Tuesday, December 29, 2009

MacDonalds Ranch

I realize that we just celebrated Christmas but I am just getting around to posting pics from October!! The reason being is that I finally got a really nice camera and have been figuring out how to use it/import pics to my new computer (since the new camera doesn't use a normal memory card) and we also moved to our new house- definately a crazy fall. Now we are settled and the holidays are over and I will be more dilligent in updating our blog (let's hope). We have many fall traditions since I absolutely love the fall! I love it getting colder (well let's say less hot), the pumpkins, and the fun holidays that loom around the corner. This year we kicked off the pumpkin season with a trip to MacDonalds Ranch to pick pumpkinds. I have seriously been so shocked by how many fun places there are in Phoenix for the kiddos. This place is a gem and will surely become a tradition for us. This is ranch located about 20 minutes away from us is Scottsdale. They have things to do all year round, but for the Halloween season they have horse rides, hayrides, cowboy golf, gold mining, fun picture spots, a petting zoo, a hay maze, and of course a pumpkin patch. We made sure we did it all! The weather was perfect, the kids were happy and my mom was in town which made for a perfect day. Each year we let each of our little guys pick out there own pumpkin. They can pick a big or a small one. Wes usually goes for the biggest one he can find and James goes for one that he can carry himself. We picked Lucy's out for her- don't worry she thought it was a perfect choice. To get to the pumpkin patch you ride on a horse drawn hayride. The boys were so excited that the cowboy driving (and this guy was like a for real cowboy) asked them if they wanted to help him drive us. They were so excited and James was totally in awe of this guy. I think he was a little freaked out by how much the kids loved him especially when Jameson layed his head down on the cowboys belly. Totally typical James - adorable.













I was so proud of the boys for both riding the huge horses (it took some bravery believe me) and being good the whole time. These pictures show how beautiful the desert can be. I really love it here in AZ.

Sunday, November 22, 2009

Our Temple

The Phoenix Arizona Temple


I call this post "Our Temple" not only because the Phoenix Arizona temple will be about a mile from our house, but because I feel very invested in this temple. Since the announcement of the temple site in Phoenix there has been intense opposition and doubt of whether or not the temple would actually be approved. The residents living in close proximity to the temple were very unhappy about the temple being part if their neighborhood for reasons which I won't go into but can honestly see from there point of view. As a member of the church I was, of course, thrilled at the prospect of having a temple so close to our house. It seems that when we lived in Utah with a temple always within ten minutes of our house we totally took it for granted. We didn't realize what a luxury we had of being able to make a "quick trip to the temple." Here in AZ our closest temple is the Mesa temple which is a very busy temple and is also about 40 minutes away from us. Sometimes you have to wait before you can even get into a session. I remember hearing talks in Utah about how lucky we were to have so many temples close to us and how we need to take advantage of it, but I never really got it. I can only imagine those people in other areas of the country who have to drive 4-6 hours to attend the temple, much less those in other areas of the world who spend days traveling for the opportunity to worship in the temple. There has been community hearings and numerous city council meetings about the controversy of the temple site and as members of the church in the temple stake we were asked to attend one particular meeting where a vote would be made about the temple. I can honestly say (as stupid as this may sound) that I was truly a little scared of the massive crowd and fierce opposition we found there. When the Bishop relayed the message at sacrament meeting about the Stake Presidency wanting us all to attend the meeting and that even if we had to sacrifice to get there that we should make it a priority to attend. The words "we should all be willing to sacrifice so that a temple can be in Phoenix" kept running through my mind. I kept thinking that some psycho was going to open fire in that room or that a huge fight would break out. I realize I was letting my mind run away with me but I couldn't help thinking what I would be willing to sacrifice to have a temple nearby. I can only imagine how the pioneers felt when they were faced with that same choice. They were asked to sacrifice time, money, their safety, and sometimes their lives to receive temple blessings. We are so blessed as members of the church living in America in this day and age that we haven't been asked to sacrifice in the same way as the pioneers had to. I hope that I will be ready and willing should the time come where I need to show my willingness to sacrifice beyond rearranging plans and work schedules to help to build the kingdom of God. I hope I can remember everytime I attend Our Temple that so many others before me sacrificed so that I could have the freedom to be there.
The temple vote that night was unanimously in favor of the temple. I seriously will never forget that overwhelming feeling that through all the opposition (I thought it for sure the vote would go the other way) I knew that the collective prayers of the members of the church had been heard and Heavenly Father had softened the hearts of the council members. I have never been more proud to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and never more thankful for the temple being built in my stake. I will never take such a tremendous blessing for granted again.

Sunday, October 11, 2009

Weston's Dance Debut

There is an awesome new daytime parade called "Move It, Shake It, Celebrate It." It is a few times a day and is a mini parade where kids get pulled into the streets to dance. We were watching it one day and Wes got picked to come out and dance in the streets. He was so excited and we have no discovered a hidden talent in little Wes. We have always known he LOVES to dance, but usually he resembles Elaine from Seinfeld when he lets loose. It's hysterical to watch him. This afternoon however I realized Wes has some serious talent! While the others kids did the usual kid dances Wes copied everything that the dancers did exactly. He stayed right with them the whole time. By the end of the party he got a lot of attention from the dancers and they all came up to tell me how adorable he was. I, of course, agree. Check out my little dancer man.



















Every other year we go on a 7 day trip to our favorite place on earth - Disneyworld! It feels like home since both Tay and I used to live in Orlando and it's where we met. The kids look forward to it forever and this year was no exception. We kept telling Wes we would leave for Disney when he was 5. So as soon as his birthday party was over he was asking if we could go to the airport. We arrived and hit the ground running! The kids are old enough where they love the characters and are still young enough where they totally give themselves over to the magic of Disney. I have no idea where they get there Disney obsession from! I still have a bunch of friends at Disney who are now all managers so my kids get to enjoy some special perks at Disney (more on that to come.) Here are the first round of the pictures from the trip-- the ones with all the characters. There darling boys were totally smitten with all the princesses and Wes kept showing all of them his muscules. James was madly in love with Belle (and if you know James he does not fall in love easily.) It was adorable to see them be so taken with the fairies and watch in wide yed wonder as his favorite Pixar stars come to life right before his eyes. We took them to a character breakfast to get a little quality time to interact one on one with the Fab Five (if you know what that means you are definately a Disney Dork like myself). We got VIP seating at every parade and were able to see and do everything in a RELAXED fashion. All in all a perfect week with our beautiful children. Now I can't wait for our cruise with my wonderful husband!


















































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































Happy Birthday Wes!

Our little Weston turned 5! I can hardly believe my baby is so big. It seems like yesterday that he was a newborn, but I also don't remember my life without him. He is the perfect child. Well not all the time, but seriously he is one loving and obedient little guy. He is so loving and a great big brother to Lucy and James. I couldn't ask for more and I feel so blessed to be his Mom. For awhile now he has been obsessed with Bakugan. Colin and Isaac got him hooked on these little things that are basically a little two inch ball that opens up into a battling mythical creature. There is a game that you can play with them with points and plays and all that, but he mainly just likes to collect them. Wes undoubtedly wanted a Bakugan Birthday and has been planning it for a few months now. I made his cake (although I don't think it turned out as well as it could have). We decided that we were really tired of buying the kids another toy for their birthday so this year we decided to buy both Wes and James this cute luggage that looked like a penguin and a tiger. I know you're thinking that luggage for a 5 year old is lame but we travel so much and the boys are always wanting their own suitcase to roll around. Although in this picture he looks underwhelmed by the gift I assure you he loved it (and so does James.) We had a great time celebrating Weston's birthday and love this little boy more than words can say.










Friday, September 18, 2009

Family Pictures

We got some new family pics taken this week from the ultra talented Annie Miller. I love the way they turned out and am surprised how many good ones we got (considering the mood of the kids.) Her website is photosbyaniiemiller.com check it out!

I LOVE this picture of Lucy. I wanted a pic to put in her room of her playing with fairies and Annie delivered!!!.


Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Every couple of months it seems Tammy, Shelley and I come up with some reason to see each other. This trips usually occur due to a carefully crafted plan mapped out weeks in advance to convince the husbands of a well timed business trip, much needed vacation, or an extension of a family gathering which happens to land us all in the same place. This time I convinved Tay to take a needed business trip to California and Tammy convinved Casey to be home early from there Utah trip so we could have few days of fun before school started for the year. Wes, Kadyn, and Maxwell have been best buddies since birth and they get so excited to see each other. Here is a pic of the three amigos. Aren't they all so handsome. I bet they will all share an apt. at BYU someday. Maybe the mom's will get one to share too.

At Huntington Beach Wes got a little out of control and James buried him up to his neck to teachj him a lesson. Maybe Daddy helped dig the whole too.

James got all wide eyed when he saw the beach and said "WOW a sandbox!" He HATES swimming and so he played in the sand happily all day. At one point he pushed the sand with his head, hence this picture.


The boys in the waves
Wes at Huntington Pier

Taylor taking a rest from the chaos of three kids at the beach

My babies

Wes and Kadyn had a blast on the rock slides in Irvine

Lucy and I having some girl time in the water
Taylor builds a mean sand castle

Thanks for the awesom time ladies. Love you and miss you tons. Lets plan our next meeting.