Spring Spectacular

Eduprize has a Spring Spectacular every year. They have food, and bouncers, and baskets you can bid on, a book fair and games. We left Ben at home with Daddy, and Aunt Sam & Uncle John and Valerie went with us. I couldn't eat the food anyway so I packed my gluten free sandwich and I ate my sandwich while I volunteered my mandatory 30 minutes, I checked wristbands at the door, and Aunt Sam & Uncle John took the kids to get food. After that we went through the baskets the kids were horrible and fought and were bored, I was strong though I didn't bid on anything this year, because last year I bid on 2 baskets because I just knew there would be no way I could win both but I was wrong I won both and had to barrow money from a friend because I didn't have enough to pay my bill.

It was nice having 2 other adults because while one adult was in line for one thing one of us would go get in line for something else. So Uncle John was nice enough to stand in the huge Balloon animal line while we took the kids to play the carnival games.

Valarie and Jacob didn't get the point that their swords weren't really suppose to be used as swords so they kept hitting each other and eventually they pooped and there was a little crying.

While I stood in line for the last bouncer Aunt Sam took them over to the book fair and let them pick their books then we bounced and I ran over and paid for their books. We had snow cones, popcorn and cotton candy. We let the kids play on the play ground for a few minutes and then we got out of their. I don't know who was more tired the adults or the kids.

Calling free

I’m officially calling free. I got released on Sunday and handed over all my stuff to the new gal tonight (good luck Corree) I am a little glad, and a little sad. I am going to enjoy my free time but I am going to miss the Primary. I'm pretty sure they will give me another calling before I know it.

bad day turned good

So after the horrible day at the office that sweet baby meet me at the door screaming "mama" and gave me the biggest hug he's ever given me. He can be such a horrible stink so much of the time, and then he does stuff like that that makes me remember why it's so great to be that stinky little boys Mommy. I still can't get him to poop in the potty, but he pees in it most of the time and has even started telling me at home and when were out that he needs to go. Now If I could just get him to poop in it we'd be home free.

Gila Valley Temple

We went to Safford to visit Ryan's dad and his wife in Safford, and while we were there we went to the Gila Valley Temple open house. It was such a need experience to share with the kids. Hailey loved the experience and how good she felt being in the temple. Jacob didn't say much jut kept soaking it all in, and Ben was to worried about the plastic booties they put on his shoes to really pay attention.

Poor Baby

Poor baby he had a fever the whole time we were there. He was grouchy and on Tylenol all weekend. I was watching a show with Tasha about kids with Medical problems it was really interesting, and Ryan was packing stuff up to go, and I looked back and the poor baby was asleep on the floor.

Gila Box

Ryan wanted to take the kids to do something fun but Ben really needed a nap. So we split the difference and he took the big kids and went to the Gila Box, and I helped Ben take his nap.

The rest of this post was written by Ryan as I was sleeping and not there for I have no idea what happened.

Skippin' Rocks at the Gila Box
After the Temple tour on Saturday, everyone got back to the house and wanted to take a nap. Booooring! So I packed up Hailey and Jacob, grabbed some snacks, saddled up the truck and went for a drive. We drove around North of the valley near Solomon and I decided to take the kids to the Gila Box riparian preserve and take a walk on the edge of Bonita Creek. We drove along the dirt road and then stopped periodically to take pictures and pick wildflowers to give to mommy.

Down by the creek bed, I gave Hailey and Jacob lessons on the correct rock skipping form and procedure such as placement in the fingers, angle of attack, velocity, spin, and timing of the throw. The directions were well received by Hailey, followed by extreme diligence on her part leading to the successful skipping of four separate rocks over the course of about an hour. Approximately three seconds into my lesson, Jacob began chucking twigs and large rocks into the creek followed by the joyful act of feeling the mud spread between his clenched fists and then wiping them onto his jeans. That boy loathes clean clothing.

I believe at this point he said hey dad can I keep this. He loves rocks. I dig them out of my washing machine every week.




I really had a fantastic, relaxing time with these two. Just a therapeutic experience for me. Watching them and reflecting back on it now just brings a smile to my face and joy to my heart. Gosh I love these kids more than anything. Just spending some quality time with them heals my soul from the troubles and cares of the world. It also allowed me to reflect on the love that my Savior has for me, and despite my sinful being, he will always take joy in spending time with me as I seek to be near him. Just as I do with my own children.





This one was taken at lunch after the temple but before the creek, My funny kids love to have their picture taken with Random funny things. She thought this little Bear was funny and cute and she said take my picture. I said I don't have my camera. and the little smarty pants said well use your phone. So daddy saved the day and took a picture with his phone.

Busy Ben Boy

Ben has had a busy morning. Kept me up half the night with a fever and not feeling good, pooped in the potty for the first time, started calling them ribbits instead of frogs, and called 911 on my cell phone. Well he keep our lives interesting.

Me asleep on the couch

Ben had been sick with a fever and he was waking up and crying so I laid down with him on the couch so he wouldn't wake up the big kids. Well at some point Jacob woke up and crawled up on the couch with me, and went back to sleep, then Ben woke up so I turned cartoons on for him. I went back to sleep so Ryan thought it would be fitting to take a picture of me asleep on the couch surrounded by kids.

Piggy Back Ride

Hailey's so little for her age she has a hard time picking Ben up and carrying him. She's never said anything but I think it hurts her feelings and makes her feel bad. So when she figured out how to give Ben a piggy back ride she was so proud of herself. She rode him around the house until he got tired of it, then she got mad when he didn't want to do it anymore.

Huge carrott

I pulled the last of my Carrots today and one of them was HUGE, almost 12 inches.

My guys

We were waiting on Hailey to finish getting ready for Bed so we could have Scriptures, and family prayer. and the guys looked so cute I had to take some pictures.


Sometimes I feel sorry for Bear. Jacob thinks he's a friend and tries to get him to snuggle in the blanket with him, and poor Bear just gives me this look like are you going to save me.

Sam's Birthday-Dinner

Sam wanted to go to Chile's for diner for her birthday. Which worked well for me because they have a gluten free menu.


We all pitched in and got her a GPS. And believe me she needed it, she gets lost as bad as I do. We got her the GPS, a case, & stand.


The kids were all kind of grouchy from little to no nap, and a long day at the zoo. They were all pretty good considering the long day.

Ben, Jacob, Hailey, and Valerie.


Grandma and her girls.


Pappy and John.


a horrible picture of me and Ryan hamming it up. It was really nice to spend her birthday with her. We've missed so many that it's nice to be able to get to celebrate together.