Fishing

Loren has always loved to fish, and he has instilled that love in our children - he recently discovered Discovery Park (no pun intended, we all knew that park was there, apparently Loren didn't.) It is close to work and he stopped a few times to cast his line and he caught a nice bass.  Wyatt was home sick in January so Loren stayed with him and taught him how to cast and Wyatt and Loren spent hours outside casting into the pool.  Loren recently went through all his fishing gear, and set up a tackle  box for Ty and Kyley, got all the kids their fishing license and organized all his poles, we are good to go.




Wyatt had his piano recital for his birthday, he did awesome, - but not the most fun way to spend your birthday.  So the day before for his birthday we headed over to Discovery to fish and open some presents.  Ty and Kyley caught a fish, but not Wyatt,  he was bummed but opening his presents made it all ok.  It is just a beautiful setting the sun was setting and the the temple in the background (it is where the culture celebration was held.)  I can't believe Wyatt is ten, I can't believe all my children are now in the double digits.  Wyatt is the wittiest, smartest most kind child - I am so glad he came to our family.

Last weekend we all headed to Discovery again and this time the fishing was fantastic, Ty caught 4, Kyley caught 4, Wyatt 1 fish and 1 turtle, I don't know how many Loren caught.  The kids can cast, reel in the fish, take the hook out and throw it back, I guess the next step is teaching them how to gut the fish.  Twice, Loren asked a kid to hold his pole and twice they hooked a fish just like that.  It was so fun watching them get excited and see how much they have learned.  Loren has been teaching them knots and weights and when to use what lure and bait, they are getting so good.  All of the kids like fish so when we do keep it and have a fish fry they all eat well. 

Gilbert Temple

Yesterday the Gilbert Temple was officially dedicated and all all the events leading up to the dedication which was all we seemed to talk and think about came to an end, now the real work begins.   I never thought I would be a part or see a temple being built in my mist, we have the Mesa Temple and that was so close - 30 minutes in good traffic - but when the presidency announced a Gilbert temple at Greenfield and Pecos and we were living at Greenfield and Queen Creek - 2 miles away I couldn't believe it.  We drove by it regularly, saw when then finally broke ground, saw when the walls started to go up, saw when the Angel Moroni was put up, saw when fencing went around, the plants went in, waiting and waiting waiting while they finished the inside and finally when they announced the open house and dedication.

We waited to visit the open house until Taylor could make it down, the last weekend it was open- February 14th - Happy Valentine's Day.  It was crowded but I didn't care, Taylor was down and we were all together we can visit sitting at home on the couch or waiting in line to see the temple. Kyley had the opportunity to work at the temple the night before and most of my colleagues and students Mormon and non-Mormon had seen it before me and I had heard a lot about it, but the beauty can not be described in words I  had tears in my eyes as I walked into several rooms.  I am looking forward to when Loren and I can go and spend more time in there and make that temple "my temple."

•  Side- note, Taylor cut her hair, she did not tell us and when she came home bam there she was my short hair little girl I screamed and had a few tears she was home all weekend and I'm still not use to it, I am sure when I see her at Easter it will be a shock again...

 While the finishing touches were being added to the temple the youth was preparing for a culture celebration.  All youth in the Gilbert Temple District  was invited and encouraged (12,000+) to participate   - that means Kyley and Ty.  Now Ty was not too excited at the beginning since the first few practices were singing and really what 13 year old boy gets excited about singing and dancing.  I had to do a bit of  "selling" ...this is a once in a life time opportunity, you will get to sing and dance in front of the prophet and apostle of the Lord, you can tell your children... I guess it worked because I never heard him or Kyley complain once the hard work began.  They met with our ward, then our stake then our region, Wednesday nights for 3 hours, then the week before they spent 14 hours at the park as a dress rehearsal with all 12,000 youth. The regions were broken into color shirts and the theme was "Live True" - Live True to their faith and our region was "light blue" I loved that my children got to participate and I loved being a teacher and listening and talking to all my students that also participated. Perry is located at the edge of 4 districts Gilbert, Chandler, Higley and Queen Creek so we had most shirt colors represented and students participated  in many of the "big" parts and most dances. 

The day of the performance arrived with a 100% chance of rain. It was all anyone could talk about will the show go on?  It was at Discovery Park a retention basin that when it rains it fills up with water, a little rain will be good, the week of the rehearsal it was so dusty many kids had asthma and allergy attacks so a little rain will settle the dust.  Well it rained all right and not just a little, it poured buckets, cats and dogs, now growing up in the desert my dad taught me that we can never complain about rain, so I didn't complain about the rain,  but I did worry about Kyley and Ty out there in the cold wet rain performing for thousands, Thomas S. Monson and Henry B. Eyring to name a few.  The next day we went to the dedication and at the last session the speaker said I want to talk to the youth  - he said something to the effect that many thought their prayers might not have been answered but let me assure you they were, we live in a desert and we were in a drought we needed the rain and the Lord poured out his blessing on you.  Kyley says it was like the wise man and the foolish man, the wise man built his foundation on the rock and when the rains came his house (testimony) stood firm.  The rain held off for as long as it needed too, if it would have started sooner they would have canceled it but it didn't start unit right before the performance.  My kids will always remember performing in the rain, they can do hard things and I hope they will forever keep their eyes on the temple.  I am so thankful for the opportunity the Church continues to provide for my family to grow - I am truly blessed.

I copied Kyley and Ty's post from instagram, Kyley shows how much it was really raining.  I asked then if they would put on their light blue shirts so  I could take a picture and they didn't say anything but their look said it all - (no picture:)

The Rest of the Break

I love Christmas Break - not just for the holidays but for all the other"stuff". Our good friends have gotten us Buffalo Wild Wing and Fiesta Bowl tickets for the last few years, it is our anniversary, Loren usually takes a few days off and the weather is usually perfect - recipe for good times.

Buffalo Wild Wing Bowl - dubbed "chicken wing bowl" by Wyatt was a blast, there were lots of extra tickets so Jody, Kurt, Kendall, Brye and her family, Matt, Dad, Joe, Cassie, Dyan, Ryan and of course Matt and Dad attended.  Kansas State and Michigan played we were cheering for Kansas State even though our tickets were in the middle of Michigan fans (we decided on the way over)  the atmosphere is so fun and festive I love it.  We had good seats close to the end-zone so they  were awesome when the action was in front of us - kind of sucky when the action was on the far end of the field but good times good times.   I love this picture of Jody and Kurt especially the classic photo-bomb by Ty in the back ground I laugh every time I see this.  Taylor had gone back to NAU since she had to work  - that was the only one missing from this fun fun night.

The Fiesta Bowl was on New Years Day - Kyley and Wyatt were a little tired of football so Loren, Ty, Trey (Ty's good friend) and I went.  The Fiesta bowl is in Glendale so we left early went to Cabella's, got something to eat and were planning on getting to our seats early.  Everything went as planned until we got through security twice (we had to run Ty's football back to the car - you can't bring footballs into football games - who knew) and we were all ready to go in and Loren couldn't find the tickets, I knew we had them I saw Loren grab them, he said he checked several times patting his pocket on the walk to the stadium we searched pockets, jackets Loren went back to the car, the tickets were gone.  I called our friends they had extras but they were quite a ways away then I ran into a co-worker told her my situation and she says "oh I got 4 extra tickets right here do you want them" wow - it all worked out.  We had a ought time convincing the section "guard" that we were really suppose to sit in section 103 row 13 seats 1 - 4 and that our tickets had been lost or stolen (Loren thinks it was when we went through security)  they finally let us in which was good since the Maclemores, Augustins, Matt and all the rest of friends were in that section.  Well about half time someone came up to Loren and said " I think you are sitting in our seats" they had our tickets - if it would had been sooner Loren might have punched his lights out - but en ought time had passed and Loren said no these are our tickets, took then gave them the free ones we got from my friend and that was the end of that.

The next day was our anniversary 22 years and boy how time has flown, we went to lunch at Longhorn Steak House - delicious and then just napped and relaxed recovered from our late nights.  Loren was off but he was fighting a ear infection so we spent some time taking it easy.  I love this man of mine - we have had our ups and downs but I love him more now.  He is my best friend we totally get each other I just love him. We haven't changed at all :)  I feel like I haven't changed but looking at the pictures we clearly have .


 The weather was wonderful, we hiked the San Tans one day, I walked most days the wash by our house - I love winter in Arizona!

I had to take Taylor back the Friday
after Christmas because of her job, since Loren was off we went up Friday to spend the day hanging with Taylor.  The day before Taylor told us she had Sunday, Monday, Tuesday off so we brought her home with us and spent a few more days with her - love it I will take all I can get.  I had to work Monday and Tuesday but the kids all stayed home and bonded with Taylor.   When we were in Flagstaff, we went to Oak Creek my new favorite place and hiked where we went last time by the apple orchard, this time we went farther and explored an old burned out hotel.  The hotel was built in the 1920's and had guest like Clark Gable and Walt Disney, it burned the 1980's but the foundation, chicken coop  and such was still there.  It was so neat and the background - wow!  We hiked a bit got to the 1st creek to cross and it was all icy and slippery so we turned back, it just makes me want to go back and explore some more. The kids laughed and joked and took a thousand pictures, they are such good friends I  love being with them - they all have such good sense of humor, Ty posted that picture (top right) on Instagram  - he hates pictures unless it is of just him that was why that picture was so funny.  They are goofy and I love every second with them. I hate that they are growing up and moving on - although that is what we raise them to do - I love that they get our humor and are adding to it -so much fun.

Christmas Season 2013

I was excited for the "season" this year and I did not go all out with decorations or presents  but I decided I was going to chill and I really felt peace this year.  I thoroughly enjoyed this hectic time, we didn't look at lights (unless they were in our neighborhood) we didn't visit Santa, we didn't go to any parties (unless your count Ty's end of the season football party) so it would look like I shouldn't be in the spirit but  I was and I loved it.

The first two weeks of the month were crazy busy with my children's end of the semester stuff... Kyley had winter formal she took Caiden looked beautiful and had fun I am so glad she has a good group of friends.  She had end of the semester projects so she was quite busy but she finished strong straight A's (we hope 89.6% in Spanish 3 hopefully he rounds) Wyatt had scouts (close to getting his Bear), piano and a choir concert, he sounded great.  Ty had a guitar concert and two football  playoff games.  We had a cold cold cold front move in it was crazy cold.  His team finished the season 3rd in their league, they wanted to win it all so 3rd place was a let down, but he learned a lot and bonded with these players and I really liked the parents which was an extra bonus.

Taylor was still at NAU she didn't get done until the 21st Loren was off so we made a day trip out of it and we all went up to get Taylor.  She had to work so we found snow (not hard) and a hill and did a little sledding.  We didn't get home until 2:30 am Sunday but we were home my family was all together all was well in my world.  At church I looked down the row and we were all together the first time since July and I had tears in my eyes, and with the choir singing and the narrator reading the Christmas story I was over come with emotion - I felt at peace. 


Sunday night was the Chesley family party at Maren's house we were a little late becasue the Arizona Cardinals were playing  topped ranked Seattle SEahawks and it was close game - Cardinals won it sure is fun having a winning football team, better than a winning football team is family and most of the family was at the party.  It was genuinely good to see everyone, again it just seemed all is well.

Kyley, Taylor and Kendall home from BYU

count the decorations - our pretend to sleep picture

Monday we cleaned and "decorated our tree" quotes because we only put 15 decorations top.  See we didn't even get the tree until the 17th and we got it from our good friends the O'hares.  They are from England and they were going back to spend it with their famlies.  We were at their house for Ty's football party and I complimented her tree and she asked if I wanted it.  She got one to help her get in the spirit but they couldn't leave a live tree up until they got home in January.  I said sure - not really certain if they would really, but sure enough Tuesday I get a text, "tree outside our house looking for a good home" they had left the lights up and it was still in the stand so Loren and I threw it in the back of our truck and bam -  we had a tree. Since it was so close to Taylor coming home we decided wait but by them it was so close to Christmas so we did minimal  decorating and I loved it. 


Christmas Eve is still the longest day of the year for Wyatt.  W opened our O.C.E. (open Christmas Eve) presents by 10:00am, robe for Taylor, now she matches Kyley and sweats for the rest of the kids kind of like pajamas.  It was nice and relaxing for me, made some banana bread and waited for my mom, dad and Matt to come out for dinner.  We had great grilled chicken thanks Loren and great conversation.  My mom told the kids about how her and my dad first met and how their first date was on  Tuesday December 12, 19667  which is why we decorated our tree on the 12th every year growing up.  However during dinner the truth came out, their actual first date was on "Friday" according to mom which we figured was December 8, 1967, they met at MCC and went to Bob's Big Boys for lunch which  dad drove them to and  paid for.  Mom still says it wasn't a date, sounds like a date to me - Matt immediately sent out at text alerting all my siblings of the deception we had been living - crazy what comes out at the dinner table Christmas Eve.  I love having my parents over - it is a fun tradition.  Wyatt had prepared by staying up until 11:00pm Monday then waking up at 6:00am Christmas eve day so by the time my parents left, he had hugged us his requisite 3 times and was asleep pretty early.  Ty hung out in Taylor and kyley's room for a while waiting for Santa to arrive.

Our kids must have been great because they all got good stuff - Taylor and i-pad, Kyley speaker system, Ty - gun 30.06 Wyatt a Wii-U and lots of little stuff, but I can tell you it wasn't the stuff it was having my family home.  We headed out to Loren's mom (now Grandma Cook since she got remarried) and had a wonderful breakfast with more visit time.  Home for a nap then off to my parents house for Mexican dinner more cousins and gifts.  The cousins are all growing up so fast, and the are all such good friends I hope it stays that way through high school.   Taylor and Kyley were old enough to participate in the white elephant gift exchange it is crazy to me to see how adult my kids are, time marches on,  next year Taylor will most likely be on a mission, we even started Taylor's mission pool (she hasn't' even started her papers yet).  If I thought too long about Taylor being on a mission I would start cry, since that means she wouldn't be with us next year and I would become one of those mothers that post on Facebook  "best present ever." referring to a phone call from their missionary.  So many friends and family have missionaries out I feel like when we pray for the missionaries it has new meaning since we know so many.   We visited with my brothers and sisters laughed and laughed, stayed longer than we normally would and I loved it - all is well!

                                      *Boys with their knifes* Karrie, Dyan, Mom and Me (Laura had left)*                                           *Tthe Original 4 Cousins, Ryan, Kyley, Taylor, Austin*  Girls with their dolls*

Thanksgiving

Hands down my favorite holiday and its even better when you have a child you love "come home".  Taylor made it home Tuesday night - unfortunately she has to go back Friday since she works at Barnes and Nobel and it being black Friday and all, but I will enjoy her while I can.

Low key a quick stop at the Chesley's since we kind of already had a Thanksgiving the first of November when Kendall was down from Utah. Jody threw a  Thanksgiving party for him because she knew he couldn't make it down this Thanksgiving and he had been on his mission in Africa for the past two years so we all got together and ate turkey and all the sides - yum.

We said our hellos and ate a bit at the Chesley's then headed to the Goodman's.  More kids there  means more fun, Ty and Wyatt disappeared when we got there,  I hope they ate.   We ate, played, visited, laughed then laughed some more; I love my siblings.

We came home sat around the table wrote our thankful list and drank "wine" really sparkling cider (funny story Kyley told us last year, she really thought we were drinking wine when she was little, and she was seriously conflicted because she had been told not to drink wine but then her parents were giving her "wine" so she figured it was ok but she really struggled with it and she said she only took small sips. She says she was relieved when she found out it was cider.  Poor girl.)  then we shared our thankful list where a whole lot of "oh I forgot that one" was heard.  It is my favorite tradition, it doesn't take long but it is always a sweet spirit and a glimpse into my children's mind. We watched some football, digested our food and enjoyed the day.  I love Thanksgiving.

 

God, Family, Country

Dale, Matt and Dad - my favorite Marines 2002 right before Matt reported

Veteran's Day weekend makes me think of all of these - they are definitely connected and I should pause more and count my blessings.  I am so thankful for this country and that Heavenly Father led those to this great country and I have no doubt His influence was felt by our founding fathers as they declared their independence, then fought for their land.  I am thankful for all the Veteran's out there that put their lives on the line for me - especially My Dad, Dale and Matt - thanks for serving...

The Big 4  - Dale & Nedra* Jim & Diane* Chad & Katrina* Steve& Cindy

 Veteran's Day is also Grandpa Harry's birthday, a few years ago we started using it as an excuse to get all the Goodmans together  to celebrate, since he has passed away it has turned into a reunion.  I don't remember any reunions that were fun like this, it is held outside between Uncle Steve's and Uncle Jim's house,  and this year  my dad, Steve and Jim BBQ burgers and dogs while we ate, visited, laughed, took pictures, and caught up all while the kids played.  Over 100  people and all because "Two people fell in love".  I love seeing my cousins, the ones I grew up with that were always my best friends, I love that my kids are starting to know their second cousins and love the feeling of belonging, these few hour make me think this is a slice of heaven - I am blessed. 
 

The Grands - Mark, Jimmy, Luke, Mike, Matt, Willie, Laura, Kim, Craig, Chad, Dale, Joe,      front: Rita, Dyan, Kelli, Karrie, Julie, Kristi, Jodi (missing Kathryn and Van)

 

 

 

The Greats - best we could do, we thought we had them then around the corner 6 or 7 more came running.  Annie even pushed Puller to the ground trying to get i n the picture - classic!

The best for last - the girl cousins (minus Kathryn) posing as Charlie's Angles we "played" that for hours, its only fitting that I put a 1977 finish on the photo.

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.