Chase's birthday party!

We celebrated Chase's tenth birthday with a PaRtY at our home on Saturday morning. He invited five friends over to swim, jump on the trampoline, play games, eat pizza and cake and ice cream - a fun time was enjoyed by all the kids!
Hard to believe this little guy turns 10 tomorrow!





We played this game that my mom always did for me when I was a kid, "how well do you know Chase?" The kids had a fun time seeing who knew Chase the most.




Since Tuesday is a busy day for Chase with yoga and cub scouts we will have him open his presents tonight (he is more than excited!)

Chase earned his Bear award

Last Tuesday (one week before his birthday!) Chase received his cub scout Bear award! Whoo Hooo Chase! I am very proud of you! He also received some awards for attending cub scout summer day camp and for completing the archery belt loop.

high school open house

I attended the high school open house last week. 2 children x 7 classes each = 14 teachers to meet. It actually went really well. I think I've learned the trick to getting in and getting out - go early! don't talk too long! save questions for the parent/teacher conferences! compliment the teacher (they work hard and I'm thankful for all they do on behalf of our kids)!
Molly needed to be there early since the choir sang:

Sadly, I missed the performance. I dropped her off, took Reid to McDonald's since it was fundraiser night for the middle school at the local McDonald's - all the teachers worked there and the restaurant donated proceeds to the school. Since he got a receipt that he attended he received a homework pass. Then I dropped Reid off at home and went back to the high school for the open house - whew! The teachers all seem great and I think it will be a good year for both Austin and Molly.

YW changes

We have had some changes in our Young Women board this month.

Our first counselor is moving to a different (local) ward - we will miss her even though she will only be a few miles away. I'm thinking we will need to schedule some lunch dates together!?! Our secretary was released and placed into the primary presidency. Although she will just be down the hall from us on Sundays, she, too will be sorely missed. The bishopric also released our Laurel advisor who has received a calling in the stake primary presidency. I am beyond thrilled though that she will remain on our board as the ward camp director. All of these women have taught me much as we have served together this last year and a half.
As a thank you gift I made them each a candy lei necklace and I found some simple bags at Michaels craft store that I placed photos of our time together in Young Women and had the girls all sign the back.

Cienega football!

Friday night was the first Cienega football game of the season. Although it was just a scrimmage, excitement was in the air and the stands were full of fans. I, along with Reid (and he brought along a friend) went to watch Austin perform in the Copper Thunder Marching Band.


The marching band performed the National Anthem (they did awesome!) but within probably three to four minutes the rain began to POUR, everyone was running for cover.... Since the boys didn't have jackets we went home...The rain ended up continuing so the marching band did not perform at half-time (glad we didn't miss the show!)...We can't wait until next time.

Stake Water Day

The Stake YW/YM sponsored a water day at the church ballpark. They had different stations set up such as kickball, water balloon toss, slip and slide, and sponge toss. Our ward had a great turnout of about 16 youth and four adults! The stake provided Eegee sandwiches and slushes for lunch, which was a hit for all.

Scout achievements

Austin and Reid both received some scouting awards at the Court of Honor a couple weeks ago.



I am very proud of them and the advancements they have made in the scouting program. Austin is on his way to receiving his Eagle award - he just has to do the Eagle Project, which he has hopes of doing during the upcoming fall break.
I was unable to attend the Court of Honor because I was with these lovely ladies:

We had a evening about college preparation. We learned about local schools on the university level and community colleges as well as BYU. We talked about the admission process, scholarships, etc...It was a very informative night.

I really have been neglecting my blog lately...I wish it was because I didn't have anything to post but normally the opposite is true. Usually life has gotten busy and I just don't have a moment to post.

Remember my black planters I purchased with the money my mother-in-law gave me for my birthday last year? (o.k. - maybe you don't and that's o.k.) But for many months I loved the red geraniums that filled them and I enjoyed them many times a day as I went in and out of our home on this errand and that. The flowers know how busy I've been as they are now deceased. (boo hoo) I always loved the couple moments I would enjoy to have to water the flowers and plants each day on our front porch so it shows how busy life has gotten that they were neglected.

So - life has been full - no time for flowers or blogging BUT it has been GoOd! I hope that soon I will be back recording our family moments. Maybe I'll need to write about Molly's quest to go to Europe and her determination to earn her own money or that Chase is earning his Bear badge tonight at cub scouts. I should write about the fun Young Women things that have been going on or the transition I'm going through having all our kids at school all day. I should record that we are wanting rain here in Tucson very desperately but that the monsoons just are not coming and we are getting tired of the heat. I would love to write about the fact that last night at Weight Watchers I hit my goal of 25 lbs lost. I should write about how the kids are doing in school, how James is doing at work...

Maybe when life slows down I will write about it. And go buy some new red geraniums.

parent/child dates

We try to have parent/child dates with each of our kids every so often. With five children ranging through a ten year span (oldest being 17, youngest being 6) I must admit that sometimes it is who is the loudest who gets heard.
Some times these parent/child dates are planned months in advance and take a lot of $$ (such as our trip to the Tucson Symphony or Gaslight theater), other times it is as simple as a trip to Burger King because they have a particular toy a certain child wants (we really don't eat out much at all so fast food is a special treat).
Molly and I went to see 17 Again last night at the cheap theaters. It was nice to spend time together. The movie has been out awhile (it's probably already out on video) but Molly really wanted to see it in the theater so we went to the only evening showing: ten p.m. It was quiet though and fun to be together.
Thursday night James took Reid to his middle school open house. Not exactly a parent/child 'date' but nice for some one on one time. I went with Austin to see DCI (drum corp international) in high definition at one of our local theaters. It was a fabulous show featuring competitive marching bands throughout the United States. It was nice to share one of his interests with him.
This morning James has taken Austin for a game of golfing. Austin hasn't been golfing since we went to Washington and my dad took him. I'm glad they can go together (and I'm glad not to go out in this heat).
In writing this it looks like Chase and Ryan are next to receive a parent/child date. They are pretty happy with a trip to Target alone with mom or a drive to Dairy Queen. Maybe today's the day - that sounds just about right on this hot, summer day.

How I love...

Last Friday I got to attend the temple with these lovely ladies...

How I love the temple! How I hope I can attend once a month now that all five kids are in school all day. After our session we had a wonderful lunch at Cafe Rio (yummy!) - why, oh why don't we have that restaurant in Tucson?


They say our home should compare to wonderful feelings we have when we are in the temple. I felt that this past Sunday when we had a WoNDeRfUlLy FuN FaMiLY HoMe EvENinG!!! James taught a great lesson and then Chase lead us in a game (a cub scout requirement) - he planned out a game of pictionary that was a huge hit with us all.
Austin got to go first...

Ryan with his monkey drawing...

Chase was happy his game was a hit (and since he made up all the themes he knew all the answers).

I guessed that James' picture was of an engineer right away to the amazement of the kids. They couldn't figure out how I knew (pocket protector anyone???).

Ice Cream Sculpting

Wednesday was a Priest/Laurel mutual activity. The Laurels were in charge and we did ice cream sculpting!
The theme was to make a creature or animal. The laurels did a great job fulfilling their assignments. One got some tiles, washed them and placed them in the freezer so the ice cream would stay cold a bit longer. Another made award certificates, each team was presented an award at the end of the evening.
Here's a picture of all the goodies available for their creations.

These pictures were not taken until much later on during the activity so most of the creations are very melted (but still yummy to eat).
an octupus...

an alien...

a duck...

I must admit I can't remember what this was, but it turned out very well.

a turtle...

a slug...

Before we began Mary spoke to us about the importance of discovering our inner creativity.

A group shot at the end of our activity.