I want to...

I want to be part of the team but I don't know how to get my name under "Team Members"...

I think I'm In??

Sydney's Pre-School graduation! Paul hiking in the desert. He also likes getting up at 4am to mountain bike before work! Crazy!

Joe is our sweet thug!

Taking a nap together! They really love eachother so much...when they sleep.

Kate and Me...keepin' it real...

Me and Parker. 8 months pregnant!

This blog world is so new to me and so confusing but I will try it out for the sake of the family I love so much!

Seven Peaks (around my hips)

We went to Seven Peaks today, it was really fun. Here are some pictures.

If you look closely, their facial expressions are so the same.



I missed the shot where he was actually on the rope.

Yeah, I look huge, but at least I'm still doing it.

Roxy doing her famous poses.

The tent Roxy got for her birthday is welcome shade.

That's Ben coming out of the slide.

If you look closely you can see both of them in the tunnel.

It never gets any better

I live in Arizona.
Like many states, Arizona is extremely diversified geographically.
We have mountains, pinetrees, lakes, rivers, snow, rain, and exquisite sunsets.
We also have deserts.
Sadly, that is what most people concentrate on.
Actually, the desert is what a lot of people move here for; what they love.
Me? I try not to think about the desert. I really hate the desert.
But that's where I live.
Many people move here from lush green states and immediately put
gravel and cactus in their front yards.
No!
The desert belongs in the desert. Leave it there. Go out and camp, have picnics, hike, do
whatever it is that draws you to the dry, rocky, desolate, creature infested terrain. But
there should be grass in your yard!
I will admit I enjoy a simple hike before a simple cook-out on the desert in the Spring when
it is cool and pleasant. I would never do it by myself, but with my family it is quite enjoyable.
Of course, any time spent with my family is the best o f life for me.
I was born and raised in Arizona and I have never gotten used to the heat in the summer.
It is summer now. And it is HOT. It is 114 degrees today. We are breaking all kinds of
records and there is a heat advisory out.
A heat advisory? They are advising us that it is going to be hot? We live in what they call the
Valley of the Sun. That means the sun positions itself directly over this valley and sits there
for 24 hours, 7 days a week, for 4 or 5 months of the year.
At night the only thing that changes is that it gets dark. The sun is still there, baking us.
Sometimes it's bad.
Sometimes it's worse.
But it never gets any better. Ever!
I hate the heat. I never get used to it. Every year I say, "Let's move!"
But we stay.
We stay because have my family is here.
We stay because this is where my husband has a job.
We stay...because this is home.
And actually, about November...it really will get better.

We be-log together

Sometimes Blaine and I feel a little isolated here. We wish we were involved more in what's going on at the homestead. And sometimes we even wish we shared what's going on with us better.

Tah Dah...Blogger.

I have created this blog intending it to be a team blog. That means we can all be contributors. Each of you just need to make a sign on name. If you don't know how, you can call me and I can do it for you or walk you through it.

That way if Manda takes a cute pic of Joe and Rella kissing and wants us all to see it, she can post it. When Katie and Cody want to make any BIG announcements, they can if they want. And Mom can post itineraries to each and every family activity. (And maybe even a few sticker charts)

I really am grateful to be a part of this family and I believe this a way we can stay in touch and share our lives.

I hope you join me.