Life 9/2/2011

Wow it is September already!! This year and my life is just flying by at break neck speed. Okay well since my last post the kids started school. Sydney is a junior, Zach in 7th grade at Santan, Kyle in 4th he has Mr. Shimizu and Chloe in 1st and she has Mrs. Ferber. They really like their teachers and are very happy at Fulton. I enjoy going in and volunteering and I think the kids like it too. Sydney turned 16 on Aug 2nd and we decided to throw her a surprise party! On her real birthday we took her to lunch(Pei Wei) and to dinner (Olive Garden) with grandma and grandpa Gardiner. She got bath and body works stuff and Toms Shoes in red. Then on friday Aug 5 we threw a party for her. We had friends from all the schools tell people and then they all showed up around 730 and Sydney came around 8. Taylor Williams took her out first and they went to skateland and got something to eat. Then she brought her back here and she was so surprised when she took off her blindfold!! So she had fun with her friends, games, food etc.... then g&g drove her new car over and parked it out front. We waited for her to notice it and she was SHOCKED!! The look on her face was priceless. We got her a Volkswagon Beetle 2003 in silver and black convertible!! She loved it! It was such a fun birthday for her. She now has a job working for Origami Owl at the mall (it's a kiosk) and she loves it. She is also on the Hamilton Dive team and is doing good. she get nervous for some of the back dives but I like that she is trying. Life has certainly changed for her in a good way and I know she is very grateful for what she has and it's been so nice to see who she is turning into.

Zach is busy, busy with school and soccer. He plays on the Santan Legacy red team he was picked up after only playing one soccer game. He is very athletic and could do anything he puts his mind to. Jr. High is better for him he says but it's alot busier. He just earned his Star in scouts and is on his way to getting his Eagle, I'm so proud of him and his efforts. He passes the sacrament each sunday and it make me so happy to see him doing the right things.

Kyle is just starting soccer and Chris is his coach he is so happy about that. Kyle is enjoying 4th grade and just wishes that we had a pool then he says our house would be perfect :) Kyle just earned his bear in scouts and I am proud of him for working hard and continuing to be excited about the scouting program.

Chloe just turned 6! She is doing great, she loves 1st great with Mrs. Ferber and likes to ride the bus with her friends. She had a fun party we rented an inflatable waterslide all day last saturday and she had Jillian, Bradley, Katie, Callie, Thea, Maya, Mariah, Peyton Shore, Tricia DeSpain, and Abbie Merchant all come. They played on the slide and ate lunch (corndogs, chips, grapes and donuts) For gifts she got, squinkies, barbie, robe $42 in cash, art stuff, shoes, clothes, Tangled DS game, candy, small pillow pet, barbie movie, treats, box of cereal and decorate your own jewelry box, shirts, jewelry, jump rope and more. It was a great b-day for her.

7/16/2011

Today is saturday and it has been a pretty uneventful day. Chris got up early to take Stephen to his driving class. I fed the animals for Chris (ugh the big goat stinks!!) I worked on my lesson for YW tomorrow, I'm teaching on repentance. We had the kids help pick up weeds in the yard and we tidied the house. Kyle and Chloe had their friends Blake and Maya come over to play. Sydney was home all day (yeah) and Zach went to Nathan Merrills to swim. Tonight we had our good friends Kevin and Rees Wiscombe come over to play the farming game. We used to play in Utah in 1995-1996. It was so fun to do it again. Sydney is now at the Harry Potter #7 part 2 movie with Ashley and Chelsey. Good day altogether, tomorrow is sunday I love sundays.

7/15/2011

Today was a good day. Sydney got home from Utah last night she did so good on the flight by herself. She had alot of fun and really enjoyed her trip. She hung out with Taylor and other friends and her cousin Whitney one day too. I'm glad she was able to go and have fun. I missed her alot. Today she went to hang out with Ashlyn and the rest of us were at home just relaxing. i've been feeling sick so it was nice to be here. I got some groceries and then tonight we went to dinner with kyle and chloe and Sylvia, Stephen and Naomi and Bro. Niemann. It was fun just to eat and relax and spend time with her and her sweet kids. Zach went to the movie with some friends. For YW this week we went to eat at Joe's Farm Grill it was fun to just talk and enjoy each other's company.

7/13/2011

This week has been busy. We have been school shopping for Kyle and Chloe and thank goodness we didn't have to buy too much. Jillian has supplied Chloe with alot of clothes and so she got 1 new outfit, tennis shoes, undies, backpack and school supplies. Kyle got some new shorts and shirts, undies and supplies. Zach and Sydney's supplies will have to wait until we know exactly what they need. I love school shopping and the smell of the new supplies (wierd I know). Sydney has been gone to Utah and has had fun with G&G Brereton and Taylor H. They went to see Grandpa Sackley grave and to temple square on sunday. THey have been shopping, getting nails done, and hanging out. She comes home tomorrow night I've missed her. Salviah kids Stephen and Naomi are staying with us for a few days this week I hope I can entertain them and feed them good enough. They are so sweet and I'm so glad they are here. I've been sick since yesterday with a sore throat and runny nose I hate being sick especially when I need to entertain.

Summer is flying by!!

Summer is coming to an end well not really it just means that summer for the kids is coming to an end. School starts 2 weeks from monday! It's been a fun last few weeks. Zach started All-star baseball and they have lost 2 games and won 1. Not a super season but a good learning experience. Jessie and her 4 kids came to visit us. We swam alot, watched movies, went to see Despicable Me, and Cars 2. It was just just to hang out and talk and let the kids play. We went out to dinner one night at Garcia's with Christ Hatch & Cory and Ashley McKinnon. One of the nights that I was at Zach's game, Jessie stayed home with all the kids. She was so sweet and totally cleaned the entire house and then the biggest Haboob hit the phoenix area. It was a massive dust storm that lasted over an hour!! We had so much dust in the house all that she had cleaned had to be cleaned again the next day. It was super crazy it was so dark at times that we all had to drive with our hazard lights on. It was the worst dust storm I've seen since I've lived in AZ.

Jessie went home on 7/7/11 she also took Sydney with her so she could spend some time with G&G Brereton and see Taylor Heyman of course. I think she is having fun. Today is saturday and I did some school shopping with Zach and Kyle and Chloe are playing at Blake and Maya's house and Chris went down to the farm. Tonight we have another game for Zach and then tomorrow is sunday and another discussion with Bryan Weber. We also had an informal discussion with Summer Kelly on thursday it went well, I know she felt the spirit but she is in a place when her parents are pulling her in opposite directions. It is hard for her. I hope she continues to come. Bye for now.

6/30/2011

Well this week has been busy but fun. Jessie and her kids came to visit us on tuesday. They are staying until next week. We love having them here with us. The kids seem to get along great and they enjoy being together. We went swimming yesterday at Hamilton and then last night we watched Country Strong. Today we went and saw the summer fun movie Despicible Me and tonight Zach has his first CNLL All-Star game of the season. Salviah's kids are getting baptized on saturday and Chris volunteered me to talk on baptism (yeah). I'm so thrilled they have decided to become members of the church and I hope they find joy in their decision. Chris and I are talking about building a pool in the backyard so we will see how it turns out. I'll write again soon.

It's been way too long!

Here I sit on a sunday morning worrying that I am missing out on my kids lives by not recording what is going on. It is June 26th and the year has flown by very quickly so far. A quick catch up...School ended, sports ended and now we are in full swing in the summer. We went to the JW Marriott Desert Ridge resort for a staycation for a few days. We basically layed by the pool and read books and just relaxed! Chris's company paid for it so it was even better on their dime. Sydney and I went to girls camp June 14-18. It was so much fun! I love being there with Sue Yocum and Kristen Benson, they were so helpful and wonderful. THe girls were fantastic, no drama, no problems, nothing! It made for a great week. It was so nice to be up there with Sydney, she was a YCL this year and they were given more responsibility. They had to teach the certification classes and give devotionals and be more involved in the wards activities. She did a great job. OUr YCL were fabulous, they gave great heart felt devotionals and were so awesome with the girls. During the same week Zach went to scout camp up at camp Raymond. He unfortunately got sick on the first day and was throwing up until monday night, late. Then he felt better but then got a rash on his body from who knows what and was miserable from all the itching. I think he was more than ready to come home. Sydney then went to EFY Flagstaff June 20-25 and loved it! She had great classes, great friends and learned alot. I love sending here there and giving her every opportunity to feel the spirit and be enlightened and grow spiritually. She had to say good bye to her good friend Taylor Heyman as he went to school at BYU this past week. It has been hard on her but it will get better with time. We have Kyle in tutoring this summer to help prepare him for 4th grade and we are really working on all the kids reading and staying motivated in their school work. Zach made the CNLL all star team again so they have been practicing alot and the games will start this week! Jessie and her kids are coming this week and staying for 8 days, yeah!!

My goal is to write something every day in this journal, I don't want to forget anything about my kids and my life. Chris and I are doing good we are enjoying our new house and we are just busy all the time it seems like. Life is very good.

Sydney's Patriarchal Blessing

What a beautiful night it was to have Sydney receive her blessing. She had fasted, prayed and was prepared to receive it. I could immediately feel the spirit as we walked into the patriarch's home. Pres. Dana is a very sweet man and very in tune with the spirit. He got to know our family better and then got to know Sydney. I said the opening prayer and then he proceeded with her blessing. She was promised beautiful things but he talked especially about her heritage that she has come from and her obedience to Heavenly Father being a part of who she is. She was told that she will be married in the temple to someone who loves her and she will have children and they will be do temple work together. She will also do geneology and do good work outside her home but nothing will be as important as the work she will do in the home as a wife and mother. She will live a long life and people will be put in her path who will join the church because of her. I can't remember everything but I can't wait to read it. All I know is that the Lord loves my Sydney and he is proud of her and I am as well. She is such a good girl and though we have our challenges she is very obedient. I love that she chooses to do good and seek out the good things in life. We are so proud of her and her spirituality has brought out the best in our family and she is a wonderful example to us. I will write more about it when we can read it.

LIfe is busy, we moved into a new home. 11852 E Hunt Highway. It is our dream home. 5200sq ft 1.5 acres of land and everything we could possibly want. It's a great home for our family and we are so happy. We are hoping to rent our other home asap! I'm praying! THe kids are good just busy with school. Baseball and football just ended and Sydney is starting soccer. She made the JVB Hamilton team and she is co-captian with Briel Garner. I can't wait to see her games. Kyle received his bear in cub scouts last week and he had to put his face in whip cream to find his badge, he loved it! Zach had a great season of football 3 touchdowns and baseball was good too. I am very busy as the YW president and it keeps me on my toes but I love it and very much enjoy learning from and being with the girls. Chloe is happy and doing well. We are expecting Jessie, Pat and Jessie's kids today coming from Utah for thanksgiving. It will be fun to be together and enjoy each others' company.

Today

I am posting our everyday life happenings. Today saturday the 17th of July, 2010 we had the missionaries over of breakfast. We had crepes with fresh fruit, milk and juice. It was very good. They also stayed and helped fix the wiring behind out TV and got our surround sound working. It took some time but it turned out good. Then Chris went to the farm to starting building a shed to house his tractor and trailer and stuff. He sure loves that place. The kids played all day and then tonight Sydney went to the Varney's and Zach went to Joey Haggerty's birthday party and got to ride the pontoon boat in the Islands neighborhood and paddle boats. I took Kyle and Chloe to get food and then to mom's to swim until we picked up Zach. It was a fun filled day and I"m so grateful for each one. I need to learn to enjoy more moments rather than get so mad so much. Life is good. :)

Happenings 4/13/2010

Life has been busy and I felt that I couldn't let some of the past 2 weeks go without writing what has happened.  2 weeks ago the missionaries introduced us to a lady named Salviah from Africa.  She started to have the discussions in our home and I could truly see a difference in her from the first to now.  She has completely changed.  We took her to the Easter pageant and then to church and then to the ward chili cook off.  She has thoroughly enjoyed fellow shipping with members of the church.  She has such joy in her face and countenance as she has completely changed, she feels the love of our Heavenly Father and feels the spirit touch her heart.   She is waiting to be baptized because she feels like she needs the blessing of her husband who is still in Africa.  She has talked to friends there who have told her that the church is in  her village so that she can go when she returns.  She has become a friend  and we are so grateful for her in our lives.  It was been wonderful for my kids to see the discussions go on in our home.  

We had general conference a few weeks ago and it was beautiful.  It was all about the family and how we can do a little bit better and it made me want to try harder.  One thing we decided to do was read the scriptures with our kids every morning at 6am.  It's not easy as they are tired but we've done it for 2 weeks and 2 huge blessings have happened.  First of all one of the houses that we bought to flip sold for almost the full asking price!  Then an issue that Chris was having at work for the last few years that has caused great amounts of stress was resolved....just like that.  We had heard that it was going to get worse before it gets better and all of a sudden it's done and there is no more problems!!! We 100% attribute that to the Lords hand because we were obedient.  I'm so grateful for the gospel and the chance I get to be a part of such a wonderful church.  I immediately fell to my knees in gratitude to the Lord, thanking him.

The kids are great!  Sydney earned her YW medallion for her personal progress, she worked so hard and that included finishing the Book of mormon.  She is an amazing girl who is a great example to me of obedience.  I'm so proud of her.  She is our social butterfly always wanting to be with friends and hang out.  Zach is doing well he's playing baseball in the little league majors for the Giants.  He loves it.  School is good and he is growing up and entering that awkward stage and maybe testing his parents a bit too.....  Kyle is busy always playing, he is enjoying scouts and school and baseball as well. Chris is his coach and it's been very fun for them together.   Chloe is so funny she is out feisty 4 year old.  She loves preschool and is now taking Ballet, she loves to look at me during her class and wink and give me the thumbs up, it's soooo cute!  She is a sweet girl who can't give me enough hugs and kisses whenever i go somewhere.  Yesterday she was following me around the house as I was cleaning and all of a sudden she said to me " mom I have a gold tooth"  Where did you get it Chloe?  "Jesus gave it to me last night".....She is so funny!!

Life is wonderful and to boot we celebrated out 16th wedding anniversary on the 1st of April and we got all new appliances for the kitchen.  They are stainless steel and are beautiful!  It makes our kitchen so much nicer.   Bye for now. 

Daily Update

Well yesterday Tuesday March 9th, was a good day.  I had a primary presidency meeting ( I love those girls) and then Chloe had Trisha DeSpain over to play and we just stayed home the rest of the afternoon.  Zach and I made Potato Soup as he needed to pass off a requirement for Faith in God and then Chloe and I went to her dance class through City of Chandler.  She loved it, and was so very excited to be there.  She was cute in her all black outfit and all she wanted to do was move and dance and just do ballet.  The class is taking the next 2 weeks off and will start again March 30th.  

3/8/10

It's tuesday morning but I'm trying to journal a bit each day. So yesterday was monday the 8th and it was a good day.  I went to work (I help do taxes for John Yelaney)  Then I picked Chloe up from school and we just hung out at home, it was a rainy day so we played puzzles and watched Scooby Doo.  I got alot done around the house.  For dinner I made Crepes with strawberries, they are soooo good!!! We were first introduced to these by the Mckinnons and we love them.  Sydney and I then went to her Soccer banquet for the Hamilton team at Tumbleweed.   We ate Rigatony's and then they split up the teams to give out awards.  I've come to realize what a little character Sydney is.  The coach was trying to figure out who had the most goals and it was quite for a second and Sydney says "we all did a really good job", everyone started laughing.  Most of the girls fun memories included Sydney.  She is such a fun girl and has a great personality.  I forgot to mention the scuffle that Zach put himself into on the bus.  He thought he saw 2 friends fighting so he went up and hit one of the boys in the back for hurting his best friend, come to realize they were just play fighting.....so I had to talk to him about thinking before he reacts.  He can defend others but not physically.  I hope he has learned his lesson.  Enough for now.

03/08/10

It's been a long time and i feel bad, I always feel bad when I don't record cute or good things that are happening.  Life is good and busy.  March through May in our home is always crazy due to baseball.  Sydney finished soccer and had a great season.  She just had youth conference this weekend with the stake and she and her friend Jordan Gardanier had to sing together during a skit.  They also did a service project, ate, danced and then on sunday they had a fireside at the temple visitor center.  I love the moments when my kids can go and feel the spirit and be renewed.  She is a great daughter and i'm so proud of her, she is a great example to me.  The boys are busy with school and baseball.  Zach is in the majors and plays for the Giants and Kyle in on the Hooks and Chris is his coach.  It's fun because he has a bunch of his friends on the team with with him too.  Chloe is in preschool and will be starting ballet this with week with the city, she is sooooo excited!!! My kids are the best, I love them dearly they truly bring me my greatest joys in life.  Chris is good, he changed his temple schedule because of baseball so now he goes in on saturdays through may.  We have purchased 2 homes to fix up and sell, we hope that they sell soon, thank goodness we bought them for cash so that we don't have payments. THey were seriously cheap because they were bank owned.  

There is so much upheaval in peoples families right now that I just have to say how grateful I am for my family, I am living my dream life!    I hope to be the best mom and wife I can and I just want happiness for everyone.  My goal is to write once a week.

Catching Up

It has been quite some time since i've posted and feel like i need to catch up.  Life is always busy here in our home, there is always something going on, always good stuff!  I was called into the primary presidency and I love it, it's been so fun.  I pretty much am the chauffer, taxi driver of the family getting the kids to where they need to go.   Chris is busy with work, he is working at the temple on tuesday nights and teaching scouts on friday's.  He still enjoys his cactus farm and growing them as well.  Sydney is at Hamilton HS and is doing well.  She would much rather be at Perry HS with her friends but she is doing just fine.  She enjoys her seminary class with her friends and can feel a difference when she steps back into the HS.  She is in the Miamaid presidency as the secretary and is doing a good job.  Well yes we've gotten to this point in her life where she likes boys and by that I mean one boy in particular.  His name is Dallon Varney and he is a very nice boy and has a good family.  I don't mind them hanging out together as long as they are never alone, but I can say i'm not looking forward to her turning 16, yikes!  She tried out for the HHS girls soccer team and made it...yeah!!  She was so sick that week but she made it because she is very good and is fast!  She is loving soccer especially the away games when they get to travel.  Sydney is very good and I appreciate her and love her so much.  Zach spent the fall playing football on the Vipers team, he wasn't quite sure at first but he absolutely loved it.  He became quite good and made several touchdowns and tackles.  It was a loooong season, lots of practices and games but it was very fun to watch.  He is quite talented and is good at sports.  Zach is in 5th grade and is doing good, he really likes his teacher Mrs. Wong and his classmates.  He just finished up boy scouts and will be earning his arrow of light and his webelos badge, yeah!  He continues with piano and enjoys playing the trumpet at school.    Kyle is doing great, this fall he played baseball for CNLL and had a great time, he's a good ball player and is looking forward to playing on Chris's team in the spring.  Kyle is in 2nd grade and is doing good, he loves math the most but he doesn't like to read.... He turned 8 on Nov 8th and we went bowling for his party.  He was baptized on Nov 21, 2009 with Porter.  We decided that it would be fun to baptize the boys together, it was a great weekend.  THe girls all went to New Moon and then the baptism was on saturday and we had a big bbq at the park afterwards and just talked and enjoyed each others company.  What a great day that was.   I'm so proud of Kyle.  Keith and Pat, Jessie and Glenn came from Utah as well.  All my family from here came, it was a very nice day.  Kyle just started playing on a basketball team with his friends and he really likes it.  He is all about the friends and can't wait to finish his homework to be outside with them.  Chloe is our busy 4 year old.  She is in preschool 2 days a week and really likes it.  She loves to play and be with her friends Maya and Thea.  She is quite bossy for a 4 year old but loves to play with friends and be outside.   She enjoys singing and dancing and coloring/drawing.  Well its Christmas time and it's been fun buying for others and getting into the holiday spirit.  I ran my first 10k on thanksgiving day called the turkey trot.  It was so fun I wasn't sure at the end  if I was going to make it but I did and I was so proud of myself.  It's been hard to run lately because it's been so cold and dark outside.  I'm training for the Relay Del Sol in February though so I've got to keep going.  We are going to Utah for Christmas and I"m not that excited it's alot of work to get it all together, get the presents up there and make it happen.  I'd like to stop traveling past this year it's just too much.  I'll update again soon. I just took Sydney to meet her ride for school and there was ice on my windshield!! It's cold here on the desert floor.

Catching up

It's early on September 24th and I'm up because I get Sydney up everyday for school...for some reason that's not right but if I don't I'm afraid she wont get up for school.  So here I am at 5am everyday awake.  I actually love this time as I can do some quiet things, think without noise and go running after i drop her off.  I'm reflecting this morning on how truly blessed me and my family are.  The Lord has blessed our family so much and I'm so grateful for that.  Updates on the family now... Chris is busy with work, scouts, temple on tuesdays.  Sydney is doing well at school, she says she doesn't like Hamilton but i think it's okay, she just misses her friends and the boy she likes.  She is at a point in life where she likes boys and there is one in particular and I think she is pretty serious about him.    His grandparents are in our ward and his brother is on Zach's football team and she sees him at church dances, but i get nervous I remember how much i liked boys at this age and i hope she always chooses the right.  Sydney is a good girl, she is a good student and is loving seminary (yeah).  She is playing soccer for Santan  and on their first game she got the only 2 goals, and then she got another one last game as well!  She has done very well and we are so proud.  Zach is in football and boy oh boy is that team intense.  There has been so much drama from family disputes to coach arguments that it's sad to see how involved, maybe too involved some parents can be, they get very intense and like to yell at the kids and talk to them nonstop about what they could do better.....what ever happened to just playing football for fun and learning the game?  He is doing good in school and is learning the trumpet he likes to practice and he is doing well on the piano as well, Zach has so much potential.  Kyle is doing great, he is such a fun loving little boy who loves to play and have fun.  He is doing good at school we are working on his reading and writing but he excels at math!  He is playing the piano because he wanted to start and we don't quit although he'd like to sometimes.  He will be 8 this year and I'm so excited for him to be baptized in november!  Chloe is great she is attending preschool two days a week at Shirley's Sure Start Preschool, she is enjoying it alot.  She loves to pretend play and loves to smile and sing and dance, Chloe definitely knows how to brighten a room and make us all laugh and smile.  I got a new calling I am the 1st counselor in the primary and I'm loving it.  It has been fun and challenging so it's been good for me.  I'm busy working for John (redoing all the files), working for Couponsense when there is a 3 coupon insert I collate 400 coupons, it takes anywhere between 10-12 hours, and calling and making appointments for Best Team Builders.  It's busy work but manageable, I don't mind making the extra money.  I am so happy and love my life, my family is my greatest joy and I'm trying to enjoy every moment and tell  my kids how much I love them as often as I can.  

Zach's funny thought 8-09-09

Zach can be very witty sometimes and yesterday (sunday) he wanted to make brownies about 8pm....of course I said no because it was too late and to entice me he said he'll make with with a "cup of love", I thought that was cute from my 10 year old.  Then I told him he needs to go to bed, he asked my why and I said "because you need your rest to grow big and strong or do you want to be little your whole life?"  Then he said yes I want to be little and i'll be on the show little people in a big world"!  It's a show on the TLC channel.  It was just cute.  Today was a non eventful day, I tidied up the house, vacuumed the upstairs, dusted downstairs, paid a bill, made rice krispie treats with Chloe and helped her in her workbook.  Kids had homework and then Zach and Chris went to football practice. 

Update 8/7/09

I write with a heavy heart today as this past week has been very upsetting.  Last weekend Sydney adn i went to a baby shower for Josie Mckinnon it was so fun to see her get all of her gifts and be excited for her new arrival.  Then we saw the McKinnon family on sunday again as we went to the blessing of Cory and Ashley's baby  and then had breakfast with them.  On monday Josie was in a car accident and her baby passed away due to trauma and no brain activity.  They are devastated.... I have been so sad for them.  We went to the funeral last night and Josie just looked blank, only sorrow in her beautiful eyes.  Shane was holding it together and I was able to see beautiful Kalani with her dark hair and cute cheeks.  I hope so much that they feel the peace of the Lord right now as they struggle to face each day.  The real killer is that Christy Hatch had her baby the day she passed away and Tyler and Nikki had their baby yesterday.  It's very bitter sweet for that family and they are constantly in my prayers.  

I feel so guilty sometimes because i have 4 beautiful children and I can take them for granted or not spend enough time with them and then trauma like this happens and some don't have children or get to raise their child in this life.  It makes me want to do and be better.    The kids are back in school and doing well.  Sydney is adjusting to high school and Uncle Merle is her photo teacher, yeah.  Zach and Kyle both have wonderful teachers and so far so good.  ZAch has started football and it's very time consuming and very tiring for him, i have a feeling that this will be his last time playing football.    I was just called at the primary 1st counselor and i'm very excited and yet nervous about it.  I want to do a great job .  Chloe just told me that she didn't want to eat a banana because "they have polka dots on them", I don't blame her I can only eat bananas to a certain point and then they are too mushy.  She is so fun and I'm trying to enjoy every moment with her as she is my last child at home.  It makes me so sad that each day is closer to them being gone from me.    Kyle has been working so hard this week on his spelling words i hope he does well on his test.    This weekend Hayley and I are taking Sydney and 2 friends to the Arizona Grand resort for some girl time for her birthday party.  It should be lots of fun. I'll post again soon.

Update 8/7/09

Update 8/7/09

Update 7/27/09

Well it's been a while since i've written but it's been a good summer.  We had a busy June with grandma camp, girls camp, and movies.  Then we went to UTah except for Chris and Zach because Zach made the All Star team (yeah).  It was fun to go by myself, I surprised myself with how good i did.  I will post the info about the trip from the blog.  School started today Sydney is a freshman at Hamilton High School, Zach is in 5th grade with Mrs. Wong and Kyle is in 2nd Grade with Ms. Shaheen.  THey were very excited as was I to have a break from all the fighting.  I will miss them as they are very good kids and we had a fun summer together.    Chris is working at the temple on tuesdays from 3-9 and he enjoys that.  Zach is starting tackle football next week and I'm not thrilled about that the practices are not close and the games are even farther..... not excited but I hope he does well.  Sydney will be 14 this weekend, my baby is getting so big.  She is such a beautiful girl inside and out and I love her so much.

Here are my posts from the other blog about the summer:

Congratulations Zach on a great Season, his very last game was awesome as he hit a home run over the fence and brought 2 guys in and then was named the MVP!!  We love you and are so proud of you!

Our Trip to Utah

This year it turned out that our family vacation was just a partial family vacation.  Zach needed to stay here in Arizona to practice and play with the Chandler All Star team so he and Chris stayed here.  What a great time he had! Especially at his last game, he hit a home run (his first one over the fence) and helped bring in 2 other boys, then he was named the MVP.  We couldn't be more proud of him!     So Sydney, Me, Chloe and Kyle ventured up to Utah on our own as I needed to take Sydney to EFY in Provo.  We left on June 25th and Stayed in Cedar City and arrived in Pleasant Grove on the 26th.  We did many fun things like go to cousin Shelbie's baptism, swim at the Lindon pool a few times, hiked the G, got rained out at Raging Waters, saw lots of movies like Ice Age, Up and The Proposal not to mention all the one's we got from Redbox.  I was able to see my friend Laura and her 2 girls for an afternoon, we also went to the Oquirrh Mountain Temple open house which was very beautiful.  Sydney was able to see her cousins from Oregon, they stayed in a cabin up Provo Canyon and had a great time.  Sydney said EFY was amazing and had a wonderful time and made lots of new friends. We will definitely do that again. Chris and Zach surprised us and drove up to spend the 4th of July with the family and we were also able to go to the Stadium of Fire in Provo.  That was soooo fun!! My brother in law got an email that said all police, fire and military could get in for free so we secured out tickets but didn't get to the gate in time and we thought that we wouldn't be able to get in, but after some searching and talking we got our tickets and we had such a great time.  Glenn Beck was the host and Shedaisy performed and then the Jonas Brothers came out and it was so much fun to see the kids dancing and laughing and having a great time.  The fireworks were so amazing and I've not quite seen a show like that before.  Unfortunately Chris's grandfather passed away while we were up there so we ended up staying until the funeral and Chris flew up the night before and drove back with the kids and I.    It was a great vacation but we were definitely glad to come home and get back to normal.  Here are pictures of our trip.

I'll write again soon.