Happy Birthday Katon!!!

 My Katon Boy turned 11 on September 1st.  WHAT!  He is going to be a deacon in only 1 short year.  I feel old.  He is the greatest most obedient kid in the world.  Seriously I don't know how I got so lucky.  He has the sweetest spirit and is always so sweet to his mom.  Really I can't think of a time he has ever yelled or talked back to me.  He is my big man at home and helps out a ton with his younger siblings.  I can't help but smile when I hear Katon ask his little brother if he wants to play football outside.  To know that he chooses to spend his time with his younger sisters and brother makes a mom feel incredibly happy.  Katon you are one amazing kid and I am blessed beyond measure to be your mom! 

 Birthday Breakfast:

Crepes

Hashbrowns

Sausage

Orange Juice

Katon's midday giant cupcake! 

 Katon got to go to the ASU Football game for his birthday thanks to his Uncle Jason and Aunt Kristy.  He was so excited to go with his dad and Uncle Jason and Conner.  He had so much fun.

 Birthday Dinner at his favorite place Panda Express

 Opening gifts

 Loving his new electric scooter

 Happy Birthday Katon!  We Love You!

Katon's Favorites:

Color: Green

Food: Tostada's

Place to go: Dunes

Activity: Riding his dirt bike

Song: Tonight's gonna be a good night

Thing to do with dad: Ride Scooters

Thing to do with Mom: Play catch outside 



My Brother's

It was so nice having both of my brothers home and spend some time with them.  We love that JD is home from his mission and we miss Josh every day that he lives in Texas.

Cousin's

Braiden showing Chase how to use his daddy's IPad.

Elder Jarvis is Home

 My Brother is home from serving 2 years as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Kentucky.  This day couldn't come soon enough for our family and we all about died waiting for him at the airport.  It was a great feeling seeing him after 2 years.  It is so fun having hime home and seeing all the postive changes in him from the mission.  He is such a great brother and the best uncle.  We Love You JD!  Welcome Home!!

Steven's Birthday

 My hubby turned 30 on August 17th.  It was a crazy day given that my brother was coming home from his mission on the same day.  It stressed me out all day but we managed to squeeze in all the events and excitement.  One good thing was he took the day off of work so we got to spend the whole day with him on his birthday.  We went to breakfast, then the airport, to my parents house, back home, then to a late night movie!  It was a crazy fun filled day! 

 When all was said and done I had made 3 different cakes for various birthday celebrations.

 I don't know why but this picture makes me laugh.

 Happy Birthday my Love!

Happy 30th Birthday Steven!  We Love You SO MUCH!!!

Steven's 30th Birthday "Party"

 So apparently 30 is a big number.  I had a hard time deciding what to do for Steven's Birthday.  I went back and forth for months with different ideas.  Finally after realizing our family and living situation I decided to do something low key.  Steven has to be the most difficult person to surprise.  But I actually pulled it off this time.  I had a babysitter for all day and planned a day away with various activities that were already decided on.  Steven loves when I make decisions since I am the worlds worse decision maker.  The first stop for Steven was an hour massage.  How could he not love that.  So I dropped him off and said I would be back to get him.  Next was some lunch and then on to As You Wish Pottery.

 We each picked out a piece of pottery to paint for each other.  Might sound corny but we had the funnest time.

 Next we headed to a comedy club where Steven was surprised with some of our closest friends that spent the rest of the evening with us.  The comedy club was hilarious and then we all went to dinner at Oregano's. 

 We ended the night at home visiting and having cake and ice cream.

It was a super fun day with an equally fun evening.  Happy Birthday Babe!

34 Weeks...

I have made it to 34 weeks.  I can't believe this baby will be here in 6 short weeks.  My life right now is so upside down I have not had any time to mentally prepare for a new baby.  I can't even wrap my mind around the idea of having a newborn.  I am anxious and so excited to have him or her but I think I might want to see the baby and then have it put back in and give me a little more time to enjoy pregnancy and prepare myself.  To bad we have no choice in the matter.  Regardless I can't wait to hold this precious baby!

Making Jam

 My sister Kristy and I had a fun day making Strawberry Jam.  It was a lot of fun spending the day with her and the jam turned out oh so delicious.

First Day of School...

  The kids started at a new school this year.  To my surprise I learned that Katon would be going to a different school than the girls.  I guess Queen Creek has an elementary school (K-4), a middle school (5-6) and a junior high (7-8).  Weird, I know.  But regardless Katon was stoked to be going to what he thought was a school for bigger kids.  We were living with the Kemptons while we waited for our house to close and so I drove 2 hours in the morning and afternoon taking my kids to and from school.  The big problem was Katon's school started 40 mins. after the girls.  It was very taxing and I was done after a week but had to do it for over a month. The kids were excited but nervous for their first day.  They looked so grown up all dressed in their best.  The best feeling was picking them up at the end of the day and seeing big smiles on their faces and them telling me all the good stuff about their new school.  All in all they had a great day and had already made friends.  I wish I could make friends the way kids do!

 Kayla- 2nd grade

 Mikelle- 4th grade

 Katon-5th grade

A Sad Goodbye...

 I knew this day was coming and I thought I was so ready.  I was tired of being a single mom for the past 4 months while Steven started work in the valley.  But when moving day came I realized how much I would miss my home.  The memories of holidays, birthdays, having bonfires right in our backyard, the track Steven built that the kids would ride their quads on almost every day, painting and decorating, the amazing and hard work Steven did on the yard, watching football games in the movie room, BBQ's, playing speed on our front carport, the visitors that stayed with us, letting the kids run free outside and not worry, having crazy but good neighbors, planting our first garden and loving all the vegetables it produced, enjoying the beautiful summer weather outside, and all the fun ordinary day to day memories we will cherish.  Show Low was good to us the last 2 years.  We made lifelong friends, loved our ward (I will miss my yw like crazy), loved the schools, loved the area.  We know it's the right move but funny how when you leave all the memories come flowing back.  We will miss Show Low but are more excited for the future! 

Cousins Party...

My amazing grandma Sue put together a patriotic cousins party in her home. Equipped with delicious food, fabulous company, fun games, and even prizes. We had a blast getting together and visiting. Can't wait for the next one!

Thank you grandma for all your hard work putting this together. We love you mostest!