Thanksgiving

We did Thanksgiving different this year.  Mindy usually hosts Thanksgiving for the Pace family, but her family was in town and she had Thanksgiving dinner with them.  Grandma Pace decided to have the Pace Thanksgiving dinner at the Golden Corral.  Devon brought his finance, Callie Shaw and both Danni and Kaylynn brought their boyfriends, Landon and Brigham.  It was fun to sit back and watch the cousins all enjoying each other's company.  It was great to see them include the guest as well.

Angela, and Emily sat with Sarah, Trinia, and Alyssa

Josh sat with Kade, Ryan, Cole, Justin, Callie, and Devon

The Other side of the table included Kaylynn, Bree, Jenna, Danni, Brigham, and Landon

Kathyrn, Stuart, Jon, and Minday sat together

Jim and I shared tables with Grandma and Grandpa Pace

Ryan and Justin sat together

Since Myrna had Thanksgiving at Golden Corral the day before Thanksgiving, she was free on Thanksgiving day.  I invited their family to the Wall family over to my parents for dinner.  Brittany, Ashley, and Danni brought over their boyfriends.  Myrna spent time talking to my mom and making her day.   

Cort, Britt, Loren, Joey, Brigham hiding, Ashley, Joseph, Josh, and Zach

Emily ,Kenzie, Sarah, Trina, and Angela

Marden, Travis, Me, Dad, Lisa, Josh, Zach, Josh, Jim, Myrna, and Mom

It was a good Thanksgiving.  We have so much to be grateful for., especially family

My family

Emily and Angela

Brigham and Danni

The girls plus Joey

Myrna and Mom

Josh and Zach

Ash and Cort

Emmy, Kenzie, and Angela

 The day after Thanksgiving, went Grandma and Grandpa Pace to the desert.  It was fun to just get away and relax.  We had to leave early because Josh was called into work, but I'm so glad that we made the time to go.

My Family at the Desert, Danni didn't come

Josh playing cards with Ryan and Brandon

Jim and I with Em

Kaylynn and Angela under sleeping bags - it was getting cold

Porter Picnic

Jim and I went to the Porter Picnic and had lunch with our girl.  I had a doctor's appt early that morning, so I raced quickly back to Porter for lunch. I was worried that I wouldn't make it.   Jim went to get lunch for the 3 of us at Panda Express, one of Emmy's favorite restaurants.  

I love the Porter picnics and see how many parents show up to have lunch with their child,  I'm so glad that Jim was able to join us this year.  It's fun to sit with my friends while waiting for Emmy's lunch time.  This is one of the things that I will miss most when Emmy leaves Porter.

After the lunch, I stayed after and watched the 5th and 6th graders participate in the turkey trot.  I held my friend's baby while she ran with the kids.  What a great opportunity for the parents to get involved in the lunch and then again in the run.

Memorable MondayPics of Me

I was tagged on Facebook to find 5 photos of just me. I don't always do tags, but I wanted to do this one. I love who I am and who I have become. My life isn't always easy or glamorous, but it is great. I have friends and family who have shaped the person I am today.

As I look back at my life, I've learned that I am a braver person that I ever thought I was.  I was such a shy girl in high school and was afraid to talk to people.  Now, I have to talk to people every day to take care of my kids.  I have to be an advocate for my special needs daughter which taught me a lot.  I've had RS callings that taught me to step out of my comfort zone.  I've learned to like who I am even though life is rough. I'm not a glamorous model, but I'm a daughter of God and that knowledge alone makes me a beautiful women.  So, I found 5 pictures that made me look pretty.

Throw Back Thursday - Temples

 I so grateful for the 3 temple that we have in the Phoenix area: Mesa, Gilbert, and Phoenix.  My kids were able to go both the Phoenix and Gilbert Temple Open House.  We are truly lucky to have 3 temples within an hours drive, with Mesa being only a 10 minute drive.  

Memorable MondayPiano Recitals

On Saturday Night, our ward had a talent show.  Josh planned to do a card trick, but it thought it would be to hard to see the cards on the stage.  He then planned to play a number on the bass clarinet, but that didn't plan out either.  It turned out that Mitchell and Josh played a duet on the piano.  It was great fun to watch.   The younger girls and I participate in a flash mob dance which we worked on throughout the month.  It was fun to watch the girls dance on stage.

Girls and I

Josh and Mitchell

I remember when my kids played the piano during piano lessons and "Let's Play Music" classes.  I loved it when my kids took piano lessons and was really sad when they chose not to continue.  I think a huge part of me wished that I knew how to play piano.  Music was been a huge part of my life and continues to be in my kid's life as well.  We just didn't find it playing the piano.

Josh playing in a piano recital

Danni performing at a piano recital

Angela playing her own composition during her last "Let's Play Music" concert

Emily playing in her last "Let's Play Music" concert.

"Faith in God"

Emily just earned her Faith in God award.  She worked so hard to earn this award and I'm so proud of her.  She worked really hard to achieve this goal.   She was awarded this certificate and the necklace she is wearing.  Congrats Emily!!!!!

Thankful ThursdayMy Amazing Husband

I so glad that I met and married this guy. He has been there for me in good times and during tough times. He is my best friend. Love ya Jim!!!!!

Presidential Election

2016 was an election year and it was very interesting one.  It came down to two candidates, and I didn't like either of them.  What to do??  That's what most of the country thought.  There was more political talk which turned into arguments.  So, I didn't want to talk much politics.   I couldn't wait for this election to end.  Trump won the election and he was the one we voted for, but I'm still concerned.  I have faith in our leaders and hope that they have our best interests in mind.  Time will tell how Trump will do.  I'm just so glad that Hillary Clinton didn't win.  It was fun to talk and vote as a family.  

As you can see, we have four voters at this house. After the last primary, we all decided to go this route and get mail in votes.  I waited two hours to vote in the primary and Jim waited around 4 hours.  The right to vote is an important one, one that we take seriously.

2004 Presidential Election Day was a wonderful day for our family. Emily was born on that day. We joked with the nurses that we would name her Laura or Teresa, depending on who won the election. We obviously didn't name her after the First Lady. The nurses lingered in my room longer each visit to hear the election results. It was nice having the extra visitors. It's a good thing that I voted early that year. My doctor made that suggestion since my due date was close to the election date.

Memorable Monday6th Grade Pics

It's school picture time - Emily and Angela got their school pics.  I like that photo I took of Emmy, so I'm posting that.  We tried something new with Emily's hair - we straightened it.  I like it, but the process was too long for Em.

Emily - 6th Grade

Angela - Junior Year

Here is what my kids look like when they were in 6th Grade.  Notice that orange and blue were the colors to wear.  They look alike but yet different  They have their different personalities.  This was their last year at Porter Elementary.  

6th Grade Pics

Thankful ThursdayMy Kids

I'm thankful for my 4 kids. They have taught me to be a mom and continue to do so.  I love hanging out and playing with them.  I sure love them!!!

Primary Softball 2016

Emily is going to connect with this ball

Catcher pic

This was Emily's last year of primary softball.  We went to each game and she played hard.  She hit the ball many times.  She has such a fun game face. I wanted to take as many group photos as I can because she is moving up to YW soon.   She had turned 12 and attended YW before her last primary softball game.  You have to go to the last game because there are treats.  I didn't want to deprive Emily of those treats, so we went.

 Here are groups photos

Love these 3 girls

Emily turns 12

Emily turns 12 this year, which means she joing YW.  In the morning, she woke up and realized that she had been Bee-Attacked.  During the night, the beehives decorated the front porch to welcome her to YW's.  Her birthday happened to fall on a Late, Late Start and school got out at 11:45.  I took her and Abbey to lunch at Emmy's favorite restaurant - Panda Express.  Later that day, we went to Primay Softball where her friends sang Happy Birthday to her and she brought cupcakes.  That evening, she went to YW's.   She had a good birthday, but there was no time for family celebration.

Danni's sign that the Beehives left her

Porter got out of school super early on her birthday, so we took Abbey out to Panda Express for her birthday.  Panda is one of Emmy's favorite restaurants, so it was perfect.  That night, she went to mutual.

Emily and Abbey

We celebrated Emmy's birthday at Grandma's house with cake and presents.  Grandma Pace gave her a doll and Kenzie gave Emmy tons of gits - 12 to be exact.  

Cake

Kenzie's gifts

We went to Barro's Pizza to celebrate her birthday with the family.  Pizza is always a favorite with our family.  It was fun to order dessert for Emmy and share it with her.  

 Both Grandma Pace and I shared pics of Emily on Facebook.  Here are the pics that we shared.

My collage on Facebook

Grandma's Pace's Pic on Facebook

Happy 12th Birthday Emily!!!!!!