Mt. Lemon

I realized a while ago that my kids have never been to Mt. Lemon - I know, I couldnt believe it either. So Jared thought it would be fun to spend the day up there. I have to admit that I LOVE his work schedule because it allows us to do things like this.

You can still see how devastating the fire was up here. Out of the 325 buildings that burned down only 125 have been rebuilt


Our first stop was in Summer haven at a little cabin called "The Cookie Cabin" It had been burned down by the fire but was rebuilt. We had great pizza and all shared a gigantic cookie


Next we went to Rose Canyon Lake and had fun walking around. Jadie saw real ducks for the first time and couldn't stop pointing at the "quack-quacks"





We decided to try to walk around the whole lake and this "little" canyon is where the "walk" turned into a hike and rock climbing. There really isnt any trail here but we decided "what the heck" and made our own . It was really tricky in some places but the kids were really excited that they did it




Once on the other side Raden found a stick and tried to fish with it -



Jared also tried teaching them to skip rocks. Lexi and Jadie just had fun sinking them.


View of part of the lake


hiking back to the car


A quick rest


We went into the bathroom before we started walking. Good news - there are lots of bathrooms- bad news they are just big permanent port-a-potties - the kids can literately fall into the deep hole - Lexi was terrified to sit on it and I was too scared to put Jadie on it. Funny :)

The weather was great and we also stopped at the ski lift to see about going on the lift but decided to do that another time.

It was a great day for a great adventure!

Fourth of July weekend

WARNING - PICTURE OVERLOAD - this is my way of scrap booking

I cant believe that school starts in three weeks and I'm starting to get a little sad. We had a great fourth of July weekend and are trying to fit all that we can into the next couple of weeks.


The kids and Alicia's kids decided to have a parade so they made flags and dressed up their bikes and walked/rode around one of the trails singing yankee Doodle and other patriotic songs - then decided to stick their flags in the ground to decorate for the fourth. The parade only lasted about 15 min- it was very hot and humid but they had fun :) Everyone is invited to join us next year!





Bailee putting on a fashion show


Swimming with cousins


Jadie helping fold laundry


Bailee and Kylee convinced Lexi and Tristin to rub their backs while they soaked their feet in the tub - I think I need to have Bailee teach me how to do that


The great cake my mom made for the fourth


We all spent the day swimming at my Grandpas but Lexi had a high fever so this is how she spent the day.


Jadie swimming with Grandma- she loves the water and we really have to watch her because she will be the first one to jump in. Sorry I cut your head off mom :)


Raden just learned how to swim this past week and by teh end of the day was jumping in without the life jacket on


Bailee has become a great swimmer and I am thinking about putting her on a swim team next year. She will spend all day in the pool if I let her!

Raden-isms

Raden is one of a kind. He likes to do things when he is good and ready and until then he cant be budged. He also is constantly saying funny things and I had to write a couple of them down before i forget-

-I gave Jadie and lexi a bath and was getting them dressed while Raden was getting into the tub. I started to put lotion on them - a good smelly kind - and Raden stopped getting undressed, sniffed the air a couple of times and said in an exaggerated voice "What is that delightful smell?" Delightful? Who says delightful?

-Last night I was getting the kids in bed and as I was saying goodnight to Raden we could hear Lexi and Jadie in their room picking on each other and Raden looked at me, rolled his eyes and under his breath said " kids ".

Then here is the conversation between Jared and Raden this morning during church:

J - " Are you going to say your testimony?"

R - " No - I don't have one"

J - "You don't have one?"

R - " Nope- I used them all up"

J - " Oh - well when will you get another one?"

R - " On my birthday"


They both ended up saying their testimony


I love you and all the great things you say Raden!!!!

Just updates

I haven't taken time to post in a couple weeks so I have fallen behind. Here are just a couple pictures of what we've been up to.

The kids playing Ninjas - gotta love the outfits!


I put music on one morning and Raden was very interested in the tape deck- he had never seen one before and sat in front of the stereo system for a long time trying to figure out how it worked - he thought it was the coolest thing. And yes we still have a tape deck- it is with the cd changer we bought when we were married 10 years ago!


Jadie playing with the kitchen- she has turned into quite a fireball


Lexi and Jadie waiting for the brownies to cook


Bailee has a walk-in closet that she turned into a "library". She put her bookshelves in there and made two couches out of blankets and pillows and gave everyone a library card so they could go in there and read. It is not uncommon to see all four of them squished in there reading together.


Jared was trying to take a nap one day and Jadie would not leave him alone- so of course instead of being a nice wife a taking her out I ran and got the camera!





This is before church on Mothers day- I had to post it because of the look on Bailee's face- she was not happy with me :)


We didn't have TV or computer or anything when we first moved into the new house so the kids had to get used to it. Well after we got it they were watching TV and on the computer nonstop- until one day I finally freaked out and shut everything off and told them to go play. I got the usual " I don't know what to play - I don't have an imagination (my favorite), and - there's nothing to do" So I threatened them with their lives and told them that I didn't care if they took out every sheet, blanket and pillowcase but they needed to go and build a fort. So they did and had a great time eating in it. I'm thinking about telling them the TV and computer broke



outside the fort


Raden turned 6 in June -
Happy birthday Raden!!!! I know you get sick of being outnumbered by girls but you are such a gentleman and do a great job taking care of the girls when daddy is gone.We love you very much and are so glad that you are in our family!


And Father's Day - Jared had to work the night before but the kids were so excited to give him breakfast in bed that he got back into bed when he got home that morning so they could give it to him. Happy Father's Day Babe - We love you!

New home

Okay Danielle this is for you - and anyone else that wanted to see what our new home looks like after we finished it. We are finally settled in and are loving it. We have definitely taken advantage of the pool :) For family history - our address is 11076 W. Jute Way Marana AZ




BEFORE...


AFTER...


Family Room

Master bedroom




Office/Piano


Hall Bathroom


Lexi and Jadie's Room


Raden's Room


Bailee's Room


Pool side of backyard


we are going to tear out the other side of the yard and redo it so I didn't bother to post a picture of it- that will be another post another time

Our Judeo-Christian Nation

This is a great speech

10 years !!!!!!!

It has been a while since I posted - thanks for pointing that out for me Steph :)The reason is because we just bought a new house and have been spending every waking moment over a the new house painting and getting it ready to move into - more on that later. However I need to take a minute and write a new post. Yesterday the 14th was Jared's and my 10 year anniversary! I cant believe how fast it has gone by. Between getting the house finished and Jared's work we havent had time to do anything to celebrate but tomorrow we are staying at Ventana Canyon for some much needed relaxation and time together.

Happy anniversary Babe - From everything that we have struggled through to all the blessings and precious memories, I wouldnt have changed a thing. I love you!