Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Family Photos

After several attempts, we were
finally able to have family photos.
A BIG thank you to
Heather Telford Photography.

Heather did an amazing job!
We are not use to the changing 
weather that Utah has.
The park Heather took us to 
was the perfect setting.

This was the coolest tree 
I have ever seen.







I love this family of mine
and feel so fortunate to have
one spectacular husband
and three amazing children.

Friday, November 2, 2012

per request...

I have not disappeared or fallen off the face of the earth.
It has taken some time to get adjusted to our
new home, city, neighborhood and life.
I wish I could say I was adjusted, loving the change
and enjoying our new surroundings.
I am doing better and with time I will
fully embrace Utah.

I am grateful for the new friends I have made.
They have made me feel welcome, included me
and helped me with this transition.
I am also so thankful for my AZ friends that 
have visited, called and checked up on me.

There have been numerous requests to
get a glimpse of the new house.
Here you go...




This is the downstairs family room aka Alec's room


We are fortunate to have a theater room.
We LOVE it!


Family room


Kitchen and dining room
I love how everything is open and
the kitchen has been a dream
to bake and cook in. Double ovens
have been fabulous!


This is the side of the backyard and
set up for Lacrosse.

We have been blessed to be in a great
neighborhood with numerous friends for Alec.
He is one of twenty-three Deacons!
I couldn't ask for more for him.
Our home is so lovely and amazing.

I just have to be patient with myself
and try a little harder to adjust.

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

The Piano Guys


Amazing!
Five guys at the piano.
So much talent.


Thursday, August 30, 2012

House Divided....

We are excited for the start of football season.
As you can see we are a divided house.


Tonight it is all about the
BYU Cougars!!
Go Get'em!!


Tomorrow it will be
Boise State Broncos!
Let the fun begin!

Friday, July 27, 2012

GO USA!!

I LOVE the Olympics!
I always have.

I am so excited to watch all
of the events.
The athletes amaze me!
Years of training come down
to this one moment.

Go USA!!

Ever wonder what it is like
from a mother's perspective?
Here is a lovely video 
in their honor.


Tuesday, July 10, 2012

one month...

it has been one month since we made the move.
i wish i could say that it has been easy.
we got unpacked and somewhat settled within a week...
i am not someone who likes boxes, and craziness.
so, within a week we had unpacked and had pictures
on the walls and had our first guests.

it seems that everyone is adjusting pretty well,
except for me. i am still struggling.
change does not come easy for me.
i know it will take time and i am trying
to be patient. some days are easier
than others and i keep telling myself...

"I can do hard things"
and
"It will all work out"

i have to be patient and i try
to keep myself busy each day.

my heart still longs for Arizona.



Thursday, May 24, 2012

Class of 2012



WOW! That is all I can really say.
This beautiful young woman is graduating
tonight from Gilbert High.
Where has the time gone?

She will start at BYU in 4 short weeks.
The start of another phase in her and
our lives.

Great things lie ahead for Jensen.
She is a burst of energy, always
on the go, extremely intelligent,
Hilarious and so very kind hearted.

I am excited for this new adventure
for Jensen, but it overwhelms me
that I will have 2 in college.
How can that be?


Good job in High School Jensen!
We are so very proud of you and
all you have accomplished.
You are amazing!
Lots of Love,
Mom and Dad
xoxoxoxo

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

~12~

Happy Birthday
Alec!

Twelve years have gone by since
Alec joined our family.
It is hard to believe.
This tiny bird with
coal black hair has grown...

and grown.
Here he is at 5 years old.
Oh, man!
What a cutie!


And now at 12!
What a handsome young man.
 

~Alec has a great sense of humor
~Alec has a tender heart
~Alec has always been my buddy
~Alec loves movies
~Alec is very smart
~Alec has always loved to hang with the older boys
~Alec loves to play Lacrosse, Basketball and Golf
~Alec loves to tease and get rough with his sisters
~Alec is a very loyal friend
~Alec loves to read
~Alec is so excited to start going to Young Men's
~Alec is very aware when I have had a rough day and
coaxes me to sit down and relax
~Alec adds so much fun to our family

Alec, Dad and I are so very proud of you
and all that you have accomplished.
You are an amazing young man with
so much potential. We are very lucky
to be your parents and are so thankful
that you joined our family.
Happy Birthday Buddy!
We LOVE you!!
Love,
Mom and Dad
~

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

The Piano Guys



I just love these talented men.  I hope you enjoyed their newest video.


Sunday, May 13, 2012

Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day!
I want to Thank not only my Mother,
but also my Mother in-law.
I have been fortunate to have amazing
women in my life.
Not only are they great role models,
but they are supportive, caring,
inspiring, fun and loving.

My Mom has been such a
great example to me.
I am thankful for all that
she instilled in me.
I am grateful she is my mom.

I am fortunate to have married Scott.
He came from "good stock."
My mother in-law raised an
incredible man, that I am
fortunate to be able to
spend the eternities with.
 
There are so many other women that I am
Thankful for on this special day.
Grandmothers, Aunts, Friends, Sisters,
Church members.
All of them have an impact on my life.
 
I hope today is a special day
for all women.
I get to spend a relaxing
day at home with
Jensen and Alec.
They are doing the cooking,
cleaning and pampering.
We are missing Scott and Kenzie.
 
Thank you Mom, Becky and others for
helping me to be better each and everyday.
I love you!
 
 

Friday, May 11, 2012

Happiest Place on Earth


In April we did a spur of the moment
trip to Disneyland.

We left on a Thursday afternoon,
went to Disneyland on Friday
and drove home Friday night/
Saturday morning.
Disneyland was open 8-12
that day. We spent
13 hours running around
the "Happiest Place on Earth."




By 8:30 we had been on
Space Mountain twice
and were running to the other rides.



The boys on "Screamin."
Alec is not tall enough to see
They are in the 2nd car.



Love the photos taken during the ride.





Beautiful scenery at Disneyland.
We had fabulous weather!



 We had a blast running around Disneyland
with these three.
It was our first time with the kids as
teenagers, and we went non-stop
for 13 hours.


Love this photo.
Shades on and having fun!

We left Disneyland after "Fantasmic."
We drove to Scott's favorite pizza...
Round Table.
Picked up 2 pizzas, 5 hour energy,
lots of Diet Pepsi and headed back
to Arizona. We arrived home
at 4:00 AM Saturday morning.

Yes, we were exhausted, but it
was so worth it!
We are packing in a lot during our
last bit of time in Arizona.

Thursday, May 10, 2012

Another Cougar

Woo Hoo!!
We have another
BYU Cougar in
the family.

This beautiful young woman
will be attending BYU
starting in June.


We are so very proud of her!
Jensen has handled the move
and graduating early,
with maturity, faith,
and understanding.

It has been a lot for a
teenage girl to handle.
  
We are so excited for this next chapter in her life.
It will be fun for both girls to be at BYU Provo together.
Not to mention that the whole family will
be close.

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

April Recap


April was a whirlwind and a blur!
Time seems to be moving at mach speeds.
I can't stop it or slow it down.
Some of our normal traditions didn't
happen this year with birthdays, etc...
I guess that is what happens
when life is topsy turvy.

Kenzie was able to make it home
for her birthday and Easter.
She flew in at 9:00 PM on her birthday.
Better late than never!


We had a late night celebration.


Her favorite...
Fruit Pizza



Late night photos are the best









We had my birthday and somehow
we didn't get any photos.
Next was Jensen's Birthday.




Dishes for college...
Lucky Girl



It was nice to have the family
together for Easter.



Cute kids!


Mr. Dapper likes to pose



April was busy and jam packed!
We are enjoying our last bit in Arizona.

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Seventeen


Happy Birthday!!


 

Today this beautiful girl turns
"17"

We LOVE you Jensen!

~Jensen is very loyal
~Jensen is hilarious
~Jensen is very mature for her age
~Jensen is extremely smart
~Jensen is a burst of energy
~Jensen has a strong testimony
~Jensen is an excellent cook and baker
~Jensen lights up our home
~Jensen is strong willed
~Jensen has a great eye for fashion and style
~Jensen has great faith

Jens, you have been a light and burst
of energy since the day you were born.
You bring so much to our family.
We are so proud of you!
You are a remarkable Young Woman
and have a great future ahead of you.
Happy 17th!

We love you!
Mom and Dad


Thursday, April 5, 2012

Nineteen!


Where has the time gone?!
Today Kenzie turns "19"!!
It is such a privilage to be Kenzie's mom.
She is an amazing Young Woman.
~Kenzie is caring.
~Kenzie is smart!
~Kenzie is fabulous with children..we call her the "child whisperer."
~Kenzie has a great sense of humor
~Kenzie has strong convictions and holds to them.
~Kenzie has a great head on her shoulders.
~Kenzie has a wonderful testimony of the gospel.
~Kenzie has accomplished sooo much so far in her life.
~Kenzie is beautiful inside and out.
~Kenzie LOVES chocolate!
~Kenzie is a fantastic friend.
~Kenzie is a wonderful example and an amazing big sister.

Kenzie, your dad and I are so very proud of you!
You will be an amazing teacher this fall.
Those 5th graders are sooo lucky!
You are a special young woman and
we are so lucky to have you as our daughter.
We love you!

HAPPY 19th BIRTHDAY!!






Wednesday, March 28, 2012

General Conference


This weekend is General Conference.
It is such an enjoyable weekend.
We get to enjoy fabulous talks,
music and hear from our prophet.




For the ladies that I visit teach,
I made Conference baskets for them
and their families.



The baskets have printed off conference
packets for all ages, popcorn, notebooks
for note taking, chocolate, crackers,
card games, bouncy balls and
other goodies to keep the kiddos
occupied during each session.

Enjoy and have a fabulous weekend!


Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Gilbert Tigers Lacrosse

(Taking a knee during a game)

We have been living, breathing, talking
and going to lacrosse since October.
It has been a very busy season!
We have loved every minute of it!


Look at that face...totally in his element.
Alec has always longed for a BIG brother
or even a brother.
He was on a team with 30 boys.
Pure Heaven for him!

Alec was one of four that were
still in elementary school.
The rest of the team were
7th and 8th graders.
He had a LOT of BIG brothers!

Not only did they practice and play together,
but a few of them would invite him to hang out.
OH, boy!! Cloud nine for Alec!


This picture says it all!



The boys and their families were amazing!
We feel so fortunate to have been a part
of this incredible group.

The coaches were incredible and
Alec has learned so much.
Being his first year in Lacrosse there
was some apprehension.
Alec grew leaps and bounds in his skills
and loved to play in each and every game.


This last weekend was tournament for
the end of the Jr High Lacrosse season.
We played our first game on Wednesday and won.
Play continued on Saturday in Scottsdale,
where we played an amazing team from
Tucson and lost.
That was tough for the boys.
The team had only lost one game all season.

They rallied themselves and went on to win
and make it to the Championship game
to meet the Tucson team again.

The boys played hard!
They played 4 games Saturday
with only a half hour break in between
one of them.

All the work, dedication and coaching paid off.
The Gilbert JHS Tigers are Champions!!
The first State Lacrosse Win for Gilbert!


What a happy team!



Alec had such a fabulous time....
making friends, learning, playing hard
and being part of an incredible team!!

We have cherished memories of
this fabulous Lacrosse season,
numerous BIG brothers for Alec,
and a new passion....
Lacrosse! 



Good Job Gilbert Tigers JHS Team!!
Congratulations on a
13-2 season and
State Champions!