Happy Birthday Madison!

Okay, who's thinking I crazy right now? You all know they are a year and a day apart...or you do now! Madison is our mild mannered child, she has her moments, but for the most part she is so sweet and thoughtful. If she wants two of something, it is so she can give one to someone else, ALWAYS! So, happy 2nd Birthday Madison Riley!

Happy Birthday Ashley!

Ashley is Three Years Old today! I never ceases to amaze me how fast time goes by. I feel like I just brought her home from the hospital! Now at "3" I think she has finally tripled her birth weight...this is a serious milestone. (Her checkup is next week, so I will let you know for sure)

What kind of Parent am I?

I love my kids school. The teachers are amazing, the curriculum is above and beyond, and there are so many lds kids at the school with them. However, the Head Principal is a pill, and they have had some serious issues with the a/c not just this year, but also the end of last school year! So, what do I do about it you ask? I talk to the Principal...then I talk to the district superintendent...then I talk to the head of facilities management.... That was last week. Then on Friday, we walk into school and the A/C is off again. So I go to the front office and excuse my kids for the day because I don't think they should have to try and concentrate in that kind of environment(it was already 86* in Wesley's classroom!) So I get home and I call the state superintendents office. And then the state head of facilities management. Now before you think I am totally crazy, Chad thought I should have skipped them all and gone straight to the governors office. He wanted to see the administrators faces when Janet Napanetano showed up. I know a little drastic, but seriously this situation is out of control. (Okay maybe I am too). I just don't understand how it can take months and months to solve this problem. And no one wants to take the intuitive and take charge. Drives me nuts! So, we arrive at school this morning, expecting the worst...and low and behold, the a/c is on and functioning! Isn't that amazing? I feel like such a pest, but it goes to show that the squeaky wheel always gets the oil! (We'll see how long it lasts)

Our Photo Shoot!

Just for Girls!

A friend posted this on her blog, and I couldn't help myself!

WOMAN'S PERFECT BREAKFAST

She's sitting at the table with her gourmet coffee.Her son is on the cover of the Wheaties box.Her daughter is on the cover of Business Week.Her boyfriend is on the cover of Playgirl.And her husband is on the back of the milk carton.

A

WOMEN'S REVENGE

"Cash, check or charge?" I asked, after folding items the woman wished to purchase. As she fumbled for her wallet, I noticed a remote control for a television set in her purse. "So, do you always carry your TV remote?" I asked."No," she replied, "but my husband refused to come shopping with me,and I figured this was the most evil thing I could do to him legally.

A

"UNDERSTANDING WOMEN

(A MAN'S PERSPECTIVE)

I know I'm not going to understand women.I'll never understand how you can take boiling hot wax,pour it onto your upper thigh, rip the hair out by the root,and still be afraid of a spider.

A

MARRIAGE SEMINAR

While attending a Marriage Seminar dealing with communication,Tom and his wife Grace listened to the instructor,"It is essential that husbands and wives know each other's likes and dislikes." He addressed the man, "Can you name your wife's favorite flower?"Tom leaned over, touched his wife's arm gently and whispered, "It's Pillsbury, isn't it?

A

CIGARETTES AND TAMPONS

A man walks into a pharmacy and wanders up & down the aisles.The sales girl notices him and asks him if she can help him.He answers that he is looking for a box of tampons for his wife.She directs him down the correct aisle. A few minutes later, he deposits a huge bag of cotton balls and a ball of string on the counter. She says, confused, "Sir, I thought you were looking for some tampons for your wife? He answers, "You see, it's like this, yesterday, I sent my wife to the store to get me a carton of cigarettes, and she came back with a tin of tobaccoand some rolling papers; cause it's sooo-ooo--oo-ooo much cheaper.So, I figure if I have to roll my own .......... so does she.(I figure this guy is the one on the milk carton!)

AA

WIFE VS. HUSBAND

A couple drove down a country road for several miles, not saying a word.An earlier discussion had led to an argument andneither of them wanted to concede their position.As they passed a barnyard of mules, goats, and pigs,the husband asked sarcastically, "Relatives of yours?""Yep," the wife replied, "in-laws."

AA

WORDS

A husband read an article to his wife about how many words women use a day... 30,000 to a man's 15,000. The wife replied, "The reason has to be because we have to repeat everything to men... The husband then turned to his wife and asked, "What?"

A

ACREATION

A man said to his wife one day, "I don't know how you can beso stupid and so beautiful all at the same time."The wife responded, "Allow me to explain.God made me beautiful so you would be attracted to me;God made me stupid so I would be attracted to you!

AA

WHO DOES WHAT

A man and his wife were having an argument about whoshould brew the coffee each morning. The wife said, "You should do it because you get up first,and then we don't have to wait as long to get our coffee. The husband said, "You are in charge of cooking around here and you should do it, because that is your job, and I can just wait for my coffee." Wife replies, "No, you should do it, and besides, it is in the Bible that the man should do the coffee." Husband replies, "I can't believe that, show me." So she fetched the Bible, and opened the New Testament and showed him at the top of several pages, that it indeed says . "HEBREWS"

AA

THE SILENT TREATMENT

A man and his wife were having some problems at home and were giving each other the silent treatment. Suddenly, the man realized that the next day, he would need his wife to wake himat 5:0 0 AM for an early morning business flight. Not wanting to be the first to break the silence (and LOSE), he wrote on a piece of paper, "Please wake me at 5:00 AM." He left it where he knew she would find it. The next morning, the man woke up, only to discover it was 9:00 AM and he had missed his flight Furious, he was about to go and see why his wife hadn't wakened him, when he noticed a piece of paper by the bed. The paper said, "It is 5:00 AM. Wake up."Men are not equipped for these kinds of contests.

AA

God may have created man before woman, but there is always a rough draft before the masterpiece

Remember Your Firsts?

1st Grade Teacher: Ms. Garcia: I had a Ms. Garcia for Kinder also, but I remember first grade better!

Color of First Bike: It was pink and had a banana boat seat with a basket on the handlebars

First Crush: Probably one of the lifeguards from swimming lessons, I can't remember any of their names though

First Job: Babysitting my siblings.

First Airplane Ride: I haven't ever been on a plane, and that really doesn't bother me...

First Car: The Chevy Lumina that we just sold to Hannah, I really liked that car!

First Speeding Ticket: None yet, but I tend to have a lead foot, so we shall see how long that lasts!

First Car Crash: Um, yeah, I didn't even have my license yet and while learning to drive I hit a light pole!

First Date: Ben Bowles, not that exciting (sorry Ben)!.

First House: This one in Tucson. We didn't plan on staying this long, so we are starting to grow out of it!

First Gray Hair: I still don't have any! (And I don't plan on inviting any to take up residence, thank you very much!

Say "Hi" to Deni

Okay, so not the best picture of Ashley, but we wanted you to meet Deni! No, she isn't really ours, but we get to have her while the boys are in school Monday through Friday. Ashley and Madison love her to pieces, especially Madison who keeps me fully apprised of every noise or movement that Deni makes! Deni belongs to one of the teachers at Allen and Wesley's school. She is six weeks old and the sweetest baby. You would think that she was a younger sibling the way she goes with the flow and puts up with all of Madison's kisses and loves! But, we love her and wanted to let everyone know about the newest member of our family (well you know what I mean)!

The First Day of School

Today was the day! The kids were so thrilled, it was impossible not to get caught up in their excitment! So we took the requisite pictures and stayed in kindergarten until Wesley asked "if it was time for us to go home?"

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Allen in front of the growth tree--Wesley in front of the growth tree




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Allen in his class line.------Wesley staying close to Mrs. Feerick.



Allen is being so good------------- Wesley checking out
--paying attention! -------------the pictures in the story.

Our Tree

We planted this tree after we moved to Tucson (long story short, we had it hanging out of the back passenger window of our car) and it has become our "growth tree" at each step we take we try to get a picture in front of the tree. I know we aren't going to live here forever, but I think we are going to have to have a tree to call our own everywhere we go.

Sonoran Desert Museum

The Last Hurrah!

We knew it was our last weekend, so we wanted to make it fun. The kids completed the summer reading program (it was so down to the wire), and we promised them we would take them to redeem their prizes. What that meant for us was a trip to the Sonora Desert Museum and Breakers Water Park...in the same day! It was a long day but we all had a blast. We got to the museum really early so we caught breakfast with some of the animals (so so so gross, but you had to watch it anyway)!We spent a few hours there and then headed over to the water park. It was really geared towards older kids, but lets be honest, all the kids wanted was to play in the water, so they didn't really care. We did get lucky and ended up having Aunt Lexy with us for the day, always fun...but add it to a fun filled day and we bordered on a fun overload. Don't worry no one was hurt and fun levels never reached dangerous levels!

Allen's Gallery

Okay, it's only fair that Allen also gets a gallery since he spent part of his summer experimenting in the pottery studio! He told me after only one class, that he was disappointed with the fact that he wouldn't be using a pottery wheel! (Children have to be 9 before they are allowed to take that class) He rebounded however, and really made some fun things.
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A puzzle box-----------Allen and Ms. Margaret---Bowl with lid

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--- "Ned Head" (vase)------------------------Monster Jam cup

President James E. Faust Passes Away

(KSL News) Members and leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are mourning the loss today of President James E. Faust.
President Faust passed away at 12:20 this morning surrounded by family at his house. He had been working at the office until a couple of weeks ago. He died at age 87 from what are being called "causes incident to his age."
He has served in the church's highest governing body for more than 12 years. President Faust was set apart as second counselor in the First Presidency in 1995, after being an apostle for 16 years.
He is known for being kind and gentle, a man of great compassion. Many people, whether church leaders or members, have fond memories of him and talk of his importance beyond his faith.

In 1998 President Faust received a Brazilian national citizenship award. That honor is given only to a select few world leaders. He was awarded honorary citizenship of the city of Sao Paulo. That is something he was very proud of, because he loved the people of Brazil, had fond memories of his time there and traveled there often.
He was born July 31, 1920 in Delta, Utah.
He is survived by his wife, Ruth, five children, 25 grandchildren and 28 great-grandchildren. He would often mention his wife in his addresses to the church at large and to women of the church.
Known as a kind, gracious man, his colleagues say he never rushed to judgment and always thought before he spoke. They remember that he was always nice to be around and had a charming sense of humor.

The last talk President Faust gave during April's General Conference will long be remembered. The message: the healing power of forgiveness. President Faust began the talk with the story of the Amish in Pennsylvania who endured an horrific tragedy with the shooting deaths of five girls and wounding of five others in Oct. 2006. The gunman was a milkman, who then killed himself.
President Faust said, "Amish leaders visited the milkman's wife and children to extend their sympathy, their forgiveness, their help and their love. About half the mourners at the milkman's funeral were Amish. In turn, the Amish invited the milkman's family to attend the funeral services of the girls who had been killed."
President Faust spoke to church members of forgiving all men, through their faith.

Flowers in Bloom

Wesley's Galllery

Wesley has always been the artist. He has an art table in his room to sit at; real pencils and supplies to use. That has always been his thing. So when we were planning activities for the summer, I asked him if he wanted to take a pottery class. He is still too young for the pottery wheel, but that didn't stop him from having a blast. So, now we would like to present a few of his creations from this summer session.(The guy in the pic with him "Mr Joe" his instructor)


(pinch pot with lid) (pyramid landscape with moon, iguana, & bushes)


(Castle with dragon tail hanging out) (Triceratops)

The Fish Hatchery

So you thought I was done talking about our little get away...Sorry. I just got another roll of film back and remembered the last stop on our journey. Drum roll please...The Glennwood Fish Hatchery! I know the excitement is just overwhelming. But it was kind of neat to see where stock fish come from for the lakes and ponds. Anyways, look really close and you can see fish in the pictures. The water is black because there are so many fish in each of the tanks!
And then Ashley wanted yet another flower for her collection!

(What is it about the pictures of little kids reaching for the flower?)

So cute!

Hair Cuts...

Why is it that the boys hair needs to be cut like every three weeks, but Ashley and Madison still have no hair? Ashley got her first haircut at 18months (apx), and I decided that Madison was due for he first (she is almost 2!) So Ashley got her 2nd haircut! I just wish their hair would grow...

Oh, Madison was not happy with me about all of this!