Changes

Our year has been crazy...just like everyone else! Big news for us though...drum roll please!

We are moving! Our three year stint in Tucson that morphed into almost 9!!! is coming to an end. Surprisingly enough- at least to me- is that we are moving back to Graham County. We are hoping to find a home in Thatcher, but we will be somewhere in the general area. We are all so excited about this move! Updates will come in the days ahead, but I just wanted to share the info to any of our readers that still check on us occasionally!

"Summer Fun"

Allen, Wesley and Ashley with their Summer Fun teachers.

Allen and his Summer Friend-J.J.

This summer we found the most amazing summer school program for the kids. They were separated into groups not by age, or grade, but so that there was an assortment of each in every group. The groups rotated through each of five teachers everyday of the week.
Mrs McGruder taught Computers. Ms Lee taught cooking. Mrs Martinez taught us about our bodies. Ms Morelos directed our Reader's Theater. Mrs Uttergaurd taught us exercise.
They had a blast and are excited to go again next summer. Madison is especially excited since she will be old enough to go next summer!

Crafty

A friend asked me to figure out a card she had seen a picture of. I thought it looked more complicated than it actually was! Here is the result...

The closed card

Fully opened Card

Provo Craft Cricut rules!

Yum!

What do you get when you combine this....

With this...

And this...

The best Strawberry-White Peach jam ever!!!

Family Craft Day

So we have been doing craft day on the first Saturday of every month with all of the Roussel girls for almost a year. It is a blast. We craft (obviously) chat and usually eat. I love Americana (duh) so I volunteered to be in charge of July's craft. This is what we made:

Side one

Side two

Just simple table decorations...and we may have spent more time playing with vintage buttons, than actually crafting, but we have fun and we get to be together! I'm so excited for out next craft day, September 5th! See you all there!

April Fools on You!

So I forgot to update the news from my April fools blog.... It turns out that Jeremy and Kayla were only fooling themselves. They are expecting and due in December! So I guess that backfired a little bit huh? That's what you get for making a fool out of me! Just kidding though, we are so excited for them and will be even happier for Kayla when she isn't so sick anymore. Love you guys!

Cub Scout Day Camp

Last year Allen's Cub Scout pack went to Mount Lemmon for their day camp. Camp Lawton is an established BSA camp so there is lots to do! (Not to mention it is about 20+ degrees cooler than here in Tucson) So of course when it was time to sign up for camp again that is where the boys wanted to go. The snag...everyone else decided they wanted to go too! We weren't able to register in time for the two day camp, but the BSA decided with the demand that they would offer a one day camp and try to squeeze as much into it as possible. So the Cubs still had a blast!

Last Day of School

Wesley was so blessed to have the same teacher in kinder and first grades. I would say we are going to miss her, but Ashley will have Mrs Feerick for Kindergarten!

Allen also had an awesome teacher this year. Mrs Miller cared so much about the students and their progression throughout the year. We were so sad when she was on the list of teachers let go with the budget cuts.... She will always hold a special place in our hearts!

Prevention of Swine Flu - Avoid The Following

I just had to share!

I'm a Craft Geek!

...and I'm not afraid to admit it! This is what I made last night...so cute!

Pinewood Derby!

Allen loves Cub Scouts! He is now a Bear and enjoys earning awards and attending the Den and Pack Meetings. I think I can safely say that The Pinewood Derby is his favorite part of the year. He designed his car months in advance and was so excited to get his kit! Chad really let him do most of the work this year and you could tell Allen was proud of the result!

April Fools...that would be me!

How is it possible that after hearing the same April Fools prank every year growing up..."I'm Pregnant"...from my mom, that I fell for it yet again? Kayla, Jeremy's wife sent a mass text this morning (which should have been my first clue, as she really doesn't send me texts that often). She declared that they were going to wait until everyone was together, but because that never happens (clue number two- we get together about once a month) she was going to just spill it! They were having a baby! It was unexpected but they were excited!


I will give myself a little credit because it was early and it had been one of those long nights with the kids, but I really should have known better! So I quickly reply with a "Yeah! We're so excited!" like a fool. Thus the obscure holiday! It took about five minutes for my brain to kick in and send off another text declaring my idiocy.
HAPPY APRIL FOOLS EVERYONE!!!

Change

About a month and a half ago I traded this

for this

I miss Primary, but the Young Women are so much fun!

Happy 9th Birthday Allen!

Do I really have a nine year old? The answer, sadly, is yes.... I can't believe that nine years have passed since I brought that little boy home. He wasn't very little then, and he is still a solid brick wall. Allen is strong willed, but has a tender heart. He is very focused on choosing good friends and making good choices. (I'm not saying he always does, but it is a big concern for him). He loves Lego's, his bike and video games. He excels at school in all areas and even enjoys it! He loves scouts and is excited to advance to the rank of Bear. We Love you, Allen, Happy Birthday!

10 years!

A decade sounds like a long time, doesn't it? And yet, it seems not so long ago, I was walking out of the temple doors, married for time and all eternity to the man that I really wanted to spend that long with! Life hasn't been perfect, but I'm not going to start complaining. We decided long ago that no matter what happens, worrying or stressing out isn't going to solve anything. I think that decision has made our time together happy and blessed! Four moves, two cities, four awesome kids, and enough laughter for ten marriages. I love you Chad, and I still plan on loving you forever!!!

Happy Happy BIrthday Wesley Dear!

Wesley never asks for anything. We had to force him to write a letter to Santa, and then again to make a birthday wish list. He asks for things like "a ream of paper" and "some glue" (Seriously!!!) He is our budding artist and loves anything he can use to create. We love you Wesley, your birthday is gonna be awesome!

A Special Man...

When my family moved to Gilbert Arizona almost 17 years ago, Dennis Barney was a kind hearted member of the bishopric who welcomed us with open arms. He soon became the bishop and was the bishop I remember through the rest of my time at home. He was more recently named as a Stake President over the University wards. President Barney passed away Monday. This is a loss not just for his family, but for the church and the community in which he lived. He was an amazing man who accomplished so much, and I just wanted to take a moment to acknowledge him and the impact he had on my life. Here for more...