Bye Bye Braces!

Now you see them.....


Now you don't!


And to celebrate the removal of 2 years worth
of metal mouth, we went to Jake's favorite
eatery PANDA EXPRESS!

Thanks to Uncle Grant, our amazing orthodontist
(@ Walton Orthordontics in Casa Grande) Jake has an
amazing straight smile to go along with his
good looks!

Ryan turns 12!

For Ryan's 12th Birthday he chose to go
to Zachary's Pizza, by the U of A and to
see Captain America with a few friends.

After pizza, and popcorn and candy at the movies,

we went back home to eat some more! Donut cake!


Happy B-day Ryan!!

Jake's Eagle Scout Project

Jake completed his Eagle Scout project at Marana
High School the weekend before he started
his freshman year there.



He organized an effort to clean up the landscaping
and plant 14 new trees in front of the school, as
well as re-paint the front gate.


The trees were donated by an organization
called "Trees Please", as well at Lowes and
he received donations from Fry's and Walmart
to buy some of the food for breakfast and
lunch which we served to all those who helped out.


Cousins Michael, Keri and Lance helping plant a tree!


Here is Ryan with Bro. Hodge and Bro East.

Aubrey, Hailey and I mostly helped with painting the gate

and getting food ready!


It was a very hot day to be outside painting, but we
had tons of help and no complaints.

Bro. Scarber provided and cooked up hot dogs for the

crew!



And John made his famous chili, of course, which is always
a big hit!


Each day Jake goes to school for the next
four years, he will get to watch the trees
grow and know that he was a part of making
his school a better place for everyone. We are
so proud of him!

Thanks to all the scouts,friends, family,
neighbors and ward members for all your help!

Back to School

You can't tell from these photos, but the kids
were actually very excited for the first day of
school.




Hailey is now in 2nd grade and Aubrey is in 4th.

Ryan is the big 6th grader! I couldn't tell
he was making a face for the picture-its
the old man face.

Jake is in High School now, 9th grade.
He is also making the old man face...


but at least I caught it and made him
take another photo. Jake's school starts
later than the other kids, 9am! But with
Seminary at 7:30am, he will have to leave
just before them.

We all went to the elementary school to see off the kids,
even Jake came (a little reluctantly- since he is a big
high school kid now)

Ryan was not as miserable as he looks!
They all came home from their first day
so excited for their new teachers who
were all super nice, and ready to start
the new school year.

California Vacation

We went to California for my niece's wedding on the
beach in Santa Barbara.

Aubrey & Hailey with their cousin Shaelyn.

Mady and Billy were so sweet and so happy!

After the reception, the kids were dying to go to the beach.
We were only 5 minutes away so we met the Braithwaite
cousins there and they jumped in the waves and played
in the water until night time.

My sister Staci and I were the towel girls
helping the kids when they got sand in their eyes
and mouths,and inside their bathing suits and every
where else sand seems to hide!

We managed to sneak in a day at Knotts Berry Farm

before we left.

Hailey went on all the fast, scary rides- even some I

was scared to go on! She was Fearless!

This was in front of a hot dog place, and we

thought it was hallarious! Jake and Hailey

are the kid hot dogs, and Aubrey and Ryan

are the mom and dad.

John was Hailey's riding buddy all day!

We spent a day in Thousand Oaks where I grew up, and
got to go to church in my old ward, see my old house,
and visit all my schools from elementary to high school.


But the best part of the day was spending some time
with my good friend Minette and her family!

Aubrey's Duathlon

Aubrey has been in a running club at school
and part of the deal was to participate in
an organized race. So she was in a duathlon
for our community. Her first race ever!





She ran, then biked and then ran again. I considered
doing it with her,but I knew I couldn't keep up with her!








I was so proud of her!