Happy Birthday Josh

 Josh celebrated his 21st Birthday.  He is a smart, talented guy who loves his family.   We did a lot of things to celebrate his birthday, so much it took a whole week.  On his birthday, Danni and I picked up Josh for his birthday and had lunch at Joe's Farm Grill.  He got a free meal.   Later that week, Josh went to see a concert at the MAC, Cinematic Pop with Mr. Quamo, and then off to Jesters.  Sydney accompanied him.  We had dinner/desert at Applebees as a family and cake at Grandma and Grandpa's Wall's house too.  I sure love this boy of mine - Happy Birthday Josh!!

Birthday Lunch

Jesters

Applebees

Cake

Eclipse

There was a solar eclipse this year an it was SO cool.  ASU gave Josh some special glasses to wear, the but I used all the tricks that I learned when I was in elementary school.  The best viewpoints were shown on TV.  I was so glad to tell my parents about the eclipse.  I just learned that they went with their ham radio buddies to see it at the park  They were able to use a telescope designed for this type of eclipse.  I can't to see another solar eclipse, I hear there is one in 2024.

Riley's Homecoming Talk

Riley came home from his mission and his family was super excited.  We watched his arrival on Periscope while in the comfort of my own home.  It was so fun to watch his family get more and more anxious as time went by.  Finally, he came into view and his family raced to hug him.  

This caption says it all

Riley and Mindy

We waited until his homecoming to see and hear him.  He looked great and gave an amazing talk.  There were several times that he had to pause to think about how to say it in English.  Brigham came with Danni and he had a chance to meet Riley.  It was a great day and we are SO glad the Riley is home. Welcome home Riley!!!

Childhood Friends

Danni, Jocelyn, and Maybree went out to lunch today.  They are all headed in different directions.  Maybree is going on mission, Jocelyn is going to Denver to be a nanny, and Danni is getting married in a few months.  These girls have been friends for years.  The stories they could tell.  They have done so much together and I have so many pictures of them together. I'm so glad that they took time out of their schedule to have lunch before they head off in different directions.

The trio

Memorable Mondayfirst Day of Fourth Grade

It's time to look back at when my kids started 4th grade.  Angela returned to Porter her fourth grade year.  From 4th grade on up, my kids went to the same school or plan to.  It's always fun to see how my kids look when they are the same age.  They have different characteristics both inside and out.  4th grade was a good year for my kiddos.

Tucson Temple Dedication

The Tucson Temple was dedicated and we were able to attend the dedication.  Sis. Alverado, Emily's Sunday School Teacher, made these beautiful handkerchiefs for the Tuscon Dedication and gave them to the members of her Sunday School class.  What a great and wonderful idea to remember this dedication.  I'm so glad that the church makes if possible for us to view the dedication of nearby temples.  It invites the spirit and desire to go to the temple again or for the first time.

Snowflake Open House

We went up to Snowflake for Jenna's Open House.  We had already had some fun at Fools Hollow before heading to Snowflake.  I had never been to Snowflake so it was fun to go and support Jenna.  It was so fun to see the small quaint town.  Jenna's Open House was very nice and it was great to be there.  We didn't stay to long to socialize.  One the way home, we went to the Snowflake Temple

Fool's Hollow

We went to Show Low to spend some time before heading to Jarom and Jenna's Open House.  We walked around on the north end of lake and took a hike down to the water before having lunch.  Afterwards, we went to see if we could rent canoes and kayaks.  We had a great time and just after we returned the boats, it started to rain.  We used the showers at Fools Hollow to clean up and then we headed off to Snowflake.

Jm and I

The kids

Josh

Danni

Angela

Emily

Danni, Angela, and I

Josh and Em having fun

Angela and I

Josh and Em

Angela and I

First Day of School

It's the first day of school.  Emily is starting 7th Grade at Taylor and Angela is a senior at Mesa High School.  Emily is a little nervous, but Angela is ready to start her senior year.  I'm nervous because each girl's schedule had some issues the day before.  Emmy was in the wrong team.  Her schedule showed that she was in Team 2 with a Team 3 schedule.  So, we got the figured out the day before school.  Angela's schedule was fixed the day before too.  They gave her the wrong schedule during A hour, but I noticed on her GPS that she was in the wrong spot and we got her back on track quickly.  They both had great days of school despite the confusion the day before.   I love my girls and hope they have an amazing year!!!!

My school girls

My senior

My 7th grader

First Day at Taylor

Emmy and Viv

Emmy with Lily and Brooke

Getting Ready for School

School is starting and there is a lot of things that we had to do this year to prepare for it.

1.  We had to go to Mesa High and pick up Angela's computer.  This year, each student is given a computer which they are responsible for all year.  Their textbooks are the computer too, so need to check out textbooks.  YAY!!!!

2. Emily got a new violin.  She has been playing 1/2 size violin and has totally outgrown it.  We really needed to give her a larger size and heading off to junior high school is a great time to make that switch, so we did.  I love that she is playing orchestra in junior high.  That's when I started, so she is already 3 yrs ahead of me.

3. Emmy got her haircut.  Since she is going to Taylor Junior High, I wanted to her hair to look fabulous without much work.  We gave her layers in hope that it would make her hair curler in all the right places.

4. We went to tour Taylor and Emily's classes.  We caught up with some of Emily's friends and of course, I had to snap a picture.  After touring Emily's  classes, we realized that they had her in the wrong team.  So, changes to her schedule were made last minute.  I really hate that.

Emily and Lily

Emily, Lily, Brooke, Natalie, and a Gardner cousin

We found Vivian, so we had to get another picture.

Memorable MondaySisters

Yesterday is National Sister's Day.  I have such great sisters and sister-in-laws.  This pics were taken during weddings this past year.  They are so amazing and help me so much.  As I look back on my years growing up and years of being a mother, these are the ladies that I looked up to and advice that I took.  I love my sisters a great deal.  Thanks for all that you have done for me.

My sisters and sisters-in-law

I also have such great daughters and love to see them learn and grow from each other.  I hope that they can look back and remember their youth years fondly and turn to each other for advice as they continue to grow and learn,

Ang and Em

Dann and Em
matching jackets for church