Visit from Aunt Chris, Cami, & Gwen

One of the highlights of Aunt Chris, Cami & Gwen's visit was a little jot
through Saguaro National Park. It was a wonderful visit!

The princess

Timeline Project

I really enjoyed working with Jared to do his timeline project for social studies. It was a wonderful stroll down memory lane as we talked about the memories around each of his pictures. I really love being his mom!

Pickles!

At the end of January a friend called and asked if I'd be interested splitting case of cucumbers and getting together to make pickles.

Oh yea baby!!!  
Here's my portion of our canning.

  Yum!!

Daddy's little helper

Sara helping Bryan assemble the new desk.

Love that smile!

Our little fishermen

Daniel's catch

Jared patiently waiting for a bite

Sara learning to cast

Sara reeling it in

During the school break we did a little urban fishing with some friends.  Good times!

Pinewood Derby

Once again Daniel did a fantastic job building his car!!

He really enjoyed the one-on-one time with Bryan.

Daniel with his car

The Black Bullet

Waiting for awards

Way to go Daniel!!!

Happy Birthday

Sara had a little party for her 3rd birthday. She and her friends, danced, sang, ate, played, danced some more and had a jolly good time. Thanks Eliza, Celeste, Sophie & Perry for sharing in the fun!

The princess is 3!!

Fred

Meet our gnome friend, Fred

Vail Pride Day Displays

Every year our little community & school district host what is known as Vail Pride Day. It's an event held at the fair grounds that brings the community together for food, fun, and some great student showcase. In spite of the torrential downpour, we braved the wind and rain in order to see the boys' displays. Daniel also volunteered at his robotics club booth.

Jared's famous American project on Abraham Lincoln

Daniel's ABC's of recycling project

Daniel's art projects
sadly we didn't find Jared's art project in time to get a pic

Blue & Gold Banquet

Each boy had to make and decorate a cake for this year's blue & gold banquet. Daniel is quite handy in the kitchen so he had no problems with the assignment. After doing some research on the family fun website he went to work with minimal help from mom. It was a real blessing that we had gingerbread cookies in the freezer to serve as part of his design.

the frosted cake

the mock up

the finished project

waiting for the judging

Award for Most Creative

Way to Go Daniel!!!

Good times

The kids have had a lot of fun with the connector set Chris gave them. Boy, we sure do miss that guy! We're glad he is were he's suppose to be and know he will greatly bless the lives of the people of the California San Bernardino mission.

Thanks Chris!!

Heart Attacked

Thanks to the members of the University 2nd Ward for totally making our night. Our children were thrilled!!

Sara's Obsession

We received a copy of The Composer is Dead for Christmas and it quickly became a family favorite. Sara, in particular, adores it! She loves to have it read to her. Now that she's in potty training mode it has become her 'bathroom' reading material.

Why do we enjoy this book so much? Because it's mysterious, it's creative, it gives brings out the personalities of the various orchestral instruments. But most of all, it's just plain F-U-N!!

Thank you Wettsteins for sharing this great book with us!!

Great Joy

I ♥ reading!!

I've always hoped that our children would love it too.

Can you imagine my joy when I saw this?

Thank you boys!!

Change

Change is not always an easy thing. Just last week the boundaries of 5 wards in our stake were realigned. Thanks to the change our family is now part of a new ward. Yesterday was our first Sunday in the new ward. It was nice. The boys came home very talkative and full of insight about our new ward. It was reassuring to see the excitement in their little eyes.

The ward change has also really motivated Jared to follow through on a challenge issued by his former primary teachers. He really loved Bro. & Sister Rose, they were the perfect teachers for our little Jared. Jared is determined to read the entire Book of Mormon before he gets baptized. Before church he read, after church he read, today after school he read. He is so excited! How grateful I am for wonderful gospel teachers.

Our neighbor, our friend

The night before Chris headed off to the missionary training center, he stopped in to say good bye to the kids. It was kind of him to do that, as our children have grown very fond of him over the years.

Sara will certainly miss her personal jungle gym!

Chris was always willing to play legos or Wii with the boys.
In fact, he is letting them borrow his 'fancy' legos while he is away.
They are thrilled!!

His clothes are all labeled and packed,
he is ready to go!

See you in 2 years Elder Knutson!!

Happy Birthday

The great thing about being married to an engineer is that instead of setting my birthday cake ablaze with candles he wrote my age in binary. What a great idea!

Momma & the princess

cake courtesy of Cassie*
age displayed in binary with candles by dad
Can you guess how old I am?


my family, my greatest joy

I love her laugh!

Happy Birthday to Me!!

*Thank you, thank you, thank you Estes family for always looking out for our little family. We love you!!

Breakfast for dinner YUM!

Yes, we do enjoy a little wackiness from time to time.
But mostly we just like to have fun!

Daniel & Chris
Sara & Jared in the background

the princess

A special day at the temple

Chris & his mom, Sue

Chris & Bryan


Thank you Chris (soon to be Elder Knutson) for allowing us the privilege to share in your special day!

Mysterious

There's a mysterious visitor in our mist...who can it be???

Science Fair

Daniel got 3rd place in the science fair.
Way to go Daniel!!
We are so proud of you!

*Special thanks to Chris with his fancy camera that took all the action shots for Daniel's display board. And Dad for lovingly guiding Daniel through the science packet.