Bev will be so proud of me

Ok, so remember the cute valentine blocks that Aunt Bev showed me how to make. Well, today I made a set for Easter and I am really happy with how they turned out. I decided to make 'Spring' blocks as well and am almost done with them, and then 'USA' & 'Summer' and who knows what else. A friend from work came over today to make some also and it was fun to craft and visit. I really miss the good ol' homemaking nights or Super Saturday's where we made all this fun kind of stuff. If you want to make some, give me a call. I would love to have you over.

The letter 'F'

A friend of mine did this on her blog and I thought that it was really fun so I said I would do it. How it works is you have to think of 10 things that you love or are thankful for that begin with a letter. She assigned me the letter F. I had a hard time narrowing it to just 10. Here goes.

FAMILY - I am most grateful for my family. I love the family that I grew up with and the family that I married into. I treasure the family that Richard and I have created together. Our boys are the best! I love the knowledge that I have that we can be a family forever. Most of you know that we lost a daughter a few years ago, her name is Memry and I am so happy that we have her as a part of our FAMILY. I have also lost 2 sisters, Melissa and Courtney and I can hardly wait to see them all again.

FRIENDS - From the time I was very young I have been blessed with GOOD FRIENDS. My good friend Marcie Mills and I became friends when we were just 3 years old. Since we were both Marcy's we gave eachother nicknames. She was M&M's and I was Milky Way since this matched our initials. Cute, huh? In high school I had lots of friends but 4 made a great impact on my life. Rikki, Sandy, Nicole & Wendi were the bestest of friends. I still have really great FRIENDS who build me up and bring out the best in me. A girl just couldn't ask for better friends than Tiffany Shepherd and Marcy Burr to name a couple. Here are some of my girlfriends below on a retreat we took to Paisley's house.


FUN - I really like to have fun. Disneyland is one of my favorite places to go. Although Disneyworld is the best, I have been lucky enough to go there twice. I love to have parties and we do quite frequently for no reason other to have FUN! Some things that I consider fun are; camping, games, crafting, decorating, family time, pranks, baking (as long as I don't have to clean up the mess) are just a few.

FABRIC - I really like beautiful fabric. My favorite would have to be chenille. I absolutely love the feel of it, the look of it, the texture of it and it's beautiful as well.

FARMS - Well, the obvious reason would be because of all the great food we get from farms. But, look at that picture. Couldn't you just live there? I have secretly always had the desire to live on a farm. To grow our own food, to have lots of animals to take care of. To live a simple, down to earth life. Wouldn't that be the greatest. I think I could really get used to it.

FUNERALS - Now please don't go thinking that I am morbid or anything. I know that it sounds really weird but hear me out. Ok, we are all going to die at some point, it's just inevitable. So, funerals will always be, why not enjoy them. Yes, I usually cry through most of them but I still find joy in them. Funerals are often like a big family reunion. It is sad that it sometimes takes a death to bring everyone together but nevertheless it does. I love hearing the life story of the deceased. I always learn so much at each person's funeral that I have attended. I just think it is fascinating to hear all that they accomplished with their life. Plus, everyone remembers all of the good about this person so funerals can be such a positive thing. Also, there is usually a special spirit of comfort that surrounds the family during this difficult time and I love to feel that spirit of our Savior and the peace that it can bring if you let it in. See, I'll bet you like funerals now too, right?

FICTION - Well, I love to read and I love a good book. Some of my favorites are The Bartimous Trilogy, Harry Potter series, Fablehaven series, Pendragon, Twilight series, Spiderwick, Nicholas Sparks books, Magyk series, The Hatchet series, just to name a few. I like to get lost in the world of make believe once in a while.

FREEDOM - I am so thankful to live in a country that celebrates freedom. I am thankful to our service men and women and the sacrifices that they each make for us. I am thankful that we have the right to choose almost everything that allows us to be ourselves and do what makes us happy. I also love to celebrate the fourth of July. I think it is such a fun holiday. Parades & Picnics. Fireworks & Family. Celebrating it in a small town like the one I grew up in makes it even better. I still remember waking up on the morning of the fourth and being so excited (almost like it was Christmas) and looking forward to all that would happen this day. I even got to be in quite a few parades and it is so much fun. Try it sometime.

FEMININE - I love being female and all that comes with that. I love to celebrate that I am a girl. I like the color pink and long hair. I like lace and pretty ribbons. I like to receive flowers from my husband or kids or anyone for that matter. I like that I get to be a mother and a wife, two of my greatest joys. I love that I got to be the one to carry our children. I love that being nurturing is something that women have built into us. I love to have someone open a door for me. I love that I am the only girl in my house, they take such good care of me. I love to cook for my family and take good care of them as well. I love to sleep in silk pajamas or in silk sheets. Yes, being a girl is a wonderful thing.

FLOWERS - I do love flowers but let me clarify one thing here. I love all kinds of flowers but I especially love the kind that has been grown in your own yard. I especially love the kind that you can plant in your yard after enjoying them for a few days. I love a bright mix of flowers like the one's pictured below. They just can't help but cheer you up.

So, there are my 10 things that I love that start with the letter F. If you would like to play, leave me a comment and I will assign you a letter as well. Come on, you know you want to play. Oh, and you don't have to do pictures with it, I just thought the pictures were a fun addition.

Dinner at Mom & Dad's

We went to my parents this afternoon for dinner and it was great, I didn't have to cook.

We hung out and visited for awhile which is always nice.
Here is part of the spread, tacos & enchiladas, YUM!

For some reason Richard felt the need to snap a few pictures in the car.

Pajama Party

What a fun night I had on Saturday. It was a girlfriends birthday and she had a Pajama party. We didn't sleep over ofcourse but everyone came in their pj's. We all brought a picture of ourselves as a school girl and then had to guess who eachother was. That was really fun and such a cute game. We painted toenails, we ate yummy food, we played the white elephant game with girly gifts. We even had an auction with play money. Such a fun, fun night. Happy Birthday Sharee, thanks for sharing your fun day with me!

The cruise was awesome!

Last night was our ward party. It was really alot of fun. We took a cruise on the USS Relation"ship". Richard was our cruise director and he played the part so well. It was great!!!
Some might say that the Turley's practically put the whole show on. Here is Teagan who was part of the entertainment and also a cousin. This is what happens when your aunt/mom/grandma/motherinlaw is the ward activities director.

This beautiful fruitfall was done by Marcy Burr and it looked amazing.

My darling niece Torrin and her cute friend Zoe performed several dance numbers together. They were a highlight of the evening.

Jaron & Trevon were two of the waiters for the evening. Ofcourse I didnt get Jaron in a picture but here is Trevon.

I got to be the lucky one who decorated for the evening. It was actually pretty simple but elegant. The Orange Patch let me borrow some things which was very nice. Thanks a bunch, Orange Patch. What it all came down to is, Finding Joy in the Journey.

Sister McClellan painted 14 portholes that we put around the room. They were each amazing but I chose two of my favorites to show you.

I thought this one was neat because she painted our ward name on the ship.

We had a place to take a picture of each couple or person who came to the party. I got to be the photographer for this as well. Here are Ray & Jerry.

Howard, Tiff & Tatum came as well.

Kellie was our special speaker. She did an Awesome job. We talked about relationships. Not just marital but family, co-workers, neighbors, ward family, and so on. The most important relationship being the one that we have with our Heavenly Father and his son Jesus Christ.

Jim & Carrie came to party with us.

Richard & Marcy had a great evening and are better people for having attended this great event.

Lunch with a friend

I had the pleasure of going to lunch with a good friend yesterday. It was so much fun. We only live about 10 miles from eachother and yet we just don't see eachother that often. Usually we just happen to run into eachother and we visit for a few minutes and go on our way saying that we need to get together. Well, we did it yesterday and it was delightful. Mandy and I grew up in the same little town of ShowLow. We were in the same ward and she hates it when I tell this but she was even my babysitter when I was a very young girl. Fun, huh? When I came to the valley she was my room mate for quite awhile. I now consider her a very dear friend. We have so many fun memories of those crazy single days. It was great to see you Mandy and we already have our next lunch date scheduled. (Oh, and a fun side note is that her two oldest girls and my two oldest boys go to the same Junior High and are even in the same grades. How fun is that!)

Too funny not to share

A friend of mine sent me this link and I thought that it was pretty darn funny. Check it out for a good laugh. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ygtBxhFc24A

Happy Valentine's Day

Blue & Gold

Tonight was our pack's Blue & Gold Banquet. The theme was American ABC's & we had a patriotic theme with hamburgers & hotdogs and all that goes with that. It was a fun family night. I like that Pack Meeting is geared for the whole family. Richard was our guest speaker and he did a fabulous job. At one point in the program our Cubmaster was talking about color and how when we see certain colors it reminds us of things. She asked the boys what colors they think of when they hear the word 'cubscout'. Camdon raised his hand and said purple & gold. Her eyes kindof raised up & she seemed perplexed by this answer since the cubscout colors are blue & gold. I think she quickly figured out that he must be colorblind, which he is. It was pretty funny though.

A nice day

I started off my day by volunteering in Camdon's classroom which I always love to do. He has a great teacher and he loves school. It is so fun to watch your child in a different setting from home. I then went to the temple with our Primary Presidency. I got to see my Uncle Fred who works in the temple on Wednesday's, that was neat too! I love to be in the temple, it just brings so much peace and helps you to put life into perspective. We all went to lunch afterward, Mexican food, my favorite. Spent time with the fam this afternoon and I got to watch LOST tonight, a show that I love. So, all in all I will say that it was a very nice day. How was your day today?

NBA JAM SESSION

This is where Jaron & Richard are spending the evening tonight. Our neighbors down the street called and had 2 tickets they were giving away. Of course they didn't turn them down and said, "Heck yah, we will go". Jaron was torn about this weekend because he has a scout campout which he likes to do but that he wouldn't be able to watch the all star games (hopefully I am telling this right because I don't follow sports at all). So, he was very excited to be going to this tonight!!! I am sure that they will have a total blast!!!

Rip Roarin' Party

Last night Jaron & Trevon had a 'game night' at our house and invited a bunch of friends over. 23 teenagers came for the party and I think everyone had a really good time.

Here is some of the action.
We played a guessing game, the name game, I know you, & the sign game.
There was never a dull moment.


Towards the end they went outside to play frisbee and run around. Hopefully our neighbors didn't mind too much.

It was a really fun group of kids.

I am glad that our boys have such good friends.

Our little hawaiian

Today was spirit day at school and 'Hawaiian' was the theme. Here he is decked out in his hawaiian gear. His brother Trevon let him borrow his hat which came from Hawaii. It is actually a plant that was weaved into this hat which we watched her do. Trevon bought it at the Polynesian Cultural Center as his souvenir. Camdon also has a hawaiian middle name just like his dad who was born in Hawaii.

Snow Campout

Trevon's scout group recently went on a snow campout. It would certainly not be something that I would enjoy doing but they sure had fun! Richard is one of the leaders over his age and it is nice that they get to do things together. Here is Trevon setting up camp.

Here they are trying to stay warm. The mother in me really comes out in this picture and I want to say, "Where are your shoes & socks?"
Oh, here they are. Drying their socks on the fire.

Uh huh, this is what happens when you put your sock to close to the fire. My dad always calls them Geacons inplace of Deacons. Pretty fitting in this case, dont you think?

Trevon & friends

It's funny when you get around fire, everyone seems to lose track of time and you could just sit there for hours staring at the fire and talking. I do love that about camping.

They got to go sledding. Here they are climbing back up the hill.

Notice that Trevon is knee deep in the snow. Brigham has lost one of his shoes, is walking on his pantleg and carrying his shoe. Geacons, I tell you.

Some of the group.

Trevon lost his shoe in one of the trek's back up the mountain.

Here it is full of snow.

Richard getting ready to go down.

They built a wall for a snow ball fight I think. Trevon holding the white flag probably so his dad wouldn't clobber him with snowballs.

They realized in the morning that they had set up their tent right on top of a little stream. If you click on the picture you can see it better. See what I mean about the Geacons.

This is Bro. Morris, Trevon's scoutmaster. He does a great job!