Throw Back ThursdayDean's List

I'm not throwing it back too far, but this certificate came in the mail. My son earned a 3.87 GPA in some tough classes last semester.  Congrats!!!!

AZ Magic and MusicPandora's Box

Danni participated in AZ Magic and Music again this year as a buddy.  It's so great to see her volunteer her time to help those with disabilities perform on stage.  They learn lines, songs, and dances.

Danni had a boy this year that would sometimes be sad.  Danni mentioned that on the day of the performance, he was in a sad mood until he saw his dad.  He wanted to be happy for his dad, so he perked up and got ready for the performance.  Parents who come to see performances can have a huge impact on their children. I wish that I could have gone this year, but I had surgery just days before and didn't feel ready to drive.

I love this program where kids can work together and learn from each other.  I know that Danni has learned so much from the kids she worked with and vice versa.  Kids with special needs are not very different from other kids.  They just to be heard and loved.  

Memorable MondayBeach House

When Josh and Danni were young, the Pace family rented a beach house where we stayed for a few days.

Jim and I went to Chyrisse's wedding while Myrna took Josh and Danni with them.  After a night in San Diego, we met up with them for a great vacation.  The Beach house had four levels, but the main level belonged to another tenant.  We spent very little time in the beach house with so many little kids.  After we would go to the beach, we would put all the kids in the bath tub to wash the sand off.  I loved squeezing all the kids in the tub.  There was a park around the corner, so we spent most of our time at the beach or the park.  We would have dinner at he park to help keep the rental clean.  We went to a few nearby spots - Seaport Village and the San Diego Wildlife Park Park just to name a few.  We were also able to get away for a dinner with just the adults.  Mindy's brother came to help and watched the kids one night, so we could get away.  It was a fun little get-away with the Pace family.

Jim and the kids

Danni and I

Memories at the Beach House

Downtown San Diego

There's too many kids in this tub
There's too many elbows to scrub
I just was a behind that I'm sure wasn't mine
There's too many kids in this tub.

Girl's California Trip

Danni was invited by some friends to go to California for the weekend.  She took some super cute pictures and I hope that she will remember the good times that she had at the beach instead of the bad burns she received.   She has made some really good friends throughout the years.  She has known Maybree and Kaylynn all her life.  She has known Karli since kindergarten.  She met Brooklyn through Kaylynn.  I'm not sure how long they have known each other.  I'm so glad that she was able to sneak away for the weekend  

Dann LOVES the beach

Kaylynn, Karli, Maybree, Brooklyn, and Danni

Super cute Danni

Super cute girls!!!!!!

Throwing Back ThursdaySwimming with my girls

I miss going to the pool. I can't wait til I can jump in the water with kids.

Memorable MondaySunburn

Yesterday the temperature in our car registered 120 degrees when we went to dinner at my parents house for dinner.  It was really hot.  Summer's in AZ can be hot, but we are having a big heat wave.  When I walked outside, I felt like I was in an oven.  I know people say it's a dry heat, but it doesn't make it feel any better. People who say it's just a dry heat should live though a AZ summer.

Today as I thought about the extreme heat and my recent battle with skin cancer, I remembered the sunburns that I received as a youth.  I remember burning really bad at lake trips and being so burnt that it hurt.  I remember sitting in boats and feeling my legs burn.  After one boating trip, we attended  wedding reception with my face really red. We were asked to help out at Cathy's wedding.  Cathy was one of my cousins from Roy and Jeri.  

You can tel that I look miserable

 My skin burns, peels, and then goes back to being white again.  I don't even tan so there is no point just basking in the sun.  So, sun screen and lip balm are a couple of items needed every day when I go out to face the sun.  I'm working super hard to take care of my skin in the summer.

Throw Back ThursdaySwimming

The top picture I was taken at Carson. You have to look carefully, but my kids and I are all there. The bottom pic was taken at Rhodes. Both are cool pools!!!

MOHS surgery

I had MOHS surgery to remove 2 cancer sores from my face.  In late November, I found a sore by the left ear.  It was black and really ugly.  I went to the dermatologist and had a biopsy done.  The sore looked better but cancer was found there and on my nose.  It was the lowest form of skin cancer which doesn't spread, but still needs to be removed.  The surgery went well and I got all of the cancer on the first go around with the nose.  The site around the ear took one more layer until it was gone.  After that surgery, I headed off home to wait until my apt with the plastic surgeon which was  later that day. The plastic surgeon took his time to make sure there would be minimal scarring.  The nose was a little tricky for him.  The plastic surgeon seemed happy with his work, so we'll see what the end result will be.  I hope to feel better soon.

Picture of me before surgery

Relief Society

Danni and Jocelyn officially entered Relief Society today.  They gave the girls gift bags which included RS books, chocolate, and cute hand santizier.  I'm so glad that they are coming to Relief Society.  They are such cute girls who have so much to offer.  I watched these two girls grow up and I love them dearly.  I know that I will have 2 girls to sit with in RS.

Danni and Jocelyn

Throw Back ThursdayNational Best Friend Day

Yesterday was National Friends Day. Jim is my best friend. We've been friends for a long time. We were friends for 5 years before we got married. I'm so grateful for his friendship every day. 

Love ya Jim!!!!

Spotlight Trip 2016

Danni's Spotlight Group went on another Disneyland Trip.  This trip was the last one with Mrs. Stones since she is retiring this year.  It looks like they had a lot of fun this year.  They spent one day at Universal Studios, 2 days at Disneyland, and one day at the beach.  It was fun to hear the sets she visited, the rides she rode, and her day at the beach.  I hope she remembers this trip for years to come.

Spotlight Group with Chaperones

Fun Times

Danni and Goofy

Home Sweet Home

Fuel 2016

FUEL stand for Fulton Ultimate Engineering Leadership.  Josh participated in a 2 week program for the first week.  He learned how to use some 3D software and printed a 3D object.  He really enjoyed the program and learned a lot.  He even earned a $600 scholarship through the program.  The second week he worked on resumes and leadership skills.  It was a such a good program and it gave Josh an opportunity to attend ASU Tempe.

Josh doing a presentation

Josh's fuel group