HALLOWEEN

I told my parents when they left on their mission to the Congo in Africa that I would post more often so they could see pictures of the kids. As you can see...I have failed miserably! In my defense, I have been A LITTLE busy lately! (But that story is for another blog entry!) So this is for Grammy and Papa...we miss you guys sooooooo much! Darth Maul
Twister...one of our favorite games!

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle (Rafael)

Missing Rachael...she was at the NAU Band Competition.

Biker Chick!

Pirate!

Don't we look mean???

Summer Fun

BROADWAY KIDS!!

The Phoenix Zoo

Bowling...one of our favorite activities!



Touring the Krispy Kreme store. We got hats and a free doughnut!

A tour of the Fire Station in our neighborhood.

It wasn't our best summer ever (that's an understatement!) but we did get to do some fun things before my surgeries. We just loved getting to spend time together!

MORE FAMILY PICTURES

FAMILY PICTURES!!!!

http://amyfraughtonphotography.blogspot.com/

These pictures were taken by my friend Amy Fraughton. She is an AMAZING photographer!! She was so great to work with and I'm so grateful for her generosity! This photo shoot was offered to me as part of a Christmas promo she did. My dear friend Angel submitted our family and we were chosen for this great opportunity. Thanks ladies!!!!

MICHAEL, YOU ROCK!!!!!

Michael got his Arrow of Light award at the Blue and Gold Banquet last night! He has worked really hard on his scouting and got his Weblos and his Faith in God last month. He loves the scouting program and has had a great leader, Bryan Mortensen. He has really encouraged Michael and helped him so much! I am so grateful for his help too!! :)

They gave him an amazing arrow that he can hang in his room. It's something he's very proud of and I'm proud of him too!

Michael's b-day party was last week. When he found out he couldn't take 10 friends to the movies ($$$$) he decided to do a Rock Band party. All the kids took turns trying each instrument and each soon picked their favorite one. Except for Miles Christensen (guitar). He plays the piano, drums and guitar...the REAL ones! So he couldn't choose a favorite and pretty much kicked everybody elses booty! You rock Miles!!! They had a great time!! Even little Dylan loved it! :) He thought he was one of the big boys playing "Wock Band!"

We love you Michael! And in every way...YOU ROCK!!!

WHO'S KID IS THAT ANYWAY?????

If you want to feel better about your day just go to my sister's blog (The Webb Family) and read her "Laundry Issues" entry.

WE LOVE GRANDPA!

My Grandpa passed away on January 10th, his 90th birthday. He was such a wonderful man, I wanted to take the opportunity to share my feelings about him. I was so blessed to have grandparents that were so involved in my life. When I was young they lived in Salt Lake City. We would go stay with them every summer and sometimes Christmas too. I absolutely loved going to their house. In the summer we would play outside for hours. We'd go to a nearby field and shoot off rockets. We'd ride the bus downtown (which as a child was a treat!) and go shopping and eat out (which was also a treat!) When I was in Jr. High they moved about a mile from us and it was one of the greatest blessings in my life. They were at every important thing in my life except for the 2 yrs. they were on their mission. They were there for my MANY concerts. There were my loudest fans at the Jr. Miss pagaent and my high school graduation. I loved having them there.

Later I had the opportunity to live with them while our first house was being built. I thoroughly enjoyed spending that time with them. We would stay up late talking, or watching "Steinfeld", or the Suns game. Grandma would get so worked up over the games and Grandpa would have to calm her down. They were so gracious and always acted like they were thrilled to have us there. 5 years later when we were building another house Grandpa generously invited us to live with him again. This time was different. Grandma's Alzheimer's was advanced at that point and she didn't even know who I was. The 6 months we lived there were some of the most challenging, but most rewarding of my life. I had a 6 week old baby that cried all the time, 2 older children to care for and a desire to help my Grandpa as he cared for Grandma. She needed constant supervision and constant care. I helped bathe her, dress her, feed her, etc. I loved having the opportunity to serve her and to help Grandpa. He was so incredibly dedicated to her. I have never seen greater devotion and sacrifice in my life. He cared for her every need, at great personal sacrifice. He was such an amazing example to me!

After Grandma passed away Grandpa took the opportunity to travel which was something he and Grandma had enjoyed, but he hadn't been able to do in the years he was caring for her. He traveled to many places but the opportunity to spend 10 days in France and Switzerland with him were a treasure to me. Grandpa was so good to me on that trip. He and I were the only ones without spouses so he said that he would be my date. He was so amazed by everything we saw and kept saying that he never thought he'd see these things in his lifetime. The best part of that trip was Grandpa's hike to the top of a monestary called Mont St. Michel. He didn't think there was any way he would make it to the top. But with Dad on one side and Ryan on the other he made his way to the top. What a tremendous example he was to me. He was always so positive and always showed so much gratitude for his blessings...even through the physical trials. He is such an inspiration to me!