treasures in hidden spots

I was cleaning up my desktop and this is what I found.  My kids at the San Diego Temple. They were so little

 

 We were at Dave's sister's wedding and she had a candy bar. Connor was in Heaven!

 this picture was so cute because Ethan was so embarrassed that he was caught dancing with his sister.

 I love this she was so happy to be dancing with dad.

I love when I find gems like this. It's like finding money in your pockets when you do laundry, but even better!

14 years and still smiling

we celebrated 14 years married this weekend. i am sure lucky to have him. we had dinner at another one of our favorite spots Maggiano's then dinner with the kids at Grimaldis. We love yummy restaurants and scottsdale seems to have them all.  We stayed at the Scottsdale resort & spa. Highly recommend it.  Love you dear!

New home.

We said goodbye our home of 5 years and moved to a wonderful home close enough to walk to church.The kids didnt want to, but it has turned out to be a great decision. There are lots of friends from church around us and it's a great neighborhood. The house is great. The space is great. The yard is much easier to maintain because it's smaller. House is more to maintain, it's bigger. We are blessed. There is some fun perks to the house, like the jacuzzi which we are loving a place to cool off, maybe in the winter we will turn on the heat.

The kitchen had been totally overhauled to a fabulous state. Awesome kitchen island, with a large fridge, 2 dishwashers, double ovens,( awwwwwww so very nice) A pot filler, and great cabinets. Our friends designed the kitchen to their liking, and funtionality. They both love to cook and both Dave and I do, so it is a great space to work in.

Hard to believe all my gadgets fit!

The Yard is one of my favorite spaces. I spend so much time tending to growing things.

Here are my grapes from 2 years ago that died and came back.

Sunflowers I planted seeds straight in the ground and in 3 weeks they are over 2 feet tall. We planted about 10 seeds and they are all growing.

Spinach butter crunch, red leaf. Can't wait.

The Rosemary and zuchini and some Basil were here and we planted 2 more Basil from seed that I started about 8 weeks ago. Can't wait for my friend Carrie, to teach me how to make her yummy pesto.

We are loving our new home.

Cancer fundraiser

as an employee at the wonderful school my kids go to, We all had the oppourtunity to do our part for the fundraiser.....I was on the cheer squad. We had so much fun! and we made the paper. BOTTOM LEFT PICTURE- I'm in the top right!. We laughed and cheered and fun was had by all!

thankful...day 2

health...i am thankful for my health. i have taken up a new hobby...running. slowly but surely i am getting there. new kicks, new socks and i am off. my goal was to run a 5 k in 2012 well by march i had!(yeah me) run/walked a 5k and plan many more. i love that my companion is helping me. i am thankful to have the health to get up and go.  My family has been healthy and what a blessing. I want to get in better shape and be examples to my kids.  i'm getting there.  not going to lie, i am not excited to be running in the 120 degree arizona heat.  ouch i will stick to my treadmill with a fan blowing on me!

thankful day 1

family is key in my life. i am blessed everyday to call them my friends. i have friends. my friends that i do have, are my family! i am learning day by day that the people you surround yourself with are the ones that build you up and make you better and want you to be better.   i am thankful for the knowledge that we all make mistakes. in the words of a wise man - be kind to one another and just love each other.   aww wouldn't this world be a better place.

new church building

Our ward and stake has been blessed to get a new church meetinghouse. It is just beautiful. It is so new, that in the Dave's office only the clock is hanging, i am busy trying to decorate it for him so it's a little home away from home, since he is there just as much :)

Turkey break from school....

 White chocolate, peppermint oreos. Yummmmmm

Whole wheat homemade dough with Fresh basil from the garden, tomatoes &fresh mozzerela Martguerita pizza. A new family favorite

Parmesan bread sticks inspired by pizza factory in provo, utah.

monkey bread.. nuff said

Young Women's

Our Young Women's Thanksgiving Feast

I have been so blessed to be a leader in the Young Women's program. I am so thankful for this calling. I have been in over a year and love it. I am now the 1st counselor in our ward and I love it. We have funny girls.

good sport

I was a good sport at our makeup/ spa night for Young women's

 because I am a good sport ( never, but this particular night I was.)

 

I let the young women and my kids make me this hot!!!!

Ha. I looked like a Geisha girl gone bad. But everyone had fun.

bargain finds....

I found this book at a 2nd hand store for 2.99 and 50% off. so 1.49! i was so thrilled. I can't wait to make some of the sneaky recipes!  

Anyone use this book and have a favorite recipe?

summer of 2011.....

Girl's Camp

Dave's First trip to Girl's Camp...He was surprised, to say the least at some of the Girl's camp Events.....

( our buddies Zoila and Jared .....aka  Sister Schank & Bishop Schank w/ Bishop & Sister Hoopes)

He makes me so proud on the the pink toilet-  THE THRONE haha

The Buckeye 2nd ward, Young Women and leaders, and Bishop and Brother Gable ( 1st Counselor to Dave), Sister Rashedi, Sister Gable, Sister Gassaway

I didn't get to go to camp this year  despite being put into the YW program Last fall. I was called to be an advisor in the YW program, and This summer I was called to be the First Counselor in the YW program and I am hoping I get to the next time we have camp. It is such an inspired program!

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Family Reunion In Newport Beach, Ca

Yummy! He still takes my breath away.

  I am so glad he picked me.

 

 Our trip to Newport Beach for a family reunion.

Getting ready for our family picture, some still missing, apparently I don't have the Picture with ALL of us.

The Hoopes-Farrow-Dupree-Jackson Family Rocks!!!!!!

Best Family reunion ( and our 1st, but it will be hard to top, It was a blast!)

------------------------------------------------------------

Ethan's Baptism July 30th, 2011

                       

Ethan is the Cutest 8 year old ever! He loves his red glasses too which cracks me up!

 Zoi and Kary  Friends who stand by each other.  

 This is what makes the world go round, people who care through it all!  Love this woman!

Ethan was Baptized this summer into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. 

Nana & Pop & Aunt Kyley-  

Ethan's baptism gathering,

We are thankful that the Farrows, Tillery's Hoopes' Jackson's Dupree's and lots of friends came to see him baptized. We are thankful to have good people all around us!

Ethan & Sister Colleen Harris- he loved  Sister Harris as the Primary President.

Ethan & LANDON----Ethan's life revolves around Landon, He loves this kid, We all do, They are one day apart and the best of friends.  he cam to support Ethan on his big day!  Yes I know It's a surprise my kid is short! SHOCK ;)

Families are forever

Connor had his first 007 Party. They had so much fun!  A & A maxwell , Z & M Mcnelley, M kerr, M schank, and Connor & Ethan all dressed in black, and this was all the kid's idea of being in disguise!   We drop them off in the neighborhood and they have to make their way home to our house, with out being caught while we drive with big flashlights and find them! It is so fun.  Our ward does it with the young men, Cousin Tristan's Ward Does it and now we do it,  Our new favorite family game.

-----------------------

Connor is 12 & got the Priesthood, and went to Young Men's

Connor is 12- Which means this is the our newest Priesthood holder in the house!  He is such a good example to us all. ( He passes the sacrament for the first time today)

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Back to School & 

Father's Blessings

Tomorrow is the first day of school, so Tonight was Father's Blessings and preparing for a new year.   I am excited and nervous all at the same time for them!

Ashley & her Paddy- 10 1/2 going into 5th grade

Ethan & his Dad- 8 going into 3rd grade

Connor and his Dad- 12 going into 6th grade

(the 2 most handsome men ever)

---------------------------------

Phoenix Arizona Temple Ground Breaking  June 2011

David and I had the opportunity with the Bishops and Stake presidents in the area to go to the invitation only ground breaking of the Phoenix,Arizona Temple gound breaking. It was awesome.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Swimming with the Buckeye Bullfrogs again

My swimmers, I will add one of Connor's later

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Family

A & L are so stinkin cute together.

Brothers

David- Doug- Dan

We had a fun summer, we are so thankful for the blessing we have and the people around us that help build our lives in positive ways. Our family has lots of growing to do, but we are learning the  good people that need to help us and not hurt us.  We can't wait for new adventures!

july 4.2011

our july 4th rocked in Gilbert where its legal to have fireworkds.  I was a great fun family day!  These are the delicious cupcakes Gma made for ethan's 8th birthday.  We love the treats she makes!

 all these babies are the best company. we love to take turns holding these new little personalities.  i love them. i am so thankful they are part of our family.

 d getting his baby food on!   new adventures in the culinary world.

 honestly,  this is darling.  cuter than cute!

 my tinkjust out of the pool

my special firecracker. i love this man.

 Con, my buddy. he is such a good man. love him

I love this.  everyone was so excited

rocking the sparklers.

Millie and Bryce and K and K, cute and color coordinated. 

They are such a sweet family.