And we are off to kindergarten...

MaCayela is ready to move on to kindergarten! I cannot believe it! This past year she has attended this little preschool and we have loved it there. She went every Tuesday and Thursday and had the sweetest, funnest, greatest teachers. I swear if her teachers were to open a private school and teach kindergarten I would put her there. It turned out this year, by coincidence, that over half of the children went to our church. MaCayela had a great year, made new friends and will miss her teachers terribly; I think that I will miss them too, they were wonderful and always had a bright smile each morning. MaCayela has become more confident and really progressed in her scholastics, I am amazed how much she progressed from the beginning of the year. At the end of the year readiness testing for kindergarten she scored a 92, and has formed a love for Math, reading and learning.

Here are some pictures after her program, which by the way, she refused to put on a smile or any expression for that matter, but she did participate!

~ MaCayela's Class ~

~ MaCayela & Kyler ~

~ Mrs. Lewis & MaCayela ~

~ Mrs. Whalen & MaCayela ~

Good job MaCayela, we are so proud of you!!!

{ Wow... What a smile... ;-) }

"My Girls" are Graduating

CoNGRaTuLaTioNS to MY GIRLS!!!

~~ KRISTI SOBEK ~~

~~JESSICA STEWART ~~

This year I had 3 Laurels Graduating from high school. For some reason I have NO pictures of Megan Comstock, but I had my choice of Kristi and Jessica. I absolutely love these girls! Megan in so funny and always has a whole new look to everything. I missed her at mutual this year due to her job schedule, but we love her none the less. As for Jessica and Kristi, I have had them for over 3 1/2 yrs between Mia Maids and now Laurels. They really are part of the bright spot in my life (along with the rest of the class, and my family). As you see I call them my girls because they really are in my heart. I love my girls and am always praying, hoping, worrying, loving, and sometimes fuming over them. They have such bright futures ahead of them and have strong testimonies of who they are and what they want. I am so proud of all that they accomplished and the beautiful Young Women that they are, they truly exemplify what a "Daughter of our Heavenly Father" is.

And they truly know how to have fun and make me laugh!

I love you girls and am so happy for you.

Happy Belated Birthday...

Happy Birthday to my BFF EMMA ~~

We miss you lots and hope you had a fun birthday!

~~ Love, MaCayela (& Ella)

Gymnastics Showtime (x2)

This past semister both girls have been participating in gymnastics. At the end of the 20wks each class puts on a routine and show for the parents. The kids are sooo cute and are always looking around to see who is watching as they "do their thing." The girls really improved this year and had lots of fun making new friends and learning new skills.

If you watch through the pics. Ella was being Ella, and about 15 mins in to class she was pulling her pigtails out. **She will never leaver her hair in, she can barely make it through church & not even that sometimes. (No wonder there was a lady I have seen at gymnastics over the last 2 1/2 yrs. that ask if I ever brush Ella's hair or if she has "bed head" all the time.) oh well, you can't have beautiful perfect kids all the time.**

MaCayela did so well this year and actually got to be in the 6yr old class with one of her friends. I only wish I could get her to smile while doing things that we take pictures of.

GOOD JOB ELLA & MACAYELA!!!

~~ We are so proud of you ~~

Hard Labor

Another Saturday work day... The kids and I started out at the church building cleaning with the YW & YM, while Corey was off for the big job at dads. The boys (Uncle Mark, Corey, Wyatt & Dad) finished off the cement work for Dads back patio. Four loads of cement, 5 1/2 hours, and a whole lot of comments from the "peanut gallery" (that's us on the sidelines ;-D ) later dad had a couple of big 'ol slabs of cement patio.

The kids had so much fun watching just wanting so so so bad to play in the cement. After all the big boys were getting to play in the cement how come they couldn't. Ella just about went in a couple of times. She was just so curious about what Uncle Mark and daddy were doing. In the end Dad had each of the kids put either their foot or hand in. (And then we all took off before Mom came home and found out that he had let them do that. hehehe :)

Chicken Soup with Rice

In MaCayela's Preschool class they memorized the book "Chicken Soup with Rice" and then had a recieting of it for all the parents. The kids were so cute in their Chef hats and with wooden spoons. They all did so good and were so cute.

As soon as I figure out the video camera I will put it on the blog.

Memorial Day with Family

This memorial day (like most years) we went to my aunts house for a BBQ and some good ol family fun with ALL the cousins (and some friends). My cousin Jon and his family were in town from Maryland this weekend. So that made it to where we had all of us from my mom and her sisters' family together, along with some extras here and there. It really was a fun evening for all.

All the "Little Cousins"

Dallin, Kaytlynn, Trevor, MaCayela, Preston, Thomas, Ella, Ashlyn, & Lucas

Corey and I had planned on taking our big air water slide, but the fact that it had rained all weekend and was barely in the 70's we opted for a dryer activity. THE FUN ROLLER!!!







Thomas trying it out with a little opposition

Hey even the "BIG KIDS" gave it a try

(Jonathon and Jason)

MaCayela taking a Chill in the Roller

Ella and her Auntie Karyn

Big Boy Dallin

It was a great time and we had fun with the Lenzingers and all the family that was around. Sometime I think that the BBQ holidays are some of my favorite. Not a lot holiday wise to do, but you still get together for some relaxing fun.

Playing in the rain...

... one of the Joys of being kids

What the heck... it was 103 degrees last weekend and it is now pouring raining this weekend. Which means at our house there will be puddles, and that calls for rain boots and some splashing. The girls (like all other kids I'm sure) think that it is great fun to get out and get each other as wet as possible by jumping in the puddles. So this is how we spent our morning, PJ's and all. The only thing is I think I got the most wet while trying to get the pictures of the kids.

Race for the Cure

American Cancer Societies Race for the Cure

It seems in this day and time we have all been affected by cancer, whether we have known someone that has fought the valiant fight to see another day or has lost their courageous battle with the disease we all fear. I took the time to think about when I learned first hand what cancer was at the age of 12 or so and my younger sisters best friend was diagnosed with leukemia while still in elementary school. As I watched this young friend fight a fight I thought was so unfair and yet survive to recently send out her wedding announcement. The last many years we have spent watching my grandpa go through monthly skin cancer surgeries to fight against the demise that took his sister at a young age from melanoma. We have also seen the courage of others from young to old, from mothers, fathers, daughters, brothers, friends and loved ones fight the battle and go on before us. To them, we miss you lots and are loved forever.

I had the chance to support my sister and her office team by helping walk the track for 1 1/2 hrs of their 24 hour race. Their team raised some $2000 in about 2 wks. time and then participated in the race. The rules are that someone from the team had to be on the track at all times during the 24 hrs. I had planned on taking the kids with me during the day and walking with all of them, but with temperatures in the 100's, we quickly discounted that idea. I decided to wait until the kids were in bed and head over to walk with my sister, mom, and dad. It was a great experience and was so humbling and emotional to see each of the bags that lined the track with the names of those that have survived the fight and those that have lost their battle. (the picture to the left is of Karyn and me behind the bags of two of my great aunts Chloe and Nadine)

Summer fun is here

BBQ, FRieNDS & HeaT!!

It has been in the 100's now for a few days and I am already dreading the HeaT of the Fresno Summers. But along with the warmer weather comes some fun. We enjoyed a fun Saturday afternoon and evening with our friends the Lenzingers, while BBQing and letting the kids play. (gotta love Costco and their fun toys)



Go Ella Bella!!

MaC striking a pose

Emily Lenzinger coming down the slide

(and boy did I get wet when she hit the pool)

My little Diva!

{Taylor Shorb (in the purple) & MaCayela}

We have some wonderful friends,the Shorbs, that we have meet through Gymnastics that we have had a great time getting to know over the last 2 1/2 years. So when Taylor turned 6 years old she invited MaCayela to her birthday party at My Girl. WOW what a fun day. They got to pick out dress up clothes, get thier hair, nails and make-up done and then put on a fashion and sing-along to music on stage. They were so cute and had such a fun time.

Taylor Shorb the Birthday Girl

MISS MACAYELA


MaC singing along to the tunes

All the little girls having some fun

Thanks So Much for a Fun Day Taylor & HaPPy BiRTHDay to You!!

Mothers Day 2008

What a wonderful day it should be for all moms. I got to spend the morning sleeping in and having breakfast ready when I got up. Dallin had been running a fever since Friday night and was breaking 2 new molars so he has been a bit of a pill all weekend. I wasn't thinking that I was going to get much of a break today when it came to family dinner (that we were in charge of this month) due to the fact that Corey has to stay after church for "clerk stuff" and tithing. BUT... because Dallin was still hot and cranky when it was time for church Corey stayed home and I got to go with the girls. By the time I got home Corey had everything ready and we were off to dinner. It was our usual 2nd Sunday family dinner night, but Grandma Marianne and Uncle Mark and Karen were there also. The BEST part about being in charge of something when Uncle Mark and Karen come is that Karen always makes a basket of goodies for the hostess. Even though we were at moms house we had still prepared the meal and been in charge of hostessing (is that even a word) so I got the basket... YEAH!!!!! It really made my day after having to be in charge on mothers day. It was full of 7 different kinds of M&M's (I didn't know that there were even that many different kinds) along with gummy bears, lolly pops, and flavored tootsie rolls. She Rocks!!!

I did get a wonderful present from the kids and Corey (it is just what I wanted, since I picked it out) ... tickets for WICKED the Broadway show in LA. Yeah again!!

Fathers & Sons Campout

Coreys & Dallins 1st Fathers & Sons Campout was this weekend. Dallin is 14mons and not really walking yet, and boy was Corey excited about this one. The only picture that was taken was the one that I took before they even left. (I then gave corey the camera, but it never came out of the trailer... such a typical man.)

Corey was actually looking forward to the weekend and headed up to Bass Lake early Fri. morning. The boys had a good day and had lots of fun. (that is about all I could get out of corey on how the trip went.) Due to some mix-ups in the ward planning of the event and Dallin starting to run a fever later that night, Corey decide to come back down the mountain.

I think that Corey is really looking forward to next year already and to having lots of fun with his little buddy.

Callin out to all you Blog stalkers...

I am needing some help with creative ideas. With my calling in young womens I am in charge of a quad stake youth dance in 2 months. I need some idea helps for the theme of "Disney Mania". I know you all have some thought on Disney stuff... so help a lady out. We have decorations, refreshments and anything else that goes along with the dance. PLEASE PLEASE leave a comment and give me your thoughts and ideas.

What a Man, What a Man

... What a might fine Man.

1. Who is your man? Corey
2. How long have you been together? 9 years
3. How long dated? 3 1/2 months Engaged? 3 1/2 months
4. How old is your man? Older than me by a few ; )
5. Who eats more? It depends what it is, Corey can eat a whole cow if he wanted to, but when it comes to junk food… hands down me.
6. Who said "I love you" first? Can’t remember for sure but I think… I did.
7. Who is taller? Corey, just barely, and only if we are bare foot.
8. Who sings better? We are both okay, but Corey won’t admit to being able to sing.
9. Who is smarter? Each of us in our own fields.
10. Who's temper is worse? Mine by far! Corey is pretty laid back; I am a yeller and have to really push his buttons to get him going.
11. Who does the laundry? Me, except when he wants his done at a certain time.
12. Who does the dishes? Both of us
13. Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? Whoever’s turn it is on that side. We flip flop sides quite often.
14. Who pays the bills? He does this year
15. Who has bigger feet? We are pretty close to the same… He has me by maybe ½ a size.
16. Who has longer hair? me. Corey doesn’t have enough to really grow out.
17. Who is better with the computer? Corey if it is tech stuff. Me if it is office/excel stuff
18. Who mows the lawn? We have a gardner that does it.
19. Who cooks dinner? Corey more often than not.
20. Who drives when you are together? Corey more so, but it usually is whoever puts the kids in on the driver side when we are as a family.
21. Who pays when you go out? Corey, I never have my purse if I don’t need it
22. Who is most stubborn? Not sure… It really depends on the offence.
23. Who is the first to admit when they are wrong? Me, for sure.
24. Whose parents do you see the most? Mine, Corey’s live in Utah.
25. Who kissed who first? Can’t remember… I can remember the kiss, but not who initiated it.
26. Who asked who out? He asked me out, after one of my good friends cancelled on him at the last min.
27. Who proposed? He did, kinda… Still waiting for the whole will you marry me phrase.
28. Who is more sensitive? I am, all though sometimes he does surprise me with his sensitivity.
29. Who has more friends? Me, Corey tends to wait and see if he likes the husbands of my friends.
30. Who has more siblings? Corey, 6 kids in his family, 2 in mine
31. Who wears the pants in the family? I do! haha, I wish, we are pretty equal.

I was tagged quite some time ago with this one, but of course it took me a while to get around to it.

I now tag you... Kristin, Ashley, Erin, Christy, and Nathalie and who ever else wants to do this one.

Happy May Day

MaCayela's preschool had a May Day Pole today. Each of the classes had made some type of hat or tie for the kids to wear. It really was fun to see... the first couple times they went around, after that we (the parents) felt like we wanted to put the music and parade on fast forward. he he he ; ) Included in the pictures are some of the kids in her class.




Mason Grant

Regan ? and Jordan Roberts

Brooklynn Empy, Talie Jensen, and MaC