I am finally here in the desert state of Arizona...my home state. Ahh the pale blue skies and...palm trees...I know kind of funny.

Kind of weird how the Superstition Mnts blend in with the sky...gotta love that there are Walmarts everywhere...but I do love how there are orange trees everywhere here in Mesa...

My mom took me to the fabric store...love fabric, to bad I'm living from a suitcase and can only take THE suitcase home...

So I get to the ATL airport last night and waited and waited in lines...I was talking to this gentlemen and he said something that made me think twice when we went our separate ways...he said, "have a safe flight!" What? Who says that in and airport! I know it's one of those "break a leg" kind of lines, but I don't get out much, so I sure hope I have a safe flight...and I did. I could feel my lips start to crack and feel dry when passing over New Mexico and land in AZ. Yep, home sweet home, dry as the dirt on the ground. But it's what I called home for 19 years of my life...gotta love it!

This little guy is my sudo-Ammon for now. Nixon is such a sweetie pie...

banana faces are so lovable

Kylee , my sis-in-law, has a boutique and does her own clothing line called Rag Doll Clothing such fabulous stuff.

Grown up ties from china

We were driving down the road and I saw this guy with this bike, I had my mom turn around and go back, because I had to get a picture. His name is Joe and he builds these bikes. You can go to his website Phoenix Trike Works and take a look. I was kind of embarrassed to take these, although I'm sure he loved it, so I didn't get the shinny chrome pictures I wanted...the sun out here is so bright that this thing just sparkled! Humm to take a spin in this would be kind of liberating...or flash back from childhood hot wheels...can't decide.

The Crash...

This happened a few days ago. He was waiting for me and next thing I know...

Sweet Dreams Little One...

FALLing In Love With FALL

Ahh, my favorite season of the year! We are just now starting to see the first changes of the season. Leaves are falling and the weather is bearable! So nice to relax outside...and even crack a window open.

Nicer weather also means...kids go outside to play...yippee! I had caught Tarin sitting on a wall and tried to capture the feeling. Good thing you won't see the picture I took after it...she saw me and had a mad face on...she wasn't too happy with her older brother.

Ammon will always be the little monkey running around getting into things, good thing he's as cute as he is...I just might put him up for sale... :o)

The harder side of Fall would be the massive aunt piles that I have to treat. This one is a little one, because I treated all the mounds yesterday. It's hard with a little Ammon running around and standing on the piles...poor kid has many marks up and down his legs. Ants are vicious!

FHE Dessert

For Family Home Evening, their is one assignment everyone wants...to help with the TREAT! *Surprise* I love my Kraft Foods magazine that I get quarterly (because I'm a visual person and I like to see pictures of the recipes already attempted and staged) and the kids thumb through the dessert parts and pick what to make. This was our Boston Cream minis. So easy and so yummy. Tarin and I had a great time making them!

These minis were definitely a crowd pleaser!

When Gpa Came To Town...

... he spent the evening with us... and he started a wrestling match. This blur of a picture is exactly what it was...crazyness everywhere. Good times.

Poor Gpa, dogpile was the favorite game all night! Notice Jarom in the background taking off Gpa's sock preparing for torture!

A friendly game of arm wrestle... Soliciting help from Tarin did the trick.

Tarin decided to take a gander... You can see how siblings have always got each others back.

Entertainment provided by Jarom!

Daddy decided it was time to show who was boss...you can see how that ended, kids always want to help!

Again, the boys headed up the entertainment for the night...Ammon loves to wear everyones shoes...tonight was no exception!

Trivia Question

Guest Blogger for this evening...Rhonda is at work for a few hours so this is the fun I was treated to.

How many "Weapons of Choice" do you see in this Picture?




Think you know the Answer? One....Two....Three????? Think you've got it?

What is your answer? Did you say Two?

Well, if you answered "Three and a half"....you are right!!!

ANSWER KEY:

Weapon #1 - Plastic Toy Torpedo, used in swimming pools or bathtubs in this case

Weapon #1 1/2 - Ammon's Personal "missle"...this is gently hidden behind his belly for the sake of the children - great Camera Phone angle by me if I don't say so myself.

Weapon #2 1/2 - 3 1/2 - Ammon's "Homemade Torpedos"...one looks like a dud but one looks like it could sink the Titanic.

Gotta love parenting!!!

(p.s. The tub has officially been bleached now, it will re-open in the morning)

Raegan's First Soccer Game

Raegan was so excited to start soccer that she had her uniform laid out and ready for a full 24 hours before her game. She had been asking for over a year to play, so now that she has the chance she was all ready to make it the best.

At first she just kicked around, but after her first collide with a team mate that brought tears and pain, she was determined to make it a full game of determination.

I was so proud of her getting herself up front and getting her chance to make contact with the ball! That is why I took so many pictures, because she broke from the crowd that just follows the flow of the ball and went around to intercept. I hope this isn't a one game strategy...she was phenomenal! One play she made the actual goal, another she assisted. Here is her money shot! (She's leading the pack)

GOOOOOOAL!!!

It was a fun morning on the fields!

Gooooo Rockets!!!

Tired Boy

A few days ago, Ammon had a long day. He was up early and had a short nap...which lead to this result at dinner time...my kids are looney but I love them.

Toilet Paper, Oh Toilet Paper...

Not much to say on this post...the pictures say it all.

Labor Day Weekend

This entire weekend was a "forget the camera" kind of weekend. These pictures are courtesy of Trent's phone (turned out nicely for a phone). Sunday Troy and Kristin blessed baby Brynley so we were able to bask in the early church time. So nice. A very nice blessing and Sabbath Day. Congrats to their family. But of course I forgot my camera...as if I don't have enough to bring to church...Ha! For dinner we had all the family over. I love having people over and enjoying their company. Lots of great food and conversation.

For Labor Day, Gma W was still in town so we took advantage of it and planned a park day with the rest of the family. Besides the park restrictions of water guns and water balloons we were still able to play a friendly game of kick ball, toss a football and baseball around and play on the castle park jungle gym.

Rian was the "pitcher", with Gma and Missy and Tarin in the outfield.

Gma, sorry couldn't pass this one up...using her karate kid skills..."wax on, wax off"...Nick, Jarom, and Ammon in the background.

Rounding 3rd base.

Tarin mid-kick using the power of her ponytail...

80 water balloons fully loaded and ready to cause some damage.... we had to go over to the church grounds to enjoy these...

Rae being a big helper...

Finally the kids say their farewell to Gma W for her awesome visit. (She is also holding baby Bryn for those who might be thinking I snuck another child into our family...) Thank you Gma, we love you so much!