute like the kids, but I think this one turned out okay.
I cant believe he is 2 years old already! Time is going by too fast.

She will be in kindergarten this fall! Yikes, that's like real school.

Easter

2008-03-24T20:26:00.000-07:00

Easter was great! Clark and I were able to teach a primary class and be humbly reminded of why we celebrate Easter. The 5 and 6 year olds knew more about the resurrection than I thought they would, good thing! My parents ditched us for her sister in Colorado, so we had to make do without grandparents for our Easter egg hunt. We did see the grand Easter Pageant at the Temple for their dress rehersal, which was beautiful!

they love eachother!

2008-03-21T22:34:00.000-07:00

Ethan loves to make animal noises. The 'qu' sound is a bit hard for him to make so this is what we get for the duck sound...
Another funny thing he has learned is to sneak around, which he does like a sideways hop. The other night Clark was putting the kids to bed and Audree falls asleep pretty fast, as usual, but Ethan wasn't ready for bed. He waited for Clark to drift off and tried to sneak out of bed slowly, but Clark caught him and put him back in bed. then he snuck onto Audree's bed and tried to get out that way, but was caught again. Clark starts to fall asleep one more time to Ethan takes a break for the door on all fours and when Clark says 'hey!' Ethan turned his head and said 'wuff wuff' like he was just a little dog, not Ethan, and no one should catch him. He is so funny! I love it.

2008-03-20T14:33:00.000-07:00

Ethan was so excited about his new outfit from Grandma. I think he looks so grown up in it! Anytime he hears the word grandma or grandpa he begs to go to their house. I am glad that we live so close to family now. The kids are loving it too!

2008-03-04T19:08:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was Clark's 28th Birthday! Happy Birthday, Honey! We will be celebrating this weekend though, because we have been a little busy moving. I want to say thanks to David & Angela and Steve & Cheri for helping us load the huge truck of stuff. Also thanks to Geoff & Jamie and Warren and Uncle Paul & my cousins (Austin & Carson) for helping us unload! We have a great family!
We had so much fun at Disneyland before we left and once I find my camera I will put up some good pictures. We did just get Disneyland passes for Christmas, so I hope to go back to California a few more time this year to make them worth the money!

Let it snow!

2008-02-18T20:08:00.000-07:00

We finally got to the snow this last weekend. The kids had so much fun. Ethan just wanted to go up the hill and slide down with Clark over and over. Rosco, our dog, went crazy digging holes and running around. It wasn't as cold as I thought it would be. Clark's brother, Brent, came with us. We had so much fun!

2008-02-12T16:10:00.000-07:00

So maybe we have been a little stubborn about moving, or at least going back to school...I dont know.. What do you think? Last year we were supposed to buy a great townhouse in a beautiful area, very close to the beach and the temple, with great schools, sounds great right? Well, we were in escrow, did our walk-thru and were going to close in three days when Clark and I weren't having such a good feeling about it. I thought I was crazy, the deal sounded so good and I couldn't see why we shouldn't do it. So after fasting and much prayer we decided not to buy, but to rent a house instead, two months later Clark lost his job (very unfairly, might I add). He decided to go back to school to be what he always wanted, a dentist. I started a small daycare and Clark was managing a tax-prep company in LA between his school semesters to make rent. We just weren't making it on our own here. So we thought we should move to a cheeper place. We started to look in Long Beach and Riverside and found some decent places, but no job, and still kinda expensive. I gave our landlord our 30 notice and she sounded okay with it, even though our lease is not up until May. so Clark put in his two weeks and I told my daycare parents that we were moving. She called the next day, probably after talking with her dad or her fiance, and said that we would have to stay or just pay until May, unless we could find someone to fill our lease. I went into panic mode. I wasn't sure if I could find a replacement and our savings is pretty much gone now and we would have no income in two weeks. I posted some free adds last night on Craigslist and Pennysaver and I have had 8 inquiries already! in one night! So now I am not worried and I know we are supposed to move. make that nine inquiries (someone else just called! yeah!)

the big move

2008-02-07T13:03:00.000-07:00

Yes, it is true. We are moving to Arizona. Clark really wants to be a dentist and so here we go back to school. I am so sad to leave California because it is home to me, but if we are going to finish dental school we will need some help. My wonderful and beautiful sister has agreed to take us in. So if anyone had any plans to go to Disneyland this year you have two months to get over here. In all seriousness I would love to have company before we go. Give me a call!

2008-02-01T14:07:00.000-07:00

We had a big storm here last weekend and half of our neighbors tree fell into our yard right on top of the swing set. The gardener cut it down for us, but it landed right on the electrical wires so they are sagging a lot now. I am not sure what to do about that. At least nobody got hurt.

Ice Skating

2008-01-26T20:07:00.000-07:00

Audree started ice skating lessons last week. She was so brave and good, but I didn't have the camera! This week she is sick, so she's not too happy in the picture, but she still gave it a try. Most of the other kids cry the whole time, because it is really hard to keep your balance and it hurts when you fall. I am so proud of her!

Kids say the darndest things

2008-01-07T23:49:00.000-07:00

I have really tried to keep the real meaning of Christmas in our home, so Audree and I have had many talks about why we celebrate the season and why we share gifts. During the last conversation we had just a few days ago she asked me how we could give gifts to Jesus like the wise men did. I told her that loving everyone and being so good were great gifts to give to Jesus. She had a wonderfdul idea. She said that she would wrap up those gifts in a box with a bow to give to Jesus. Then she paused and asked me where Jesus was. I said that Jesus is in heaven. She thought for a minute then said, okay so we can take the box with a bow and kill it.

Disneyland!

2008-01-02T17:02:00.000-07:00

Thanks to my dad and mom we got Disneyland passes for Christmas. Yeah Disneyland! Audree was so excited, Ethan didn't know what it was, but since we went yesterday he has been asking for it. Here we are in line for the Teacups! I had it spinning pretty fast, but it looked like Ethan was about to throw up, so I had to stop spinning it. He is so funny, when it was over he still wanted to go again.

Happy New Year!

2008-01-02T11:21:00.000-07:00

We had a great time bringing in the new year with some new friends. I am happy to be a wife and mom. I am happy we are all healthy. I am happy that we can live so comfortably. I am happy that Clark has a job and even more happy that he is enjoying it. I am happy to have my own testimony of our Savior. I am happy that Joseph Smith was a great man. I am happy that I come from a great family. I am looking forward to all of the great things to come this year. I wish everyone a happy new year!

Arizona

2007-12-20T21:10:00.000-07:00

Mom and I with my niece, Lucy
My Dad

Gymnastics and playing outside

2007-11-30T20:11:00.000-07:00

Papa and kids

2007-11-30T20:10:00.000-07:00

Merry Christmas

2007-11-27T23:10:00.000-07:00

Merry Christmas!

2007-11-27T23:07:00.000-07:00

It's that time of the year again. A wonderful time to remember the birth of our Savior, and thank Him for his great example of unconditional love. Have a wonderful holiday season!

train ride

2007-10-04T23:22:00.000-07:00

A few friends came with us the Irvine park to spend the day at the zoo and go on a fun train ride. Audree was too cool to smile for the picture but she is sporting her nice shades. It was a beautiful day and a fun outing.

popsicle

2007-10-04T23:19:00.000-07:00

Sharing with our new friend Cienna

beach time

2007-10-04T23:10:00.000-07:00

This is Ethan with his little friend Natalie. We tried to make the most of the beach this summer. It is amazing how much sand their little bodies can hold and deposite in my car and all over the bathroom at home! Ethan thought it was his personal job to find all of the shells and rocks and throw them back in to the ocean. He was very proud of himself everytime he sucessfully completed that mission.

2007-10-04T23:08:00.000-07:00

family life

2007-10-04T22:59:00.001-07:00

We moved. We love this little 3 bedroom. The kids especially love the big backyard. We live 2 blocks away from Disneyland and we can hear the fireworks loud and clear every night at 9:30 in the summer. Our address is Garden Grove, but across the street is Anahiem. The neighborhood is really quiet, mostly old people. Our next door neighbors just moved into an assisted living home, so we dont have new neighbors yet.

2007-10-04T18:00:00.000-07:00

This is our first blog. I hope you enjoy it.