Angela turns 16

Angela is 16 years old

Angela turned 16 this year.  We were so thrilled that she had an actual birthday this year, so we tried to make a really big one.  She has seminary and choir for her first two classes.  She wanted to go to school and have them sing for her.  It's not every year that she can hear "Happy Birthday" songs on her actual birthday.  Jim and I picked Angela up after 2nd hour and went to go get some free food.  We headed off to sprinkles to get a four free cupcakes.  They are delicious and very filling cupcakes. 

Angela and her cupcakes

Yummy Cupcake from Sprinkles

After the cupcakes, we picked up Josh from ASU and headed off the Joe's Barbecue Grill for a free lunch. Josh, Jim and I had lunch with Angela.  I loved celebrated Angela's actual birthday with her.  I wish that we could do that more often, but leap day only come 1 out of 4 years.

Angela's yummy lunch

Angela and I

For dinner, we headed to one of Angela's favorite restaurants - Panda Express.  This meal wasn't free but it sure made Angela really happy to have her dinner there.  That's what counts right.  Josh had to work, but that's OK that he had lunch with Angela.

Dinner at Panda

After dinner, Jim took Angela to get a free pizza for her birthday at Pizza Hut.  There were a lot of free meals for those who have leap year birthdays and since Josh works at Pizza Hut, we had to get Angela a free pizza.  After work, Josh brought home a yummy brownie to celebrate Angela's birthday.   It was a special treat for her.

Angela's Yummy Treat

We celebrated Angela's birthday again at Grandma Wall's house.  We sang "Happy Birthday" to her and she received presents from Kenzie and Grandma.  Angela loves her birthday and loved all the attention she received.  I just feel bad that it won't come around again until 2020.  She will be 20 years old celebrating her 5th birthday.

Angela had a pink cake - her favorite color

Grandma Wall gave Angela a special glass doll

A few days after her birthday, I invited a couple of friends to come miniature golfing at Fat Cats with us.  We had a great time golfing in the dark and admiring the great art on the walls.  Afterwards, we headed off to the Soda Shoppe.  It was great to see Angela interact with her friends.  Kenzie and Isabelle were so kind and helpful through out the night and made Angela feel so special as they celebrated her 16th birthday.

Golfing

Yummy Soda

For Angela's birthday, we gave her an early birthday present . She is thrilled to have joined the cell phone world.  We got her a fancy bedazzled ladybug case that helps make the phone look so much cooler.

Angela's cell phone

We love Angela and wanted to wish her the happiest 16th birthday.  She is the sweetest girl who lights up those around her.  Happy Birthday Angela!!!!!

Memories of the last 16 years

Throw Back ThursdayLagoon in the '70s

 When driving was more fun.   It looks like Lisa is a little concerned about my driving.  I thinks she should be handing on with both hands.

Jeff and Lauren's Visit

Jeff and Lauren came down for a week long visit.  It was so much fun to see the twins, even though they were sick most of that week.

On Sunday, we all went to church with Grandma and Grandpa Wall.  Breanne was very entertaining and interacted with us while Adelyne didn't feel well and stayed close to her dad.  After church, we went to the park for lunch.  Peggy and Spencer were finishing up their visit, so they joined us at the park before heading home.  We had a great time hanging out at the park talking while the kids played.  The twins played a little bit with their cousins, but it was nap time.  It was a great plan, but with toddler who were sick, adjustments were made by the parents.

She was a cutie at church

Lauren and the girls

Rebecca and her husband came up from Casa Grande to see Peggy and Spencer.
They joined us at the park for lunch.

Brittany and Danni with Adeline and Kolby

girl cousins

Peggy and Spencer with Mom and Dad at the park

On Monday, we went to the zoo as a family.  The twins were really tired and wanted to spend time with their parents, but we snuck in some twin time.  Breanne called me Aunt Tami, which totally made my day.  We walked around a little as a whole family and saw some cool animals before Mom, Dad, Jeff, Lauren, and the twins left.  Jeff's family went to go visit Lauren's grandparents and my parents went home.  We separated from the Barneys to see the rest of the animals.  The Barneys were leaving to go home after they were done with the zoo too.  

Checking out the Orangutans at the zoo

Wall family at the zoo minus Austin who is snapping the photo

Angela, Jeff, and Breanne

The girls

Jeff and I

Breanne and I - She called my Aunt Tami
Made my day

My girls and I at the zoo

Lisa, Debbie, and I

Tuesday night, my dad went to the hospital with a serious UTI.  I spent some more time with Jeff the night my dad went to the ER.  Jeff' and I took turns spending time with dad for the few days that he was in the hospital.  Jeff had to balance spending time with dad and his family who were visiting Lauren's grandparents.  Jeff and Lauren waited until my dad came home to head back home to Utah.  I was there to visit with the girls as Jeff and Lauren back up a few items.  I could tell the the twins were feeling better.  They were super fun to play with they day they left AZ.

Josh and Jeff

Danni and Breanne

My twin nieces

It was a great visit and I hope to see them again soon.

Throw Back Thursday "Tickle Monster"

Grandpa Wall read "Tickle Monster" to his grandchildren 5 yrs. ago. Grandpa read the same book to his younger granddaughters this weekend.

Throw Back ThursdayJim Camping with the Kids

Memorable MondayJournal Entry Feb. 3, 2004

A lot has happened the past few weeks. Jim has been really busy with scouts and deacons.  He is planning a snow camp out this weekend.  It snowed today so there should be some snow for the boys.  Last weekend, Jim went down to Tucson and bought a military style trailer.  He plans to use it for scouts and take it on the next camp out.

Josh has been doing well at school.  Tonight, he was honored at the POP meeting( Porter's version of PTA). They honored the students who made it into the Roaring Jets Club (Math Facts Club).  It was a great to see him do so well in school.  This year has been an easy year for Josh because he is repeating first grade.  Next year will be a test for him. 

Dani lost her first tooth last week.  It's not the tooth that was bumped over the holidays.  There is a new tooth already in it's place.  I wanted to cry.  It is harder for me to see her grow up.  She was so excited for the tooth fairy to come.

Angela is doing really well.  She is riding her tricycle using the pedals.  She is able to climb down
stairs by just holding the handrails.  I was so excited to see her do those skills.  I've relaxed on
teaching those skills and watched her learn to do it on her own.

We have been busy painting my house.  It is about time.  We painted the kitchen, family room, and hall bathroom sage green.  It has been fun and adds so much to the house.  I plan to do much more.  Jim is doing most of the painting.  I'm preparing the walls and telling him what to paint. We are doing well and love you all.  Take care.

Throw Back ThursdayMy College Years

I want to MCC and then to ASU. I had a blast in college and I learned a lot about myself while earning a degree.

Memorable Monday20 things about me

1- I love to watch the news - local, national, and inter-national.  If I could, I would have the news on all day.

2- I love to play games - card games, board games, computer games, and video games.  It's a lot more fun to play games with others.

3- I don't like to drive.  I would rather be a passenger in a vehicle and not particularly in the front seat.

4- I would rather eat out any day of the week than have to cook.

5- I love pictures of my kids whether I take them or not

6- I love sweets and Diet Coke.  That's why I love soda shops they sell both.

7- I love pictures, especially ones of my family.  I'm willing to spend most of my vacation time taking them just to have them.

8- I love the mountains and lakes.  My ideal vacation would include the both of them.

9- I never finished 2nd grade and started 3rd grade twice.  We moved at the end of 2nd grade and again at the start of 3rd grade.

10 - I was nominated Homecoming Queen and hoped that I didn't win because I didn't have a date. 

11- I have a BA degree in Mathematical Education from ASU.

12- I don't like roller coaster rides.

13- I like to watch Hallmark Christmas Movies

14- My favorite color is Blue, particularly Navy Blue

15- I love to watch football.  In college, I knew every NFL team and their key players.

16- My favorite car is a Ford Mustang.

17- I love puzzle games.  Games that make me think

18- I am the oldest granddaughter on both sides.

19 - I do not have my ears pierced.

20- I hate to wear shoes.  Id rather just wear socks.