Wanna Be Free- Happy Independance Day!

We love our Country! We know this is a promised land! We feel privileged to be a part of it and gratful to those who have sacrificed to defend it! We have to do our own study of history since it is no longer taught in school and since we see how very fragile our freedoms are we will keep learning so we can stand up and tell the truth and fight for our God given right to be free! Here is a fun little tribute by the kids. Happy 4th! (Be sure to pause the music player to the right before you start the video.)

Elise Virginia is 9! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

Elise has grown up so fast! She is so smart and fun! She is a great dancer, singer-songwriter, reader, baby magnet! A stray kitten quickly adopted Elise just in time for her birthday too! We had a special day together at the salon and movies, then we picked up her cousin Sarah for a mall stop. Sunday on Elise's actual birthday, she was able to attend her first temple dedication for the Gila Valley Temple. This was special to her since she was able to tour it a couple weeks ago. Elise we hope you had a wonderful special birthday because you are a wonderful, special person! LOVE YOU!

McKenna's Spring Sweet 16!

It's official! McKenna turned 16 on March 29th! We had a blast with old and new friends at her party! We love you McKenna! Happy Birthday sweet girl!

A fantastic local band, Shopping Kart Tragedies, comprised mostly from Priests from our ward played. Awesome!

Spring Break Kick Off...Horseback riding with Papa..

Thank you Papa! WE LOVE YOU!














Way cool T-Rex print that Kyle pointed out right when we got to the farm!

MONSON WILLIAM JOLLEY IS FINALLY HERE!

I stayed up at the hospital late Sunday night waiting for him to come and I missed him by just one hour! I can't wait to go visit him on Saturday!
You're favorite GREAT Auntie is on her way sweet baby boy!
Thanks for letting me babysit sweet Monson Friday Bailey and Wills! He is just sooo yummy!

Brooklynn's Cake Boss Birthday Party!!

Brooklynn turned 7 on January 2nd! She had a fun birthday party based on two of her favorite shows, Ace of Cakes and Cake Boss! I love this sweet girl. I can't believe that she is seven already. She is so smart, funny and beautiful! I just love being her mom! Thanks to McKenna, Carlie, Catelyn and Shae for all of their help making this party a huge success! Happy Birthday Sweet Brooklynn!

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!

We enjoyed a wonderful Christmas this year! We are so grateful for our blessings and our sweet family for being there for us and continually bless our lives each day. We are most grateful for our Savior and this special time of year to reflect on His birth! We love you all and hope you all had a very Merry Christmas!

Here is a slide show from Christmas morning and a picture of my favorite gift this year, another AMAZING painting from my mom. We have wonderful pictures from Christmas Eve with Charlie and Robin that I will post soon.

Christmas is Coming!!

Happy Thanksgiving

This was a sad year because Ken and a few of the kids got really sick and we all stayed home to spare the rest of the family. On Monday we had a fun pie night with the Mann side of the family. My Mom made tons of pies and Dad shared the story of the first Thanksgiving (with some help from Porter) :) It was a lot of fun.

On Thanksgiving, the kids and I put together a last minute meal and had a lot of fun. We all felt very sad for our Dad because he did not leave his bed all day! He is finally feeling a little better and we are looking forward to the hayride today with Papa and the cousins!

Despite the sickness we sure do have a lot to be grateful for! We went around the table and I had the kids tell me one thing they were grateful for, for each year they have been alive. I thought the big kids would have a hard time coming up with so many but I think we all went over! Kyle cheated and counted cousins individually so that would make him about 50! I was so touched by Kenny and McKenna who's gratitude list turned into a beautiful testimony of the truthfulness of the
Gospel and the power of the priesthood. I am sooooo blessed!!

Thank you for your thoughts and prayers and for nice Uncles who are always available to come over and give blessings and check on us. Thanks to ALL of our family who we love soo much!!!

We Are Still Here! Happy Birthday Kyle!

It has been way too long since I have had a chance to post here. Things have been busy through the move and school starting. We are enjoying Gilbert but we do miss our friends and family in Mesa! We are adjusting well and settling in.

We enjoyed a wonderful vacation in October to the Sheperd's in Texas! I will post pictures of that soon. We also celebrated Kyle's 11th Birthday!! I can't believe how fast time goes!

Kyle had a special birthday where he got his dog and best buddy Teddy back. We had given him away when we moved to this rental house. All the kids missed him but Kyle never really got over it. Luckily we gave him to a dear, understanding friend who agreed to let us give him back to Kyle for his birthday.

We went out for ice cream for family night and took a walk around Pet Smart just to kill time as we often do. I had Teddy groomed and he was sitting on a grooming table when Kyle walked by and saw him. He could not believe how much that dog reminded him of Teddy. I agreed and suggested that we take a picture.

I really took this video of when we told him that it was indeed Teddy and that he could take him home. It is precious and a little embarrassing since we are all crying in the middle of the pet shop! Enjoy!

THIRTY EIGHT IS GREAT!! THANKS EVERYONE!

I just want to thank everyone for making this a birthday I will never forget! I was so surprised! Thanks for the sweet gifts and tender words of love from so many! It must have taken so much planning to get so many of us out to Maricopa! I received so many sweet gifts and hugs and kisses and phone calls from everyone. The biggest surprise was that my sweet brother Charlie somehow remembered the very first song I wrote when I was ten. He made an amazingly beautiful arrangement of it and had Hillary record it when she was up visiting him in Virginia. They recorded it with my mother singing the tender words including a third verse that she wrote that was so moving. This song was prompted by my mother's comforting words shortly after my little brother Brooks passed away. It brought me peace and helped me through a difficult time and helped my testimony grow. He must have been working on this for some time. I can't even remember how to play it. You amaze me Charlie! I can't believe you remembered it and wrote this beautiful arrangement of it! I can't even comprehend the scope of your talent! When I think of the time and thought this must have taken everyone, especially Charlie to even think of such a sweet tender gift is priceless!!

I am truly blessed and love you all so much! THANK YOU!