Babeu for Sheriff

For all our friends who live in Maricopa: we are trying to spread the word to vote for Paul Babeu for sheriff. Most of you know Matt works for the Sheriff's office - pretty much all the deputies are voting for Babeu. The current sherriff has done a pretty bad job - especially supporting his deputies. Babeu seems like he will be much better. Here is his website if you want to read about him.

Kindness Corner

I was just reading this "Kindness Corner" and it had lots of great ideas - big and small. This was a good reminder to me of small acts of kindness I can do to help the atmosphere in our home - instead of blaming it on my kids because they are always fighting. There are also some great ideas for service project for FHE or otherwise. Just thought I would share.

Oma and Grandpa's

We were able to go visit Matt's parents last week. We had a great time - here's some of the highlights:

Playing in the sprinklers and having water gun fights

We tamed the hair (only temporarily though)

Matt's parents live on a golf course and the kids always enjoy walking over to the pond and throwing bread in to feed the fish.

They was a tarantula on the way back! Yuck! Those things gross me out!

There's a really cool indoor aquatic center in Sierra Vista - the kids loved it:

Kaden loved going down the slide and was wild and crazy - going head first, "surfing" down, etc. Bailey, on the other hand, was too scared to go. So typical for both of them.

Kaden and Dad under the waterfall

Not so happy when it was time to go!

Doing a water balloon toss in the backyard

And of course, no trip to Oma and Grandpa's house would be complete without a ride on Grandpa's motorcyle. Kaden has loved this since he was 1!

We're glad we were able to go and visit before school starts! We had a great time!

Kaden's Questions

Kaden has been full, and I mean FULL of questions lately. I know I should be more patient - since he is trying to learn - but man, it can be so annoying. Anyway, here are some of the funny and random questions he has asked lately:

What happens if we cut clouds? (I don't know, I've never tried) Can we cut them with a knife? (No) Why not? . . . .and on and on

Do giants have families? (I don't know, I've never met one) Hmmm . . . I think they do!

This one he asked his grandma:
Do you remember what heaven looks like? (No, but I bet Lexie does) What?! He was very surprised by this.

Can we catch air? (No, not really) Why not? Where does air come from?

Can we ride a camel? (Yes, some people do) Can we? (No, there are no camels in AZ) There's one at the zoo! (oh yeah, there is) See, I'm right! Boys are always right and moms are wrong. - Boy has he got a lot to learn about life! :)

And on and on. The thing that makes these questions so funny is that they are usually just out of the blue and have nothing to do with what's going on. Usually he comes up with all these questions in the car, while he is contemplating life, apparently.

Anyway - just wanted to jot these down so I could remember them.

Nana & Papa's

We were able to go to my parent's house a couple times this summer - for the campout and for baby Neva's blessing. Here are some highlights:

Playing in the rain

Bailey and Nana

Lexie and Uncle Lane

All ready for church

The Dance-Off! Kaden kept showing off his dance moves for everyone and insisted he could dance the best! So we had a dance off with Kaden, Bailey, Nana, and our friends Timilie and Daneelle. It was hilarious and Kaden danced non-stop for like 30 minutes. That kid is crazy!

More dance moves

Kaden doing his Shakira dance. He is too good at shakin those hips - it's frightening!

Neva and Lexie

Nana with the grand-babies

Playing in the sprinklers

The grand-daughters

Playing in the mud after a thunderstorm!

We had a great time - the kids especially love going to visit Nana and Papa. Bailey is totally smitten with baby Neva and was so excited to see her. It's always fun to go visit!

SNL Wisdom

I saw this on another blog . . . so funny and so true!

High School Reunion

I just thought I would post this in case anyone hasn't heard the details. This is copied off of Andy Wright's facebook profile:

Thatcher High School Reunion

When: Oct. 3rd and 4th (for those that cannot make it on Friday the 3rd we will also have a fun time on the 4th playing games, socializing, and eating together).
Time: The assembly is at 1:30pm and the parade is right after that around 3pm. The homecoming football game will take place at 7pm. We are thinking to meet around 10am on the 4th at the New Gym from our old High School. After everyone accounted for arrives, we will make our way to Arcadia on Mt. Graham. I will inform everyone what will take place afterwards, as we are still waiting for replies from the reservations that we have requested.
Where: THATCHER!!!
Who: Our graduating class (your new families and your trophy girlfriend/boyfriends are also welcome).
What: Chicken Butt (I didn’t know what else to put here ^ ^)
Why: Because We Can~!!!
Money: Because we have no funds available, everyone will have to pay from $5.00 to $10.00.
Andy Wright:714-580-5738
spaceghostsama@hotmail.com(I really need to change this email address)Please inform me via email at hotmail or facebook when you invite someone from our class so I can keep track of everyone. Thanks!!!)

Journaling

I just wanted to do a little bit of journaling of what the kids have been up to:

Kaden
Just a short little story I want to remember. While we were up on the mountain camping, we were playing horshoes. Kaden had a horseshoe in each hand (and they are HEAVY) and was waiting for his turn. I dropped something and bent down to get it. Kaden spun around to see what I was doing and accidentally hit me upside the head with a horseshoe! It just about knocked me over. I stood there for a minute - trying not to yell, scream, or cry - with my eyes closed. This was our little conversation:
Kaden: Sorry, mom.
Me: I know, it was an accident. Just give me a minute.
Kaden: Are you ok?
Me: Yes, just be quiet for a minute til my head stops hurting.
Pause . . . .
Kaden: Can we say a prayer mom? Heavenly Father can make your head not hurt.
Me: That's a good idea.

Kaden kneels down in the dirt and said a short, sweet little prayer. After he was done he looked up at me, "Does it feel better mom?" I reply, "Yeah, I'm ok." He says "Yep! I knew it would!"

This was a good lesson to me of what simple faith kids have. Also, to pray and ask for help no matter where we are, no matter who is looking, and no matter how small the issue.
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When summer rolled around, I wanted to try and have things planned so my kids didn't get so bored and grouchy. So we started making a big calendar every month. We write down anything we have planned and then fill in the rest of the days with something - like a certain craft, having a pajama day, making cookies, etc. Nothing exciting, just something to fill the day. It has worked out really well and I have been surprised how much Kaden enjoys it. He is definitely one who thrives on schedule and structure. He wakes up every morning and tells me the date and then runs to the calendar to see what we have planned! It has been good for him.
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Kaden is getting ready to start school in a couple weeks and I have kinda freaking out. He is only going to a Pre-K program but it feels more real to me since it is at the school and not just a preschool. I can't believe his is already old enough to be going! I feel like there is so much more I want to teach him and prepare him before he goes out into the real world. And it also kinda feels like this phase is over - I don't think I appreciated how simple life has been without kids in school and having to work around that schedule. Matt's schedule is always changing and he sometimes has his days on during the week - it has been nice to be able to pick up and go somewhere even if it's a weekday. I just can't believe Kaden is already old enough for school - where does the time go?

Bailey
Oh, our Bailey. She is typically a really good kid and fun to be around - but that is not the case the past few days. I swear this girl will be the death of me! She is so quiet and sneaky. I like to encourage the kids to play on their own and use their imagination, but unfortunately anytime Bailey is quiet for more than a couple minutes - I know she is probably getting into something. Yesterday she managed to find our 72-hour kits and was upstairs in the bedroom closet playing with the toothpaste, smearing lotion all over the carpet, etc. Then while she was supposed to be in time-out - she snuck into my bathroom, climbed up on the counter and was playing with deodorant, lotion, etc. A few minutes later she was opening our extra freezer and trying to climb in! Then I caught her with my makeup bag - she had put on blush, mascara, and "lip tuff". (The scary thing is that she did a really good job!) Her other favorite thing to do is play in the bathroom sink. She sits in the sink and washes her feet and legs, puts lotion or soap all over arms and legs and in her hair. She pulls up the stopper and fills the sink with water to splash in! Oh, this girl! The worst part is that she is so sneaky about it! The other day Matt caught her with something she wasn't supposed to have (I don't remember what). He says, "Baileeeeey, what are you doing with that?" She quickly replies, "Just cleanin up, dad!" Give him a big grin and runs to put it away. It was hilarious.

Lexie
I can't believe Lexie is already 5 months old! She is growing so fast , which is fun to see but makes me sad not to have a tiny baby anymore! She has started sitting on her own all the sudden. Anytime we would prop her on the side of the couch - she would pull herself up til she was sitting. With my first kid I was so anxious for him to reach milestones like sitting, crawling, walking. But now I want my babies to stay little and immobile as long as possible! So I finally gave in and let her sit up and she can totally do it on her own - for like 5 or 10 minutes. She was wobbly for a couple days and now does great. It makes her look so old. She is also so smiley and giggly - it's so fun. She has been having some sleep issues - but overall is a really good baby. She is very content, patient, and happy and has such a sweet little spirit about her. Let's see, what else to remember 5 months old? She still likes to be swaddled when she sleeps. She doesn't like her swing a whole lot anymore, but loves the johnny jumper. She is drooling so much - way more than my others did - but doesn't seem to be getting any teeth yet. She always has a finger or two in her mouth to chew on. And her hair is getting longer, more crazy, and is still red! I love it!

Alright, that's all for now. Just wanted a quick update for my journaling purposes!

This blog sucks.

Now that rocks........later dudes.

Camping

Last week we attended the annual Mullenaux Family Campout up on Mt. Graham. It was lots of fun and great to be up in the pines! My grandparents spend a lot of time, energy, and money planning this campout. This year Matt and I helped out by planning and buying all the food - and Matt was the head chef. He organized the food trailer and cooked all the meals. We all had lots of fun.

There are several trailers up at camp and my Grandpa's rule is those with babies get first dibs. (Matt says this is why we continue having babies!) It really was nice to sleep in a trailer versus a tent and made things lots easier with kids!

Kaden was cold and climbed on Papa's lap by the campfire. Next thing we know he is asleep!

Bailey LOVED the tire swing. She begged everyone and anyone to push her. Kaden was a great big brother and pushed her a lot.

We had fun playing horseshoes

The hammock was a big hit with all the kids!

It was a fun week - we look forward to it every year! (I have to praise my great husband. He did all the mountains of laundry when we got home on Saturday!) It is good to be home!

Lexie's Latest

Lexie is growing way too fast! What happened to my little baby? She only 4 months old - well almost 5. But she seems to big all the sudden.

She loves her johnny jumper thing (is that what it's called?). She hangs out in it all the time and is so happy. I thought she was probably too young for it - but I tried it and she can bounce pretty well!

This was also the momentous day of Lexie's first ponytail. She has so much hair!

I gave Lexie some cereal for the first time today. She has been soooo hungry lately! And she has started waking up during the night and is starving. So hopefully this will do the trick.

Ready for church

Here are the girls a couple weeks ago - getting ready for church. I love dressing them up and doing their hair. Even though Bailey doesn't have much to work with! Notice the makeup in the background - that is how I got Bailey so sit still for so long. She love, love, LOVES putting makeup on!

Swim Lessons

Today was Kaden's last swim lesson. We have really enjoyed going all summer - he learned a lot and had fun taking lessons with Landen.

We told the boys to smile - Landen poses and Kaden makes his ridiculous pouting face. He apparently was feeling uncooperative - which is very common these days!

Happy 4th of July

Just a few quick highlights from our 4th of July:

Red, white, and blue pancakes for breakfast

Dressed for the day

Kaden proudly displaying his patriotic hat and his sparkly starYou can't really tell, but the star is 2 stars slid together to make a 3-D star. After we colored and glittered these stars, we were putting them together and I was telling Kaden "We will slide two stars together and attach a string at the top to use as decoration." He says "Ohhhhhh, like a dance party! I get it!" Where did that come from? Apparently we have had too many dance parties with a disco ball :) . (How does he even know what that is?)

We had a pretty relaxed day - spent most of it at home (Matt works all night so he had to sleep all day). That afternoon we went over to one of his co-workers house. The kids and I hadn't ever met him or his family - but it turned out to be really fun. The kids all got along and everyone had fun - swimming and eating. We didn't stay too long because Matt had to get to work. I had promised the kids that we would watch fireworks, so after Matt went to work we drove down near the park and just parked on the side of the road. I guess lots of other people had the same idea because the street was lined with cars. It worked out good, I didn't have to fight crowds or traffic, and Lexie just stayed asleep in the car. The fireworks show started a little late, but it was pretty good. Kaden only comment was "Amazing" at every single one! All in all it was a pretty fun day.

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I tried a new recipe for cookies to take to our barbeque. They turned out so good (and are super easy) I thought I would share:

Homade Oreos

2 Devil's Food cake mixes

1 1/2 C. shortening

4 eggs

Mix together. Roll in walnut size balls. Bake at 350 for 10 minutes. Let cool.

8 oz. cream cheese

1/2 stick butter

3 - 4 C. powdered sugar

Mix filling. Frost backs of cookies to make sandwiches.

Super easy and super yummy!