Sleepover

No summer is complete without a massive sleepover. Loni, Kevin and I had tickets to the Britney Spears concert this summer and Joe and Lynnae were on a weekend getaway. My dear mother was brave enough to take on all 11 children herself. Here are 3 of the boys that she had to keep close by to get to sleep. But they talked for days abotu how fun it was to have a sleepover with all of their cousins. Maybe I should host a sleepover like this more often... although I don't know if I could handle it!

Visitors

Ok so I have been kind of at a standstill with blogging. My days seem to be endlessly long and when I sit down in the evening, it is time to talk to Dave. When I am done talking to him, I look at the pictures that need to be blogged and suddenly feel overwhelmed by the task I have so unsuccessfully kept up on. Sometimes I sit in amazement how when Laycee and Logan were babies, yes babies, I found the time to blog and track their every move. And yet here I am with more "time" than ever and somehow the task is too daunting. Well this morning, I have a little free time. So we will see if I can get a little blogging done. Oh be prepared for some serious back dating and one of these days I hope to catch up. I would love to blog about my thoughts and pictures that are happening in the present. So, way back in June, we had some visitors. Julie, Charlie, Gavin and Jessie stopped by. They are some of our fondest friends from Italy and now it has been YEARS since we have seen them. They were coming through the area, so it was exciting to have them visit.

Our house was not yet unpacked, but we were at least able to have enough stuff and room to accomidate them. It was so fun to spend some time with old friends and catch up on life. It is amazing how time changes. I have noticed that a lot lately actually. Since moving back to AZ, we have ran into several people I knew in high school. It is such a weird feeling but then so interesting as well to see how life changes. When you are young, you are so limited in your knowledge of life and life's tracks and yet as you grow, it is intersting to see how everyone is so unique and different. Thanks for stopping by Julie and Kids... we miss you!!

Canning

I hope I didn't post this already. But lately, I have taken an interest in canning. Mom was able to get some chicken in bulk and I didn't want to freeze it. I like canned chicken for some of recipes. So, Dave's mom came over and showed me how to pressure can the chicken. I was so excited to see all of the hard work in the end. A week or two later, my mom came over and helped me make plum jelly. And then this week, I am hoping to make peach jam and maybe something else peach. Maybe cobbler or salsa. Not sure. I have really taken a liking to this new skill and I cannot wait until my next project! And even better, Dave is super excited I have finally found a hobby I really enjoy. Oh I dream of the day when my shelves are full of yummy cans looking just like this!

Spa

On our last day at the resort, the girls were treated with a special time at the spa. The boys and I went swimming while the girls went off to be pampered.

They ended up so dressed up and beautiful. It was such a treat and so enjoyable for them. All in all it was an amazing treat and a great birthday surprise. My favorite part was it was only an hour from home! We weren't required to be in the car all day and there was minimal stress. I was thankful for this opportunity to spend with the children and to get away.

Cracker Barrel

As I mentioned, on our second day, we headed out for breakfast at Cracker Barrel. Since we were in no hurry, we stayed to play a little checkers and relax.

The boys were really into their game.
Laycee was really into looking cute as always.

And Logan was really into his candy as always. It was fun and the children were so good at breakfast. I was glad they enjoyed a hearty meal prior to our day of fun in the sun!

Arizona Grand Resort

After dinner, we headed over to the hotel to check in. We were staying at Arizona Grand Resort!

We were welcomed by a beautiful fountain.
Here is the entrance to the hotel.

And these are the rooms.

The resort includes admission to their water park. So the first day, we just went to the pool since it was in the evening time. The next day, we went to breakfast (pictures to come) and then spent the day at the water park. It waas SO fun and amazing. The kids loved it. There was a wave pool, 3 slides, a pool and a lazy river. It is so hot in AZ, so there were some mid afternoon heat issues, but it was an amazing trip. We really had a great time! Then on our checkout day, the girls were in for a surprise (more details to come)!

Birthday Surprise

The end of June, I surprised Haylee and Trent with a special trip. This was a joint birthday present for the two of them. I figured since Laycee and Logan have to share every year, they surely can share one year. The first surprise was dinner at Rainforest Cafe.

Haylee, Laycee, Logan, Brooklyn, Trent and Bryce. They each could bring a friend to their surprise and Brooklyn and Bryce are who they chose.
At the end of dinner, they got icee's to go!

Some birds that the kids loved.

The boys could not get over the fish.

It was a really fun dinner. My children have never been here and it was fun to watch the "animals" and enjoy some time in a fun environment. After dinner though, they were really excited to see where we were headed next!

Bedrooms

Yes July has been a crazy month over here. We have been busy traveling and passing the time. So, I am going to attempt to catch up on some blogging. A little while ago, I had posted pictures of the painting we did to the girls and boys room. So here are the finished decorated projects. I got those pictures from Hobby Lobby and the chandiler was bought online. The bedding is from JcPenny's.

You can see the girls have been busily using their chalk board. The shelves and bow holder are from Hobby Lobby and the Lambs are from Scentsy. I love the girls room. I need to make curtains but I am so pleased with how it turned out.

I did a solar system theme in the boys room. These Wallies Stickers were bought on Amazon. Man it took forever to decide how to do this wall.

Here is the magnetic wall with the stars. There will be a moon over here too as soon as I get it hung up.

I really had so much fun decorating their rooms. It was neat to come up with an idea and find all of the pieces to make it work. I am however so thankful the work is over! Hope you enjoy!

A Decade

10 years ago, Dave and I were married.


Here we are today. Each year comes and goes and each year, I just cannot believe another year passed. Lately, I have been really pondering what happened with time. I often wake up in a moment of where did the time go. It felt like just yesterday, Dave and I were celebrating six years. And then I remember what happened... twins, a couple moves, a deployment, and a change in jobs. It has been quite the ride for the last couple years. But, today, Dave and I have reached a decade married to one another. Again this year, we are separated. And again, he is in the middle east, but to me, it just felt special that we are making life work together despite the trials and adversities we have faced. I love Dave more now that I did the day I married him. He is truely and amazing man. I said to myself, that after 10 years of marriage, a couple needs a new bridal shower all over. The kitchen towels and washclothes are falling apart. The pots and pans are warped. The ice cream maker no longer fits the size of the family. The bath towels no longer make a set. And the mattress is just plain uncomfortable. However, after 10 years, I find myself more fond and more comfortable with the man with whom I have shared the last 10 years. We have helped each other and supported one another. And even though our sheets have holes from children and the wash clothes never come clean, our marriage is not indicated by those physical items that have fallen apart. I like to think that we are just beginning a quilt with unique squares representing different times in our lives. I cannot wait to see what the next decade brings.

Trent turns 8!!

Here is a photo of one of the little men I love most in this world. Today is his birthday and just two days ago, he finally lost his first tooth. I believe Haylee lost her first tooth a day or two before her 8th birthday as well. 8 must be the magic number in our house. Anyway, today is Trent birthday and I am so thankful he is my little boy. He was born during a trying time in our lives. So close to Haylee and when Dave and I were both still trying to work and go to school full time. We were oh so young! Trent and I do not see eye to eye on anything and I swear after 8 years we are STILL trying to bond. But, that being aside, he is the sweetest little boy who will always "love his daddy first" (which was his first full phrase as well). He has been so great at noticing when I need extra hugs or loves. He loves video games and karate. And I am eternally blessed to have him in my life. I love you Trent!

Home Depot

We have been spending a lot of time at Home Depot lately. There is always some new home improvement project/repair that I have needed to work on. The kids were really getting tired of going there. One Saturday, we headed over there and it happened to be the kids craft saturday. My children were so happy to have something fun to do. Here are the big kids.

And the little ones
Trent working hard

Haylee tryign to figure out the directions

Laycee insisted on hammering her own without any help. She did accomplish it.

They made the cutest little tool boxes. Now, my kids are begging me to go back to Home Depot!

Haylee's Birthday

June 11, Haylee turned 9! Each year I wonder where the time went, and each year I still cannot figure it out. I suppose it is all lost somewhere in the mix of school and the day to day living. Anyway, she has been wanting a fish for a while, so she was able to pick one out for her birthday.

We had just a family birthday this year, with just me and the kids.
Dave bought her new earrings. This is quite the feat since she appears to be allergic to every karat we have tried up to this point. So... lets HOPE that she can stick these out.

We made strawberry homemade ice cream, her favorite.

And sang Happy Birthday.

Haylee is such a sweet, sensitive girl. She likes to be entertained from sun up until sun down and does not do well entertaining herself. But she is the most amazing helper and really notices when I need her to do something. She it a great big sister and rarely complains about spending time with the younger children. She is my little laundry girl and even though she moans about it, she gets the job done. I am thankful our lives were blessed with such a special little girl. Lately, she has been really sensitive to right and wrong. She was recently trying on clothes and the skirt was a bit too short. I asked her if she liked it and she said, Dad would definately not approve. But I was impressed she knew enough to feel uncomfortable wearing it. These types of moments have been more numerous lately and I love that she is growing into an amazing young woman ready to make Christ-like choices. She truely is special.

Happy Birthday Haylee!

4th of July

Oh the thoughts in my head, I hope I can articulate them properly. Today, in church, we stood to sing The Star Spangled Banner as our national anthem. I was raised as an Air Force child. I was taught young the importance of fighting for our country and our freedoms. And as an adult, I feel that same sense of patriotism. There is one year I remember that I will never forget. I remember probably being around 8, going to the hanger that my dad worked at. We sat in his office and watched as the soldiers deplaned from their time in the First Gulf War. My eyes teared up as I watched these families being reunited. I have experienced the same reunion with Dave's homecoming from Operation Iraqi Freedom. And each and every time I hear the national anthem, I tear up. Those powerful words represent all for which we stand.


Oh, say can you see by the dawn's early light
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars thru the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?
And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

Dave reports from overseas that they too will be seeing fireworks this year. Although, it is not the kind we see here. The song this year brought more meaning to me. As we stood to sing, I was thankful we at least have the chance to attend church and worship our God.






Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war's desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heav'n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust."
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

This year I am putting more trust in God and really trying to express my gratitude for this country in which we live. It is definately not perfect, but I am thankful we are at least able to choose where we want to worship and what faith we feel is correct for us.

Today as you BBQ, swim, visit with family, or just watch fireworks. Please remember those that have served to allow us the opportunities we have to choose how to live our lives.

Hot Days

Yup, its hot here in Arizona and for some reason, this year seems hotter than normal. So, what have we been up to?

You guessed it, swimming and hiding in the shade with ice cold treats.
Benefit: We are all getting nice and tanned!
Negative: Its really really hot.