Sunday, July 31, 2011

July 2011
Toe Shoes!

She did it! Emily came back to ballet after being gone from it for a bit and is now on pointe!  It has been exciting to see the progress she has made.  Her teacher went with all the girls to help them pick out pointe shoes.  Ms. Cleo wanted to make sure the shoes fit properly.  I am not sure she will continue with pointe after this year with all the horror stories she has heard, (bloody and deformed toes), but at least she will have this one year of experience. I think she will enjoy it!  :)
Emily's first pair of pointe shoes!


"Look Ma, I'm standing on my toes!



Ta Da!


   

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Emily's First Day of School!
She is a junior now.  I can't believe how quickly she is growing up.  She is turning into a remarkable young woman!  Love you, Emmers!




Tim Allen take the girls, Emily and Lindsay, while John take the boys, Tanner and Joseph!  It is nice to have neighbors help you raise your children.

Saturday, July 23, 2011

One of Hayden's passions is to take pictures.  I think it is more than a hobby because he wants to practice and become better at it.  Being a landscape photographer is one of his dreams.  He wants to travel around the countries and take pictures.  He is working up to that by taking pictures in his own yard.  He has so many good ones that it is hard for me to chose, but here are some of my favorite!






Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Happy 4th of July!  This year we stayed home and watched the Schnepf Farm fireworks from the roof of our house.  The Hunt family joined us.  Then we went into the backyard where Tanner and Hayden set off their fireworks.  We finished the night with root beer floats. What a great way to enjoy our freedom.




Sunday, June 19, 2011

Pioneer Trek!

What a great experience for Emily and Tanner. All the youth in our stake ages 14-18 traveled for three days like the pioneers did. They pulled their belongings in a handcart while traveling the dusty roads. They ate food and did activities similar to the pioneers. John and I went up with others to help with the activities. We were with the Rays to help the youth make journals. There was the handcart pull where just the girls and women had to pull the handcart up the hill, while the men and boys joined the Mormon Batallion. They felt the spirit and gained a greater appreciation for what the early pioneers went through. What a wonderful expereince our stake provided for our youth.
Emily and Tanner



Tanner and Dad







John and Suzanne
(The real dad and mom!)

Sunday, June 12, 2011

The Grand Canyon!  One of John's favorite places to hike.  This time Hayden was old enough to make the hike with the boys.  John, Tanner and Hayden along with Uncle Jim, Isaiah and Nephi all hiked down to the bottom of the Grand Canyon, spent the night and came out the other side the next day!  Roslyn, Emily and I drove from the North side to the South side to meet them.  We pitched the tent and set up camp ourselves.  Our favorite part of the trip was being able to eat at the cafeteria and not having to cook ourselves dinner!  We love the Grand Canyon.  Below are just a few of the pictures that were taken.



Friday, June 10, 2011

Jordan in Canada

On Tuesday, May 17th, at 7 a.m. Jordan flies out of Salt Lake City airport to head to Canada.  He calls me when he lands in Phoenix for a layover! We talked for a while.  It was  good to hear his voice.  The Assistants to the President took the pictures of him with Mission President Archibald and his wife.  So exciting to see him as a missionary doing the Lord's work!

Sunday, June 5, 2011

     We were able to take family pictures the weekend before we took Jordan to the MTC. It took a long time but everyone was patient. Maybe we all knew that this would be the last family picture of just us... for awhile, anyway.  There are so many great shots that it was hard to choose. I wanted to post them all, but did not have the patience. Nor do I want to bore you with them.  Just know that I love how these turned out.
     I can't believe we are now in this phase of life... where the kids start to leave home.  What a great life we have had.  The Lord has truly blessed us with a great loving relationship, great kids and wonderful memories together.  Thanks Alisha for capturing all of this in our photos. 








Sunday, May 29, 2011





  Hayden took these pictures on our trip to Utah.  Some day he is going to be a famous photographer!

Utah Mountains

The weather was great while we were there. It was cold and a bit windy with occasional snow flurries. We loved it!

Friday, May 27, 2011

Finally! The day Jordan has anxiously been waiting for... arriving at the Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah. We debated on whether to take him or put him on the plane in Arizona. I am very glad we "dropped him off at the curb." I had asked Jordan over the course of a few months how he felt about his decision to go. He said good, and that he wanted to share the gospel with others. Then, as we pulled up to the curb and he saw all the other missionaries and their families he said, "OK; now I am scared!" I was scared for him. However, as he got out of the car and was getting his stuff together, he saw a friend that he had worked with for the last several months. He was quickly put at ease and I was quickly comforted. I knew he would be alright. Besides, where is there a better place to be than the MTC, right?