River trip!

Today we took the priests and laurels on a river trip down the Verde River and it was a total blast! Amazing that only 45 minutes down the road there is so much water, warmth, sunshine, and rapids! We all fell in at different times which made it even more fun-- cold for the moment, but fun! We have a great group of youth and I love being able to hang out with them! It was a great day!

Thank goodness for technology!

Thank goodness for the technology we have! We have been having so much fun talking to our parents on Skype and on the webcam. Ry and I get a chance to call and see them when we talk at night after the kids go down so this time we got o call in the morning when the kids were up! They loved seeing Grandma and got such a kick out of it! They are doing so well and are truly amazing -- If interseted in their info -- you can check out their blog in our blog list -- randclan.blogspot.com-- We love you guys!!!

Recipe Exchange!

Thursday night we had another recipe exchange! This is a really fun thing to do and I love 'em! I did them in our last ward and started doing it here and they have been so much fun! We do them almost every quarter. The theme for this one was soups and breads. You make your favorite recipe, bring it to share, and then make how many ever copies to bring so everyone goes home with full tummies and lots of new recipes. We always have a great time. The other ones we've done in the past are: crockpot, salads, Summer BBQ foods, Ethnic foods, and jellos! The next one we're going to try breakfast recipes!

The 6 fun!

So I've been tagged a couple times (not six) to do this and now I finally am! The rule is, go to the document setting My pictures, choose the 6th file and then the sixth pic -- This one is Aubs as a baby with her cousin Rylee Smith! We were at the park having a great time! This really took me back! They grow so fast!!!!

Now I tag:
Misti
Jen
Lichelle
Kelly
Robyn
Marceia

NEW BED!

We put together Carter's new bed and he has loved it --And his sisters have too (they tried to make the underneath fort --American Girl land) that obviously didn't last long -- He loves having his own space and enjoys sleeping in his "tent"!

Warmin' up!

So this past weekend we went down to Mesa and Chandler-- We were without a Daddy again all week and he flew into PHX Thursday night so we went down to pick him up and stay. The kids and I first went to see one of my old mission companions-Nicole Good and her cute family -- It was so much fun and brought back good memories! Then we were off to pick up Daddy! We went to sleep over at his grandparents and had such a nice time.

Firday morning we were in Grandpa's kitchen and looked out the window and saw a pair of hands over the wall snipping the hedge -- It scared me for a sec and then we were laughing about it. Carter spotted them from the other room and came running and said, "IS THAT THE HOLY GHOST?!" We were of course laughing even harder after that one!

We went to the PHX ZOO (Our favorite zoo) with Gracia and Bryn (sis and cousin) WE saw lizards, tortises, birds, snakes, gorillas, elephants, a porcupine, and pet the sting rays! It was a blast!

Saturday we went to IKEA (another favorite place ) for breakfast and to shop for a bed for Carter! He hads so much fun! And the kids got to go play at the fun playland there. Then we did a little more shoppin and ended the trip off with luch at PEI WEI! Oh my -- SOOOOO good! It was so great to spend time with family and to warm up in the beautiful 70 degree weather!

Fun or abuse?

Ok, so what do ya do on a Sunday night for fun? Drop your kids off the balcony! Of course only with Mom and Dad there and into soft bean bags! I wish we could have the video on there! Carter was laughing SOOOO hard!

Valentine Traditions!

Steak and Lobster

Little luvs~

Searching for clues....

Way up here!

even C- tried to read it!

So tonight we continued on with our 2 favorite traditions-- Steak & Lobster for dinner- and a Valentine Treasure hunt! The Lobster part is a little tricky for me since I am in no way near a fan of seafood! But Ry and Kel love it-- so it's worth it! Then after dinner we always do a Valentine Treasure hunt. It's something my mom always did for us and it was always so much fun! The kids go through the house searching for hidden clues and then find their little Valentine from Mom and Dad! It was a lot of fun and we had a great night together! Love you guys!

HAPPY LOVE DAY!!!

We had a fun V-day yesterday -- The kids had fun at school with their Valentine's parties. RY came home for lunch and surprised me with roses we had a fun online chat with our parents in Africa! After school we went to see our adopted Grandma Shirley and had a great time with her. Then Ry and I went on a date for dinner and a movie! WE saw Pink Panther 2 -- It was seriously so funny and just so much fun to spend time together after a week of him being gone-- Then this morning we got up and had our favorite strawberry heart pancakes for breakfast. SO far, a really fun weekend and then tonight we'll top it off with our favorite tradition -- Steak & lobster dinner and a Valentine treasure hunt -- we'll post those ones later!
HAPPY HEART DAY EVERYONE!!!

THANKFUL THURSDAY!

A few of my friends do this on their blogs and I love it! I think sometimes life gets so crazy, we pass by the things that we are really grateful for -- Today I am so grateful for many things -- We have now (in a couple weeks) been here for 2 YEARS! These past two years have been amazingly fast living here. It was a move that was hard to make -- away from family and dear friends -Many ways it was hard and in more ways - great! (you learn how grateful you are for those who keep in touch) So nice to hear from family and I cherish my weekly talks with dear girls friends in UT) (l.y.l.a.s!) It's been so neat to see our kids have some amazing experiences, and our family, really growing together and learning so much! The kids have learned that "they can do hard things". We have had some things happen just recently that have really been answers to prayers and have all the more told us that we are right where we need to be! It's such a good feeling! It's been so neat to see Ryan love his job and see the accomplishments he's made there. It's been fun to start my business over again and see that it really works! It's been neat to see the improvements we made to our home and yard and really get some satisfaction out of it -- Ry has really become quite the handy man! The house had a few issues at first, but now it's home! It's been so fun to have so many coinsidences happen that have really been "A'HA moments and shown us things we never knew were possible" It's been so great to be in a great school- It's been great to be in a great ward- And most of all -- I am just grateful for the 4 other wonderful people I get to share in this journey with! My family! They are what I am thankful for! Love you R, M, A, and little C-man!

RECORD BREAKER!

Holy hanna! I thought last night we had a lot and then it snowed another 10 inches over night-- This storm was a record breaker for Flagstaff -- Not this much accumulation in a single storm since 1939! Another day of no school and I am going to have to get creative!

Here we SNOW again!

So, last week was beautiful and 60s with most of the snow melted -- even our from mound was half way down! But then it started snowing Sunday and it's now MOnday night and it still hasn't stopped -- almost 2+ feet and more to come -- Such great timing with a hubby out of town all week (and he does feel bad --) We're ok hun! ! So thank goodness for my best bud Misti! I shoveled 3 times and then she came and rescued me with her sno blower! THANKS AGAIN GIRL!!!! It was also a cancelled day of school -- lots of books and valentines! And my favorite part was having Aubs read to me! She is loving the excitement of really sounding out words and reading -- so fun!!!

ICE SKATING!

Took the kids ice skating yesterday and had a fun time -- Carter's first time! And he did so good! He and Aubs shared the ice walker (brilliant idea for beginners) I needed one too though! Fun times!

TRAINS!

My mommy is going to get the "Mother of the Year award"
letting my sit on the tracks! Good thing she knows what time
the train rolls through!

Gotta chase a few pigeons!

walkin' the tracks!

Plop a penny on the tracks!

Here comes the train!

A little loud!

And here we have it, a flat penny!

His new favorite treasure!

A fun part of living where we do is the historic ROUTE 66 and the trains that travel along daily -- Carter has always loved trains and gets so excited when we are stopped at the tracks and he hears the whistle blow! We are in the middle of a warm spell with another snow storm on the way, so I thought we'd take advantage of a pretty morning and go to the train station on a little date! We had so much fun! Then we put some pennies on the track and decided to see what would happen (Mommy knew but buddy wasn't too sure) They came rolling through and sure enough -- FLAT! He is so delighted with his new found treasure and won't take it out of his pocket! WE had so much fun together! I gotta take advantage of it while it's just me and him for a while!