First day of School

Mercedes 1st day of High school and Seminary!(sniff sniff) I'm sure she had a few jitters, but she played it cool. She has been at Volleyball all summer and Band camp for the last 2 weeks - so she's not actually walking in "green"
Dowlin - 11th grade - we are amazed at how quickly the years are flying by. This kid has kept us running for years and here we go again - Such a nice guy!

Notice the uniforms, Khaki bottoms, collared solid shirt...Ya, love it! Brittney is headed off to 5th grade and Zachery to 3rd grade. They will be attending Cimarron Springs Elementary School. Our housing development is like this chunk of houses in no mans land - so we get bumped. Kids in this neighborhood have gone to 4 different schools in the last 4 years (Cimarron 2X) the growth is incredible. Both Brittney and Zachery's teachers are pregnant and will be leaving midway through the year - we are so fortunate our kids are so good! They will be helpful and do fine. It's me who's a worry wart...I really miss being in the kids school and knowing the teachers and kids... maybe someday again right?

UPDATE - notice how I said I love the uniforms...well get this! 2 weeks into school, after all the school shopping was done and the kids had worn everything, the school district does away with the uniform policy. Apparently in JUNE a WHINER BABY parent complained their child's rights to express them self was being squashed by being forced to wear uniforms! CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT - THEY CHANGED IT FOR 1 PARENT! Don't ask everyone else - UGH! so frustrating! I'm mad so I just have to say, "WHINER BABIES SUCK!"

Happy Birthday Olivia!

Olivia turned 2! She loves "puppys" so the puppy cake was a hit. Brittney and Zachery helped decorate it so it was lots of fun.

Olivia also has been dragging Brittney's baby doll around for months now - time to get her own baby. She's a very gracious gift receiver - she loves everything!

Happy Birthday Dowlin!

17- WOW! As usual Dowlin has been working his hiney off this summer. He's on the football field at 7am every morning and playing in several passing leagues through out the summer. He skated by last school year, they figured out how smart he is and will be enrolled in AP classes for the coming school year - Thank you to all the Kansas teachers who put their heart and soul into teaching our kids - it's paying off. Their doing quite well in Arizona!

We actually had a family "July Birthday Party" this is Ethan (Kendall & Jenny's #1 - our #3 "Great") turned 2 in the beginning of July. Dowlin turning 17. And Olivia turning 2 on the 25th. Is Dowlin a good sport or what? Whatca get? well, he got an Ipod -

Best purchase!

This little 18' above ground pool and saved our lives! We spent most of summer soaking in it and the kids show no sign of slowing down this summer! Love to swim!

High Adventure

Here Dowlin and Dean are loaded and read to leave on the Priest High Adventure. This is part of the 16-18 years old Scouting program. The Young Mens Presidents family has a cabin about 4-5 hours Southeast, almost New Mexico I believe Dean said. They hiked, went Elk spotting, swiming, horse back riding, and mountain biking and had a great week bonding with the guys! Dean was able to go for the week but to hear Dowlin re-tell the mountain biking story Dean was done before they were up the hill. He stole another kids bike which had a "girl" seat on it to start with, but by the end of the day, and a few near death experiences he offered to drive the truck and trailer to the pickup spot the rest of the week. (The horseback riding scene from "The Great Outdoors" with John Candy and Dan Akroid is what I picture here) Dowlin also learned that our Bishop is crazy! Said he never used his brakes - went down the mountain like his hair was on fire! LOL

Fathers & Sons Campout

Church wide Fathers and Sons, men and boys, head out to the wilderness to commemorate Joseph Smith receiving the Priesthood. This year our Arizona boys headed to Payson, a wee 3 hour drive (?) to enjoy the wilderness and being a "man".
I'm not going to pretend I know what goes on at these camp outs - I've seen pictures that would scare any Mom for life! All I know is that they go, they bond, there is activities like "Who can build the biggest fire?" and "Who can stand by that fire the longest with out catching their hair on fire?" My personal favorite which 3 year old can run the fastest with the sharpest stick? Then they wrestle or play capture the flag to make sure their clothes will be ruined for good, they all pack up and come home smelling like smoke among other things. Here's where I come in - I meet them at the door, make them strip down to their under-ware and send them to the showers! Hey Kansas campers - guess what? No tick checks in Arizona, LOL!
It must be good fun - they go back every year!
Are you wondering what us "girls" do? Well in our house - we sleep in my bed, eat popcorn and candy while watching 'girly' movies like The Sound of Music, or Titanic. Both male & female are happy and rejuvinated for another year!

Dip in the Pool?

OK - not that a dip in the pool is unusual, but I am still adjusting to the "warmth" of Arizona - it's April and the kids are swimming in the pool! They say if you can make it through the Summer you will love the Fall and Winter. Spring...it's "ify" - Well, we made it and from about October to March was lovely, Then the furnace was lit, and as the song says..."The Heat is On" So if you're planning a visit (which we would LOVE) rule of thumb - April -September, HOT! October - March, NICE :)