Jade's Day.

Before:

After:

Doug has been working so much lately, and he really wanted to spend some more one-on-one time with Jared. So, yesterday Doug printed up some targets and took Jared shooting. I figured Jade and I may as well do something fun too, since I was looking for an excuse to get out of laundry. I took her to the spa where she got her first pedicure ever. They only charged $15 and she LOVED it!! She loved soaking her feet in the bubbly salted water and getting her little feet and toes massaged. The lady was really great with her too; that always makes for a nice experience. I think Jade felt like a little lady.

Later I took her to SuperCuts. Now, Jade gets compliments on her long hair quite frequently, and I know how important her hair is to her. The problem is it's getting increasingly hard to manage. Lately every time I brush or style it she ends up crying because it gets so matted throughout the day. She finally decided enough was enough and told me she wants to cut her hair "cute and short". So, we cut it to a short little bob. I really wanted to donate her cut hair, but we would have needed to cut it two inches shorter. I really didn't want to go that short, so we just left it at that. She loves her new hair style, and I think I do too. I wasn't too sure at first how I felt about it, but I think it's growing on me.

Spring Break

We've had some beautiful sunsets lately. Our dining room table faces this and we get a great view when we eat dinner.

I want to sneeze just looking at this.

All the washes in Anthem look like this. Yellow flowers everywhere.

Alana, Zach, and Jared waiting for the train to go!

I'm not sure what's with all the posing. The kids do this everytime I take pictures.

Jadie

Jared and Zach riding the Daisy Mountain Railroad.

We've done picnics, and park days, some hiking, indulged in sonic slushies, built fires in the backyard, had Jared's party, rode the train, played with the neighbors, hula-hooped, played video games, had baseball practice, and baked brownies. Not once did I go to the gym, which is fine because I'm too worn out to exercise anyway. And, my floor has not been mopped since the day before the birthday party which means my feet stick to it when I walk, and I've got this brown film covering the bottoms of my soles. Gross. One thing that's been consistent with this week off from school is I've been sneezing my brains out. So, in the mornings I take Benedryl and I find my self in a fog the rest of the day. (That's probably why my floor hasn't been scrubbed. That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it.) Everything, and I mean EVERYTHING is blooming around here. Spring here is gorgeous, yes but I don't think I've ever gone through more boxes of tissues (3) in my life.

Jared turns 7.

You can't really tell from the photo, but these kids got soaked!! (especially when Doug turned the hose on them.)

The girls.

Jared, Zach, and Kadin. Zach just lives up the street from us. Kadin is one of Jared's best friends from school.

The green guitar cupcake cake.

They all took turns playing different instruments. Jared's on the guitar, far left.

You would never believe how much candy came out of that thing. Each kid walked away with at least half a pound. I hope the parents weren't too upset!

I made them eat their pizza outside. It was a great idea.

We finally celebrated Jared's birthday this past weekend. Doug had to work on his actual birthday (Feb 28), so my friend flew into town and we took Jared to the movies and out to eat. Plus, he had opening day for little league baseball, which was really cool. It seemed like most of Anthem was there cheering on all 900 little leaguers as all the teams made their way around the track. In fact, the high school stadium was full of parents. I've never seen anything like that. AND, they had an opening prayer before the ceremonies started. You'd never see that in California, that's for sure.

Anyway, as for the party, 13 kids including my two showed up. Some played guitar hero, others soaked each other with squirt guns in the back yard, and everyone had fun. We had one little escapee. Jade's friend Mayah decided to take off out the front door and run down the driveway because she thought she saw her daddy's car. Luckily I saw her do it. We made sure to lock the door after that little incident. Jared's cake was a green guitar cupcake cake. No, I didn't make it. I've completely given that up. It's so much easier to buy them. Jade found that the cupcakes come out just as green as they go in. TMI, I know.

It's St. Patick's Day!

This disgusting green mush is actually rice crispies cereal. Usually I try to do something fun and cool for St. Patty's Day, like bake green cookies with the kids, or frost cupcakes bright green or something festive. Well, yesterday was food shopping day (Monday) and I COMPLETELY forgot today was the 17th. Jared came up with the idea of coloring his breakfast. Jade wanted pink in hers; I guess she didn't quite get the point! Luckily I have green cupcakes left over from Jared's birthday party two days ago, which I'll post pics of either later today or tomorrow. So, don't forget to wear green today and enjoy your corned beef and cabbage!

The time has come!

He's the one in the middle - in the jeans.

Third from right.

After learning how to build a fire, tie 3 different kinds of knots, read a compass, built a pinewood derby car, and watching his first fist fight at a hockey game (and yes, blood was involved) he has finally earned the Tiger Cub badge!! In May, he will graduate and become a wolf cub. Way to go Jared!

First post.

I have decided to create a family blog. I figured most of my family would love to see what we are up to out here in Arizona. I'll keep this updated often, hopefully. I will still keep my personal blog of course, but it's time to let the family in on my blogging world. So here we are. I hope you enjoy!