Throw Back ThursdayTemple Sealing

Here is a picture Jim and I in 2003. We were married and sealed in the Mesa AZ temple in 1995. Today, I went to the Mesa Temple and did some service. I cleaned the same room that we were sealed in. It was a reminder of that day over 20 years ago when Jim picked me up in the red pick-up truck of his to go the temple. Love ya Jim!!!!

Memorable MondayPrevious Trips to Woods Canyon

We went camping at Wood Canyon Lake with Emily in 2005 before Emily could walk.  We brought Emily's high chair, swing, and bouncer to keep Emily entertained and off the ground.  The last day, we put her on a blanket and watched her.  She was an absolute doll on this camping trip.  We camped in the Spillway Campground which was really close to the lake.  We walked around the lake, visited the store and bought ice cream, and visited the amphitheater that was close by.   We had a great time!!!

Jim and the kids by the lake

The kids and I near the lake

Memories that we made

In 2009, we camped near Woods Canyon Lake, this time in the Aspen Campground.  This was a little bit farther from the lake, but we drove to it.  We also visited her sister lake, Willow Springs.  The kids were so fun and entertained themselves.  They even put on a little production.  It rained one day really bad, so we got in our truck and drove around.  That's when we went to Willow Springs.  It didn't even rain there, so we got out and played.  Camping with kids is so fun!!!  It's never boring!!!!

Jim and the older two at the lake

The younger girls and I at the lake

We had a lot of fun!!!

Woods Canyon Lake

Lisa and I planned a day that we could take our families up to the rim for the day.  We choose the picnic area in Woods Canyon Lake.  The kids had fun playing near the lake, exploring the area above our picnic site, taking pictures, and just hanging out.  Travis came a little later and he brought up Zach's fishing pole.  He headed to the store and bought fishing licences  for his kids.  I went to take pics and had Emily hold the pole even though she didn't get a license.  I think we may need her one soon.  Joey caught a little guppy. He even cut it and cooked it.  Too bad the coals were too hot.  We had a great time!!

Lisa and I

I have a Diet Coke with Danielle's name and
Lisa had a Coke Zero with Britt's name on it.
 AWESOME!!!

Angela

Danni and Britt

Danni

Emily relaxing in the hammock

Josh and Zach

My family

Cousins

Squirrel eating our graham cracker

Jim and I

Emily holding a fishing rod

Disco Nights

Danni and some of her friends participated in Musical Theater workshop for a few weeks.  The title of their production was "Disco Nights".  She played "Victoria" who was a ballerina resisting the disco movement.  It was fun to see her act and sing with her friends. 

Britt came to the show

Danni before the show

Danni and her friends

Throw Back ThursdayNancy Drew

Emily has been carrying around my Nancy Drew book that I got when I was 10. Years ago, we bought some Nancy Drew computer games. My kids found them and started playing them again. Josh, Dan, and Em are gather around the computer helping each other. It was cute to see them working together to solve a puzzle. What was old is new again. My kids need something to do this week.

Memorable MondayGrandpa's Back Yard

We spend our Family Home Evening cleaning Grandpa's back yard.  The wind brought down a huge branch and we needed to get to clean it up.   It didn't take long with both the Pace family and the Clawson family.  It felt great to help Grandpa out.  

Service FHE

We meet every Sunday for dinner for several years.  The kids would go in the back yard and play. Once or twice, we had the kids come back and clean up. I feel bad that we didn't clean it more often.  My kids had pretend weddings back there.  Once, we had a huge jungle gym for the kids to play int.  They would chase each other around in anything that had wheels.  They would sweep the dirt to make a track.  The latest thing in to swing on the rope swing.  Luckily for the kids, the swing is still up.  Here are some pics of my kids playing / working in my parent's back yard.

Josh cleaning up the leaves.

Angela jumping

Playing in the back yard 

Danni and Austin

Danni, Britt, Zach, and Josh

Emily and Joey helping Angela

Emily's Primary Talk

In primary this year, we are studying the New Testament.  We are learning about Jesus Christ and his teachings.  We are learning how Jesus Christ lived his life.   He lived a perfect life and I want to follow his example.  Jesus was kind to those he met and helped them.  I too, can be kind and helpful.   He showed his love for his Heavenly Father by serving those he loved.  He forgave those who hurt him.  I can be forgiving too.  Jesus Christ was obedient to Heavenly Father’s plan. Jesus Christ was baptized. I followed Christ’s example and was baptized too.  As I live my life, I can look to the Savior and how he followed his.  If I follow Jesus Christ’s life, I will be happy.

Throw Back ThursdayCute Kids

I sure do love this four kids of mine.  They bring me such great joy.  Some of my favorite memories include these 4 kids.  

Memorable Monday"Each Life That Touches Ours for Good"

On Friday, there were two funerals - Boyd K. Packer and a young man in our ward.  Both men had a great impact on those lives that they touched.  President Packer spoke in many General Conferences. The young man in our ward touched many lives by his positive attitude.  I've learned that we can have an impact in each others' lives whether we live to be 90 or 25.  It's all in how we live our lives.  Both men will be missed!!

ASU Orientation

 Josh went to orientation at ASU today and registered for school.  He is attending the ASU polytechnic college just west of the Mesa Gateway airport.  It has a small campus feel designed for engineering students.  The classes should be relatively small which is nice to have at a university.  Josh did really well in his ACT and his AP test so he is starting off college taking Calculus 2 and taking English 105 which replaces 101 & 102.  Jim took me on a tour of the campus so that I can get a feel for where Josh is going to school.  I talked with Josh and he seems ready to start attending ASU.

Josh at ASU

Jim and I touring campus

Gotta love the ASU cookies

AP Tests

2015 AP tests results are in....

Josh took 3 test this year - AB Calc. AP Gov, and AP English.  He scored a 5 in Cal and Gov, and a 2 in English.  He has taken a total of 6 test and earned three 5's, one 4, one 3, and one 2.  I'm so proud of him.  He earned a AP Scholar last year and should earn an AP Scholar with Distinction this year.

Danni took 1 test this year - AP English.  She earned a 2.  She took AP World History her freshman year and earned a 1.  I'm so proud of her.  These were tough classes and tough tests, especially that World History.  There was so much going on her junior year too.  She is so amazing in that she does!!!

Throw Back ThursdayMy Family in 2006

My family had our family pictures taken on the Mesa Temple grounds by my sister.  My family has grown so much in the past 9 years.  My kids love each other and help each other.  Last night, I heard my kids giggling late into the night.  Loved hearing that!!!

Memorable MondayFamily Proclamation

In September of 1995 at the General Women's Conference, President Hinkley read the Family Proclamation,  Since that day, we have studied the words as scripture.  We thought it was an amazing document at that time.  Recently, the morals of the world have changed and we can see the importance of the document.  This is the Lord's word and we can refer to this document to answer any questions that we have.  In 1995, we could have never foreseen the events that have taken place this past year, especially this past month.  I'm so grateful for the Family Proclamation as it is there to help me raise my family.  Our church leaders are inspired and we should turn to them in difficult and confusing times.

Housesitting

Britt and Danni did some house-sitting for a week.  Brittany had to work, so they came home during the day and went back at night to house sit.  For family night, they invited both families over to swim and have pizza. Josh had to work, so he didn't' go.  The girls were great hostess!!!

Haning out in the pool!!

Ward Missionary

Josh was called to be a ward missionary.  What a great calling as he prepares to go on a mission.  I'm proud of his willingness to serve.

My Birthday

For my birthday, we celebrated with me at Joe's Farm Grill.  I had some yummy food with amazing company.  Danni took this amazing picture with her iphone.  She propped it up and used her timer.  She is very clever and creative.  She knew that I really wanted a family photo on my birthday.  

My Amazing Family

My family showered me with gifts!!!!  

My daughters made these flags for me - so cute!!

Danni bought me these beautiful necklaces

Josh brought home some yummy cookies

Jim gave me money for a new swimsuit

My parent, in-laws, Lisa, and Kenzie gave me gifts too.  They are so sweet!!  It was fun to get texts, Facebook messages, calls, and cards from friends and family.  It was a great birthday and I hope my birthday wish comes true - a great year with good health.

Fourth of July

Jim got the 3rd of July off, so we took our girls to see "Inside Out".  It was a cute movie and we all liked it.  Danni was house-sitting for part of the 4th, so I was thrilled to spend some time with her that day.

This is the real purpose of movie posters

We started the Fourth of July with a ward breakfast.  It was so yummy!!!!  The breakfast started at 7:00 in the morning.  I can't believe how many people were there.

Can you see me??

After the ward breakfast, we went on our neighborhood parade.  The girls decorated their scooters the night before and were so excited to go.  After the parade, there was watermelon, snow cones, and a water balloon toss (or should I say fight).  We had a great time even though it was HOT!!!

Pace Family on the Fourth
Danni was house sitting

The girls and their scooters
Can you see my shadow?  Haha

Angela and Sis. Lopes

Josh and Dylan
He just returned from his misison

Emily getting her watermelon

Jocelyn and I
This was AFTER the parade

At night, we went lit our sparklers.  I love that we can have our own fireworks in Mesa now.  It's a tradition that I love sharing with my kids.  We headed to the temple grounds to see the City of Mesa fireworks.  They put on a great show!!

Emily looks so patriotic with her sparkler

Angela wasn't sure she liked sparklers at first,
but she warm up to the ideal

Danni was home to do sparklers with us - YAY!!!

Josh couldn't do just one at a time!!!

My turn

Josh and Jim are NOT allowed to sparkler without supervision!!!!

The end result!!!