Saturday Night fun at Mesa Riverview.

On the 13th we went to Mesa Riverview for there totally worth it free winter fun. We saw Santa and told him all about what was wanted. Grins were huge and memories made.

There were carolers singing beautifully, giving the air that magic holiday touch.

There was a GINORMOUS tree with ornaments the size of Speeds head. (not even lying a little about that.)

There were horse drawn sleigh rides. Wee One was soooo excited about this that she had a VERY hard time staying in line waiting her turn.

There were lights and people (not to crowded though. nice) and fun all around and oh yes one more thing. They brought in a huge truck load full of SNOW!

After all the festivities outside we headed in to one of our favorite places. Bass Pro Shop of course. We watched the fish for quite awhile on our way in and out. (A must if you havn't done so yet.) We also had to go spend a whole dollar letting every one get to shoot. (also a must do. So fun)

Towards the end of the night Speed actually said to us, "Thank you, you're the best parents ever." AWWW. It was a great night.

Our new look - After.

After is the best part.

Here we are done.

I love it. Feel free to do a drive by anytime.

Here comes a major plug, Centurion Stone of AZ.

(On Greenfield between Brown and Mckellips)

Our new look. During.

Here is a during shot. Sorry there aren't more, but my camera was in the process of dying at the time. I have to try and share with JP now.

Our new look. Before.

Ok! so Merry Christmas to us! Here are a few shots of the house in the before state of things so

you can get a good feel for the changes. (don't mind the holiday decor.)

Random Santa sighting!

I SOOO wish I had, had a camera with me to capture the looks on there faces.

Saturday morning we were at auntie J's house working the garage sale, when what do I see but Santa decked out to the nine's in his new sky blue mustang. He pulled into the church parking lot and sat there a minute finishing his call on his cell. What a sight to see I tell you. (there was a ward having their Christmas party) Just then Speed came out of the house. I said "hey look over there." He scanned the parking lot and finally spotted him. (it took awhile you know because Santa was right in front and completely obvious.) Speed's eye's got so big and his jaw actually dropped. Santa saw him gawking and waved. Speed blurted out "I've got to get the girls. The three of them were back in a flash. Girly stopped in her track, "Santa!" and Wee One grinned so big I really think her cheeks could have burst. Santa was so awesome he started walking our way so I took them and we meet him across the street half way. He talked to them and asked them what they wanted, were they being good... Speed spoke to him, Girly took a few seconds and then replied but Wee One was SO star struck all she could do was grin and grin and grin. She could hardly even say HI! let alone answer his questions. Oh my gosh it was so sweet and so funny. He just really made their day. Not till after we said goodbye (Santa was spotted by the kids in the other ward and the mob was running across the parking lot) and crossed back to our side of the street was Wee One finally able to speak. By now though it came out as a yell "Goodbye Santa". Still with a Huge grin painted on her face. All three of them are even more excited for our Christmas party now so they can see Santa again.

I sure hope you are all enjoying this season and all the great things that go with it. Truly a magical time of year. How blessed we all truly are.

Joseph B. Wirthin

Goodbye Elder Wirthin, the oldest living appostle at age 91. "Well done thou good and faithful servent."

Totally Worth It!

Okay, so Jamie, my Mom and I went to the midnight showing of Twilight. It was totally worth it. I wasn't sure about the casting of a few of the characters or how the overall movie would really be. All I have to say is; I was more than pleasantly surprised. I see it all now and can agree with the choices. I loved and will see it again. Next time I'll be taking JP with me. I saw several friends at the theater and the atmosphere was great. I would do it again in a heart beat.

Twilight Movie Night.

I don't know who plans on doing what, but Nov. 20th is the Twilight release. I hope you have bought your tickets on line already if you are planning on attending a midnight type show. CineMark 12:01am and 12:10am are for sure sold out. We have 12:10am tickets and will wait at the church from 9pm till 9:15pm for anyone who has 12:01am or 12:10am tickets in order to car pool and fun waiting in line if you are interested. If not have fun when you do go.

Marty Ann

How cute is this. So Friday Wee One was in our room looking out the window calling for Marty(our dog). He apparently was not coming so she kept calling "Marty, Marty" after not appearing still, I heard the tone of her voice change and an addition to her cry. "MARTY ANN!"

"MARTY ANN!" I just cracked up. (For those who don't know ANN is her middle name.) It worked though. He came running but quick. What a precious memory.

Halloween

We had a fun day. The kids had there parade and a party at school. Wee One and I went to Sophie's B-day party. (We had a great time - Thanks Becky. You are a great party thrower.)

Speed was a Ninja.

Girly for the first part of the day was a pioneer. And for evening was a dance girl.

Wee One was a kitty all day long and loved it.

The whole gang.

Halloween Eve.

Halloween eve finds us carving a pumkin of course.

JP and the kids carve after mommy and kids gut it out.

We can't wait to see what tomorrow brings.

BEST FRIENDS!

I just have to say these cousins are way to cute. They LOVE to be with each other. When they see each other arms go up and names get squealed and hugs are dished up all around. Then it's chater, chater, chater in three year old talk and they're off. Wee One asks for him everyday and prays to play with him in her night time prays. They really and truly are best freinds and I love it and pray it stays that way always.

9th Wedding Anniversary.

Well yesterday was our 9th Anniversary. The kids knew this and planned something special. When daddy got up to go to work we had family prays, we gave loves all around and Girly told him "Happy Anniversary daddy - bye." Wee One and Speed chimed in with "ya, bye daddy."
Then turned to me and said "mom get back in bed till we say it's okay" so I did. (I also said bye daddy, love you - Happy Anniversary.) A little time went bye and then in came the crew. Girly had drawn me a picture and Speed had made me breakfast. (Cinnamon sugar toast -mmmm! a sugar rush breakfast. Love it.) Wee One had also drawn a picture for me. It was great. I'm not real sure what it means that mommy got the gifts and food for our anniversary and daddy got a "Happy anniversary daddy -bye". JP - you know that they really love you. It was probably just that you were leaving so early. It was a fun day and evening what with the carnival and all. Next year we will see if we can top it. I don't know though.

Wee One is 3.

Our third birthday in a two week time span.

Aren't you just jealous!

Wee One had her third this month. She is growing so much. She talks a mile a minute and says things that just floor me. Three year olds are acting a lot older than I remember them acting. What's up with that?

Any way we had a very mellow family only party for her. Hoping she won't remember and be mad at me later. (Sorry Wee One but, two prior parties and a baptism before you. I was a plum partied out.) She had a great time anyway because she got to blow out the candles this time and open the presents, what more could a girl ask for?

For those who don't know Wee One that well she is huge into praying on any and all food so of course we had to pray on the cake. She is so stinkn' cute and sweet.

Twilight Movie Night Update!

November 20th whom ever wants to meet and carpool to the midnight show of Twilight here is the deal.

1.) Buy your tickets online. (My thoughts are for Cine Mark. It's closer and cheaper. Final location will follow shortly. ) Any and all input appreciated.

2.) Meet at the church parking lot (Harris and Hackamore) at 9:00pm so we have plenty of time to get there and stand/sit in line. You know there are going to be way more people just as nuts as us doing the samething.

3.) Find yourself a Twilight T-shirt if you so desire, and bring your favorite snacks.

4.) Be prepared to have a blast!

Scouts - Yes.

Okay. I know I'm his mom but, Speed looks so awesome in his scout uniform. See.

Speed has been in scouts for a month now and has worked hard to get his Bobcat. Now he is on to his wolf. He is excited about scouts - Yeah! JP has been called as Cub Scout Master. He is working his way into it and really doing a fabulous job. He has attend and run a few Pac meetings before this months but, they were more summer for fun activity ones. This month was really his baby. (last month there were unexpected complications and he just kind of stumbled through it. - you go boy) This months theme was adventures in good books (or something close). He did a Treasure Island theme. He built a boat with sailors to be knocked down with "cannons" (black nerf balls). The kids loved it. He also dressed up as a Pirate. I think he feels much better about things now. It really went well. GREAT JOB HONEY. LOVE YOU!

Turning 8 means so many Great things.

Now that 8 is here so are baptism and scouts. I am so happy that Speed is happy about baptism. What a wonderful day.
We are grateful that so many family members were able to come. Ranging from Mesa, Phoenix and even Maricopa. (Thanks all for driving so far) Of course the spirit was very there. Papa gave wonderful talk about Baptism and family who sang was fabulous. This being my first to be baptised, I wasn't aware of the whole Mom's get to bare their testimonies after the confirmation part. It was a surprise and totally unfair. I was barley keeping it together as it was. Now I know for Girly. Good thing there are two years in between.

Interview with Bishop Rowley. I am so grateful for the Lord's Divine organizationally skills. I am grateful bishops and B.R. has really done so much for our family. THANK YOU!

Speed is 8

Ok! It's been awhile and Speed did turn 8.
So here we go.

His party was not at all what I expected it to be. I knew it wouldn't be like Girly's. Barbie's, house and giggles but, I also didn't think it would be what it was. I had pizza and cake for all the boys, that went as expected. I also had games prepared. That was the part that went in it's own direction and I am actually thrilled (I guess) because they had a GREAT time.

From the second boys started arriving all they could do was wrestle with each other. I did steer them outside for just a short time and so how they all ended up back in my living room wrestling. So instead of fighting it, I decided to go with it. JP and I set up ring boundaries, divided and paired the boys up, gave them the rules and held wrestling matches for about an hour. They just really went at it and did awsome. Several Mom's had to wait for "just a minute, my last match is up next." They were all great sports!

Happy 6th

Well my Girly just turned 6. She is sure growing up so fast. Thanks so much to great friends and loving family that helped to make her birthday a happy one.

One down, two to go. Speed's b-day is 9/26 and Wee One's is 10/04. Plus we also get to celebrate the awsome aunts, uncle and grandpa who all have b-day in sept. and Oct. (oh and the baptism in the middle of it all) What a great times we will enjoy.

1st lost tooth!

Girly has been waiting for this day since she watched Speed loose his 1st tooth. Yes it finally happened, saturday morning (the day of her party) her tooth came out. This made the day that much better for her.

Grandparents day.

Monday September 8th the kids school celebrated Grandparents day. All students were able to invite their grandparents to lunch on this day. Thank you to G. Litch, Grammie, and Papa for attending. Speed, Girly and Colt thank you very much. Love you all.

Reflection

I can't believe it has been almost a year since JP and I were able to go to Hawaii with all my family. It was his first time and I loved being able to share with him some of the island experience. For those who do not know, I grew up in Western Samoa (south east of Hawaii). We had a marvelous time.
Sad! This is from my phone, but mabye you can get the jist of it. This was taken from our bedroom. We were in a house on the beach in Laie just down from BYU, The P.C.C and the The Temple. Oh, to be back there now.

Twilight Movie Opening Update.

Ok girls, Harry Potter has been pushed back to 2009 leaving its prime November 21st release day wide open, so.....! Yep, they have pushed forward Twilights release to take it's slot. 3 weeks early. YEAH! To all those interested we are planing a night out to catch the midnight showing 11/21/08. Let us know if you want in. I think we will just meet at the church and carpool.

Diving Lessons.

While Uncle Ryan was here he gave the kids diving lessons in Grandma's pool. Here is a look at Girly's turn.

New Puppy.

We have a new puppy. His name is Jake. He is a tiny little mix. (Dachshund, Jack Russel Terrier, Pug, Shitzu) He and Marty play well with each other and Marty has let him know who is boss.

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!

YEAH! Now don't think I am a bad parent. I love my children with all my heart, might, mind and strength. BUT, we were all so glad when school started. For so many different reasons. They love school and seeing there friends everyday. I love helping with homework and cleaning my house only once a day. All and all it helps us miss each other more than we would. I love when my kid come home and yell "Mom we're home!" in a sing song voice wearing the biggest smiles you've seen.

24th of July

For the 24th of July - (Pioneer day) we went with my Mom to her ward activity. They had yummy food and lots of pioneer crafts, games and dancing for kids of all ages. Our kids Loved it. They played and danced and sack raced till they just couldn't do it any more. Not knowing JP as well as I, several people tried to get him out on the dance floor (mind you they were square dancing). After the slew of people prodding him, he told me if one more person tries to make me dance we are leaving. Luckily no one else did so, we got to stay.

Utah!

Is there a law somewhere that says everyone in Arizona has to spend some summer time in the state of Utah? I think there is. We did our part. We went up for my nephew's wedding the 2nd week in July. The wedding was beautiful. I was able to go through both the Ogden and Bountiful temples, they are both gorgeous. (Making sure I had my current recommend, now that is a story in itself.) On Saturday the 12th up at the This is the place monument and Heritage park, they had a Day's of 49 festival free to the public. So I pack the kids, my mom, sister, niece & daughter, more nieces with there kids etc... and we went. Here are some of the things they/we did.