20 years ago...

I got this idea off one of my cousins blogs and thought it looked like a lot of fun!

20 years ago

I was 15, getting ready to start my Jr. year of high school. A lot of things happened over that summer. My best friend and I started parting ways because of choices we made (good and bad). I was very boy crazy, if you were a boy, not a nerd, and somewhat, to very good-looking, chances are I had a crush on you. I sent one boy on a mission the beginning of the summer, and by the time school started, I had sent another one out...crazy huh? (I obviously didn't wait for either).

This is mine and Steve's Jr. year school pictures...just thought it would be fun to show you (check out those big 80's bangs...what was I thinking?!) This is Steve's college yearbook picture back in '88...what a hunk!!!

10 years ago

By this time Steve and I had been married 6 years with no children, but we desperately wanted them. We owned and managed a pizza restaurant in Willcox, AZ, and HATED it! I think it was around this time that we started looking around at different doctors...we decided not to wait until we started making money to have kids. If we had done that, we still wouldn't have any today!

5 years ago
Two kids later. Still running the same franchise pizza place, just different town...Show Low. This time it was just Steve running it, and I was working part-time for my parents in their adult-care home, while my mom and dad helped watch the girls. We were living in the basement apartment of the care home, and had no privacy! Steve was almost NEVER home, he'd leave for work by 8am, and get home no earlier than 11pm, Monday-Saturday. We knew something had to change if he was ever going to get to know his daughters.

1 year ago

We now have three children, own our first home, and are melting. Camp Verde was definitely the hottest place we've lived (our next home will definitely have an AC and not evap!). I was teaching private piano lessons, while Steve was working in Sedona as an insurance agent. We made some great friends, one of which was moving away, much to my sorrow :( Thank goodness for e-mail and blogs!

This year

We moved to this tiny little town that our kids absolutely love! Jennah turned eight, and was baptized a few weeks later, what an exciting day! Steve started a new job working for my brother as an insurance agent in his Benson office. I am finally doing what I wanted to all along... being a stay-at-home mom... no piano lessons or teaching school. Steve is the ward mission leader, and I am serving in the young women. We both love our callings.

yesterday

I wasn't feeling so good, so I tried to take a nap with Stevie. It didn't work out so well, Stevie got his, but I ended up just feeling worse. I was at least able to get some laundry, and the dishes done though. Pretty exciting huh?

Tomorrow

It will be Friday, so I'm sure the usual...Steve goes to work, mom stays home and works (and goes a little crazy) while J,K and S play and do all they can to make me go insane =). Hopefully we'll be able to talk Steve into taking the family to the SV pool ;-)

St. David Pioneer Day celebration

We got to celebrate Pioneer Days two weekends in a row...how lucky are we!?!
Here's my little pioneer girls. They have been wanting their own pioneer dresses since they were in the CV parade over a year ago. I FINALLY got them finished, just in time for St. David's celebration this weekend...whew! (I love to sew for my girls, but I'm such a perfectionist, that it always takes me forever to get anything done) The parade theme was "Pioneers: past, present, and future", so our ward primary decided to name the float "Pioneers building Temples past, present, future". The kids had fun riding in the parade because not only did they get to throw candy, but they got to play in the dirt too!

J & K dressed up as pioneer woman, and since it was a construction theme, Stevie dressed up in his hard-hat and tool belt. I guess the hat was to hot for him, because he took it off by the time their float made it to where Steve and I were.

After the parade, our ward was in charge of the kids activities at the school. I thought they came up with some pretty fun ideas. It was all water themed...here's Stevie sliding into home in the "water t-ball" game. The bases were little swimming pools.

Here's Jennah sliding into home. This picture was taken just after she got injured by the boy in the white shirt. He's obviously very competitive, because he RAN to tag her out, right in her neck as she was sliding...ya, she cried for a little while, but then she decided to "suck it up" and go have fun.

Another game they had for the kids was "water pinatas". Just a grocery bag filled with water, and they got to keep hitting it until it popped and got them soaking wet... Jennah and Stevie LOVED it!

The final game was by far the most hilarious. it was the "greased pig" contest...no words necessary!



After the fun and games, it was time for the barbecue. Then they had the pie eating contest that our kids just BEGGED their daddy to be in

Here's Steve before:

In the middle...

and after...nice face huh?!? I don't think the kids will ever get him to do that again, he felt so sick when we got home.

Stevie was bummed that they didn't have a pie-eating contest for kids his age, so he decided to have his own version of it...

A little tour

I know, I know, I've posted a lot about Snowflake lately, but what can I say, I love it there! I'll take you on my own little tour of a few of the sites to see when visiting my hometown.

Our new home....JUST KIDDING! This is up for sale, and it's located just down the hill from the Temple...a girl can dream can't she?!? The house I grew up in. It's now an adult care home owned by my parents.

Down, what used to be, Stinson (named after the man who owned a ranch there before the pioneers settled there). It's now called 1st East. My best friend and I used to roller skate 4 blocks down this road to the park, at least once a week, when we were in grade school. Our legs would be jell-o every time we went, but it never stopped us!

This is the Jesse N. Smith "mansion". He was one of my ancestors, and (I think) the 1st stake president there.

I know, I already posted a picture of the Snowflake Temple, but the clouds were just gorgeous that day. I thought this turned out pretty well considering I'm an extremely amateur photographer.

This little cabin is just North-west of my parents home. It was moved to Snowflake (piece by piece) from somewhere in Utah.

This is the "big house" , or the Flake mansion, or whatever you want to call it. It sits right next to the little cabin, and my parents have a great view of it from their kitchen window.

One place I always have to go to whenever I'm in Snowflake is "Eva's" (La Cocina de Eva). It's the BEST Mexican food restaurant ANYWHERE! My mouth is watering just thinking about it!

Pioneer Day's in Snowflake

Friday night we went to "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream coat" that was put on by the town of Snowflake. I was pleasantly surprised at how well it turned out. (if anyone wants to go see it, they're putting it on until, I think, the 26th). Jennah and Kirstie thought it was GREAT!

Saturday morning started out bright and early. At 8 a.m. they had foot races for the kids. Kirstie didn't want to run without Jennah by her side, and Stevie didn't wake up early enough to go, so Jennah raced by herself. She didn't win, but she had a lot of fun, and even got some candy (that she didn't eat)! Jennah's the one in the light blue shirt.
The parade started a little after 9a.m., and was pretty uneventful until the very end. The town has a relatively new tradition of hosing everyone down with the fire truck. I used to think this was fun until this year. As soon as Stevie saw what they were doing, he RAN for the truck. Jennah went to get him, but she got caught up in the fun too. Well, I thought everything was okay, and even tried to get some pictures. Then I caught sight of Stevie (who I thought was with his sister) running along side the wheels of the fire truck. I swear he took ten years off my life that day. He was so close that he was actually touching the wheel! Thankfully Steve saw him the same time I did and he immediately ran and grabbed him. My hands were shaking for the next 30 minutes. Hopefully next year they'll have more adults running alongside to help keep the kids back.

After the parade...soaking wet kids, and one upset mother!

After the parade we went over to Vicky's house and visited for a while, then went to the Main St. Chapel for some barbecue. Jennah, Kirstie and I went to see the fireworks that night with the Lunt's.

This picture was taken from the car while driving home, somewhere between Globe and Thatcher. Someday Steve and I will have to splurge and get a nice camera. These clouds were so breathtaking! The picture doesn't do it justice. The blue was the prettiest blue I've EVER seen. It was so neat how you could see the edge of the storm. I wish I could describe just how beautiful it was.

We love cousins!

The other day the kids decided to have a little water-balloon fun on the trampoline. I don't think they ever had an actual water-balloon fight, all I saw them do was color on the balloons and give them names, like they were pets...strange kids! At least they were having fun!The kids were getting a little bored on Saturday, so I took them for a little drive around Snowflake. Maura was there when we left, so she wanted to come along too. I was pleasantly surprised at how much the kids liked doing this. They keep asking me when we can go again and see inside all the pioneer homes. I'm excited that they like learning about their pioneer heritage!

This is the cellar at the Locy Rogers cabin. (historic site)

Same cabin, but on the front porch. There's an interesting story about this little cabin. Over the years it had been added onto, remodeled, and eventually they forgot what it originally was. Then in the sometime in the 1980's there was a fire. The "new"part was destroyed, but left the original cabin untouched. The town bought it and restored it. Now it's part of the historic home tours here.

This is in front of the same cabin. I think this was my, and the kids favorite place to take pictures.

Another historic site that makes for a cute picture.

The girls posing in front of grandma and grandpa's house.

At the Snowflake Temple grounds. I was quite impressed at how the landscaping has improved there. The last time I went, which was probably almost 2yrs ago, there were only rocks and dirt where this was taken.

Kirstie and "Mo" in front of the Temple.

I REALLY didn't want Stevie to be in the fountain. The dang kid just wouldn't stay out! It was kind of maddening really, considering where we were. I just tried to stay calm and not make a scene.

Strange kids!!!

Okay, I know you can't see faces, but they really wanted me to take this one because they were up so high. This is behind the "Heritage Antiques and Ice Cream" store that's on Main Street.

Here's Stevie and Logan. I took this picture (several days ago) because Logan was playing so good with Stevie. I thought it was really nice of him, considering Logan is almost 7 years OLDER than Stevie. I don't know if there are any "normal" pictures of him though...he always has to pull a funny face or do a silly pose for pictures!

"Memories of Me" game

I got this idea from Shawna's blog, here's how to play

1. As a comment on my blog, leave a memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you know me a little or a lot, any memory of me.

2. Re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one abut you! Let the fun begin!

...That's what little boys are made of!

These pictures are pretty self-explanitory...Stevie found some mud!

Kirstie's new bike...

We're at my mom & dad's for a couple of weeks, and Kirstie was wanting to ride a bike. She found my sister Lynnette's three-wheeler and went for a little ride down the block.

Taylor's traditional Independence Day program

My sisters and I sang "God Bless America" for the program. I just love singing with them. It's the only way I can be singing in front of a large crowd and not let my nerves get the best of me. I guess the phrase "there's strength in numbers" could apply here. Not sure why I'm looking at the music, it's not like I didn't know the song!

Tradition!

We celebrated the 4th of July in Taylor this year because my sisters and I were asked to sing for their patriotic program.

I've participated in their celebration for probably 20 years...gosh I'm getting old! Anyway, anyone who isn't from this area (my husband included) probably thinks we're all crazy! We start the day off at 4:30 a.m. I have no idea how this got started, but it is literally a BLAST! I get to play with the Jennings band that has been around for forever. My dad has been in it since he was in high school! They start off by loading the band on to flat bed trailors, then we play a song, and then they "fire" the anvil. I wish I could have gotten better pictures, but I would have to get off the "band wagon" to get them.

I heard that the whole anvil thing got started was way back when (not sure how long ago, but in the 1800's) they didn't have any cannon's in Taylor, so they improvised by putting gunpowder between two anvil's and then lighting it. If you've ever heard a cannon fire, you know how LOUD it is! We drive through town, even on Main St., repeating the routine... band plays a patriotic song then fire the anvil, at least a dozen times to make sure all of Taylor and Snowflake are awake. It is always sooooo much fun!

This is the ORIGINAL bass drum that came from the Nauvoo legion back in the days of the pioneers.
If you look closely, you can see the smoke from the anvil. Also, notice EVERYONE with their ears plugged. I can't even begin to explain just how loud it is!

More crazy band pic's.

Stevie's 4!

Sorry, I really wanted to have this posted yesterday, but as usual, our computer was on the fritz and we couldn't get on-line.

Yesterday was Stevie's 4th birthday. We had a nice quiet (no pressure on mom to get ready for a party) fun day with just our family. When I asked Stevie if he had a good birthday he shouted "It was AWESOME!" so I guess it all turned out okay!


Stevie at one week old...he was by far my easiest baby. Hooray for little boys!




...after eating his first birthday cake. He didn't like dirty hands when he was little. Hmmm...I wonder what happened, because I am constantly reminding him to go wash up!

Steve's sister often made the remark that he looked a lot like "Heimlich" from bugs life...I guess it was the chubby cheeks and the double chin =)


His first remote control car at 2









The night before his third birthday he woke up and crawled into bed with us, so he opened his presents that morning in our bed.


...and his 4th birthday! Notice the dazed look on his face? It was 6:30 a.m., and Jennah would not let us sleep any longer!









Jennah got him this little Spider-Man candy dispenser. Once it was opened, the candy was devoured within MAYBE a minute!












Steve is such a great dad. He took time out of his busy morning to help set up Stevie's new train track and play with the kids for a little while before he had to leave for work.
Kirstie loves to help me cook whenever she can, especially when there is something sweet involved. Here she is "helping" by mixing up all the leftover frosting from the cake.

I'll have to admit that this is my best attempt at cake decorating. I finally decided that I just can't make the frosting, so I bought some decorating icing, and it went pretty well. Although it did take me 4 hours! I must REALLY love my kids!


Here's Stevie with his pterodactyl he got from Kirstie. Believe it or not, he actually knows more about them than I do. I'm not quite sure where his fondness for them came from, but it is his favorite dinosaur.

Nice action shot of him
blowing out the candles!

He informed Steve and I that he didn't need a fork to eat his cake. It was his birthday, so we let him have at it!

Nice pose...frosting covered face and all =D

We've been so blessed to have Stevie in our home. He's far from being the perfect child, but he's always so eager to please and make others happy. He makes us laugh every day with all the cute things he says and does!