First Day of School 2010

Pictures say a thousand words - or just one!  Taylor has never been a fan of picture taking.  You'll see what I mean if you look at picture #1.  I wish I could say it was the teenager coming out in him but alas it's just my Taylor.  He was resigned to starting 8th grade.  He didn't even need me to come to the Back To School night the Jr High held on Monday.  It's old school same ole same ole I guess.  Time is flying with this one.  I can't believe he could be driving in 2 1/2 year.  CRAZY.

Luckily I can still get a smile out of Camden.  He is off to 4th grade this year!  He has a class full of friends and is excited to stay busy and I am excited to get him off the x-box they just purchased.  :-)

Haleigh has always taken a good picture!  I love her sense of style - and she can always strike a pose!  I love that she HAD to have red vans and that she wore them for the first day.  It says so much about her personality!  She is the queen of the school - the big 6th grader on campus.  She was thrilled to get the teacher she desired and her good friend to boot!  Ah the simple things in life and always the sweetest!

Here is my big first grader.  She also was lucky to get a great teacher and with her bestest friend.  

This is the "I can't believe you are embarassing me Mother by coming in my class and taking my picture!" picture.  

The one below is "Okay I guess I'll make it good - you might post it on facebook" LOL

Taylor 2010 Baseball Recap

Taylor had a great year of baseball in 2010.  The highlight had to be after Taylor started his Little League season he found out he made the Greenfield Jr. Baseball team.  Although it made for a busy 2 months for him - he had a great time playing with boys he went to school with.  Taylor played center field for his school team and some first base, short stop and center for his White Sox team. He played hard and had fun learning and growing on the bigger fields.

At the end of the school year Taylor was ready to take a break from baseball. Then he was nominated to play all stars... Taylor made the decision to not play.  Unfortunately for him this age group less boys are available to play all stars due to their "teenage schedules".  He was guilted into supporting the Junior Team (yep that was us).  Luckily he was able to "enjoy" the experience with 2 good friends Jacob and Rhett  Although the team didn't make it out of the district tournament - it was a good experience.  Here are the only pictures I remembered to take.  (loser mom)

#2 Girls Trip for 2010!!!!

So our good friend Bart Hamilton wanted to send Kristi on a surprise birthday trip.   Cami and I enjoyed obliging him.  We had a fabulous girls weekend full of fun.  We got Kristi a ticket and we all enjoyed Wicked in San Francisco Friday night for her birthday and then toured Napa all day Saturday.  It was a fun filled day full of shopping, eating and taking in all the beautiful scenery of the area.  Thanks again girls as always for a great time!

One of the best Hamburger joints you'll ever try.  They lines are long but well worth the wait.  It's called Taylor's Refresher.  It's been featured on Diners, Drive - In's and Dives.  But it is FAR from a dive.  They food is amazing, and the service first rate and dining area immaculate. Yumm - o!

We were enthralled with the beauty of the red rose bushes at the end of each row of grapes.  

Some crazy dude decided to build this castle in and around his vineyard.  It took 20 years and a ridiculous amount of money - but it is authentic and really really pretty up on that hill!

Haleigh's End of School 2010 Activities and Awards

Academic Night 2010!  Haleigh values her education and has always enthusiastically embraces her love of learning and finding joy in the journey.  I am so grateful for the amazing teachers she has had the advantage of having.  Although I think she has that personality, I know the influence her teachers have had on her has fostered and encouraged her creativity and desire to succeed.  She is my one kiddo who wants to finish everything the day she get it.  No matter that the due date is a month away - nope we are off buying poster board, clay, pipe cleaners or felt at the store immediately.  I love her enthusiasm and her great example.  (Her Mom and both her brothers could learn from her)

After a year of tumbling, Haleigh finally got her back walkover?  I love that I have a camera that finally captures action shots!  Now for that back handspring!  She is almost there :-)

Haleigh has been playing the violin now for 6  years.  We were worried that Beginning Orchestra in 5th grade would be a "challenge" for her to participate in.  Her teacher recognized she might be a little bored so she asked Haleigh to do a few extra things to help.  Haleigh loved being able to help the kids just starting each class getting their violins tuned and helped them with their fingering and even reading the music.


At the beginning of their last concert her Conductor invited her to play a solo.  (picture above) She played the Suzuki song she was working on- I think it was the first song of book 4.  The audience gave her a standing ovation!  It was so sweet.  She was so touched and turned all red!  The kids have always been so sweet to her graciously bestowed compliments to her at each concert.  But I think she was most touched by some of the parents that stopped and complimented after the concert in the gym, outside the school and even in the parking lot.


I am so grateful that she has chosen to develop this talent and to bless us with it!  Keep it up Haleigh. 

Haleigh participates in a orchestra outside of school, the East Valley Youth Symphony.  She set a goal early in the year and the last concert of the year was awarded for her hard work!!!  She earned first chair!   I love to see a goal, especially one not immediately realized, requiring continued and diligent work finally awarded!  She was so excited.  We are very proud of her!

Haleigh 11th Birthday

Yes - I am playing catch up!  Haleigh had a fun 11th birthday.  We took Krispy Kreme in to school and her friend Gabby treated her to a mani / pedicure and then an afternoon of shopping topped off with lunch at chili's.  How nice is that?  It was an off party year for Haleigh so we had a fun family dinner and celebrated together.  It was a fun weekend!  

Camden Turns 9

Yes this is catch up again! For some reason I can't find all the pictures I took of the festivities, but it was an off party year for Camden so we took in Krispy Kreme Doughnuts to school and then built a Doughnut Cake to take to the Baseball Game he was playing ON his birthday! Could you think of a better way for Camden to spend his day? We sure love this kid and couldn't imagine our lives without him.  

He shared his birthday and cake with his teammate Dallin Ruiz.

Kona - 15 year Anniversary

So Troy came home one day in March with his mother who was supposedly stopping by for a day on here way back to Utah visiting California.  As they sat down on the couch Troy proceeds to tell me his mom is really here to watch the kids while he and I go to Kona, Hawaii for our 15 year anniversary.  Now you need to understand - I HATE SURPRISES.  Everyone knows I hate surprises which is why they sat there and laughed for a good 10 minutes while I sat there in shock.  Luckily Troy changed him mind and told me the afternoon before we left instead of the morning of our flight.  I probably would have killed him if he had done that!  In the end it was an amazingly fun trip and a nice getaway from our day to day life.  Troy managed to pull it off without a hitch.  He took care of every detail and planned a beautiful trip full of fun memories I will never forget!  I had been telling him for years that I wanted to go see Volcano National Park and apparently he was listening!!  Love you honey.  It was an amazing 15 years and I can't wait to look back at the next 15!

Troy is standing on the famous black beach and yet another sea turtle.  They were everywhere in Kona!  We loved to watch as they walk lazily around the beaches!  In the picture on the right I am sitting in front of the famous sea arch.  It is a picturesque spot on the drive to Volcano National Park.  It was beautiful!  If you were patient every 15 minutes or so water would spray through the arch like a blow hole.  So fun!

This is in Volcano National Park where the lava spilled onto the road.  You used to be able to drive all the way around the Park in a circle - but after this eruption in the late eighties- no more circle!

Behold the live volano!!!

We were able to go to the temple in Kona. Although they didn't rent clothing for a session, we were able to do some initiatories.  It was a fun evening.  The grounds at the temple were so beautiful.  My favorite were the fan palm trees.  I took a picture of one!  It looks like it is holding up the angel Moroni! 

This is the view of the ancient ruins of the King & Queen's temple from our hotel balcony in our room.  It was fun to walk out there during low tide.  

The were so many turtles at the beach by our hotel and just all around Kona! You were allowed to look only - $1500 fine if you touched them! 

Disneyland and the ICM Food & Clothing Bank

It was time again for our family to visit the happiest place on earth.  We were lucky enough to be able to participate in Disneyland's promotion for 2010 which was "Give a Day - Get a Day".  Our family signed up to volunteer at a family project center that helped families with donations for food, clothes and job placement.   It was called Interfaith Cooperative Ministries Food and Clothing Bank in Phoenix.  They kids were a little apprehensive when we first arrived, but soon after rolling up our sleeves and getting to work - they had a blast.  We sorted clothing and hung them up on hangers.  We filled up little bottles of shampoo and conditioner, and we organized donations by men, woman, and children clothing.  After 2 1/2 hours it was time to go and our kids were amazed how quickly the time passed.  It was a fun day to spend together as a family.  I am grateful we were able to reach out to a different area to serve than we are normally used to.  It was a great day.  A few weeks later we were able to spend a fun couple of days at Disneyland.  One day was free thank to the volunteer program and the second day we were able to go through Club 33 and have a divine lunch thanks to Dave Larsen!!!  Club 33 is a private club inside of Disneyland.  If you are ever in New Orleans Square just before the lane ends you will see a plain red door on your left with a simple gold plate with an engraved 33.  It is locked from the outside but there is a doorbell.  Only those with a reservation can enter.  They serve 5 star food in a private dining room.  There is nothing like have filet mignon to break up your rushing around Disneyland.  It was a fun couple of days spent together.  We were lucky to have my sister Melissa and my mom share it with us.  We love Disneyland!!!

At the end of our first day!

Those dumb enough to go on the teacup.  Feeling whoozy yet?

Love that face Camden!!

Sadie was so excited to see the princesses!

Nana, Aunt Melissa and the kids.  Melissa, Taylor's gaining on you!!!

Taylor Turns 13 - WOW A TEENAGER!

Poor Taylor - this is the only picture I have of his birthday.  Because this was an off party year for him, it appears I forgot I owned a camera.  I can't believe how old he looks!  


In lieu of lots of fun pictures - the one below shows Taylor with his birthday breakfast traditions.  Every birthday our kids get to pick their favorite breakfast menu and dinner out.   Breakfast is always served up on our You are Special Today plate.  My mom picked this tradition up when my family and I lived in Germany when I was a youngster.  I had to have one and a few years ago found them at Marshalls of all places.  
Taylor almost always picks Waffles with Strawberries and Whip Cream.  


Last year my friend gave me the cupcake you see also on the table.  This recently added tradition just makes the morning even more fun.  Each birthday child wakes up (or comes home from school depending on how prepared or "un" prepared Mom is) and has to hunt for the hidden cupcake.  There is a little something inside the cupcake.  The kids love it!


Taylor is such a great kid.  He is usually too smart for his own good - thinking he knows more than his parents, which in some cases may be true - but let's not go there!  I love his logical nature and his uncommon sense of responsibility.  He is one of the most honest people I have ever met and has a quiet sense of self esteem and confidence.  


Taylor we love you and couldn't imagine our home without your sweet and tender spirit.  Thank you for all you do for your Dad and I and of course the example you usually set for your siblings.  

Halloween 2009

You have to admit she's a cute little devil ehe?

That is Camden under the mask.
Haleigh our female pirate!

Taylor and his friend Jacob. They were the hit of the neighborhood. You can't see but they had tube socks and high tops on. They were so funny and had a great time with all the attention.

This year we were so busy we barely made it out. We didn't get our pumpkins carved but we did manage to get the kids in their costumes. We can always thank Haleigh for her perpetual preparedness. Now if we can keep her planning in the month of October next year! September is a bit early for me! It was fun to have Halloween on a Saturday. After 5 games here and there and everywhere - the kids had fun trick or treating with friends around the neighborhood.