Primary Program

We had our Primary Program on October 25, and they all did such a great job! Chandler and Emily did really good on their parts. This was Emily's first one, and I almost didn't think she would get up and say her part, but she sucked it up and did it. And because we have SO many kids and not enough room on the stand for all of them, we had to use a few of the pews to seat kids. So they had to stand up and turn around to sing. The sunbeams had to stand on the pew and and turn around to sing, so they could be seen....and Emily wouldn't even stand up. Little turkey! But I'm proud of them all and glad we were able to pull off our very first program! Maybe next year we'll be in a new building with more room. Yea!

Apple Annie's

A few weeks ago my brother, Spencer, had a football game in Willcox, so we went a little early to go to Apple Annie's to pick pumpkins first. They have an orchard and a farm....and we only had time for the farm. We were there just long enough for everyone to pick their perfect pumpkin....and they loved it! It was a fun place, and next year we're gonna make an afternoon of it so we can see it all! Jacy, Kandis, LaRee (Jacy's sister), my Mom, Leanne, Jared Chandler, & Emily

The kids had fun stuffing themselves into the pumpkin cart!

And Chandler had a blast boonie-bustin' the cart through the rows. I think he had more fun with the cart than actually picking his own pumpkin!

Because the pumpkins were pricey, I told them they had to get one they could carry, in hopes they would get small ones. I think this one is a little too big for Jared.

She found the perfect one!

Cruisin'

September 21-26 we had the opportunity to go on a 5-day cruise. We went to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico and stopped at Ensenada on our way back. It was amazing! We got to go with my two sisters and their husbands, Leanne & Phil and Alisha & Brandon. We have never had the opportunity to go on a trip like this before, just the two of us. And I've decided that if we're able, we're gonna get away at least once every year. That was the first time we have ever been able to leave everything behind. No stresses about anything- kids, bills, jobs, housework, primary, and no cell phones- it was all there for us when we got home, but for the first time, we were able to leave it all behind for 6 days and get a break from it all.

The ship was amazing! It's like it's own little city. I was amazed at everything that was on there. And the food....so much of it. You eat what you want, when you want it. If you want pizza at midnight, you get it. If you want room service at 3:00 in the afternoon, they bring it to you. I learned to avoid the scale when you first get home...it's a little depressing! Everyone on the ship was so nice. They basically wait on you hand and foot. Their job is to make sure you have a great time, and that we did. Here are some pictures of our fun. Alot of them are of just us, but we never get the chance to take pictures of just us, so they will be treasured memories for me.

While we were waiting till it was time to board the ship, we came across this huge statue. I thought it was kinda cute. A sailor kissing his girl goodbye.

And this picture right here says it all! It was worth every penny and every stress it took to get there. There is nothing like sitting at the edge of the ship watching the sunset!

They had things going on all day on the ship. Here is all of us waiting to watch a game of 'Family Feud', boys vs. girls. Dang...the boys won!

Just a relaxing afternoon, kicking back on the deck, sipping lemonade, and looking out over the water! And I loved every minute of it!

There was a formal night when we got to dress up and go to a fancy dinner....you know the kind where there are way too many forks around your plate. I told Leanne, "Tell me if I do something wrong....this isn't quite my style." I guess I'm more of an Applebee's kind of girl. It really was fun though. (And I have to excuse my hair in all of these pictures....the extreme humidity and my hair didn't quite get along!!)

Arriving in Cabo San Lucas. The heat was so intense. Being from Arizona, we do know what heat is, but combine that with intense humidity and it was just plain nasty!

The excursion we signed up for took us out on a boat to see the beauty of Cabo. I can't remember what these rocks were called, but the beach right here is called Lover's Beach. It was so pretty.

Then we hopped on an AIR CONDITIONED bus and went to a glass blowing factory. We watched them make this turtle in about 4-5 minutes. It was really neat to watch.

One of the perks to being on a ship is everything is done for you. Every morning they come clean your room and make your bed, and every evening they come clean again and turn down your bed. They would always leave chocolates and towel animals on the bed. Pretty cool! There was a dog,

a bunny (woo woo),

and an elephant. They even arranged our shades on them...it was kinda fun to see a different animal each night.

This was our stop in Ensenada. When we stopped in Cabo, we spent the day on our excursion and shopping, so we didn't get to go to the beach. So we were looking forward to spending our afternoon in Ensenada being beach bums. But the weather didn't quite cooperate. It was a little chilly, very foggy, and the water was absolutely freezing! I was so bummed! I didn't get to come home with that tan I was looking forward to. Oh well!

Last morning on the ship. It really was alot of fun and very relaxing. We will definitely do it again. Maybe an Alaskan cruise next?

Leanne, Phil, Rochelle, Jeremy, Alisha, and Brandon

Brandon's brother and sister and their spouses went also, and we all traveled together. So there were 5 couples, and with each couple having about 4-5 pieces of luggage, it made for piles of luggage when the shuttle dropped us off at our vehicles. This is only a fraction of it!

And a HUGE THANK YOU to our parents for keeping our kids for us. We appreciate it so much and wouldn't have been able to go without you!

Toilet Time

When things get really quiet aound here, something like this is usually going on. My kids can't be in the bathroom by themselves. This time they whipped out a game of Noah's Ark (Bible version of Old Maid) while Emily got her toilet time in! I love these kids...there's never a dull moment!!

Latest happenings

So, I've had a hard time keeping up with blogging lately, but I'm trying. I'll start with my cousin's wedding that we went to in Snowflake. She looked absolutely gorgeous! It was so good to go to Taylor/Snowflake and see some family that I don't see too often anymore. Being there floods back the memories of our trips up there when I was a little girl. It was a very quick trip, but I'm glad I had the opportunity to go. I love it there!! Congrats Sharae and Ty!

Emily had a blast playing with Allie, my cousin's little girl. They LOVED Sharae's wedding dress, and loved posing for the camera. Very girly...I love it!

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FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!!
I can't believe Chandler is a 1st grader!! My little boy is growing up way too fast. He is in Mrs. Norton's class this year, and she is great. He was so excited to start school this year...although I will say that a little of the excitement was to wear his "new shoes that run so fast". He is a great reader and is already doing very well in school. He can't wait until first grade is over though, so Uncle McKay will come home from his mission. I am so proud of the great son, brother, and friend he is becoming. We still have our spats every now and then, but he is becoming so fun, smart, lovable, responsible and good lookin! He is always so sweet to his brother and sister, and LOVES to hang out with his dad....especially after Dad works 72 hours straight! He's a good helper to me and tries his best to look after me when Dad is gone. He loves music- always has it blaring loud. He loves playing with friends, going to Primary, playing PlayStation (which has become a very good leveling tool with him!), and giving me hugs and kisses out of the blue. I love you and your personality Chandler!!

One quick picture at his desk....he was itching to get out to the "big kid" playground!!

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FIRST DAY OF PRESCHOOL!!

Emily was very excited to start preschool this year. I really debated on whether or not to put her in, but am glad I did. She's been so painfully shy the last few months or so, so I really worried about how she'd do....and my worries were put to rest her second day of preschool when she got out of the car and marched her little fanny to the door ALL BY HERSELF!! That was a huge step for her, and it's been so good for her. She's such my sweetheart. She takes such good care of everyone and everything. She is always so worried about everyone and makes sure I'm always doing alright....in other words, more help than I can handle at times. But she loves her brothers so much, and is always taking good care of them. She touched my heart when filling out her preschool questionnaire. I asked her what she wanted to be when she grows up....she simply said, "A mom, just like you." She asks a million questions a day, and loves to sing and dance to Taylor Swift. She "LOVES, LOVES, LOVES her new haircut", and is very girly....to a point. I do like that she can still find it in her to go outside and play in the dirt with her brothers. I love you and your pretty smile Emily!!

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MY SWEET LITTLE JARED!!

What a joy he is in my life. He has added so much fun and happiness to our family. It was a rough start for me with him, but oh I can't imagine life without him. He is such a bright spot in our lives when things get hard. He is the best natured, sweetest little boy I have ever seen. He loves his mom, and LOVES his daddy! He will sit on my lap and just snuggle, give me smiles all day, and gives the sweetest hugs and kisses. He is starting to talk a little bit more and jabbers quite a bit. He loves his cup of milk, his stuffed puppy and blue blanket, and can't part with his thumb. He loves to be outside, loves to play airplanes with his dad, and loves to tell his airplanes in his room nigh-night. He loves fruit snacks & cookies, hates nursery, and loves to show everyone his "ouch". He loves to see the school bus every morning and He LOVES SHOES! Whenever I can't find him, I always know he'll be in his room trying on the entire basket of shoes....even at night when it's dark! The first thing he does every morning is run and put his crocks on....and doesn't part with them from bath time till bed time. Oh we love you and your crazy hair Jared!!
Here he is first thing in the morning- pajamas, crocks and crazy hair!

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As for Jeremy and I, we have stayed very busy. Jeremy works so hard for us, which causes him to be gone quite a bit. So we enjoy every moment we have with him. I love to see the kids run and yell "Daddy" every time he walks through the door. I hope he knows how much he is loved and appreciated around here. As for me, I am glad to be back on a schedule, with school starting. It has made a big difference in my day to be scheduled again. I am busy as can be with kids, primary, keeping up a house, primary, trying to better myself, and did I mention Primary? We have a huge primary, which keeps us very busy here in our ward, but I love every minute of it. I wouldn't change my life right now, as crazy as it is at times....and I can't tell you how much accepting this calling has blessed by life. I've learned to overlook my many faults and try my best, and have been blessed with trying to learn to handle whatever Heavenly Father decides to put on my plate. I am learning that it's all a learning experience....which means I do fail alot, but try to pick myself up. After all, isn't that what life is all about? We're here to learn and grow, and get back up when we fall down. So here's to life....and trying to stay up, and not down!

Much needed break

Emily went and stayed with Alisha & Brandon for 5 1/2 days last week- and I couldn't believe the difference around here with her gone. It was a piece of cake with just the two boys; so quiet and calm. I didn't realize how much work she is! Ha ha! And she didn't get homesick either. She probably would have stayed another week if she could have. We most definitely know who the spoon is in our family- she keeps things stirred around here! But we did miss her and she had a BLAST with Alisha and Brandon. They took her to the zoo and she loved it!

Chandler had alot of fun with the extra attention he got while she was gone. The highlight of his week was the motor bike that dad got going for him. He has begged and begged him to fix it so he can ride it. And really, he's too short, but he does awesome on it, all by himself I might add.

Thanks 'Lisha for the much need break... glad you had fun.

Bummer!

What do you get when a big, huge nasty storm blows in on a hot summer afternoon? (The picture doesn't do it justice- it was a pretty good storm.)

BUMMED KIDS!

They were all pumped to swim at gma & gpa's- till we rounded the corner to their house and saw the storm headed right for us. Within about 5 minutes, they understood why I wouldn't let them swim. That storm tore through here. Pretty crazy! But I had to laugh at their disappointment when I saw their faces drop. They thought it was the end of the world. But they were amazed at the wind, thunder, and lightning!

Pioneer children sang as they walked, & walked, & walked...

A few weeks ago we had a pioneer primary activity. We had a decent turnout, with some coming dressed as pioneers. It was so cute to see them. Here's the cute kiddos all decked out their pioneer gear!

We started by learning a little about the pioneers and all the many hardships and trials they faced. How grateful we are to them.

We then went outside to walk through the ICY cold water. We wanted them to know what the pioneers had to walk through in the winter time. They all commented on how cold it was.

Then we gave them sample bags of things the pioneers got to eat, to take with them on the trek around the block. We made hard tack, fruit leather, and johnny cakes. Some of them didn't care for any of it, and some of them couldn't get enough- I was surprised!
Other than it being pretty warm, I think Jared enjoyed his wagon ride on the trek!

Then they played some pioneer games. There were sack races,three-legged races,

and a stick pull.

We had a good time learning all about the pioneers and are eternally grateful to them for their faith, sacrifices, and hardships they endured. What an example to us all.