The beauty of Arizona...

Yes, that is Mollie helping Steve drive home. :)



One more reason I love Arizona is the beautiful flowers that bloom in the dessert this time of year. We were driving home from the cabin yesterday morning, and this was what we saw. I would guess that these beautiful wild flowers could be seen for a good 30 miles, or so. These pictures really don't do the beauty justice. For the most part these pictures were taken at 75 miles per hour! It always amazes me at the different beauty between here, and Heber. We left Heber with the last of winter melting away, from the cabin. I would guess 75 minutes later, we saw these yellow beauties. The temperature also rose about 25 degrees. This is what I love about Arizona. You can travel a short distance, and enjoy sunshine, water skiing, snow skiing, etc.

Today is what I call Monday madness! It is my designated day, to play catch up from the weekend. I again have sooooo much laundry! I am off to start the day. :)

It's that time of the year again...

It's time to start thinking about swimsuits. This tends to always give me a little mixed emotions. I love that the kids are already swimming. The pool seems to be warm enough for them...not me! :) There are many good feelings about being outside, and enjoying the pool. On the flip side, it means swimsuit time! This always leaves me feeling a little white, a little over weight, and a little cautious, who is around the pool while I am. Family is great! Guests are too. I just need time to get a little color, so I wont scare anyone off! :) Here are two links to some darling swimsuits. One is from Janae, that she shared with me last summer. The other I stumbled upon. I am always a little leary of ordering a suite off of the internet. There are a few suits from the sites that I just don't think I can talk myself out of ordering any longer. http://hapari.com/hpr/ This site seriously has some cute suits! Here is the other http://www.bodenusa.com/col.asp?segname=Women&styid=AK106&segid=6&gpname=Swimwear&desname=Boyleg+Swimsuit&gpid=21&gen=1#img

Spring Break pictures 2008

Here are a few pictures of Spring Break. This week has been a week of catch up for me. For some reason it took me a few days to get back into the swing of things. I think I had to much fun while I was away. :) I also have been trying to spend some time outdoors. This weather we are having won't last long. Before we know it, we will be in triple digits. That is the time of year that we try, and spend more time away than here...to hot for me! :)

i'm here...really! :)

The time has flown by me this week! I can't believe it's already Wednesday evening. How did that happen? :) I am headed to Young Woman's right now. We are having a track, and field night at a nearby park. I am looking forward to spending time outside. It is gorgeous today. Tomorrow looks like it should be a down day. I downloaded the Disney pictures. I'll post them tomorrow. Thanks for the comments, and e-mail. I am alive over here. :)

Home Sweet Home...

We are back, and had tons of fun!!! We put Ellie, back on the plane last night. We were sad to see her go. Sarah, and her decided to do a "photo shoot" on Saturday evening. They had alot of fun shopping for matching shirts. I will post a few pictures of them. They are the sweetest of cousins. They either talk on the phone daily, or spend time texting each other. It really is sweet. There is nothing like cousins! :) I will post pictures of our California trip after they are downloaded. I have much laundry that is waiting for me. :)

California...

We arrived in California last night. We are going to spend the day at the beach today. Tonight, and tomorrow we will be having fun at Disneyland...the happiest place on earth! :) I'll be home in a few days. I'll look forward to catching up with all of you. :)

Saint Patty's Day

We had a fun day yesterday. My niece Ellie flew in from Nevada. She is going to spend the week with us. Sarah, and Ellie have been the best of friends/cousins since they were able to walk, and talk.

Last night we celebrated Saints Patrick's day with a good ol' fashioned Saint Patty's day dinner. We had pork, red potatoes, green cabbage, rolls, fruit salad, and green pistachio pudding. The kids seemed to enjoy it, and I had fun cooking for them. I haven't downloaded the pictures of last night yet. I will post them later. Here is a picture of some yummy cookies I picked up yesterday, they were yummy!

Easter...

I was just thinking about Easter being a week from tomorrow! Wow, it seems to be sneaking up on me. I just heard the temps. for next weekend. Easter is supposed be right around 80 degrees. This is the time of year that I feel so blessed to live in Arizona. Now if it is the middle of July...it is a different story. :) Here are a few Easter decorations that I put out around the house. I usually decorate for every holiday. For some reason I have never decorated much for Easter though. Do you enjoy decorating for Easter? Well, I am off to make some dinner for the family. Have a wonderful night!

Spring break begins...

Spring time...

Today is the beginning of Spring break! I am so excited to be able to spend 10 days with healthy kiddos! :) The weather is perfect, and the time couldn't be better. In the next week, and a half we will be doing some fun things as a family. I love family time!

I have been on a spring cleaning kick again. It feels so good to be getting things done, that I haven't gotten to in the past little while. Yesterday I tackled Nate's room. He arrived home around 1:00 a.m. this morning from California. I wanted things spruced up, and nice for him. I think that boy of mine has enough clothing to open his own store! :) My washer, and dryer will be running full speed for the next little while. I am not sure how many loads of laundry I gathered in his room, but know it was MANY! Well, I am off to get a few things before the kids get home. When does your Spring Break start? Are you loving this time of the year? :) Happy Friday! :)

back to blogging... :)

Finally back to blogging! I have missed blogging, and my friends. Sick kids = busy Mom, at this house. Jake is finally on the mend. His throat is feeling so much better. He is somewhat tired, but able to go to school. I am going to keep my fingers, and toes crossed, that the sickies have left our house for the winter. :)

Last night was a wonderful night. Another leader, and I took the Beehive class from church to attend the Easter Pageant.
http://www.easterpageant.org/newsroom.html It was so beautiful! It made me think about how blessed my life is. I was able to sit in the beautiful night air, and reflect on my saviour. I highly recommend visiting the pageant if anyone has the opportunity.

Tonight is American Idol!!! I am loving this show this year. I can't think of the girls name that I think will go home tonight. She is the one that Simon said sounded like Dolly Parton on helium! Simon needs to mind his manners! :) Who do you think will get sent home tonight? Have a wonderful evening!

Saturday...

I love the feeling in the air. Spring has sprung, and it feels so good! This afternoon Sarah, and I took some time out, and sat out by the pool. It felt so good to sit outside, read my magazine, and get some sun! Steve decided to make us some yummy lemonade. He added a few oranges to it, and it was delightful! Steve, and Ben got back in town late last night. They took a short trip to the dunes in California. Nate left yesterday for Laguna,and San Diego. He is spending spring break there. It feels really different having him on a vacation with friends, and not the family. Sometimes it is hard to let him grow up. I sure love that boy! Jake woke up this morning to a horrible sore throat. He rarely complains about aches, and pains. We headed to the Urgent Care. We actually were the first to get there for the morning. We were the first to be seen. I had in the back of my mind that Jake may have strep throat. His throat was very red, swollen, and had white spots on it. The strep culture came back negative. The Dr. then ran a blood test for Mono. In my mind I thought what is this Dr. thinking? Believe it or not, the test came back positive! Soooo, Jake is now on Steroids for the week, and pain medication. Poor boy! I am going to open every window in this house, and Lysol this place. We have had more illness this past year than any other I can remember. Hopefully this is the end of the illnesses. Well, this post was going to be just a little post about today's activities. I guess more has gone on around here than I realized. :) I hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend! :)

cute do dad...

I am crossing my fingers! I think I finally am feeling a little better. This flu is probably the worst I have ever had. This afternoon I got cleaned up a little, and did get some sweats on. That sure beats the nights gowns I have had on all week.

I have to share this cute little do dad my Mom gave me for my birthday. I had originally thought I would use it for my return address. Now I have found many other fun things to use it for too! Books, DVDs, recipe cards, etc. It is soooo fun! She ordered it from http://www.doodlebugspaper.blogspot.com/ I have to say they have some darling things!

SOS :)

It seems like I haven't blogged in forever. It really has been only 4 days. To put my words nicely, I got the stinken flu that has been going around! Sarah was home all last week with it. I really had my self convinced I wouldn't get it. Well, so much for convincing myself. I have been flat out in bed for the past 2 days. When I say flat out, I mean flat out. Heating blanket, water bottle on the nightstand, and wat to much sleep for my liking. I am one that can do great on 6 housrs of sleep. Not 14 hours of sleep! The one thing that is giving me hope is that I am not as achy today. I am still tired, but the body aches are soooo much better. They were horrible. The interesting thing is I got the flu shot this year. I have been more sick this year than any other. I have decided NO more shot for me. I do fine on my own! :) I may sing another song when next year comes around, and it it time to get the shot. My story today is, no way! :) K, enough of my saga. I am thinking I may be getting a tad better. I have missed reading blogs. I am hoping tonight, while I am watching American Idol I will catch up. I miss all of my friends! :) Have a happy, and sunny day! :) Michelle