Christmas 2009

We had a wonderful Christmas !! We were able to do our traditional brunch again this year. We love that ! Grandma came this year - and Chip, Nicole, and Brittany. It's always a lot of fun when you put Chad and those two cousins together. It makes for a relaxing Christmas. We get up (I gotta say, it's really wonderful when your kids let you sleep in the morning and you just casually wake up to Santa.), open presents, get ready for brunch. We go eat (a ton) and then have the rest of the day to play and rest. I make a ham and rolls later in the day for sandwiches and we always have all the Christmas Eve leftovers. The kids were wonderful -- no fighting. Love that !! Best gift of all. Then last night our Chargers had a game that they blew out !! What could be better. We ended the night with a fierce game of Mexican Train Dominoes. I won't tell who one . . . but the initials are M.O.M. : o )

MERRY CHRISTMAS !!!

Make a Smilebox greeting

Surfing in December

Over the weekend Kenneth took Chad and I to San Diego for the Charger vs. Bengals game. (I know WOW right???!) It was so much fun. We had a wonderful time. Chad even paid for our "fancy meal" out. (OUCH !! Dropped a few on that one.) First lobster dinner that Chad paid for (Ken says .... many more to come.) The game was great. Chargers won! But, it was a nail biter -- very close. The stadium was CRAZY!! We are so spoiled here in Phoenix. The Cardinal stadium is amazing. It took us an hour and a half to get in to the stadium (seriously .... we were at the stadium, just couldn't get in.) And an hour and a half to get out. Serious traffic issues there. Chad, of course, had to go surfing. It was FREEZING !! When he got out he looked fine, but in a matter of seconds he turned lobster red. (Just the way he likes it - he says.) It was a wonderful time, especially having Chad for the weekend. We don't see him much --(he's 18 !)

Kenna's 15 !!!

Kenna turned 15 on December 15th. Isn't she pretty??!! I am freaking out a bit with the knowledge that she'll be driving in 6 months and dating in another year. And she's my BABY !! Oh well -- on to bigger and better things.

Carthage Slideshow

I gave the lesson in Relief Society yesterday on the Martyrdom of Joseph & Hyrum Smith. I made the following slide show. I hope it touches your spirit.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Thanksgiving !!

Thanksgiving was really wonderful. We had a house full of family and friends. Diana and her family came over. We miss you Melanie and Michael!!!! Grandma Virginia and Chip came too. We love you all! Thanks for sharing our day with us. And, we're truly thankful for you in our lives !!!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Ordination

Chad was ordained an Elder today. It was really wonderful! Immediately after he had the opportunity to be in the circle for 6 setting aparts, including McKenna. That was pretty neat. It was a good day! (I know - - there's facial hair. I told you. : o )

Halloween

Make a Smilebox postcard

Sustained in Conference

Well, Chad was sustained in Stake Conference this morning to become an Elder. He went for his interview with a member of the Stake Presidency a couple weeks ago, and President Smith, as Chad was leaving, said, "Well, I think you might think about shaving." So - he did. This morning, right before Conference. I'm sure he'll be scruffy by Wednesday, but he did shave for Conference. He was quite depressed because, in his words, "I LOOK 12!" I haven't seen his clean shaven face in so long, that it took me awhile to get used to him too. When he shook President Smith's hand this morning he smiled and said, "Well, you look a little different. I'm glad you shaved."

Yesterday Chad caught a glimpse of my pretty prickly legs and said, "Dang, Mom -- you need to shave." Later last night I text him this text . . . "I'll shave if you shave !!" HAH!

FURRY CHAD!!

Chad has decided (much to my dismay) to not shave until he turns in his mission papers. UGH! When I ask why -- he just says, "Mom, because I can." The other day I had dropped my cell phone in the garage. He found it and brought it to school for me. He walked into my classroom, gave me the phone, kissed me, and quickly left. When he left, I looked at the kids. They all had their mouths dropped open. One of them said, "Man, Mrs. M. He's really big. And FURRY !!!"

Aleena's Beautiful Teeth

Our beautiful 'Lena got her braces off!!! She has endured sooooo much! Not only has she had braces basically since 1997, but she went through a tremendously difficult surgery last summer. But, just look at this beautiful smile !!! She's gorgeous!

Before

After

BC Volleyball

Let's go Jaguars!!!

It's so strange for this time of year that we're not sitting in the stadiums around Phoenix at the Football games. But - we haven't missed a beat. Atleast now we get to sit in air-conditioned gyms. Kenna's volleyball season is up and screaming..... and I do mean screaming. (They are so LOUD !) Kenna is playing really well. She is a starter and plays all positions this year. That's really fun for her. She has improved so much in her passing that now she gets to play all the time and not be subbed out. Last Tuesday she was definately the MVP of the game. Not only did she win one of the games with her 8 point serving - she had 4 hits and 2 saves. WAY TO GO MAYBERRY !! We enjoy going to all the games - and we really enjoy her the most. She's so much fun !


The cute little baby that Kenna is holding is her Flour Baby from school. She's in Child Development this semester. They had to make a baby out of a 5 lb. sack of flour. Then they had to carry it everywhere with them (or less their class had a set up daycare station) for 4 days. Very very cute! She said that the hardest part was keeping it from the boys who wanted to play football with her. YIKES !! She was very protective. It was especially hard at the Volleyball games. After one game I asked her friend where Kenna's flour baby was and she said, "Oh, I think it's in her locker." It wasn't, the trainer was babysitting, but it was a funny answer.

Go CHARGERS !!!

A few weeks ago Ken's brother, Chip, gave Ken and I Cardinal tickets. They were playing the San Diego Chargers and they're MY favorite team. So - he unselfishly gave us his club seats for the game. Chad, whose favorite team is also the Chargers, was so jealous. He tried hard to get us to include him in our plans. Actually I think the words were, "Come on, Dad, Mom and I need special time together!" But, Ken was not going for it. He looked into buying a ticket, but quickly gave up that idea when he realized how expensive they are. A couple of days before the game he came home from work with a grin on his face that went for miles. A friend of his had tickets and she was willing to give him one. The only catch was that he had to drive -- and sit with two cute girls for the whole game. HAH! How horrible! Ken and I had a great time. (Chargers won !!) But, for some reason . . . I think Chad had the best time of all. : o )

School starts . . .

Well, school starts tomorrow. I can't believe how fast the summer goes. Each year seems to be shorter and shorter. I do feel rested though - and that is a good thing. Aleena finally got her braces off. YEAH! After a zillion years. Her smile is beautiful. She has the perfect teeth of the family that's for sure. Chad was made a supervisor at Quicksilver this past week. That is really super. It will be nice to have on a resume. He's working as many hours as he possibly can. He's all smiles today and teasing Kenna and I about having to get up and go to school tomorrow. The bum! HAH! Kenna made the Volleyball team this week. WHEW! They cut half the girls. So - our life is volleyball for the next few months. (What am I kidding -- our life is always volleyball.) There are 750 freshmen at Boulder Creek. UGH! That's incredible. And, way too many. I know our lives are heading for another turn in direction. It's exciting --- are we ready??? Here we go, ready or not.

20 years !!!

Kenneth & I celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary this week. Where does the time go??? It's funny. It seems just like yesterday that we made that huge wonderful step towards making our family. Yet -- so many things have happened to us, memories that we've created ..... Of course that all takes time. We are so fortunate to have come through this past 20 years intact and still in love, still friends. We love to be together. No matter what it is - even doing nothing. One of our favorite things to do is drive . . . all alone (aka no teenagers giving each other a hard time !!) Sometimes we talk - often we don't. But, we just enjoy each other's company and the peace of being together. I love him! I'm so lucky. He treats me so well. We get along amazingly. It's not perfect -- but it is wonderful !!!

Beach : Then and Now

It meant so much to me to have my Mom at the beach with us this year. One of my best memories of her is when we were in Galveston Bay in Texas. I was a teenager, I don't remember how old exactly. But, we were there together. It was my first time (I thought) at the beach and she and I went out and she taught me how to "jump" the waves. Later as I was talking to Diana she reminded me of this great picture (honestly the first time at the beach) in 1968. I was 3. By the way -- Mom was the same age as I am now. WOW !! Some things don't change . . . I'm still pretty cute & sassy . . . . and my Mom has great legs !!! :o)












1968



















2009

Carlsbad California

We just got back yesterday from our 8 day trip to Carlsbad California. This is the 15th year in a row that we have gone. Unbelievable!!! This year some of my family was able to come for a few days. My sisters Diana, Sherle, and Robin as well as my Mom came. (That was so fun !!) We were there for 2 and 1/2 days by ourselves before the chaos arrived. Diana had 4 of her kids, Sherle had her daughter and 2 of her grandkids, and Robin had her son. That made for a HUGE bunch. That's truly the way to do it. And -- it was so much fun to have babies on the beach again. (Wasn't it really just yesterday ?!!!) They were there for another 2 and 1/2 days. Then we had 2 more days alone to unwind before we came home. It's funny - yesterday morning (the 4th of July) we were outside eating breakfast and I was "chilly". I almost moved into the sun. Then I thought, "Are you crazy??? In a few hours it will be 40 degrees warmer." And it was -- we got to Blythe, got out of the truck, and was hit by a brick wall --- HEAT!!! Are we nuts to live here or what??? But - we got home to our beautiful, air conditioned house and we are truly grateful to be home. This will probably be our last year all together. (Chad will be on a mission next summer.) I know our lives will be heading into a new era so - I am relishing every memory and moment that I can.

Enjoy these pictures!! There's a bunch of them,

but it's so hard to choose.

Our beautiful sunset.

Grandma and the kids.

Girl cousins: Cori (holding Peanut), McKenna, Autumn, and 'Lena.

Boy Cousins: Jaron, Adam, Chad, and Michael

(friend Sam on far left).

The big HOLE the boys spent the whole day digging.

Sisters: Pam, Diana, Mom, Sherle, and Robin.

Uncle Ken & Ian 'Lena on her 22nd birthday!!

SURF'S UP !!!

Here are the rest of the pictures in a video. Just press the arrow. Turn up your volume for sound.

Summer Happy .....

Yes - we're dreaming of the beach and wishing we were there .... right now. Thought I'd get my "fix" by changing the background of the blog. We will be there, soon. We leave in a few weeks. Not soon enough if you ask me. : o)

WOW! What a week.

Well, it's taken me a whole week to recover from last week. I knew it was going to be busy and I hoped I would get through it somehow. Now that I'm on the other side of it -- I wonder what the big panic was all about. Isn't that how it usually is??

Our week started with Chad's Seminary Graduation, Sunday night the 17th. That was Ken's birthday and we also had a big Volleyball end of the season picnic. We were really proud of Chad for graduating seminary. He said that it was because of his exemplary attendance. (I realize that his attendance got much better the last two years when he didn't have to rely on me getting him there and he could drive himself. You'd think it would be the other way around. : 0)

Then Chad graduated on Monday, the 18th. Graduation was at the Cardinal stadium. It was HUGE !! But, it was very fun. Aunt Robin, Diana, and Sherle came. That was a hoot! And Grandma Virginia, Uncle Kirby & Chip were there also with Chip's girls. He was well represented and we hollered like a wild bunch.

Wednesday night was Mc Kenna's promotion. I took a half day off school so that I could take her to lunch (RIBS ---???) and to get her nails done. She did her own hair. It looked better than her friends that paid to have someone do theirs. She was really beautiful! I'm so proud of her. She's a straight A student -- and very busy with Volleyball.

Friday night, the 22nd, Aleena graduated at the stadium also. I was so nervous about her. It is such a big place. I was so afraid that she would get lost. But, she did GREAT !! They let Chad get her down to her room. They also gave him an armband so that he could go directly in to her at the end when it really got chaotic. Grandma Virginia was there --- AGAIN !! (Poor Mom - we really wore her out this week.) Aleena's Dad and stepmom, Analisa were there too. As well as her brother, Josh, and baby sister Natalia. She looked gorgeous! And, did so well.

Amidst all the family excitement, school got out on Thursday and I ended another year of teaching. WHEW !! And, we survived!!

Chad's Graduation

Chad with friend, Chris.

Why does Mom look so happy????

Mom with sisters, Diana,

Robin, and Sherle.

Dad with Grandma Virginia