Alex Boye' Concert

Danni, Britt, and I along with some friends went to an Alex Boye' Concert this evening. He was performing for the girls at Time to Blossom. Since Danni and some friends attended Time to Blossom last week, we decided it would be fun to see him in concert. I made a video for the Court of Honor and used his "Born to be a Scout" song along with some pictures. I was anxious to see him perform. His concert was amazing - his songs and his storytelling did disappointed. He told a great story about giving a Book of Mormon to Prince Charles. It was an amazing concert and I'm so glad that I went.

Playing in the Rain

Rain in AZ brings the Pace family out to play.  It didn't rain long, but we played as hard as we could!!!

Memorable MondayScouts

At the last Court of Honor, Josh earned a couple of merit badges - Signaling and Citizenship in the World. Josh is getting closer and closer to earning his Eagle. He only has a couple of more merit badges to earn. He has worked hard over the years in scouts.

It's hard to remember the time when Josh was much younger and earned his Bobcat award in Cub Scouts. It was the first time that he earned a patch through scouting. There was a boy in the ward who was receiving his Arrow of Light and they had a special ceremony planned for him. Josh was lucky to have the same people present him his Bobcat badge.

Time to Blossom

Danni and her friends attended a Young Women's Conference titled "Time to Blossom". It was a wonderful opportunity for Danni to meet new people, strengthen her testimony, increase her self worth, and hear from wonderful speakers. The first night, the girls dressed up in formal dresses and participated in a character walk and had a dress party. The girls look so beautiful in their dresses. The girls were all able to get into one group with two different rooms with a door joining the two rooms together. It was like a giant sleepover. They had a great counselor that they love - Kim Walker. They had so many fun activities that kept the girls super busy. They made scrapbooks, had fashion shows, listened to Brook White sing, watch JesterZ, did a birthday party service project, and just hung out. The very last day, they performed a couple of songs for the parents to share with them the message that they've learned during "Time to Blossom". The songs were so beautiful with such powerful messages. "This is my time to shine, this is my place to find all that I have inside I never knew" and "I carry the light of His Son! And running through my veins is royal blood 0 I'm the brave and the strong, I'm the faithful- I have been saved for this time!" These two verses are wonderful words to hear from the youth in today's world.

There were so many amazing speakers at Time to Blossom and the girls were provided a notebooke to take notes. It was such a smart idea. I stole some of Danni's notes for these blog.Lindsey Brinton was one of the speakers and she was the 2009 America's Jr. Miss and a concert pianist. She talked to the girls about modesty. Her mom spoke and played along with Lindsey. She talked to the girls about being the girl of your dreams by reaching for the stars.

Lacy Nymeyer John who is a 2008 Olympic Silver Medalist spoke about finding strength in who you are and what you believe. She mentioned that preparing for the Olympics goals is similar to goals that we do to enter the temple and gain a testimony.

April Price and Rachel Stewart talked about body image and that our body is perfect the way that it is. They mentioned that we shouldn't get so caught up in our looks that we lose sight of our divine identity and our ability to change the world through our virtuous influence.

Dr. Greg Allen gave tips on taking care of our skin. Exercise, watching what we eat, relive stress, and using sun screen as ways to help your skin.

Brooke White and Summer Bellessa talked about listening to your hear and capture the world using your unique talents and divine roles. Brooke White also performed for the girls. I came to hear that concert and I really enjoyed hearing her perform. There was another girl who performed before her. She struggled to get the mic in position and Brooke hopped on stage to help her. It was a sweet moment. I enjoyed hearing her perform "Let It Be". After her concert, she sang "I am a Child of God" with the girls. It was a sweet moment.

Nancy Wudel talked to the girls about etiquette and using good manners.

Cystal Bowman's message was T.E.A.M. - together everyone achieves more. We live in a competitive world but our Heavenly Father's plan includes everyone.

Annika Huish who was the 2010 Arizona Jr. Miss 1st runner-up spoke to the girls. She talked to the girls about agency and accountability, friends and family, service, and gratitude.

Allison Johnson gave the girls wardrobe advice. She mentioned a quote from Elder Christofferson "You are a Saint of the great latter-day dispensation - look the part".

Jessica Sprague helped the girls make scrapbooks while and Shye Peterson made yummy cupcakes to celebrate the bithday party service project.

Brad Wilcox talked to the girls about who they really are. She created an alternate verse to "I am a Child of God" -

I am a child of God

Saved for the latter day,

With noble birthright

Given to me

That I must no repay

Leading, guiding

Helping all God's children find the way

Teaching all that we must be

To live with Him someday.

Debbie Forrest the founder of Time to Blossom talked to the girls. Her message was creating a life of happiness through your knowledge that you are a daughter of God, through your thoughts, through your choices, through you reaction to challenges, and by living with the Holy Ghost.

It was an amazing youth conference and Danni had a lot of fun.

Swim Lessons

Angela and Emily had swim lessons again this year.

Emily was in the Sea Otter class this year and she had a friend in her class. She did really well this year and is ready to advance to Sea Horses next time. She loved swim lessons and now can swim underwater for 2 ft. It's so amazing to watch her swim, because before swim lessons last year, she wouldn't put her head underwater and now she loves it.

Angela was in the Sea Star class this year. She loved going into the deep end and is learning to dive in the deep end. She has mastered the dive yet, but loves to jump in feet first. She is an amazing swimmer and enjoys the freedom it gives her when we go swimming.

Memorable MondayYouth Firesides

Angela had a Stake Activity Day and we started off the day watching "Johnny Lingo" It has such a powerful message about feeling good about ourselves.  The rest of the activities revolved around that theme.

While watching church sponsored videos, I am always reminded of "The Phone Call". We watched this video often in firesides when I was a youth and loved it. I think sometimes fireside speakers fell apart of purpose just we could watch the video again and laugh.  My sister and I still joke about this video and it brings back fond memories when we talk about it.  The funny thing is that I never saw Johnny Lingo until I married Jim.  Jim would often quote that movie and I would have no idea what he was talking about.  You just gotta love the old church videos.

Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to a great man, my dad!

Danni's Dance Recital

Danni had her dance recital this evening. This is her third year of advanced tap and her class did such an amazing job. Their dance teacher really challenged them this year and they rose to that challenge.

Great Job Danni!!

Memorable Monday122 Degrees

June is such a hot month with temperatures well over 100 degrees.  One summer in June of 1990, the temperature in Phoenix reached 122 degree.  To this day, this record still holds.  I remember that I was working that day at Bonanza and my friend's shift was over.  Johnny usually would ride to and from school and was planning to ride home in the excessive heat.  My boss, Bob, told Johnny that it was too hot for him to ride his bike home and after him a ride home.  I'll never forget that sweet gesture on that HOT day.  It was a reminder that I work for a good company.  The airport had to shut down for a several hours due to the heat.  The instrumennts have never been tested under that extreme temperature, so they could rely on the instruments.  I can't belive that I lived in AZ on the hottest day ever recorded in Phoenix.

"The average temperature in Phoenix in June and July respectively are 103 and 105 degrees.  Hot yes, but not unexpected.  However, June 26th, 1990 was extraordinarily different.  How different?  It was nothing less than the hottest day ever in Phoenix, a whopping, sweltering 122 degrees.  122 degrees.  122 degrees of burning, unrelenting sun the likes here never before had seen.  Could you fry an egg on a sidewalk?  Doubtful.  But those in Phoenix who survived that day wear their fortitude of record heat like a badge of honor.  It was a couragous act for all concerned."

Chess Tournament in Vegas

Josh had a chess tournament in Las Vegas this past weekend. Since the competing chess players will attend Mesa High next year, they purchased Mesa High team shirts. They are hoping to start a chess club next year at Mesa and we may have found a faculty member to support them. Josh really enjoyed competing and did well at the tournament. Josh had a great time hanging out with his chess team. Emily really missed Josh while he competed and hung out with the chess team.

Danni brought her cousin along with us to Vegas. Since Josh would be with the team for the whole competition, I thought it would be great for Danni to have someone to hang out with this weekend. The girls had such a great time together.

The Casino had a great pool and we had a great view of it from our hotel room. It was fun to go swimming and cool off from the heat. They had an amazing hot tub with an island feel to it.

The Casino that we stayed in had a bowling alley. Josh and his teammate took a break from competing to join us in a game. We had a blast bowling!!

While we were at Las Vegas, we had to visit "The Strip". There were many amazing sights to see during the day and differens sights during the evening. One night coming home from dinner, we drove down the strip to see the lights. We ended up stuck in traffic in front of the Bellagio stuck. The water show started and we were able to see the whole show while in traffic. We had some amazing seats for the show!

One of favorite visits in Vegas was the M&M shop. We toured the 4 story shop and even designed our own M&M's. It was pretty cool! They even had a cool chess set - I snapped a picture in honor of the big chess tournament taking place in Vegas.

We went to see the Las Vegas temple before we left to come home. It was neat to be there and to feel the spirit there. The temple is on a hill and it looks over the strip. Once we left the distraction of the city, we ccould see the temple and set our sights in that direction. It was a great way to end our Vegas trip.

Memorable MondayGirl's First Dance Recital

After watching Emily dance in her recital reminded me of when Angela and Danni had their first recital.  Their first year was a combo class - ballet, tap, and gymnastics.  Here is a picture of my girl's first dance recital!!!

Danni did her first recital with some friends - Maybree and Shelby.  It was a fun year for Danni and she just loved dance, especially tap dancing.

Angela did such a great job at her dance recital.  She didn't seem nervous at all - she just danced her little heart out.  This was my way of giving her physical therapy - a fun way.

Photo Shoot

Danni invited some of her friends to join her in a photo shoot. She invited Shelby, Maybree, Kaylynn, Jocelyn, and Miranda. She's known these girls forever.

Emily's Dance Recital

Emily had her dance recital this afternoon. She attended dance with 4 of her friends this year. The dance recital was Thumbelina and Emily's group (the cows in the barn yard) did such a good job. It was so fun to watch Emily dance at the recital. She concentrated really hard on each movement, but took time to enjoy the part where she waggled her tail. It was so fun to have Emily go to dance with her friends and interact with them. She has grown and learned a lot at dance this year.

Phoenix Temple Groundbreaking

The Phoenix Arizona Temple held their Groundbreaking Ceremony today.  It's great to have another temple being built in the valley.  When this temple is completed, there will be 3 in the Valley and 5 in AZ.  I can't wait to visit the Phoenix AZ Temple with my kids for the Open House.

Girl's Camp

Danni headed up to Camp LaMia for Girl's Camp this week. I was asked to join the kitchen staff this year, so I also went to camp this year. Danni took my camera and took lots of great pictures of her and her friends. Her cabin was just outside the kitchen window and I kept an eye out for her quite a bit. The theme of camp is Becoming One and I watched the girls become one right before my eyes. It was an amazing experience to be apart of.Danni and her cabin put on a great skit to "Mr. Sandman". It was so fun to watch her dance with her cabin mates. She has a big personality and it shows when she is on stage. She dyed her hair green and orange for the occasion. These are some of my memories with the kitchen staff. It was so great to work with the kitchen staff and I learned a great deal from them. They were very patient in teaching me about the kitchen and allowing me to experience some things about camp. There were many times when I should have been working, and they told me to enjoy the experience at camp. I'm so grateful for that opportunity.