Catch- up...

October came and went, then November came and went and what the heck it is December - shame on me... I woke up and I am pretty sure someone stole a month from me, I think it might have been October and that week of beach camping... anyways some documentation is better than none right.

 Ty turned 12 on October 27th and got ordained a deacon on the 28th, I cannot believe I have a Aaronic priesthood holder.  He looked so handsome in his suit and he is making friends in the new ward. After he received the priesthood, my mom and dad, and the Augustin's came over for steak dinner, it was so low key and enjoyable, I sometimes wonder why it seems we need to have an excuse to have the people we love over.  The first week he was to pass the sacrament he woke with a massive migraine  (they have been coming more and more often I don't know if it is the weather, pollution or his "changing body" hehe),  the next week was the state stake conference so he didn't pass until the 18th of November.  He was so nervous because he wasn't sure of the procedure but we got to church early and one of the deacons took him under his wing and showed him the ropes.  I am so proud that he takes his duties serious and he performs them with reverence and respect.  I love this boy of mine.

Taylor went to her senior homecoming, she went with Brandon Perez her boyfriend at the time, now he is just a friend that is a boy.  She looked gorgeous and she had a good time.  She has been busy applying to colleges and for scholarships   She has been officially accepted to N.A.U. with $3500 a year guarantee she is certain that she will be able to get more, I hope so anyways, she is carrying a 5 AP classes and a "just" human biology and getting straight A's hopefully the money will come.

Kyley turned 15 and a half and Loren took her down to DMV to get her permit, but I forgot you need your SSN and I don't have my kid number's memorized so she was not able to get it. Kyley was bummed but we will get it soon, I need her driving by the time Taylor leaves for school.  She is also rocking the straight A's. She has her 5th hour class right next door to my class so I get to see her every 5th hour, I love it.

Wyatt is Wyatt, I ask him about his heritage report and he tells me  "you know what's weird " I love it when he starts off like this... He says "right after I gave my report a kid that was just a MINOR friend gave his and then we started talking and now we are those kind of friends"  I am thinking so Wyatt promoted this kid to the "show".  He then explains the rules of friends, " There are 5 levels of friends, you got ONE best best friend, a few best friends, lots of minor friends..." you get the idea, love this kid's thought process.

Other highlights, Halloween, it was in the middle of the week so no major celebration, Kyley & Taylor went to friends house, I took Wyatt  trick or treating.  Ty met up with friends from the ward, they both got lots and lots of goodies.

 Goodman reunion - November 11th Grandpa's birthday and the first year both Grandma and Grandpa we not there, I am sure they were smiling down at their posterity.  This was the first reunion, because when they were alive it was a birthday party.  I love seeing all my cousins it makes happy.

The "Big 4" Uncle Steve (US) Uncle Jim (Bishop) Aunt Katrina and Dad

 The girls - Laura, Karrie, Mom, Me and Dyan

Thanksgiving - November 22nd (too early)  came and went - I have so much to be thankful for.  We ate at my parents house first then on to Loren's moms house.  I feel so blessed to have not one but two great families.  We changed our thankful list tradition a bit to where we sat around the table drinking our "wine" (apple cider) and just saying what we were thankful for.  The rules evolved to where when one said something the rest had to say something that started with the same letter, no repeats allowed, family, faith, freedom, friends... My favorite was mine, I said VACATIONS now everyone had to say something that started with V - Wyatt -  vi... something you know a one hump camel, (start laughter) Kyley  - Voldermort, Taylor - Vermont Ty - I can't remember, Loren - Valiant warriors.  It was a fun time.

All the Goodman Grand kids except Ryan (the oldest) he couldn't make it

 Mission homecoming - November 28th - Kendall (our nephew, Jody and Kurt's only son) came home from Africa.  We were at the airport and then over to his house Thursday and Friday.  We are the closest to the Augustins and it was so so good to see him and hear his stories.   I babysat these kids when Loren and I were first married now they have kids of their own.   His church homecoming is Sunday and I look forward to hearing more.  Life is good.

Beach Beach Beach

 

 We hit Carlsbad Beach again this fall break and it was wonderful. Loren had the entire week off, the weather was nearly perfect, the company was great what more could we ask for? The boys and I went to the beach every day Monday - Saturday we had a storm on Thursday, pretty bad, Loren and I were at Sports Authority getting another awning when the kids called, I guess a huge thunder cloud hit the campsite, blew over our huge 20xbig white awning,and our umbrella and was dumping water. The camp host said he looked out over the water and saw a "twister" said it was crazy, we hurried home cleaned up, ate soup, the sun came out Taylor and Kyley hit the outlet shops for some shopping and the boys and I hit the beach. 

 

Tay, Ky and Wyatt hung out in their tent alot Kyley was reading Harry Potter #7 so she was engaged in her book, it is a good one so I understand.

 The Ricedorffs joined us for the fist part of the week, they left on Wednesday, Dyan asked if 8:30am was too early to be at the beach, the answer is a definite no.  One of the days Ryan borrowed the camp neighbors surf board and gave lessons to whoever wanted to try, it was awesome to watch.  Ty got up, looks like a pro, Taylor got up for a split second  she needs a little more work.

Kyley, Kate, Taylor and Ella my big girls played with the little girls so much

 

Jay and Wyatt the best of friends and not one fight - success!

 

Jake and Ty - the water was a little cold but really not bad.

 

 

 

We woke up each morning pretty early, ate bacon, egss or donuts,  took a walk, maybe a little long board until it was time for the beach.  Taylor looks like she belongs here.

 

 

Taylor and Kyley went to Knott's Berry Farm with the Browns, we asked Wyatt if he wanted to got and he said he had enough at Sea World and Ty said "I'll try."  I thought I am not spending money if they don't want to go - Taylor and Kyley were mad, saying "you ruined it for us.."  Uncle Steve and Aunt Cindy had extra room so they included Taylor and Kyley and guess what we did - yep the beach.  Wyatt was a liitle bored and was complainign a bit, I told him there are 365 days in a year and we get maybe 10 to spend at the beach so get your suit and lets go.  He was there 5 minutes until he was in the water "body boarding" playing the game with Jay where when a wave comes they just plug their nose and gets flipped around - Dyan and I call that getting hit by a wave, but what ever floats your boat.  I played in the ocean more than I have in a long time, the water was "warm" for California I gage it by how long it takes to get in the water, only a few minutes.  The waves were great made for some good boogie boarding, I wiped out at least once each time I went in and I have the bruises to show for it, but it was so much fun.

 

Kyley just missed a wave -she is so cute

 

 



Look at that wave - it was like this everyday- Friday being the best, Ty and Afton were pros, posing trying to do 180's it was fun to try to keep up.

 

 

The last night there was Barrett's 14th birthday so we all went to the park.  When we got there there we were greeted with a banner "Siar Geata of Amtgard" ?? There were grown men running around in reniassance like costumes "jousting" and acting out "fights" we laughed and sat down to watch.

 

 

 The only picture of Loren and, I look how handsome he is and how tan we all are, the tan will fad fast but the memories will last.  I am a little sad because next year Taylor will be in college, hopefully she can make it for a few days .  Loren asked, "how many days until your get tired of this"  I can say not after 7 (but it was nice to dress with dry feet after your shower.)

 Goodbye beach - until next year!

Family

I have thought a lot about family lately and how thankful I am for mine... but since we have moved our internet is hit and  miss (it drives me crazy since Loren works for a communications company and we would get the best for free if only they came out to the "country" ugh - I digress) 

Couple of Sundays ago Loren wakes me with a Diet Coke and the Sunday paper, I love love love reading the Sunday paper slowly, not just the headlines, but we haven't had it in a couple months.  I think I have made a passing comment here and there but I did nothing about it - Loren did and what a wonderful cool morning, sitting out by the pond sipping my Diet Coke reading the paper.

Then last week Taylor was staying with my mom while my Dad and Matt were hiking the canyon and as I drove into school alone it hit me and hit me hard I only have a few short months until I no longer get to ride with Taylor in the mornings thank goodness I still have Kyley for a couple of years.  I love riding to work each morning with my girls, I love walking into school after we have been laughing or dodging rain drops, or singing songs or gossiping I love working where my kids go to school. 

I love ALL my family, my immediate, husband and kids, my mom, dad, brothers and sisters, in-laws, my extended family of aunts uncles and cousins.  Last week my Dad, Matt, Dyan, Jeremy,Kelli, Mike two of his kids Bryant and Tanner, Jodi ,Jimmy,  Willy and  Luke  all hiked the canyon, I have yet to make the 24 mile rim to rim hike maybe one day but I doubt it - anyways last week my dad had trouble making it out, dehydration set in and he actually had to be air-vac out.  It was a scarey 24 hours not really knowing what was going on, Taylor was staying with my mom so  I drove out to be with them.  If we weren't' worrying about my dad it would have had fun, but what amazed me was the support from everyone, Matt and Jeremy stayed with dad and as dad laid in the "hospital" bed at Indian Springs 4.5 miles from the top, Matt and Jeremy got the hard ground outside, I didn't hear them complain but rather comment how cool it was to be able to sleep in the canyon during a full moon.  Uncle Jim and  Aunt Diane "happen" to get a room, (I am sure the Lord had a hand in all this)  Jim hiked 4.5 miles to check on dad then 4.5 miles out while Diane drove around for at least an hour looking for the heli-pad. Text back and forth from family members I actually talked to every one of my siblings that weekend.  I am sure many many many prayers were said as he made it out just fine with a story to tell. I am just thankful for family, I guess that is what it is all about.

Sea World - July 9-12

While I was at my AP conference 8 hours a day, Loren and the kids spent it at Sea World, they got 7 day tickets and spent 4 low key mornings exploring Sea World, I was a little jealous, but I loved hearing about their adventures when I got home. I guess Sea World had some new rides Wyatt and Ty were a little stressed to go on them but they did.  I am so proud of them, this ride was Atlantis and I love love love the facial expressions on all the kids especially Wyatt (I think he is ready to cry) and Loren just cracking up -  this goes down as a classic in my book.  They got to see all the shows, all the animals, they rode all but one ride even,the Bay Side Sky Ride heck they even spent time in the Sesame Street area enjoying those crazy rides - he he.  I am so glad my kids had this time with their dad and that they got to experience while I got to re-learn all about derivatives :)

In front of the shark teeth - heck that shark could almost eat them all in one bite.

Hanging with Shamu!

The Polar Bear - they all loved this exhibit.  I guess he caught a fish right in front of them, Loren said it was so cool, they were the only ones around at the time.

 I love the pictures where the kids aren't posed, you get he real them .

No screams on this ride - unless they are all faking it. ps - Wyatt is standing right here while I type and he said "Yeah I was faking it I was scared at first."  

California 2012

I was asked in April if I wanted to attend the AP Calculus conference in San Diego  - well although four 8 hour days of calculus sounded like a blast, being that close to the beach yet so far caused me some concern -  like will I be able to focus?  Then I found out I was the only one in my department  going so that meant I did not need to share a hotel room which meant I got to bring the family and make a vacation out of it.  I am pleased to say that I was able to focus (most of the time) and I refreshed my knowledge of calculus and Loren and  the kids partied it up during the day.  My only rule was the family had to be rested enough to do something else at 4 when I got done, and they obliged.  Here we are  on the last day of the conference, Loren and the kids met me at USD campus to eat lunch and walked around.  University of San Diego is a private Catholic university and it is absolutely beautiful, the grounds should be with a $50,000 a year tuition.  Taylor was in heaven, I told her we only have to win the lottery, her grades are already good enough to get her in.  We met a USD student and she said "everyone is on scholarship at least $20,000" well a $30,000 tuition is much more reasonable (sarcasm).

Busy August

I guess I only have a few days left to get a post for August - as I have said in the past August is my least favorite months of the year - no holidays, it is hotter than snot and something always seems to happen... Last year it was our AC going out, this year we chose the hottest weekend to move.  Yes we moved from our old farm house to a newer farm house.  We are excited but we have been busy busy busy.  I still have many pictures from our California vacation in July to post and hopefully some on the new abode.  The kids all started school, heck Tay, Ky and I are over half done with the quarter.  Ty is not playing football this year, my fault I didn't get him signed up in time but in reality it has been a relief with the move and all.  Wyatt starts flag soon and it will be October break and beach camping here before I know it so I will survive yet another August.

4th of July

I had pretty low expectations for the 4th this year as we were in town.  It fell on a Wednesday and so no cabin or California for us.  I wondered what we were going to do - well my worries were for nothing.  First we didn't make it to the cabin but the cabin weather came to us.  It was the coolest 4th of July in all my 41 years.  I sat outside at 2:00 in the afternoon and read a book.  It was overcast, we had a good rain, mix that with the cool weather and if you closed your eyes you would swear you were up north.  I did close my eyes to say a prayer of gratitude for this country, our little piece of  land  and my family - I am truly blessed.

Half of my brothers and sisters were out of town so the ones that were my parents invited over to swim at Steve and Cindy's and eat so Dale and his family, Joe and his family, Matt and us celebrated in style.  I hadn't been to Steve and Cindy's pool  in a while it brought back so many good memories of every single summer day spent there.  Loren even told Kyley - "I use to make out with you mom her."  Kyley gave us a face of disgust - ha ha.  Here are our kids and  Durham atop the waterfall, ready to jump in.  Love it!   We headed back to my parents house for some steak and corn on the cob, good conversation and some "Fun Facts" about the 4th of July provided by Joe, Debbie asked the question.. "Fun for Who?"  We laughed, ate, sat outside (again because we could - the weather was so nice.)  We took off early becasue when we headed into "town" we noticed that huge fireworks  were going off by our house and we wanted to beat traffic.  Mission accomplished.

As we got closer, Loren suggested we hook up the boat and go to Perry and watch  - we were all in, since the 'works were close to our house but our trees prevented us from seeing them.  The boat would get us up high enough that we would be able to see them from farther away.  It was perfect!  Yes those are blankets, although I didn't think we needed them ,the kids were "cold" on the 4th of July in Gilbert, Az what in the world.  I  enjoyed hanging with my family guessing the color of the firework before it burst into color, we had to change the rules about that game to the FIRST color since they often changed and heated debates over who was correct ensued.  Since we were so close there was no stress, we headed home and the boys slept in the boat  - I told them this would be the only chance to sleep in the boat this summer, all other nights will be to hot.  I love this country and I love our freedom and I love my family.  Happy 4th!

Summertime Week 2

Tate, Jonah, Ty at Perry Pool

We had another great summertime week.  Ty and  Wyatt  would  wake at 7:15AM, and since Perry High is hosting summer school, the federal free breakfast and lunch program is held there, so we  would leave for weight training a little early and grab breakfast.  Usually a donut, cereal, chocolate milk and  apples.  Ty's friend Jonah is doing weight training with him so after they would come to our house and  recover on our king size bed (yep still in the living room).  From there they would  go to Tate's, head back to Perry for lunch then to swim for 3 hours, then... Monday it was the movies, Men in Black, Tuesday it was Scouts, Thursday it was Tate's swim meet not home until 9:00PM or later, he is one tan fit boy playing the day away, I love it.

Wednesday we took it easy and didn't swim until 3:00 at Dyan's house.  They have a great pool, thanks for the invite.   We were really doing a two-for since it was the Goodman Girl Cousin Night Out.  Jodi put it together, Aunt Diane opened up her house, Karrie made the drive down from Prescott Valley Dyan, Rita, Kelli, Mom, Aunt Cindy, Afton, Barrett, Sierra and I got together.  Most brought a "favorite" gift to exchange, we all ate and we all laughed.  I laughed so hard I had  tears and had to catch my breath, those good  kind  of laughs, I love these people, I wish Laura and Katrina's girls (Kristi, Kim and Kathryn) could have made it.  All the while the boys swam, not home until 9:30 another perfect summer day.

Friday we took it easy, we swam with Durham, Raulin and  'Gregor, watched TV, went to Rubios and just recovered from the week.  Loren left for his California fishing trip on Thursday, hope he is catching lots.  The girls were off at girls camp, they just got home today.  It was Taylor's last time at girls camp, I am a little sad, she has loved it and  I have only heard  great things about her being a leader and including everyone.  Kyley was a 4th year (the best year) they are all off  by themselves  and she got to go horseback riding, repelling, canoeing, cliff jumping, shoot a gun, shower everyday, no 12 year old drama,  she came back loving  it.  Like I said another perfect summertime week.

Summertime

 Our first full week of summer was busy indeed. 

 I had a mini math training at ASU  from 

Wednesday to  Friday.  I hadn't been on the 

campus in 20 years.  I have been to the football 

stadium, but not walking around eating at the 

MU going into the math and engineering 

buildings, it felt strange but good.  Many

 memories came back and I am amazed how

 much has change and how much building is

going on. It was a good class, I am now

motivated to do some better teaching.

While I was expanding my mind the older kids were expanding their wallets. Taylor Kyley and Ty worked the concession stand for someone in our ward whose mother owns a dance studio and this weekend was  their recital at Queen Creek High School.   Taylor and Kyley had worked for them for a couple of years now but it was Ty's first year as he was finally old enough.  Ty was excited heck when you are 11 working concessions if fun.  Taylor was just going through the motions, she has had a little more life experience.  They worked from 2-10pm Thursday-Saturday and came home exhausted but all the richer for it.

Wyatt is now 8 so he had  cub scout day camp.  They met at 1:30 and were gone until 10:30pm.  It was his first time and he enjoyed swimming , shooting BB guns and bow and arrows,  but his favorite was the ongoing water balloon fight between the boys.  He told me Thursday night and that you can get 50 balloons for a $1 and his little mind was working out how much he could get for $10 or $20 etc... I said to stick to a dollars worth.  Well Friday I get a call from the leader, she said Wyatt just slapped down a $20 bill and said "give me 1000 balloons"  she stopped him in time and limited it to only a dollar.  It made me laugh, thank goodness for good attentive leaders.

What this meant for me was that when  I got home from my class at 4:30 the house was empty.  Loren was working and all the kids were gone, it was strange but I enjoyed my down time.  Watched a few TV shows, did a little cleaning and enjoyed the quiet.  Friday Loren and I went out to dinner and Saturday we ran some errands.  He needed to drop stuff off at his mom's house and since we were "in town" we stopped by my parents house too.  It was a quiet visit and we were talking about the photos that were gathered from Grandpa and Grandma Goodman's house, my parents showed us their wedding photo and how faded it had gotten and how it needed some "digitally remastering".  Loren said he'd take it and  scan it and play with it.
Well here it is don't they look great.  The before picture they looked to be wearing yellow dresses and you can't even tell that the flowers were pink. Their 44th year anniversary is coming us June 20th, they are still so happily married, I hope with dad's retirement they stay that way (JK)  They have always been an example to me on making a marriage work and I am thankful for them for that.

Groom Creek

What a wonderful wonderful weekend, I couldn't ask for more.  Friday we had Grandma Goodman's funeral and although I am sad for me I am sure,  as was stated several times, she is dancing in heaven with grandpa.  I learned a few things about grandma but my favorite story was from Uncle Jim  about  the one and only time he saw grandma ride a horse.  Now I knew she grew up in a farming family  (she was also the pool hall owners daughter - didn't know that) and I am sure she had to learn to ride but she was always so put together and always looked so nice I could never see her on a horse . Jim says he was out riding and grandma and grandpa pull up in the truck  and grandma says she wants to ride, Jim got off the horse and grandma got on, then Jim says grandma took off, not walking it, not even a trot, but a full on gallop, reared the horse up with his front feet pawing in the air, turned him around galloped back, hopped off  gave a little smile and never said a word.  I love it, there was  so much about grandma I did not know.

Saturday we took off to the Prescott cabin in Groom Creek.  We hadn't been up in several years and I missed it.  Prescott is such a fun town, we walked around the court yard, bought some earrings and kettle corn popcorn.  When we drove up Mt. Vernon where all the Victorian style houses we discussed what house we would want to have.  We swung on the big swing, played in the meadow, had some mean games of wiffle ball, drove up to the old gold mine and explored, watched Jungle Book and Cinderella , read, visited and just enjoyed the beauty of the mountains.

The Platts live in Prescott Valley about 20 minutes away so they drove up on Sunday and hung with us.  We played a game of kick ball and my foot is bearing the scars.  Girls vs. Boys - the girls lost but we had fun.  Karrie, Jeremy, Loren and I went back to cabin and the kids started another game, well I guess some "big" kids started playing along and words were exchanged.  This is what happened  as told by Ty, Jake, Wyatt and Kyley...

• Well, those big kids didn't know how to play wiffle ball, they were saying that if you catch a foul ball in the air its not an out and they were trying to tell us if you swing and foul and the ball hits you then you get a base, then the worse of all  they were throwing fast balls to Hannah (6 year old).  Well the "big" kids called Jake an a**hole and started cussing so Wyatt steps in and says "you all need a bath 'cause you all stink.. at wiffle ball."  I guess they run to tell Kyley about it and those boys are glaring at them across the meadow so Kyley turns to them and waves with a cheesy smile and the "big" boys flipped them off.  So Ty raises his index finger and Kyley starts yelling "we're number one."  The big boys gasped and that was then end of it.  We heard the kids coming into the cabin discussing if they were going to tell us about it.  They didn't immediately but when I asked them a couple hours later they got all animated I  wish I could have recorded their telling because this does not do the story as told by Ty, Wyatt, Kyley and Jake justice.

 Good times good times.. I am glad they dealt with it on their own and they stood up for themselves and each other.  I wish they weren't exposed to cuss words and punk kids but we are all going to and it is stuff like this that binds the cousins, they will be talking about his incident for years and I am sure it will get bigger  and better each year.

We took off early Monday since Kyley has three finals tomorrow and Taylor has one, yes we have two more days of school.  It was a great weekend and I hope to make it back to Groom Creek often. We stopped at Freddy's burgers when we got into Gilbert and they were doing a fundraiser to help the WWII veterans since it is Memorial Day and all.  We got our food and Loren noticed a WWII vet wearing a Iwo Jima hat and he went over to talk to him since his grandpa Chesly's was on Iwo Jima.  The vet came over and visited with us and our children and I got a little teary as I thanked him and for his service to our great country, I hope my children know how lucky we are to live her and the cost many have paid to keep us free.  God Bless  America.   

My Dad's Retiring

After 20 years of teaching - molding the young minds of today my dad is calling it quits.  He opened Stapley Jr.High was there through my youngest brothers Matt and Joe, several of his nephews, his grandchildren, now great nieces and countless neighborhood kids.  I can only imagine how many kids were happy to see a familiar face one that they not only see in school but in church and around the neighborhood.  I am going to miss getting a daily e-mail from my father, a little tradition we started a couple years ago when I needed to get a hold of him, I am just sad we didn't start sooner and I am really sad that I will only get 4 more messages from dagoodman@mps.com.

We knocked around the idea of a party but as it took shape it became a surprise party and as Gomer Pyle would say it was a "Surprise Surprise Surprise."   All his children, and grand-kids (minus Ryan and  Austin) all his brothers and sister and a few nieces and  nephews crammed into the kitchen to surprise him as he walked  in the back door, it was priceless!  You could tell on his face that he really had no idea, then the festivities began.  I think it was a form of torture keeping all the kids in the house - we couldn't have him drive up and see all the kids out playing he would know something was up, we even parked  different places  - he really had no idea. I think it was better than Christmas, there was more day light for sure for the mean game of wiffle ball played between all the cousins, it was great.  The grown-ups sat on the porch and watched and visited, last night had to be a glimpse of heaven. It was a  fun excuse to get together.  I am so happy for my dad and his next phase of life.

Afton, Rowan, Jay, Friend, Ty, Jack, Raulin

Mcgregor ,Annie, Kate, Keelie, Hadlie, Ella

Grandma Goodman

My Grandma Rita Allred Goodman passed  away last night - she was 94.  She lost her husband my grandpa just10 months ago.  They were both retired teachers and grandpa passed away the first week of this school year and then grandma goes the last week of this school year, I told my dad that they should know better since they were both teachers and know how busy those weeks are :)  I think I get through grief with humor.  I am just sad I didn't get to see her one more time but I am sure the reunion with grandpa was sweet, I bet those last 10 months seemed like eternity when you have been married 72 years.  It is comforting to know that they now have eternity together and they will never be separated again. 


Grandma was a school teacher, she retired  when I was little and she gave our family much of her 1st grade materials.  I remember spending hours and hours in the summer playing "school" with all her old papers. Kelli and I were the teachers of course and  Dyan, Karrie and Jodi were our students - boy we were good teachers but only because we had tons of worksheets from Grandma Goodman. I come from a line of teachers and  I have always felt a special connection to grandma and grandpa - I can't believe my dad will retire from teaching this year and I am almost done with my 19th year I get to "play school" every day. 

 I remember grandma taking Kelli and I shopping before school one year and she actually bought us a shirt that said "kiss me" on it and whats worse is that we wore it, what were we thinking.  I remember trips to the cabin, I sure it was with Kelli and learning how to play Rook  - boy I thought I was  so good. 


Grandma always had perfectly manicured nails and just a few months ago when I went to visit I commented on them and she said "look at these sun spots"  I said "grandma you are 94 you are allowed sun spots."  I loved looking at her rings when I was little and it seemed for most Christmases Grandpa had bought her a new one. 

Her house was always immaculate, I sure she would be sorely disappointed if she saw the mess my house is right now.  

As I got older I appreciated her spunk - she graduated from college and began a career at a time when it was not the norm for women.  In order to marry grandpa she they had to elope and keep it a secret until the end of the school year because she was a woman.  She raised four children, traveled the world, served  a mission, lived a good life,  I am certain she heard the word when she returned home"well done my good and faithful servant."

Taylor, Tay, TT

As I said last post this is her week - Friday she turned 17 I can't believe, just about two weeks ago we were transferring all our videos from VHS to DVD and I was amazed at our first daughter and how much she has grown and how much she has stayed the same.  There was one video when she was 4 doing a little song and dance performance and she was told to go to your "x" well she stayed on her "x" and she even got after the girl next to her for getting off her "x", she still likes order and for things to be just so, everything needs to be on its "x".  She still had that same curly hair and that same smile and every now and then she will make a face that reminds me of when she was four.

We woke early to help her celebrate her day traditional Chesley style - 6AM opening presents and chocolate cake, love it.  She drove herself   since she had the AP US History (APUSH) exam that day and her zero hour teacher (which is APUSH)  told the students that he wasn't' taking attendance until 7:20 wink wink. I think nothing like a 4 hour test to celebrate your day of birth.  Her friends brought her cake, cards and presents, then she spend the night at Relay for Life a fund raiser for cancer that Perry NHS and Key Club were participating in.  Since I am the co-sponsor of Key Club and I knew Taylor would be there I singed up, we were walking for Loren's sister that is battling  a form of cancer now.  It was a neat experience.  Here she is with some of her friends.  The time between walking the track was spend playing "duck, duck, goose" " look up look down look at someone" (wonder where they learned that one) soccer, football, eating snacks just a good time. Probably not the funnest way to spend a birthday but Taylor made the best of it, look at that happy shining face.

Saturday was MoPro - Taylor's date, Brandon Perez and most of the guys in her group had a big time wrestler come down and had a camp that they had to go to so the "day date" was cut short, they hung by the pool and made homemade pizzas, then home again to get made into a princess.  She had Brandon's sister (a former student) and three friends help her with her hair, makeup and dress,  her dress laced up at least 20 times in the back - I know since I had to help her unlace it at 3:00am (I guess better me than a boy, we joked that chastity belts come in many forms) - any way I digress.  She looked absolutely beautiful, they went to the dance which was at Barney Sport's Complex so no heels were allowed, so she wore fancy "Toms", they danced and danced then hit the 11:20 showing of "The Avengers" still wearing their Prom attire, she didn't get home until late and she still manged to wake for 8:00am church (I might have quilted her a bit since it is mother's day)  Here she is so beautiful...man I am glad she was born into our family, she wrote me a sweet note for mother's day and she commented on how as she has gotten older our conversations have matured so true I am loving it.  Her former YW advisor and neighbor was over yesterday and said "Taylor is 17 I was 19 when I got married and had my twins less than a year later" crazy crazy crazy - she is growing up to fast

What do you do when...

What do you do when you find out that you just received the Perry High School Junior Female AP History Student of the Year Award?  Well if you are Taylor your go to Panda Express - I am so proud of her.  We got the invite to the awards assembly but we weren't sure what it was for probably just an "academic letter"  as Taylor says in her best nerd voice " I lettered in academics" - she does have a 4.4 GPA and she did also get a pin for her letter so not too shabby, but the history award was quite a surprise.  I was there presenting the math award and sat by her English teacher, I "had" to listen to her tell me how much she loves Taylor.  I could only reply that we love her too.  This will be Taylor week as Friday is her birthday and Saturday is MOPRO (Mormon Prom) - go Taylor you ROCK!   

The Month of April

This has been a busy busy month I can't believe that we start May next week - I better get the month of April documented before it is gone.

April 7th - Taylor got asked to MOPRO (Mormon Prom) a few stakes out here put on a prom where floozy dresses are not allowed  and the dancing isn't dirty, Brandon asked her and she is excited.  The Chesley family party at Red Mountain Park, good food good company a chance to catch up with some of my favorite people. I just wish we got to see them more.

Maren, Kathleen, Diane, Jody, Loren and Lis (all the Chesley siblings) with Taylor and Kyley sneaking in.

April 8th -  Easter Sunday it was low key since we celebrated with my family the week before.  The Easter Beagle found us and left us just the kind of candy we like plus what ever mom likes, wonder why that is.  Church was great such good talks the home for a little nap and a Chesley dinner around the table.  I think it was the first time we all sat around the table.  We eat together most nights but half are at the bar and  half at the table so it was fun.

coloring eggs - the kids love it and their creativity ceases to amaze me.

April 9th -  Kyley's birthday, holy cow she is 15.  We tried to plan a party but with Easter and track we never could get it figured  out. We opened presents at 6AM before zero hour, and that night we ate lasagna around the table again (two times in a row) and blew out candles.  Taylor took her and  her friends out to lunch on the AIMS half days and she scored with money, new clothes and Bath and Body Works stuff, she smells great.  Where does the time go?

April 10th -Loren's birthday, he got the day off work and  him and his buddies from high school, Steve, Randy and  Chris took their boat they they all went in on with tax return money out to the lake to check it out.  He had a good good day.

April 11th -  we celebrated  both birthdays at San Tan Flats.  I had a Chandler Gilbert Community College workshop and as soon as  it was  over we headed out - I had never been there, and we have lived out here for nearly 6 years.  We sat outside around a fire pit, listen to live music and feasted on good good food.  Loren had  sold some fencing to the guy that was singing, that was the motivation we needed to go check it out and celebrate the birth of two pretty cool people.

April 13th - Friday the 13th - Freshman invitation track meet, Kyley did well.  This was her first official meet, one that gauges how fast she really is - she is fast winning her heat. Go Kyley

What else happened this month... testing, AIMS for Ty and science for Kyley, ACT for Taylor and SAT10 for Wyatt.  Track meets, Taylor and Kyley had the Chandler city meet, Kyley taking 3rd in 100 m for freshman in all Chandler, Taylor PR at pole vault with 7'3'" Ty taking 1st place in long jump and 100 m.  Taylor got a new car well new to her a 1980 Ford Dually pick-up - look at that picture classic.  We had a baby chick hatch our first it has been so cool to watch the mama hen teach her how to find food and watch over her.  We have grapes on our vines and a pillow under our heads, as my dad always say,  "There is a God in Heaven, all is right with the world."