Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Fall!

I love this time of year! As much as I want time to just stand still for a second, even if just to catch up the blog and catch a breath, nevertheless it marches on so I just try to enjoy every second! Much has happened in the last month or so. Here is a little recap...
Slide Rock day trip was a blast. Minnie Mouse Club is alive and well! Tyler left to the Marines! Semper Fi! We just enjoyed a wonderful conference and our family tradition of fresh baked cinnamon rolls on Sunday morning. We had dinner and Grandmas and PaPa's with Julie and her kids!
We recently said goodbye to Mason who left for his mission in Mexico. We are so proud of him and we will miss him. The Zoo Walk for Autism was another huge success for our sweet Cade this year! We had a fun family night last night at the Merrills' where we celebrated Nick, Josh and Aubrey's birthdays! It was wonderful to see Jandi and her little tummy filled up with Skyler Brick who will arrive in a couple months. Today Jandi is going through the temple and we are so excited for her and their upcoming sealing in December! We said goodbye Louie, the Koozer's Great Dane. Sadly, he is not on a mission but was so old and sick so they had to put him down. He was a great dog and lived a long happy life and we will miss him! We miss Buddy too who is doing such a wonderful job as a missionary in Italy. We can't wait to see him and hug him again! He has a new nephew and three foster brother's he has never met so that reunion will be fun! All the kids are doing great! McKenna just spoke at the seminary conference at Highland, Kenny is tearing it up on the Highland football team, Kyle is in student counsel and getting near perfect grades, Elise is excelling this year in school and loves tumbling at Tracy's. Brooks is loving the second grade and tumbles with Elise. Ken and I are staying busy with work and callings. We are looking forward to Katie and Cole's wedding and the family reunion next month where we will get to see the Sheperds and the Manns!!








I love my life, my family, my Savior. Truly blessed!!

Friday, August 6, 2010

Nick & Aubree...Today is the BIG day!

We had such a fun time at the dinner for Nick and Aubree last night! Amy re-created a vintage french cafe and my mom made 100's of delicious pasties! We got to meet Aubree's wonderful family! We are looking forward to meeting more of her family and seeing friends tonight! We are just so happy that she is part of our family! Today they will be sealed for time and all eternity! Congrats! We all love you!

Saturday, July 3, 2010

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.)


Monday, May 24, 2010

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!

Sunday, April 18, 2010

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!






Monday, March 15, 2010

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!

Friday, February 5, 2010

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!

Saturday, January 9, 2010

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!




Sunday, December 27, 2009

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.



Saturday, December 19, 2009

Saturday, November 28, 2009

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!!!