I Love You Gramps!

This post is a tribute to my sweet Gramps. He passed away yesterday, and will be greatly missed. I have so many fun memories with Gramps. I remember him as a big, tough, fun-loving, adventurous, and loving man. I remember him cliff diving into the Firehole in Yellowstone, diving into Jackson Lake and coming up to scare us. I remember him piling all of us cousins into the TravelAll and cutting firewood. I remember him driving the boat. I remember him taking immaculate care of his yard. I remember him loving his AirStream trailer and square dancing in Yuma (I wish I had seen him in person, but I did see lots of pics). His laugh was contagious. I remember him at my baptism and my wedding, and many events in between. I remember his love of photography. He took beautiful pictures. He had a twinkle in his eye that brightened any room. He leaves behind his beautiful bride Grams, his four children (and their better-halves), his 15 grandchildren, and his 15 great-grandchildren. I love you Gramps!!! I will miss you soooooooo much, but will look forward to seeing you again someday. I thank my Heavenly Father for allowing me to spend this life-time with you. Thank you for your love and example, I love you!!!!!!

Cougar Math Helps

Hey everybody!!! Justin and I recently went to see the principal of our school, Clinton Elementary, because we checked the school's test scores and they are not very good. He defended himself and the teachers, but did admit that there are scores that are too low. We talked for a long time and kept asking what his plan is to improve....we never really got an answer. He had me read the school's improvement plan (which is on the school's website), but I still didn't see a clear-cut plan. So, I opened my big mouth. Justin and I will now be a part of the plan to improve. Hahaha. For starters, I have put together a math website that parents can go to, to find math websites. These sites have everything from games to flashcards and worksheets. It also has important websites and links readily available and all in one place. Our school needs help, lots of help. If you could please go to the website for me, read it, check all the links, check my spelling and grammar, and leave comments (I can't figure out how to do the comment moderation so you can't see the comments......maybe someone knows and can help????), it would be greatly appreciated. If you have any ideas on how to make it better or more user-friendly please let me know!! Also, please let me know if you think it is a good resource, and if you, as a mom or dad of a student, would use it. And if you know of good math sites, please let me know so I can add them. The website is:
                        http://www.cougarmathhelps.blogspot.com/
Thanks everyone!!!!
And a heads up.....I will be setting up a math tutoring program here shortly. We need lots of volunteers. If you would be willing to help (I will provide all the materials. It will be during the school day, during each 2nd and 3rd grade teacher's math time.) please let me know. And tell everyone you know who goes to Clinton Elementary to check out the test scores and volunteer to help! Thanks everyone! With everyone's help we can make our school better for our children!!!
P.S. I would love to babysit your kids if it will allow you to help!!! And if we could do some trade-off babysitting that would be fabulous!!!

Drive up the Canyon

Awhile ago we drove up the canyon and enjoyed a beautiful day by the river. It was a gorgeous day!!!

We are not quite ready to give up summer, but a beautiful fall day does wonders for everyone.

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween!!!!!

This year we had a pirate, a ninja, Belle, and a hoola girl. So fun! We went over to my sister-in-law's house for dinner and trick-or-treating.

The cousins had fun being together!

I have to put this pic in! This is Tom and Mercedes, who take Halloween very seriously. They looked awesome!!

And NEVER buy black cupcakes!!!! This is what happens. Unfortunately her mouth wasn't the only black thing at the party. This terrible frosting got tracked all over the house and all over clothes and trick-or-treat bags. It was bad. Very bad. Very SCARY!!!

So, we had a great time! They are already counting down til Halloween next year.....only 363 days left to go!!! (According to TJ this morning =)

Disneyland!!!!!!

WARNING.....THIS IS A VERY LONG POST!!! (There were too many cute pics to choose from and I couldn't narrow it down, so I put a lot in.)

Okay, so on a Monday, Justin asked me how long the drive to Anaheim is. I said, "I don't know, maybe 13 hours, why????" And he said, "Let's go to Disneyland!" And I said, "......What!!!????" And then I said, "Okay, let's go to Disneyland!!!" So, we left on Wednesday (yes, that would be about 48 hours to pack and get all ready). We are NOT (okay, I am not) spontaneous AT ALL. So, it was hard for me to just up and go, but it was worth it! It was so much fun!!!

Above is our first pic at Disneyland, okay, well, in the parking lot. We are sooo excited!

After the boys went on their first ride we went and found this...awesome!!! Darth Vader, Darth Mall, it was great. Unfortunately, our boys didn't get chosen to get the training, but it was fun to watch.

Then it was off to Princess Faire, or in other words, Alyssa heaven. Sleeping Beauty is her favorite! Oh, this was my favorite part too!! It was so fun to watch her with the princesses. So cute! She LOVED it!!! It was worth the hour waiting in line.

Cinderella =)

Sleeping Beauty =)

So fun!!!!!

All the girls outside the princess land, so fun!

Back to boys....and Space Mountain! I love Space Mountain, they, unfortunately, didn't enjoy it as much as I did. For Halloween they had ghouls and ghosts projected on the space walls, and I didn't think it was that scary, but they did I guess.

Strike #2. The Haunted Mansion. Hahaha...look at TJ, he is scared already and we were still 20 min. or so from even getting in. They had the whole thing changed into "The Nightmare Before Christmas," which I don't like. Had I known, I wouldn't have dragged them in, but....oh well. They both kept their eyes closed pretty much the WHOLE time. Crazy boys. I thought it was funny. =)

Yay! A nap!

Off for some ice cream...yum!

This was the big Mickey Jack-O-Lantern, Happy Halloween!

The next day was Alyssa's birthday. She got to open her presents and had a little party.

She got mostly princess stuff and this is her new crown.

The inner-princess in me came out too!

That night we went to my all-time favorite restaraunt. It is called "Anthony's" in San Diego. It is right on the ocean and they have THE BEST SHRIMP IN THE WORLD!!!!! It melts in your mouth, it is amazing! Luckily, Alyssa likes shrimp, so it worked for her birthday.

While we were there this sail boat came in and docked right next to us, it was fun to see.

After dinner we went to Seaport Village, a fun little shopping village right on the water. There are fun little shops and the yummiest fudge. The hat shop was a definite hit. They have the greatest hats!!

Seaport Village was a success!

The next day we went to a cold and windy beach. It was cold, but it was still a lot of fun. TJ and Brenden were chasing seagulls and it was so funny. Justin and the kids played in the water, but wimpy me stayed dry. Kate and I just played on the blanket

Our hotel was about 2 minutes away from the San Diego Temple. It was closed for General Conference that weekend so we couldn't walk around, but it is gorgeous!!!

Sea World!!!!

This is in the shark aquarium.

Who doesn't love Shamu???? It has gotten really high-tec since I was last there. It is a great show!

Shamu again. And, it's Kate that doesn't like Shamu. She screamed through almost the whole thing.

I love this pic. It looks like TJ is petting this disgusting catfish, but it is through the glass.

The manatee. They are strange creatures.

Kate may not have liked Shamu, but she liked the penguins! (She must be mine....hehehe.)

I love the penguins, they are my favorite! I made everyone turn around and do it again. They are so cute!

 Alyssa wasn't big enough for most of the rides, so Justin took her to the Sesame Street play area at Sea World and they all went on this ride just for her. She actually really liked it. It was cute.

It was a really fun day and a fabulous trip! I could get used to this spontaneous thing!!!

TJ's Baptism

Last Saturday TJ got baptized!!!

He looked so cute (I mean handsome=). Can you be cute when you are an 8 year-old boy??? Anyway, it was so good to have all of our families up to support him. He did look cute and was excited. He doesn't much like having all the attention on him, so he was a little shy and embarrassed all day, but it was good for him. We are so proud of him for his decision and for the young man he is becoming. He is such a good kid. He works hard, helps a lot, is doing really well in school, and is a great big brother.

It was beautiful outside, even if a little chilly, but it was a fabulous day! Congratulations TJ, we love you!!!