How Does Your Garden Grow?

Well, it's that time of year again! A couple of weeks ago, we planted our garden. We didn't have very much success last year--we got two cucumbers and lots of watermelons. This year, we thought we'd try again and hope we have better luck! We planted carrots, tomatoes, snap beans, peppers, watermelons, and cantaloupes. A few plants have sprouted already, and are looking good, so we're feeling hopeful! We bought a little sprinkler system with a timer this year, so our garden won't have to suffer when we go out of town or when someone forgets to water it.

If anyone has any gardening tips they'd like to share, I'd love to hear them! I'll keep you posted on how our garden grows...

Sad Day

Our little hamster, Dozer, died last Tuesday. We're not sure why (he was only 5 months old), but he seemed to die peacefully in his sleep. It was a sad day for us--I especially felt bad for Charlie, who played with him the most and so willingly cleaned his cage and took care of him. I guess it is a good experience for the kids (especially the younger two) to get a better grasp of life and death. I think death is such an abstract concept for little ones--hard to wrap their minds around. It may sound silly, but I'm reminded of that well known phrase, "It's better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all."

Charlie's Pix

Since Charlie had a special birthday this year, we decided to have some special pix taken. Instead of going to JcPenny's like we do every Birthday, we had Chris Paxman take Charlie's 12-year-old pictures. Chris did such a great job, and it was so fun to have so many really good pictures and poses to choose from. I think Charlie looks so handsome all dressed up in his suit! This one is my favorite.

I jumped in a couple of pictures, and this is my favorite one of the two of us.

This one is Charlie's favorite pose (although he made sure to say he doesn't ever like any pictures of himself--this is the one he dislikes the least). He gave me permission to use this one for the wall by our front door.

Will Charlie be taller than me next year? It's bound to happen soon!

Love this kid!!!!

It was so fun for Charlie to be the star at his own photo shoot. Chris did a fantastic job, and I know he also does weddings, engagement, graduation, etc. You can check out his photography blog at http://paxmanphoto.blogspot.com/

Cade is Seven!

Here are Cade's Seven-Year-Old pictures.

Twilight Party

I really LOVE the book Twilight by Stephenie Meyer. It is one of my all time favorite books. I don't know why, but I just really, really love it. So I couldn't help but like the Twilight Movie too. I know it is not even one-tenth as good as the book, but I still really enjoy it. I saw the movie four times in the theater, and I was still excited for it to come out on DVD. Saturday was the big day, and of course we had to have a party to celebrate the occasion, and watch the movie together. It was so fun to giggle with the girls, compare notes on our favorite scenes, and share our gripes too (I am still bugged by Kristen Stewart's lack of emotion throughout the film.) Colleen was so nice to host the party, and we all enjoyed her big, beautiful TV. I made my special vampire "blood filled" cupcakes. Here's Tamra, Colleen, and I. We saw the movie together in the theater for the first time too (with Lani). I love my Twilight friends!!!! We had 2 Taras and 3 Stacys at the party. Kinda crazy, huh? Only one Cherene though (imagine that!) Here are Tara M, Tera K, me, Tamara, and April. Colleen made some red punch that we sipped through straws from styrofoam cups (you have to read Breaking Dawn to appreciate that).

Here are Stacie H, Lani, Tera K, and Stacy R. Lani and Tera have cool Twilight shirts on. See, Chuck, I'm not obsessed because I don't own a Twilight shirt (yet). :)

I really do love my Twilight friends!!! You can bet we'll be doing this again for New Moon...then Eclipse.......

Cade's Party

Cade had his Birthday Party at the Bowling Alley this year. I think he thought that since he's so good at Wii bowling now, he'd be a natural at real bowling. But swinging a heavy ball straight is a lot more challenging that swinging the Wii remote straight, so it wasn't as easy as it seems like it should be. :) Cade still had a great time bowling, eating pizza and cupcakes, and hanging out with his friends. Chase, Cade, Alex, and Kyle

He's happy!!!!

Cade's Birthday

Cade is now seven! His Birthday is March 9 (three days after Charlie's). Cade had a great Birthday. He wanted Orange Creamsicles for his Class treat, so that is what I brought in to his class at school that day. Then he came home and opened his gifts (two Webkinz, a DS game, a few toys, and lots of cash!) Then Chuck and I took him out to dinner. When I asked him where he wanted to go for dinner, he said, "Bahama Bucks!" I told him we could go there after dinner. So then he chose T.G.I.Friday's, which is good, because on Mondays and Tuesdays, you get a free kid's meal with any adult meal. :) Here is Cade with Dad. Cade is showing off his presents.

Gettin' a little love from Cheyanna

The three of us, ready to head to Friday's, then Bahama Buck's (FYI, on Mondays their special is buy 3, get the 4th free).

Cade is such a cute little guy. He is quite small for his age, but he has a BIG personality! He is very friendly, and talkative (he was so happy to have our undivided attention that night, he talked non-stop!) He is also very feisty and spirited. He does great in school--he's a terrific reader, and he does well in every subject (except penmanship). I feel so blessed to have Cade. He is a special little guy, who brings so much personality and life into our family. Happy Birthday, Cade!!!

Carson Goes Prehistoric

Another Field Trip! I decided to try to go on as many Field Trips as I could this year, since next year my schedule will not be as flexible (and I won't have much free time) while I'm in school. So this time, I headed to the AZ Museum of Natural History (which we always call the Dinosaur Museum) with Carson's 4th Grade class. One of the teachers came up with a scavenger hunt paper--where the boys had to find answers to the questions at the different exhibits. That made the trip a lot more fun, and we managed to find all the answers just in time. Here's our group in the jail cells. Kameron, Me, and Carson

Carson panning for gold. We did this first thing, and the boys had a ton of fun collecting their "gold".

It was fun to spend the day with Carson and his friends.

Science Projects

I thought having two kids do a Science Project this year was going to be extra stressful, but Charlie did his project totally on his own. Here's Carson with the display of his experiment (Which soda explodes Mentos the Highest?). I had to help him type and print out his project, and cut the background papers, but he glued it all on by himself while I was running a Wolf Den Meeting, and then at Book Club. Charlie's project was "Do Different Types of Music Affect Test Taking?" I helped him find a suitable math test, and burn a CD of different types of music, but then he did the rest. He did the testing at school during science class, and he graded all the tests himself and came up with the results. Then he typed and printed out everything, and put the display together all by himself. I love that his school has such a great technology program, so he knows his way around the computer really well. Charlie won Honorable Mention in his category (note the nifty blue ribbon).

I'm glad that's over (til next year)!

I Recommend...

OK, you all should know by now that I LOVE food. So I wanted to share with my friends my tips for the best of the best. I know no one is asking for my advice, and everyone's taste is different, but I can't resist giving you some of my recommendations. It's because I love you guys, and I don't want you to be missing out on something great! So I recommend...

My Favorite Flavor at Bahama Buck's: APPLE (By a mile! You gotta try it.)

My Favorite Flavor at Golden Spoon: Cafe Latte

Best Flan anywhere: Costa Vida (Have the Sweet Pork Salad first, then go for the flan.)

Most Addicting, Unbelievably Good Mexican Dish: Crab Relleno at Gecko Grill

Most Unique and Yummy entree at Nando's: Mushroom Enchiladas

My Favorite at Paradise Bakery: Veggie Sandwich

All-Time Favorite Restaurant: Carrabba's (Pollo Rosa Maria is top notch. I recommend Fettuccine Alfredo for your side, and Caesar Salad)

My Favorite Cheesecake flavor at The Cheesecake Factory (although it changes periodically):
Fresh Banana Cream Cheesecake

Best Menu Item at Filiberto's: Arizona Burrito

Best Flavor at Cold Stone Creamery: Birthday Remix

My Favorite Ice Cream Cake: Carvel

Best Potato Skins (although it's hard to go wrong with Potato Skins): T.G.I.Friday's

Best Philly Cheesesteak: Native New Yorker (Their wings are great--if you like getting all messy and putting a lot of effort into a little bit of food--which I don't.)

Best Pie: Caramel Pecan Silk Supreme at Village Inn

Best Chimichangas: El Charro (Country Club & Main)

Best Fish Tacos: Rubio's, but Del Taco's are pretty good too.

Best Salad: Raspberry Chipotle Salad at Crackers & Co. Cafe

My Favorite dish at My Fat Greek Restaurant: Mousaka (Soooo Yummy!!)

Best Seafood Dish ANYWHERE: Rock Shrimp at Dixie Crossroads in FL (Orlando and Titusville). If you ever make a trip to Florida, make sure you go to Dixie Crossroads. Broiled Rock Shrimp are the best!!!!

OK, that is my list of favorites. Did I miss anything? Let me know what you recommend. :)

Charlie's Ordination

Charlie had a really special day yesterday! In our church, when boys turn twelve, they can receive the Priesthood. So this Birthday was a really special one for Charlie, and he was so excited to be ordained to the Priesthood yesterday! Now he can pass the sacrament to the congregation each Sunday, and he can collect Fast Offerings (donations church members make to the poor and needy once a month). Charlie looked so handsome in his new suit, and I couldn't be more proud of what a great young man he is! Charlie and his Dad

Charlie is a great example to his younger siblings.

Me and my firstborn son (sniff, sniff). Have I mentioned how much I love this kid? :)

Charlie with his Granny (Chuck's Mom). We lived in Tucson when Charlie was born, so Granny got to spend lots of time with Charlie when he was a fussy little (not so little) baby. :)

Charlie with his Granddad (Chuck's dad), who he is named after.

Charlie's Birthday

For his party this year, Charlie wants to take some friends to Sunsplash this summer. So on his Birthday, he just had his two best friends, Chance and Alec, come home from school with him and hang out for the rest of the day. They played Wii, jumped on the tramp, played basketball, ate pizza, and Carvel Cake (below). Chuck and I also took Charlie out to eat the night before his Birthday--he chose Carrabba's (what a good kid!) and that was yummy. We all got Pollo Rosa Maria, and we all had leftovers for lunch the next day. :) Charlie got mostly cash for his B-day, but he also got some iTunes gift cards, some scout pants, some gift cards to Bahama Bucks and Golden Spoon, and the one and only thing he really wanted: the Jurassic Park movies on DVD. Charlie is pretty obsessed with all things Jurassic Park, but we only had the VHS versions of the movies, so he couldn't skip to his favorite parts easily (plus they didn't have any of the bonus features--like the making of the movies). So he is thrilled with the DVDs, and I think he had a really Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday Charlie!

Today Charlie turns 12! He is such a great young man, and I am so proud of what a good kid he is. Charlie was a HUGE baby (10 pounds, 6 1/2 ounces at birth), and he has always been tall for his age. He was a super fussy baby, then a terror of a toddler, then he turned into a good little pre-schooler, and he has been easy and a great kid ever since. WARNING: I'm about to brag! Charlie is one of those kids that is good at everything he tries. He is super smart, really athletic, musically talented, and all-around great! He is a born leader, and he tries hard to do what's right and set a good example for others. He is really responsible, and is so good to babysit his siblings for us, help me around the house (the boy can clean!), and do whatever is asked of him. I love him so much, and I am SO thankful to be blessed with Charlie as my son!

And now for a trip down Memory Lane.

Charlie at 3 months...One year old...

3 years old...

7 years old...

10 years old...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CHARLIE!!! XOxoXOXox