On top of it all!

This is a busy day for blogging for me. Does that mean I don't have to do it for a week or so?

Anyway - today I was talking to Doug on the phone when I say Carson climb into his toybox! I guess he couldn't reach what he wanted - so he decided that being on top of them all was better! Funny little boy.

Yes - he is STILL drooling. I don't think he will ever get past this stage! He is also feeling better. He stills has a cough, but you don't hear the croup sound in his breathing anymore.

The family that works together.......

We have a nectarine tree in our backyard. Quite a few weeks ago - Doug noticed how it was just loaded with nectarines. He never had time to go and thin them out - and I hadn't been able to either. Saturday he was out there and noticed that a few of the branches were really bent down. Checked them out - and not only were they bent down, but were broken from being so heavy. He didn't have time to take care of it then (Stake Conference leadership meeting and adult meeting). So - Sunday while everyone was here - he asked them all to help. They went out and picked up nectarines, cut the branches, and thinned the branches still left on the tree. Now, we just need to keep a watch on the tree - and get a fruit tree cover. The birds already ate all of our apricots! By the way - we officially have had our first day over 100 - 105 on Sunday to be exact. The next day or two are suppose to be even hotter - then cool down for the weekend.

Doug has the job of cutting the branches up.

The broken branches
Jeremy trying to knock some nectarines off the high branch
Kendall even got Marie to help out!




Carson and EmmaLee got to enjoy themselves watching everyone work and even got a ride or two. What cuties!

Celebrating Early

Kristi's birthday isn't until Saturday, May 24th - but we celebrated it on Sunday - the 18th. I don't think Kristi minded too much getting her presents early!

Here's EmmaLee playing with the tissue paper from the presents. She loves playing with it!

Kristi with one of her presents.
Another present - her own hymn book. She is learning to play the hymns on the piano and can hardly wait until she can learn them on the organ! Some of her other presents - stuff for her Wii, shorts, cd's, whiteboard/magnetic board and marker, and a shopping spree from Mikel.
With her cake. Can you tell it is sunglasses. NOT a bikini top like Jeremy thought!
Blowing out all 13 candles in one try!
Happy Birthday Kristi - we love you!

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?)