Taylor's Home, Kyley's Homecoming, Ty Turns 13

That sums up last weekend...The End.

Ok I'll elaborate, Ty's birthday was Sunday and he wanted Taylor home for it, Taylor hadn't been home since August so she asked for it off, found a ride and came home, it just happened to be Perry's Homecoming  - total coincidence.

She got home Friday evening about 5:00 and it was so dang good to see her.  We have visited a couple of times but there is something different having your family together at your home it really is a bit of heaven on earth.  Friday night I made shrimp, one of her favorite meals then the kids went to Goodwill (they wanted to)  then we just hung out.  Taylor did laundry and while her clothes washed we visited about life, school, roommates, missions,  just stuff.  Man I love that girl and I am impressed with how much she has grown up, she has always been mature now she has a little life experience and she is rocking the college scene.   Ty started his birthday early by opening a new i-phone lucky guy - welcome to the teens.

Saturday we hung out Ty had a football game, he did well.  Side note about football.  Ty joined a new team, Special Forces.  He was excited as this is a winning team and the jerseys this year were camo - so cool looking.  The day before the first game they still weren't in, find out they were completed but they were made in Mexico and since the government had "shut down" they were held up at customs. The team got white shirts wrote their number one the back and rocked it.  Ty was playing linebacker and stripped the ball and ran it in for a touchdown, then the very next play he had a pick-6 he was on fire, what a great way to start the season.  For the game on the 26th both sets of grandparents came to watch as did Aunt Jody, Lacy and the kids, Kingston, Millie and Reeves.  After the game we headed back to our house for pizza and party.  We ate cake, blew out candles, made video trailers with our i-phones and laughed and laughed and laughed.  Taylor hung out for a while then later she went to meet some of her friends.  I was glad she got to see old friends but I was more glad it was later in the night and didn't take away from my time with her. 

Where is Kyley is all of this you ask  - she is parting it up at homecoming.  Quinn Goodman (not close cousin) asked her right before fall break with a swimming pool full of  rubber duckies in it and a sign that said "I'd be a lucky duck if you'd go to homecoming with me"  The funny thing is they put it in the yard of our old house.  I know this because Quinn's mom called the next day and says as we were setting it up Quinn says "I have a feeling she moved"   and there is no one to call at 1:30am to confirm.  Quinn leaves to go up north so its up to the mom to call get new address and set it up.  I was laughing, she called when she was in the neighborhood and I sent Wyatt out to "water the plants" and help set up, Kyley was so surprised.  She answered him with a dozen donuts and a note that said "I do-not not want to go to homecoming with you" Silly girl.  They are good friends and she went with a group of good friends so it was a good date. 
 For their day date they went to IKEA for a scavenger hunt and she came home with a fejka (fake plant) all pumped up at how much fun she had and then we left for Ty's football game.  So at her prom it was on the same day as Taylor's Graduation/Birthday party and we had 30 people to meet Kyley and her date, this date there was no one. I have no pictures since no one was there to take one, I am waiting for the "real" ones until then, I only have pictures from their day date.  They went to dinner at Buca-di-Beppo then they went to Mason's house for the dance, instead of the Perry gym.  Couple reasons, tickets are cheaper and there is no "dirty dancing".  I am so glad she has a good group of friends it eases my mind when she is out. 

Sunday we so much fun - I love those low key days.  It was Ty's birthday so we opened presents and then we had stuff  to play with.  Ty turned 13 - a teenager - he is growing up so fast.  He made the honor roll at ALA, and is just adjusting well to junior high and growing up.  I know have 3 teenagers man where did the time go??  He got socks, VANS, Az Cardinal pillow pet and candy and of course his new I-phone.  He is one lucky kid and we are a lucky family to have him in it.  He is witty and quick I love how he jokes with his siblings and how he is staring to "get" jokes and puns.  He and Wyatt make up the fun games with our little soccer ball whether it is in the pool, with blankets on the floor or hitting the ball against the wall, it is always new rules and they are a lot of fun, he has sucked Loren and I into playing his games, and I end up having a blast even if there are times when I am sore the next day using muscles that I don't' normally use.  The day turned into a silly laugh fest quickly. 

Wyatt started rereading the Harry Potter series and we all love them in our family.  There is a website where you can take a test to determine which "house" you would be placed in.  Taylor had taken it and was placed in Ravenclaw  perfect fit,  its know as the  smart kid house.   Gryffindor was where Harry Potter and all his friends were placed they are known for their bravery.  Slytherin was where the bad guys  were placed  and the "other" house is  Hufflepuff.  Wyatt wanted to take the test too and he was placed in Hufflepuff and he was angry he wanted Ravenclaw.  So of course I had to take it and I too am a Hufflepuff - we read up on it its the least boastful house.  Then the competition between kids began, Ty took the test Gryffindor, then Kyley,  Slytherin and then Loren Skytherin too.   That means I have a kid in each house and the jabs about which house was the best continued all day.  "Hufflepuff is the least boastful because they have nothing to boast about." Taylor and Kyley were in the Harry Potter club at Perry (yes you read that right) we we got their old shirts and stuffed  owl and played we were goofy and we laughed and  laughed.  It was so good having Taylor home, she had to leave at 5:00 too soon but I couldn't have asked for a better weekend.  I love this little family of mine. 

Carlsbad California

Three years running now we have camped at South Carlsbad Beach during October Break and I am so thankful Kelli invited us again I love this trip.  I was sad, missing Taylor (NAU does not get a fall break) but loving the beach and the time to reconnect with the family.  Kelli and her family, Mike and his family and the  regular beach campers were all there so there was always a kid to play with, skate board to the Beach store with and joke around the camp fire with.  Steve and Cindy stayed at "camp Hilton"  made me feel like a young teenager again when Kelli and Mike invited me to their California vacations it is just good times.

My kids crack me up I say picture time and I see them whisper "don't smile"

We had glorious beach days warm, sunny with a light breeze perfect for boogie boarding which I caught some good waves Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.  My favorite day was Monday the waves were the best and Loren and I went out and caught some together.  One of the best feelings is catching a wave but then when you look to your side and you see someone you love it makes it even better, like you are sharing this experience with them.  I am sure I look goofy as heck because I am screaming, laughing and smiling with my hair is all over but I  wouldn't trade it for the world.

Wednesday a cold windy storm blew in tough night sleep Tuesday night but we strapped everything down, covered everything and headed into town.  We shopped the shops at Oceanside everyone got a t-shirt, we saw the movie Gravity it was my first 3-D movie so cool I really appreciate gravity and it just confirms that I never want to go to outer-space.  We drove the coast watched the wind surfers I think that looks so fun -  scary but fun, ate at Smash Burger headed to camp and called it a night.  Listen to the wind some more and then the rain hit I like the sound of rain hate the sound of wind, the rain was a welcomed relief.  We woke Thursday morning to clear sunny skies which meant beach days.  Little cold for me so  I stayed out of the water.  Ty said he was going to stay out of the water but every game of catch turned into throw it in the water and before you knew it he was out boogie boarding or body surfing.  I am pretty sure Ty "won" the beach most days - he was the last one up and someone has to watch the kids so I volunteered. (I'm too kind)

 We all played some mean games of smash ball, got the court drawn, the "dink" lines drawn the rules reviewed, no spikes, no double hits, no dinks on the serve return, first to 11 wins. Ty won quite a few of the games but Tanner with broken foot and all was the champion.    Kyley got her fall break assigned reading done, Wyatt took a couple naps, wrote his name in rocks and played a long time with Tate the the ducks that Kyley got from being asked to homecoming.  The ducks were a last minute bring and they were a hit, who would have thought (Quinn Goodman asked Kyley funny story, maybe next time) and my favorite part visiting with cousins, friends and my kids.  I love this vacation!

Ty and Tanner * Bryce, Wyatt and Tate* Kyley, Afton* beautiful sunset

June 2013

Strange summer - I think it was because Taylor graduated from high school and the kids are growing up doing different things.  The second  week in June, Kyley had girls camp where she was a YCL of course she rocked it, her personality and goofiness made everyone love her.  She told us about "Tree of  Life" experience all campers participated in and as a YCL Kyley played a part.  She said entire wards got led away from the iron rod by such things as "bishop wants to meet you over here".  Crazy!   Kyley was in charge of the "mist" (fog machine) and she says she could see all this playing out and it front of her and it put our lifes in perspective. I am so thankful our children have these type of experiences to grow their testimony and grow closer to the Lord.

While Kyley was at girls camp  Taylor had orientation at NAU - the same time much of my family was going to Havasuipi Falls and Ty got the invite.  Ricedorffs, Dyan and Jack, Platts, Jerermy, Karrie, Jake, Annie and Hannah, Goodmans Joe, Cassie and  Matt all made the 10 mile hike to the falls.  This is a trip I have been wanting to take my whole life and Ty had a ball.  Matt, Jack, Jake and Ty went out ahead to get a  "good spot" in the shade.  Jeremy rented a mule to carry his family's  stuff (Hannah being only 7) so Ty put much of his stuff on the Mule so the hike in was a breeze.  They jumped swam and had a blast.  Look at that water.  Loren rafted the Colorado River Lake Powell to Lake Mead and one of the days they swam up creek to the falls and he said it was beautiful.  Love this beautiful state.  The hike out was tougher since Ty needed to bring all his stuff out in his pack because he was leaving for scout camp the next day, but he made it and had a great experience.  He got home at 2:00am spend the night at the Ricedorffs I picked him up at 9:00am and he left the next day for his first scout camp.  Ty wasn't too thrilled to go probably because he was exhausted and had just hiked 20 miles in two days and the first days of scout camp was a hike. Loren gave him a choice, stay home and help mom pack or go to scout camp.  He choose scout camp and had a blast .

Jake, Ty and Jack what a memory!

Ty jumping off one of the falls

 

The boys - Ty, Jake, Joe, Jack, Matt I am sure there wasn't' any teasing involved ;)

 While Ty and Kyley were playing, Taylor and I went to NAU orientation.  Lots of classes not fun, but informative.  Taylor met with a counselor, got her schedule, toured the campus, saw her condo and learned lots.  I got the confirmation that this is the place for Taylor.  NAU is a beautiful campus and I am so excited for her to experience college life. Wyatt and Loren went off exploring Flagstaff, hit the museum and Bearizona loving every minute of it.  How often does one kid get a parent all to themselves on a vacation.  The second day for orientation I ditched and hung out with Wyatt and Loren we rode the  ski-lift at Sno-Bowl to the top of the mountain and visited with the park ranger learned of some of the history of Flagstaff.  We picked Taylor up and then headed to the Grand Canyon.  At this trip in June it had been nine years since I had seen the Canyon and they had built so much up around it.  I had forgotten how big and beautiful it is.  We walked the trails, saw couple elks, visited and enjoyed the beauty of the earth.  It was this trip that made me want to take Ty and Kyley up the the Canyon the end of September.  After all our June trips we moved and  since our house had a pool pretty much swam everyday.  We took a short trip to the Graham mountains over 4th of July and the annual Goodman camp-out in July,  but summer isn't as along as it once was and we were back at school before we knew it. 

Labor Day

Where has time flown?  All I can say is 6 months no blog shame shame on me few highlights then on to Labor Day...

• Taylor graduated from high school - top 5% #16 full scholarship to N.A.U so proud we moved her up there in July she got a job a week later at Barnes and Noble and is rocking the college thing
• Kyley got her permit and has been driving lately (and I am still here)
• update to the update... Kyley got her driving license on 10-1-13 watch out East Valley
• Ty started junior high - American Leadership Academy ALA  - a charter school tough decision for a public school teacher, and is playing tackle football for the Special Forces.
• Wyatt started piano and according to his teacher "Wyatt is my favorite student."
• Family moved again in June - we like to pick the hottest weekend and bam lets move, its smaller but it is closer to work, in a Cox neighborhood so we have good internet, good ward and best of all a pool.

Enough with the update...

Taylor living in Flagstaff was all the excuse we needed to go visit.  We left early Sunday morning and made good time, it was so good to see her I just feel complete when we are all together, I kind-of hate knowing the is the beginning of the end, the end of family life as I have known it, but I guess it is the beginning of a new chapter...

We walked around down-town Flag ate lunch then hit the lava river tube caves.  So cool quite literally.  It was a warmish day but when we walked up to the opening of the cave it felt like someone had left the AC on super low and left the front door open.   We needed a jacket and a flashlight.  Loren's light  went out about half way through the hike so he sat and waited until we were done - it wasn't a long hike about a mile to the end of the "tube" but with out a light impossible.  It was so neat.  After we hike we pulled over to the side of the road, make a fire with the Sunday paper and wood we found, roasted hotdogs and ate turkey sandwiches.  There were mushrooms all around, big ones small ones, red ones, orange ones - Loren really wanted to take some home but we didn't have out "edible mushroom" guide on us and thought we better not risk it.  

 The next day Loren remembers seeing a Canyon when he was hunting and  when he got home followed it on Google map.  He wanted to see what was there - It was Walnut Canyon where the Native Americans lived many years ago and there was dwellings in the side of the canyon (you can see them in the picture behind Taylor's shoulder.) You hiked around the "island" a mountain where one side was cool in the shade with pines, then the other side warm with juniper and more desert life.  So much history at this place, we explored the "rooms" read all the plaques talked about how cool it would have been to see this village at its prime thriving with activity.  It was another place only 3 hours from my home yet I had never even heard of it.  Thanks Taylor for choosing NAU to go to school - we are learning lots.

Picking Apples

One of the great things about having Taylor in Flagstaff is we get to visit and explore parts of Arizona that I have not explored much.  This time on our way home we drove through Oak Creek Canyon - man we have a beautiful state.  I think Loren has heard me say "lets build a cabin here" every new place we visit, right now my dream cabin would be in Oak Creek Canyon.  We stopped at West Fork Trail because it looked cool - it didn't disappoint.  We were told that it is one of the best hikes in the state, we will have to go back when we have more time, Taylor is with us  and Kyley has tennis shoes, but the little bit we did I am sure the "they" are correct.  There was a creek under a canopy of oaks and pines, red rock cliffs looking down on us, an apple orchard and cool breezes.  The low apples were all picked so the kids had to climb to reach the high ones and we had to catch them.  The best apples hands down. We picnicked by the creek, laughed and ate apples until our stomach was sore, beautiful day.

Fall Break Kick-Off

The 1st quarter of the school year has surpassed the last as the longest - its probably because we have been in school since July 22.   I have another post started but last week was crazy so it didn't get done but this weekend was so good I have to start now and then work back. 

Taylor received her patriarchal blessing Sunday (9-29) and she asked Loren and I to attend.  Now in my day it was just me I don't remember my parents being there and they said they weren't, Loren says he was alone too, so I was excited to be able to experience this with Taylor. She also invited Kyley, we left the boys outside to run up and down the street.   ( Actually  I was a little put out I know shame on me, Taylor had her recommend for nearly 6 months but she never made the call, then within the first months living up in Flagstaff she makes her appointment.  I told Loren man why couldn't she have gotten hers while lived under our roof and we didn't have to drive 3 hours to be with her... ) Loren said Julie it will be worth it and he was right.  After the blessing I knew why she waited and that she needed her blessing at that time not 6 months sooner.  I felt humble to be in the same room as Patriarch Webb became the mouthpiece for this personal "scripture" for Taylor.  The spirit was so strong and I am so thankful to be the mother of this beautiful girl with a so much promise and potential.  


After the blessing we met my parents at Village Inn where they treated us to lunch (it was the annual Goodman hike rim to rim adventure.)  I think that was the motivation we needed to make the trip up to the Canyon.  I love that place!
We walked, laughed, joked, held hands, snapped pictures, looked at the switched backs, saw elk and marveled at the beauty of the earth - I can so clearly see God's handiwork as I look at the Canyon.  I just felt complete having my family around.  Taylor is rocking it at NAU getting good grades, made good friends, bonding with roommates and working hard at Barnes and Noble and I am so happy for her but in moments like these my kids are still "small" and it's just our family (I know a little selfish )but I love love loved it. 

Ty and Wyatt encouraged by Loren .. crazy kids.

Spring Break 2013

I love spring break and this year Loren had the week off so it was even better, although my kids are growing and they were busy off doing church stuff.  Taylor and Kyley went on the trek with our old stake Wednesday - Saturday.  Here they are all dressed ready to go at 3:15am Wed morning.  They were placed into "families" with a ma and pa and all their stuff were placed in a handcart and they had to walk and walk and walk with only breakfast in their bellies.  The first day was the toughest day, then they were fed well and had games and devotionals, testimonies and down time.  Taylor talked about the "women's pull" and how it showed that they could do hard things, which is good timing because the Tuesday before Taylor officially enrolled in N.A.U. and will be going off to college in fall - which will be a hard thing.  Kyley was surprised how much she bonded with her family 9 people she didn't know but now consider friends.  We didn't have stuff like this when I was in young women, I was glad they could experience it and they both came home with a greater appreciation of the pioneers and the sacrifices they made to further this church.

While the girls were away the boys (and I ) played.  We took a southern Arizona trip.  We drove a huge loop, we first drove through Florence and the desert was so pretty with forests of "teddy bear cholla" they really looked fluffy and cute, blooms on cacti, so many wild flowers and the desert was so green.  We drove to Tucson, St. David, (we did not stop at the cemetery and look at all the Goodman names as my parents suggested we do, they were disappointed in us.)  We  stopped and spent some time in Tombstone, it was a neat town.  Ty liked shooting, Loren has taken us all out a few times and Ty is really liking his guns and he did well. I liked learning about the history and seeing the town how it must have been over a 100 years ago.  Someone recommend we continue south and take in Bisbee, AZ.  now the boys were a little burned out but I loved this town.  When you drive in it takes a while until you hit the "down town" and it feels like you have stepped back in time, it was eerie and no one else was on the road, there were a few locals outside eyeballing our truck as we drove through "their" town.  When we finally hit down town I was impressed how cool it was.  Here was this town carved out of the mountains with so much history.  I could have stayed longer but it was late, most stores were closing up and we needed to find a place to stay.  So we headed to Wilcox, AZ.

We found a Holiday Inn with a heated swimming pool and free breakfast and stayed the night.  The boys swam that night and the next morning before we took off to Safford and Mt. Graham. Wow what a sight, we started in the desert and by the time we got as high as we could the boys were playing in snow.  I wish I would have brought snow clothes, I wasn't thinking actually I was thinking southern Arizona and snow did not even cross my mind.  It was beautiful with running creeks and pine trees, we saw a deer running along the side of the road and hardly any people, it felt like we had the mountain to ourselves.  Loren had stopped and got some sticks that make good walking sticks and the boys sat and carved and smoothed their sticks.

We headed home through Thatcher, Pima, San Carlos Indian Reservation, and Globe, outside of Globe we stopped to shoot, we had been there before with the family, and again the desert was absolutely beautiful. (These pictures are taken President's Day weekend) 

 

We  needed to get home so Ty could get ready for a scout camp-out/temple trip.  He was not super excited to go since we still feel like we are new in the ward, but he went and came home happy. I wasn't sure where they were going,  I was a little worried but Loren said back in the day they didn't have cell phones and he survived, so I figured no news is good news.   Come to find out Ty hit all three temples; Mesa first, then up to Snowflake spend the night camped out, then to Gila Valley and did baptism for the dead in all three.  Our Ty did a lot of driving this week. I am so proud of him.  

For nearly two days Wyatt was an only child, we saw Oz on Friday and Saturday morning I went to my parents house and hung with Dyan, Karrie and Matt so good to see family. Saturday night everyone was home and it felt so so good as we gathered for a family prayer to all be together again - and we were only apart for 4 days man when my kids get all grown up and I don't see them for weeks, what am I going to do??