Mikel's blog

Today I was talking to Molly - and she asked me about Mikel's blog - one with Kris. What blog? I didn't know she had a blog. She never tells me anything. So, tonight I asked her - "do you have a blog with Kris?" YES she does. She isn't updating it much - maybe I'll have to help her with keeping it updated (lol). Check out her blog - it is with the other ones to the side.

Just to let you know - Mikel started a new job this week. She is very excited about it. She is an operations specialist (teller - plus) at the bank Doug works at. She gets paid $3 more an hour than her last job - and has paid holidays and 15 paid personal days - and doesn't have to work any more Saturdays. It also has benefits - insurance, etc - when she wants to add them. Right now - no need, she is on ours. Since it is only a couple of miles away from our house, it will be closer to ASU. How great is that!

9th Grade Awards Night

Thursday Night was the 9th grade (Freshman) awards night. Jason let us know that he was getting an award. We got there - got the program - and realized he was one of the students getting the Perfect Pride award - which means he was never late to a class (except for excused times) and never got in trouble all year. Congrats Jason - what a good kid. So, we sat through the rest of the program - all the different departments giving a student or two an award. Well, then they got to the part of the program where they have special awards - which the students and parents don't know about. There are about 8 of these. Jason was hoping for one of these awards, but didn't think he would get one. I had my camera out - just in case. Good thing - he did get one of the big awards. They announced his name and I was so excited. Jason was given the award for................

The Male Athlete of the Year! Way to go Jason. What an honor that is. He is a great athlete. He thought there were a few other kids who would get it - but it was him!

Here he is accepting the congrats from the Assistant Principal (the Principal too - but he was next in line in the shadows where I couldn't get a picture.)

Here he is with the awards. What a big smile - think he was happy?
This is Jason with the great group of friends he had this year - yea, mostly girls. The other boy is his best friend Nick Willis. They had every class together this year!

Matt's Family Party

Last Sunday - Mother's Day - we celebrated Matt's birthday. He and I seem to get the opportunity to do that quite often. I must say - he was the best Mother's Day gift I ever got (even if he was born 2 days before Mother's Day that year!). Anyway - he seemed to be pleased with his gifts. He wanted hunting stuff - since he did draw out to go hunting for a bull elk this year - and hunting stuff he got. Let's see, he got camo pants, t-shirt to go with it, gloves, elk call, a really nice knife, - and a couple of things not for hunting - a scripture case and a couple of fun Mario t-shirts (for you Nintendo fans!)

Happy Birthday - again Matt - we love you!

Opening his gifts - with Carson's help

He wasn't able to blow out all his candles in one breath. I guess he must be getting too old!
With his cake that Mikel made for him.
The cake Mikel made and decorated - an original Nintendo NES game controller - Matt loves his game systems!

Happy Birthday Jana!

Happy Birthday Jana! I meant to do this earlier today - but with a sick child, my day has not gone as planned! (I also meant to find some other pictures, but this is it for now!)

Jana is a very giving, loving woman. She is always willing to help out anyone (too much some of the time - she can't seem to say "NO!) She loves kids and is a wonderful mother to her two boys. She is very talented - especially in photography. (she took the nightime shot of our family at the top of my blog!). Our kids all adore and love their "Aunt Jana"! Hope you have a great day Jana. We all love you down in Mesa (sure you don't want to move down our way?)

Unhappy Carson

Yesterday during Carson's afternoon nap, I noticed he had a bad cough. Well, this morning when he woke up, his breathing was really bad - along with the cough. So, off to the doctor we went. He has croup, and kind of bad too. In fact, the doctor said he usually doesn't recommend a shot for it because it has steroids in it, but he did recommend it for Carson. The doc said this was a weird time for croup - usually they see it in November/December time, but he had quite a few in lately with it - and Carson was the only one so far that he had get the shot. Poor little boy - whenever he coughs, he'll start to cry because it hurts him. He sounds awful - breathing and coughing He also doesn't want to eat or drink - but I am pretty much doing all I can to get fluids down him. And of course, it's momma he wants. The doctor said that with the shot the croup should only last about 4 days. We can only hope.

Happy Birthday Matt!

Happy Birthday to my very handsome son, Matthew. He turns 22 today -can you believe that!

I don't know if Matt ever checks out the blog - but I wanted everyone else to know how much I love and appreciate Matt. Matt is very considerate, loving and giving . (He sort of grew into that - after those deacon/teacher years-like most boys!) Matt loves little kids and is very, very good with them. He is a hard worker and has become a very good student. Matt is a spiritual giant. I am amazed at the knowledge he got while serving his mission. He loves sharing the gospel - even now, and loves to help out the missionaries. Matt gives amazing talks in church - just seems to rattle them off with all that knowledge he has. Some girl is going to be very lucky and blessed when he gets married. (I'm not a proud mom - am I?) Happy Birthday Matt. I love you!

Here he is with EmmaLee. Isn't he a natural!

Babies again! Holding EmmaLee, Zane (Black's grandson) and Carson. (Sorry I cut off part of your head - I was focusing on the kids! I need to become a better photographer!)

His halloween costume. I don't want you to think he dresses like this often. Just opposite that - Matt is always dressed very nice! My friend Kathy calls him a GQ man!
Happy Birthday to you!

Music Time

EmmaLee loves anything that makes music - listening to it or making her own. She loves a couple of toys that Carson got for his birthday - the drums and xylophone. For Carson, they are okay, but he likes the action toys better - noisy pushy lawnmower, balls, - you get the picture. Well, that is - until he sees EmmaLee playing with HIS TOYS! We are trying to teach him the meaning of share! It might take him a little bit of time to understand what sharing is all about!