Thursday... 1-22-09

Swimsuits in Winter?!? Only in Mesa, AZ!!! Macee was back getting into her swimsuit and I asked her why and she told me, "I will show you!" She then takes me out back and shows me a puddle on the table we use to get on the trampoline! She wanted to jump in the puddle! Thank goodness we have been having beautiful mid-70 temps!

Wednesday... 1-21-09

Back to school for me! This Spring semester it is Human Anatomy & Physiology 1 and Personal Wellness. Fun, fun!!! I'm so SUPER excited!!!

Tuesday... 1-20-09

NEW SHOES!!! All my kids got new tenny runners, plus we found great clearance deals on other miscellaneous shoes! We love new shoes!

Monday... 1-19-09

Foam Curlers!!! I finally bought some for my girls and we put them in their hair for overnight. Macee's didn't make it all night (she took them out), but Maddy's made it all night and she had beautiful curls the next day!

Sunday... 1-18-09

Tyler asked, "Dad, can you come out and jump us really high?" So Chuck being the BEST dad in the world went out and jumped them "really high"!

Saturday... 1-17-09

January's Hike...

Billy and Karen invited us to go hike the Hieroglyphics Trail out in the Superstition Mountains. It was B&K's family, my parents (G-ma & pa Rowley) and us. It is about a 1 1/2 mile hike (round-trip). On the hike in I piggybacked Macee when she was getting tired. We made it to the springs and let the kids play around for a little bit and then we turned around to hike back out. I let Chuck take Macee on the hike out. Maddy, Tyler, Karynn and Dallin took off in front of us and made it back to this sign and waited for us! We had a great time! Thanks for inviting us B&K!!!

Friday... 1-16-09

We went to an "Astronomy Night" out at Lost Dutchmen State Park with the Mortensens. We piled into the "bus" and headed out. The instructor showed and told us about different stars and constellations. Chuck's favorite was his laser light pen he used to point out the stars. After the presentation you could go up and look through a telescope (Tyler is pictured here). The kids sure enjoyed this activity!

Thursday... 1-15-09

MATH FACTS CLUB!!!

Both Tyler & Maddy passed the test to get their shirts in the math facts club. You have to do so many math problems in so much time and they both passed their grade level on the same day! I'm so proud of them!

Wednesday... 1-14-09

I'm currently the Young Women's 1st Counselor in our ward. I love working with these girls! This was at New Beginnings, they are so much FUN!!!

Tuesday... 1-13-09

One of our favorite shows to watch is American Idol... the try-outs are especially funny... do they all think they are so FABULOUS?!?

I captured my favorite... Simon's smile! (sigh...)

Monday... 1-12-09

Thanks nice'n easy 116A... you make my hair feel so pretty... and you cover those gray hairs that shouldn't be there!!!

Sunday... 1-11-09

I love when my kids all get along. This was one of those moments. They pumped up air mattresses and fixed them like they were a giant couch. They enjoyed a movie while I took a lazy Sunday nap! Thanks kids for getting along!

Saturday... 1-10-09

A trip to Costco... samples and rides on a cart! What else can you ask for?

Friday... 1-9-09

Macee knows better than to draw on herself (or so I thought). But when I woke-up this morning I saw this on her face- but a little darker. I couldn't believe it! I thought she understood. I was joking with her that she wanted to look like her daddy with a mustache and beard! CRAZY girl!!!

Thursday... 1-8-09

I love this man! Need I say more?

Wednesday... 1-7-09

Our kids bathroom sink was not draining so well, so Chuck decided to investigate. He took off the "J" pipe and look what he found in there!!! YIKES! A toothbrush, a tube of chapstick, a lip gloss lid, popcorn seeds and a HUGE hairball! It was so gross! But no wonder it wouldn't drain so well!

Tuesday... 1-6-09

It's done!!! Well, almost! I have been working on a bedspread for our California King bed since the summer of 2007 and I just finished clipping it. I sat at the Mortensen's while watching Biggest Loser and finished it up! I was so excited, I spread it out, laid on it and rolled up in it! Now I just need to finish sewing a few spots, wash it and it will be ready to go!

Monday... 1-5-09

Just last year our little niece Dakota Marie Madsen passed away after a struggle with a Pituitary Gland tumor and spinal meningitis. I know that Heavenly Father has a plan for each of us. I know that her time was up on this earth. Whatever her mission was, it was complete. If it wasn't complete, we would still have her here with us today. I'm grateful that I got to be a part of her life... that I got to know such a sweet and loving girl. She has made me want to be a better person and to push myself to do more. It is because of her that I decided to push myself to finish with my Nursing degree. Who knows, maybe she is up in heaven helping me along... wouldn't that be a nice thought. I just wanted to pay my respects to a little girl who helped me live, love and learn. I will always miss Dakota, but I'm grateful for the Plan of Happiness and that one day I will be able to see and be with her again. I just hope I can live worthy of that promise!

Our "Sleeping Beauty"
Sleeping Beauty was Dakota's favorite princess, I like to call her my Sleeping Beauty!

Sunday... 1-4-09

Taking advantage of early church and having nothing going on in the afternoon, I decided to take some time teaching Tyler how to make cookies. He measured and mixed the cookies all himself. He is growing up so fast. Good job Tyler!!!

Saturday... 1-3-09

We went out to Usery Pass to celebrate my dad's birthday (a tradition we love to keep up). He turns 57 on Jan 6th. We enjoy going out on the desert and hiking, playing at the park, roasting hotdogs & marshmallows and drinking hot chocolate.

Friday... 1-2-09

The new year brings on cleaning and organizing. After a day of doing just that, Chuck took the kids to Bass Pro Shop (the animal store) as their reward. They really enjoyed themselves and I enjoyed a small break!

Thursday... 1-1-09

Visiting Grandpa Nichols grave site. He was born Jan 1, 1924. He would've been 85 this year! What a legacy he has left behind. These are some of the great-grandchildren with Grandma Nichols.

Wednesday... 12-31-08

HAPPY NEW YEARS (eve)!!! We enjoyed a night with family and friends. We played games, ate, did sparklers and firecrackers. It was an enjoyable night. My kids were especially excited because they all stayed up to bring in the new year at midnight!

Tuesday... 12-30-08

We cat-sat "Smokey" for my parents while they were out of town. We went to their house and played with her. My kids sure had a great time with her. I wondered if she was going to get tired of us playing with her because my kids want to walk around holding her, but she was always there ready to play when we got there! BTW... come to find out Smokey isn't her name! That's what my kids call her, but my mom hasn't named her, she is still just "kitty" to them. So she is Smokey to us!

Monday... 12-29-08

Back during my Jr High and High school years I had a best friend... his name was James. I knew I could always count on him to be there for me! He now lives in New York, but he comes to visit his family at Christmas time and when he is here we try to see him. This year we went to the Visitors Center at the Mesa Arizona Temple and saw the Noble Family sing. James is pictured here at the far right side. He had a solo and sang "The Christmas Song" and did a FABULOUS job! We sure love to hear him sing!

Sunday... 12-28-08

I grew up playing games with my family on Sunday after church. It is one of my favorite memories from growing up, so Chuck and I decided to start playing more games with our kids. We taught them how to play Mexican Train. They sure love to play. Tyler can pretty much play on his own, Maddy still needs help a bit (but is catching on FAST) and Macee is the one who draws a domino from the bag if someone needs one. I love the closeness I feel to my family when we are playing games!