13th Anniversary

Today was our 13th wedding anniversary. We really don't do much. It just seems to be just another day. But this year I told Dan I wanted to do something. I didn't care but something. Dan came home early becasue he had a DR. appointment. On his way home he called my girls and talked with them. I was trying to figure out what to make for dinner when Dan came home with a dozen roses. I think this is the 3rd time in all of 13 years he has given me flowers. I am not much of a flower person so I didn't expect this. It was a great surprise. Dan had asked to girls to babysit while we went out to dinner. Another surprise. I didn't have to make dinner. I told the girls to just make Top Ramon or Mac and Cheese. Whe went to dinner at Chili's. After that we went to Famous Footwear and than to Walmart for grocery shopping. When we got home, the house was so clean, all the little kids were nice and calm and the kids made us a Banner that saud "HAPPY ANNIVERSAY MOM AND DAD,"and each of the kids signed their name. That was a great ending for a great Anniversary Dinner.Thanks Dan and Lea, Chay, Nano, Ella, & Elijah for a wonderful evening.

Dan's Surprise Party, Sort of...

I didn't get any pictures and I feel so bad. I had my camera but I forgot pictures.This party was a spur of the moment thing. My nephew needed help with his car and asked my husband if he could help. So Dan had planned for all of us to go to my brother-in-laws house for dinner (fish tacos) and he would help Austen fix his car. So I called all of dan's bros and sis's that live here in Mesa and had a surprise party. Well, when we were leaving to go Dan asked me why I made a cake. DUH!!! I was so busy getting kids in the car and make sure I didn't spill the cake so I wasn't thinking and I said it was for him and Chayanne. I don't remember saying that but Lea and Dan both said I did. So he wasn't really that surprised. It was fun. Dan's sister Sariah and her son came over as well as Dan's parents and Dan's other brother David and his family. It was a nice evening of visiting. The kids were behaving really well.
Dan turned 35 on the 8th of Aug. He shares that birthday with his Aunt Susan who lives in Long Beach CA. We went and visited my Dad on that day. That is one of the things I love about Dan. He is always thinking of others even if it was his birthday. He is the greatest husband and I love him for who he is.
Happy Birthday sweetie.

Chayanne's Slumber Party

Chayanne doesn't like birthday cakes so she and her friends made this brownie cake.It was so yummy.

Josie, she was the last to fall asleep.

Makena and Chayanne fell asleep during a movie.

Here is the birthday girl fast asleep.

Chayanne Danielle

Chayanne turned 10 today. I can't believe it. It just seemed like yesterday I had her in the hospital in Phoenix. Wow double digits!! When she woke up this morning I asked her how she felt being 10. She just looked at me and said she didn't feel any different. Here are 10 things I love about her. There are more but I am only doing the amount they turned.

I love the way she comes and gives me a kiss after school and asks how my day has been.

I love the way she laughs.

I love the way she helps out with her younger brothers and sister.

I love how she draws and colors. Chayanne wants to be an artist.

I love how smart she is.

I love her sweet spirit

I love how one of her eyes is two colors. One side is hazel (her dad's eye color) and the other side is brown (my eye color)

I love to hear her sing.

I love her brownies

And I love how confident she is in her self. She doesn't seem to get nervous about things. She knows she tried to be the best she can in anything she does.

Chayanne your dad and I love you so much. You bring so much happiness to our family and I really appreciate that.

First Day of Preschool

Ella, Preschool, Ms. Oliver

First Day of School

Nathaniel, Kindergarten, Ms. Teater

Lealynn, 7th grade, lots of teachers

Chayanne, 5th grade, Ms. Driggers

Sunday Talks

This Sunday both Lea and Chayanne had to give talks. Lea was asked by our bishop to talk about an experience she had at girls camp. This talk was to be given in SACRAMENT. She was so nervous. I asked her if I could post her talk on my blog but she said no. I think she did a very good job. i am so proud of her. I couldn't really help her prepare because I didn't go to girls camp. So that was frustrating for me. Later if she lets me, I will post it.
At the beginning of sacrament we told her she needed to sit up where the bishop and his counselors sat. She was trying to stall sitting up there until the bishop saw her. He got her to sit up there. Our bishop is great. He has a calming spirit about him and he seems to know how to handle anything.
Lea you did a fantastic job on your first talk. We love you so much girly.

Chayanne gave a talk in Primary. This is also Chayanne's first talk in our ward. She also did a great job. I asked Chayanne if I could post her talk and she said yes. So here is her talk:
I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou salt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven:and whatsoever thou salt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven (Matthew 16:19)
This is a true story. There was an old woman and she dies at a very old age. One day her daughter and her granddaughter went to go visit gramma at the cemetery. The girl said,Mom, at the funeral auntie said that gramma's favorite song was Families can be Together Forever. But why did she pick a primary song? Her mom said that gramma should answer that question. On their way home they stopped at grammas. Her mom dug in the closet and pulled out some not books. She looked through then a while than she grabbed the right one. She gave it to the girl and said, "Read this".The next day the girl finished all her chores very fast and skipped cartoons so that she can have more time to read. Her mom asked her if she had got the answer at dinner. She told her mom that the song reminded gramma of the day her family got sealed. She asked her mom if she sand that song in primary when she was a kid. Her mom said the song wasn't even made when she was in Primary. She said, your gramma heard the primary sing in sacrament and thought Jesus was talking directly to her. She loved that song ever since that Sunday.
Chayanne than bore her testimony that she is glad her family was sealed in the temple so we can be Together Forever.
Chayanne you also did a fantastic job on your talk. We are so proud of you.