Some Gracie updates!

Here she is taking some of her very first steps! My friend Becki is helping us because she came over to return my camera so I could video the big event. So exciting! She's growing so stinkin' fast!

In this video Gracie is falling asleep at dinner time. Guess she didn't have a long enough nap this afternoon!

Just For Fun

I just got this too-too from my friend Becki and I decided to have a little fun with Gracie. I really want to take some more outdoors so these were just for practice. Isn't she adorable! I love her chubby!

Just some more fun photos!

When you don't have talent. . . .

MAKE ONE UP!!!!!

Well, at least Rylee and Delaynee have talent.

Our church had a talent show and we decided to participate. Here are the videos of our three acts that we were involved in. (turn off music on sidebar to fully enjoy). The first . . .

"Once upon a time, there were two little girls who were best friends and loved to dance . . .

"And then, you wonder what ever happened to those adorable dancers? Just 20 years later . . . ?"

That's right folks! Can you believe the talent! And if that wasn't enough, here is the finale from the talent show. Five amazing girls doing a medly to Abba's "Mama mia" (I'm the one on the far right in the orange).

NCLB-Blue Ribbon Schools

Today I got to go volunteer in Rylee's kindergarten class. It was so neat to watch a little bit of her learning and see how much she shines in class. Of course, I believe she was shining just a little more than the other kids, but that could just be me. Anyway, when I was there the principal came to the classroom to share some good news. Rylee's school got the National Blue Ribbon Award of Excellence from President Bush! I'm not entirely sure what that really means or what the criteria is to earn the award, but it must be good. Here is an excerpt I found that tells a tiny bit about what it means:

"The No Child Left Behind-Blue Ribbon Schools Program honors public and private elementary, middle and high schools that are either academically superior or that demonstrate dramatic gains in student achievement to high levels. In addition to being honored at a ceremony in Washington, DC, where each school receives a plaque and flag signifying their status, these schools serve as models for other schools throughout the nation."

Anyway, very exciting! It must be because I enrolled Rylee this year and she just took them over the top! Way to go Rylee!

Gracie is growing so fast. Already she is standing on her own and trying to learn to walk and climb the stairs. She's doing things months earlier than my older two kids did! I tried to get video of her standing, but as you can see, she was less than cooperative. And my other kids kept jumping around me and bumping the camera, so it's pretty shaky. This video is only posted for pure cuteness sake. Gracie loves to clap and is so proud of her new "trick." It's so cute! I could just watch her all day and be completely entertained! Love her!

Don't Forget . . .

Heather Nielson's baby shower tonight! It's at Shye's house from 6:30-8:30. Lot's of yummy treats, a few cheesy games, and prizes to win! See you there!

A New Adventure

Since I've known my husband he has talked about dreams of becoming a business owner and achieving financial freedom. Throughout our marriage the image of that dream has evolved as ideas got sifted through. In the end, Real Estate has been the one constant.

For a long time Justin has wanted to get into real estate more than he has been able to but felt limited and unsure of what direction to go and where to start. Just under a year ago, his cousin introduced us to a new school offering a unique combination of real estate education and opportunity to make money by marketing the school. The school is called Nouveau Riche (link HERE) As we hosted our cousin every couple of months or so as he attended the school here in Phoenix, we would learn more about what he was learning and watch his excitement about what he was doing increase.

As Justin tried to make important decisions about where he wants his career to go and how to reach his financial goals, this school became more and more interesting to us. Finally, we attended an "intensive" that gave us a small sample of the education and more information about the marketing opportunities.

It was the perfect fit! It seems to be just what Justin has been looking for, and more importantly, it feels right!

We're excited to start this new adventure and invite anyone else interested in learning about the school to ask us about it. Justin loves to share his new interests and he is particularly excited about this one. We both are!

Justin started a blog to document his education and progress as he achieves his goals. You can visit his blog HERE.

Good luck, babe!

Tough Kid!

Well here we are again!

I took Cole to the arm doctor again earlier this week to get new x-rays and see how his arm has progressed. Well, it hasn't at all. In fact, the bone moved, IN THE WRONG DIRECTION! So, we had to have him go under so the doctor could move the bone back in place and re-cast his arm. We're not sure why the bone moved or what may have caused it. I guess stuff like that just happens sometimes and you gotta do what you gotta do.

Here we are just before his procedure. He was actually quiet excited about the whole thing. He got to decorate the mask that they used to put him under and ride around in a wagon and a push-car. What more could a boy want?! He especially loved the outfits. He loves to wear the face-mask I had and play doctor. What a trooper!


I got to go in the room with him until he was asleep. Let me tell you, that was kinda weird! His eyes actually rolled into the back of his head! But the doctors and nurses were really great and told me what would happen before it did, so I wasn't freaking out!

All went well and now he is back at home causing mischief. Way to not skip a beat, son!

Goodbye, Friend :(

Sometimes in life we are lucky enough to make a friend that leaves a lasting imprint on your life. I have been lucky to have found a friend like that in Britta. She is truly an inspirational person. You can't help but feel the spirit when you are near her. She brings so much joy wherever she goes and I will miss her so much! She has been one of the biggest instigators of girls night out which has brought many of the girls in my ward at church become much closer. She started something here in Mesa and now she is off to start new adventures in Utah. That's right, she's moving :( So sad for all of us left behind, but exciting for her and many others who will get to know her there.

So, goodbye Britta! You will be greatly missed so visit soon! Good luck with all your new adventures!