Merry Christmas

Jeep, Acura, Jetta (Some things never change)
Over scheduled but juggles his responsibilities well
Serving in the Young Men’s Presidency, sad to leave High Council.
Enduring 75 mile round trip commute to downtown Phoenix
Paintball with Michael and Hayden
Has 1-½ years left on City Council

Triathlon training
Really enjoying nursery calling
Eighteen day Georgia, Florida and Caribbean vacation with Joe
Cake decorating class with Jenna
Involved in local and national campaigns
Amarillo, TX. all July to see Joy and kids

Makes it hard to keep food in the house (6ft~ 225 lb, 15 yrs old)
Incredible summer: EFY, scout camp & youth confs. in AZ & TX
Called as 1st counselor in Teacher’s Quorum
High school golf team
Awesome big brother
Eager to start Community College classes in January
Loves football as much as ever



Home schooled 7th grade, 12 yrs old
Awesome flag football, basketball player & pianist
Yaks on the phone with friends, spent summer with Joey Perez
Diabetes is doing well, 3rd JDRF walk for a cure November 2008
Eating me out of house and home (like a good 12 yr. old boy)
Not in primary anymore

Jumps at any chance to play with friends…. little miss social
Enjoying 3rd grade at home and loves piano
Neat to have her baptized by her dad on her birthday
Never sleeps past 6 am
Always gets me up to run so she can ride her bike

Never stops making us laugh
Always talking about Indiana Jones and super heroes
Turned 3 in October
Happy when he can play video games with brothers
Always being asked “who’s your favorite brother?” by brothers
Never passes up a chance to play at the park

We love and miss you all and hope that this holiday season finds you all well. How blessed we are for this season to celebrate the birth of our Savior and Lord. It is our prayer that this celebration is taken into and through the New Year.
Love,
Joe, Trecia, Michael, Hayden, Jenna and Nathan Estes
Mama4x@gmail.com Estesfamilyfun.blogspot.com Joeestes@juno.com

Hayden in ICU

"Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a state of inadequate insulin levels resulting in high blood sugar and accumulation of organic acids and ketones in the blood. It is also common in DKA to have severe dehydration and significant alterations of the body’s blood chemistry. "

This is an online definition. Basically, his body, for whatever reason doesn't get enough insulin. This is usually onset by an upcoming illness which is what makes it so hard because his body will fight an illness before we see the symptoms of him getting sick. When he is sick he needs more insulin but sometimes by the time he gets the flu or whatever it is too late so his body is already short insulin. He then gets really sick and has high ketones. This causes swelling of the brain which makes him nauseous and then the vomiting starts. At that point it's all over. He gets dehydrated, causing higher blood sugars, causing higher ketones and the cycle spins out of control. This is usually the state a person is in when first diagnosed if waiting to long to see a dr.

Then all of his electrolytes are bouncing all over and out of control. So he requires an IV to flush his body. The ketones are basically an over spilling of acids from the kidneys because the kidneys are over worked at this point. Ketones are released through urine so he went through a total of 12 bags of IV fluids just for his ketones. In ICU he had 5 different bags of 5 different things being pumped into him.


The high blood sugar then causes his body to start "eating" it's own fat and then muscle (the reason to NEVER do the Atkins diet) because there is no sugar going to any of his cells outside of his blood. He lost almost 5 pounds. (Not my kid who needs to lose any weight:o)

Once we got his blood sugars under control we then had to wait until his body was free of all ketones. 48 hours later he was finally negative the ketones. His electrolytes were still all "funky" (which is evidently a technical medical term because I heard it a lot:o) He is on medicine for a week to even out his potassium and and couple of other electrolytes.

The last thing they were watching was his thyroid. This is where diabetics can get problems with thyroid. So far, he has been fine with that, thank goodness.

I came home feeling like I know NOTHING about diabetes, except I can neverlet Hayden get sick:o) I am looking into a bubble today.


Anyhow, that's it in a nutshell. He spent 24hours ICU and then 24 hours on the diabetic floor at Phoenix Children's Hospital. We LOVE that hospital.

My elves

I was playing on Joe's computer when I found the Elves. He only has 2 pix on his computer and they are OLD. Nathan was5 months old and sorry, Jenna....she is so photogenic and this is not her best picture, but it's way cute, anyways:o)

You may need to mute the Christmas music (scroll down on right hand side) before you play the elves.

I leave them alone and they party:o)

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Dear Santa,

Jenna has been learning and perfecting writing letters in "school". Professional, business, friendly etc...... and so as part of the kids' journaling time today I had them write letters to Santa. I have to share...

JENNA'S LETTER: (age8)


Dear Santa,

How are you doing? I am doing really well. I can't wait until Christmas. I am happy that you are coming. We still live in the same house we did last year.

I want so many things this year. You can pick what ever you want to bring me. I want:

• a scooter
• soccer ball
• $20.00
• a barbie house
• make-up
• hairbands
• bracelets
• a door that leads from my bedroom to the bathroom
• a DS

I really want a DS because my brothers NEVER let me play with theirs. I hope you have a safe trip around the world.

Love,

Jenna

HAYDEN'S LETTER: (age 12)

Dear Santa,

How are you? I am just fine. What is it like at the North Pole? It is hot down here in Maricopa. I have a few questions for you. What is it like being so loved? How have you lived for so long? Will you tell me the secret to living so long? Is it all that fresh air you get on Christmas Eve?

From

Hayden Estes

MICHAEL'S LETTER: (age 15)

Dear Santa,

Hello, how are you today? I just thought I'd write to you and say that you are my favorite gift giving entity. While we're on the subject of gift giving I'd like to remind you that Christmas is only a little while away and I have been a VERY good boy. Always obedient to my parents and loving to my siblings (especially my sweet little sister). With this in mind I have compiled a list of objects that would bring me great joy on Christmas morning:

• A pair of black Oakleys (you know the ones)
• A Storm Trooper hoodie
• A projector for my bedroom.

I think these are all reasonable items. After all we don't want everyone to see those pictures from last year's Christmas party.... do we? So bring me my demand list and the pictures will be on your doorstep for you to do what you want with.

Sincerely,

Michael Estes

WET WILLIES

Joe's brother, Ronnie, was down visiting for Thanksgiving and my kids had so much fun with him because he is just a big kid.

Nathan was introduced to wet willies while playing with Joe and Ronnie one night. I am not sure which one of them introduced it to him but he caught on quickly. Three year olds are so literal it is funny. So, Joe would lick his finger and stick it in Nathan's ear.

This is Nathan's version of what he learned that day:

Nathan licks his own finger

then he sticks his finger in his own ear

then he runs over to you and tries to touch you with his finger.

It is the funniest video we have taken in a while! I had to have pictures of it.....(yes, he is once again finding clothes optional. This is the real reason we must live in the desert.)

Kids do the funniest things.

CHRISTMAS IS COMING!

I can't wait. I am not sure why but I am so excited for Christmas this year...more so than normal. I got my tree decorated and house all "festified"and I am counting down. I am so excited for this season.

Watching the kids open gifts, Seeing Nathan's eye's light up over every little detail because it is all new to his 3 year old mind, listening to and singing Christmas music, baking, parties, gift exchanges, piano recitals, good friends, the December Ensign, my brother's family coming Christmas day, and reading the Christmas story while hoping that my kids really appreciate the magnitude of it all.

These are all things I am excited about, but mostly I can't wait for, and hope that this season brings a spirit of humility, giving and thanks for our family.

Happy (late) Thanksgiving

Happy (late) Thanksgiving

I have so much to be thankful for and I would be sad if I didn't take the time to share my top 10.

1. The Gospel of Jesus Christ and our membership in the church
2. Joe, Michael, Hayden, Jenna and Nathan
3. My extended family
4. A living Prohet
5. Good friends
6. This country and the privilege of voting(even if others did it wrong this year:o)
7. Health
8. Always having food on the table.
9. Always having all that we need and so much of what we want
10. Being able to stay home and be such a big part of my kids every day life

Hope your Thanksgiving was fruitful!

Elections 2008--I may have to go back to Canada :o)

I am sure it is no big surprise that I spent a lot of time helping with the 2008 campaigns. Jenna and I spent the day at the polls yesterday. She spent about 6 hours with me campaigning and it was so fun to have her there. I wish I had a picture. What a rush for me. I have to say it's a little scary that they let anyone vote. I just have to share some of the highlights of my experiences....


While out knocking on doors with a candidate for Senate I came across some interesting folks. My favorite was a lady that I met by the name of "Sally" ( I will not use real names out of respect and fear that I may humiliate these people):

*knock * knock * knock*

ME: "Hi Sally, I am out walking with my friend, Andre Campos, who is running in this year's election for state Senate."

SALLY: "Oh, how nice...are you going door to door?"

ME: "No, ma'am. He is running on the Republican ticket so we are only hitting the houses of the registered Republicans, Independents and those who are undecided."

SALLY: "Oh, so which one am I registered as?"

ME: "Excuse me?"

SALLY: "How am I registered?"

ME: "You are registered as a Republican."

SALLY: "Oh, that's good to know. Do I need to vote as a Republican, then?"

ME: "Yes, you do!"

(Hey, if she's dumb enough to believe it, just be glad she is voting republican.)

Experience #2:

I am a PC with the Republican club here so I worked all day at the polls yesterday campaigning outside. There are so many funny things that I saw yesterday, but this is my favorite. It made me come home today and re-teach my kids how the house and senate are set up....

There was a guy "STAN" that was sent out by the Fillmore camp wearing a John Fillmore shirt to help me out for a couple of hours . He was way pro Fillmore, for whatever reason, but didn't seem to know much on where John stood on things, so I helped him out and between the two of us we figured it out. PLEASE KNOW THAT I AM IN NO WAY SAYING THAT I AM THE EXPERT ON POLITICS. I have spent a lot of time with the candidates and have a pretty good feel for them, however.

So this guy "VOTER" about 25 comes bouncing up to the parking lot yelling "Obama...Obama". I love seeing people so excited to vote! He voted and came out yelling some more.

The Republican Club had some ice water (it's still warm here in AZ) for voters to take. On our ice chest was a sticker that said John Fillmore on it. The following conversation went something like this (I kid you not!):

VOTER: Who's John Fillmore? (pointing to the sticker on the cooler then to the shirt that "STAN" was wearing.)


"STAN": "He is running for Senator."

ME: (quietly to "Stan") "He is running for representative".

VOTER: "Is that the job that McCain is doing?"

STAN: "No, McCain is running for President."

ME: "McCain is an AZ Senator."

STAN: "Fillmore is running for Senate."

ME: "He is running for representative." (while showing them the voter's guide and wondering who the Fillmore camp sent me.)

VOTER: "Then who is the big guy?"

STAN: "You mean, the president?"

VOTER: "No, in AZ?"

STAN: "You mean McCain?"

VOTER: "No, who is running for the big position?"

STAN: "Fillmore is running for Senate."

VOTER: "Then who is the CAMPOS guy?" (pointing to the Andre Campos for Senate sign)

ME: "Fillmore is running for Congress, Campos is running for Senate. There are more than one of each per state."

VOTE: "Then who is running for the big office for AZ...the one who is in charge of Arizona?" (at this point"Voter" is getting a little flustered...but remember he has already voted and is just now asking these questions of the party he had no intention of voting for :o)

ME: "You mean the Governor?"

VOTER: "yea, yea, the governor!"

ME: "The governor is not up for election this time...there is no one running for governor."

VOTER: "Then who did I vote for?"

ME: "I have no idea, sir."


Experience 3:

You really had to be there for this one, but I laughed all night whenever I thought of it.

There was a couple out with me. He was running for a school board position and we had a great time talking through the day. They were handing out fliers, I had voting guides and on the other side of the parking lot entry were a few democrats handing out fliers. Every once in a while you would get one that pretended to be on a phone or just acted like they did not see the sea of fliers being waved at them. It's kinda' like when you go to a car lot and the salesmen all start closing in.

Well, this one guy was walking towards us, a little funny. I could tell early on he was going to ignore us, which is fine. Then he started walking a little faster. About 50 yards out he started trotting...kinda' like a bunny where the whole body bounces up and down. Then a few feet before he hit the parking lot he full on sprinted past us. I am not sure if he thought we were going to jump him or what, but something tells me that he has had a traumatic experience somewhere in the past with polls. I am surprised he even ventured out to vote. As long as I live I will never forget this guy running past us as fast as he could to get to the building without a flier in hand.


One last story.

Yesterday while out I received a text message from a friend that said: "due to the long lines all Democrats are asked to vote on Wednesday."

I laughed and told Jenna about it. This morning we were eating breakfast and Jenna asked if we were going to the polls again. I told her no it was all done yesterday. She said "well, it's gonna' be another busy day since all of the democrats have to go vote today." I forget how literally they take things at that age....or maybe she knows more about democrats than I give her credit for :o)

Life is so short

Today I visited with a family that lost a son, a grandson and a brother in a car accident due to a drunk driver. I just can't stop thinking of this family and the sweet 16 year old girl who held onto my hug for a long time and just sobbed. What a sad day and such a hard thing to explain. He was only 25 years old and had been married just under 2 years with a 3 month old little girl that will never know him. As I think of the perplexities and complexities of it all I am angry, sad and yet at the same time comforted and so grateful for the knowlege that I have in the gospel of Jesus Christ.

I try to wrap my brain around what the plan could possibly be for this young widow and baby girl. I know that the Lord is in control and that there was no doubt a great reunion on the other side of the veil. How can such a great reunion on one side bring such pain on this side. Please, understand that I do not doubt, but greive with every mother that loses a child of any age. I have seen mothers lose children and children lose mothers. It is so sad to say goodbye for what is no doubt a short time in the eternal perspective yet seems like eternity in the earthly perspective.

How does a mom, dad, spouse, sibling or child gain the strength to continue on when it seems like all has been taken from them? I have been so sad all day and yet gently reminded that the Plan of Salvation is real and in progress.

I have not lost a child, and yet as a mom my heart breaks and aches for my dear friends who have passed through this trial. I have helped a mom dress her 3 year old for the last time and I have felt the pain that this loss brings. I have also seen an unbelievable strength in average people that I know can only come from our Father and Savior.

I know that life is short and for some it is even shorter. I am reminded through sad days such as today that I have been given so much and I need to cherish every moment with my family.

My heart felt prayers go out today to my friends who have lost so much for a time.

Nathan's first 3 years

HAPPY BIRTHDAY NATHAN

HAPPY BIRTHDAY NATHAN

At 2:27 this morning I woke up (potty break) and realized I was 2 minutes away from Nathan's 3rd birthday. He was born 3 years ago at 2:29 am at home in the same place that I was laying this morning. Most know my story of my really fast labors and how that allowed us with what was a scary and awesome experience of Joe delivering Nathan unassisted. (OK...so as you all have heard me say....give credit where credit is due.... I delivered him, Joe caught him....but caught him well :o) I wouldn't change a thing about it. It happened exactly as it was supposed to and it is an incredible memory for Joe and me. What a fabulous and fast 3 years it has been.



We contemplated for some time whether we were done after Jenna so Nathan is 5 1/2 years younger than Jenna. I remember the morning that he was born saying to Joe " I can't believe we almost let him go to another family." My friend, kasey, always says in response to that "it's a good thing he went to your family because he sure looks a lot like you guys." (which still makes me chuckle).



I don't even know how to sum up these past 3 years other than Nathan completes our family. He is adored and loved by his brothers and sister and brings a whole different light and life to our family. I feel so very blessed to have all of my kids, but Nathan seems to be the link that finished our family circle.



Happy birthday baby boy! We love you!!!

Guess who is FINALLY potty trained!!!!

He woke up monday morning and said he didn't want a diaper and has not had an accident all week...even when out shopping. Maybe it was worth the wait because it sure was easy.

YAAAY FOR NATHAN (in case you were wondering who was potty trained :o)

Nathan's new shoes

Nathan really hates wearing clothes...which is obvious by the fact that this is the second post featuring a "Naked Nathan". However, we finally found an article of clothing that he likes....his new shoes. He thinks these are the coolest things, and he LOVES the fact that "Michael got them for him". (Yes, Michael picked them out, but I still had to pay for them.) Well, at least he's wearing something now :O)

EVEN MOMS JUST WANNA' HAVE FUN!

Some friends and I got away for a weekend and so much fun. We took a trip to the Grand Canyon and then spent a day in Prescott, AZ which is one of my favorite get-a-way cities ever. Every girl should get to have this much fun from time to time.



These are ladies on my list of all time top 10 greatest. I can't wait to do it again. We had so much fun laughing, staying up late, eating, giggling, and........ the rest I am sworn to secret.



There is nothing like having good friends who know how to have a good time!

Jenna and Mom time.

Jenna and I have had so much fun trying some new things this year. There are many reasons I decided to homeschool this year. Having more time with and influence over my kids were obviously at the top of the list, but there is a very big side of me that is sad to see that we don't serve others enough because we are so busy with our own lives and schedules.

SO, Jenna and I have decided to take a cake decorating class together. We want to make cakes and take them to a local battered women and children shelter when there are birthdays, holidays or special events.

We have had a blast learning how to decorate cakes and make them pretty. She came home the first night and added some finishing touches to the cake. Here are some pictures of the first cake Jenna made. It is a white cake with chocolate custard filling and homemade buttercream icing. She was so proud of it and I was so proud of her. The only thing I did was write her name (please remember we are beginners).

Joe and the boys have been incredibly supportive of this new hobby.

Jenna even made a cake for our home teachers. Jenna has found a new best friend :o)

It is so fun to see talents discovered and developed.

The Estes' want to .....

WELCOME HOME

MAJOR KURT W. ROBERTS

My best friend, Joy, has been without her hubby for over a year now. She is on her way to Kansas as I type to prepare for the arrival of Kurt tomorrow (9/12/08). Kurt has been in Iraq for what seems like forever, to me.....I can't imagine what it has seemed like to their family.

I have been a Military wife and as much as I never had Joe gone for more than a few months ,I have seen many of my friends sacrifice through the deployment of their hubbies. With today being September 11th it seems so appropriate, with our flag proudly flying on the front of our house, to just take a minute to share my thoughts, feelings and gratitude to these families.



Stone Roberts was less than a year old when Kurt left for training. This is Stone this past July (2 yrs. old) in his "future bootcamp uniform".


I was able to spend the past 2 July's with Joy and her kids during Kurt's deployment. AS much as I know she has missed him terribly I have not heard her complain at all. I would have griped the whole 15 months he was gone. There was no "whoa is me". Joy has been a rock!

Erika, Meredith, Jack and Stone have missed their daddy terribly. I could see it on Jack's face every time his dad's name was mentioned. What a brave little boy he has been. I have watched all of these kids grow up so much in the past year. I wish I could be a fly on the wall when they get to see dad again!


I am so humbled by those who choose this profession. Those who see this as "just part of the job" will never know how much of a sacrifice I view it as. To leave spouses and children; parents and siblings; friends and loved ones for months and years at a time for my safety and way of life to is unbelievable to me. My heartfelt gratitude goes out to each of the service men and women that have and do defend this great nation.

Kurt missed many birthdays and birthday parties, anniversaries, many milestones such as first words, first steps, and even his daughter, Meredith's baptism. He missed karate advancements, baseball games, art classes, school programs and the day to day activities that we all enjoy so much with our kids. Kurt and Joy will tell you "it's his job"....that's what make people like the Roberts family heroes to people like me.

It has been my honest and literal prayer over the past year that the Roberts (and all others who serve as they do) be kept safe, and blessed for the great service and sacrifices that their families have rendered for our family.

The Military Transition Team (MiTT) patrols along the volatile Sunni Shia divide in the district

BELOW ARE SOME EXERPTS FROM A NEWPAPER ARTICLE WRITTEN WHILE KURT SERVED IN IRAQ, JUST TO GIVE AN IDEA OF WHAT THEY DO OVER THERE.

Major Kurt Roberts (US Army), Team Chief for the MiTT team in Baghdad, said:
"The MiTT teams were formed to work with the Iraqi Army, Police and some with the local police. My particular team is designed to work within an Iraqi Battalion. Our job is to help them grow and learn, help them with the training level they're already at and help them get a little better."

Major Kurt Roberts (US Army), Team Chief for the MiTT team in Baghdad is optimistic that they are on the road to stability and that they are starting to see improvement on the ground:
"We on the ground start to see a turning point. From the ground roots – I can't talk for the higher levels of the government - but from the ground roots, it looks like the people are more appreciative of what's going on and that helps the soldier feel better about his job that he does, when the people he's doing it for appreciate what's going on."

Major Abed, (Iraqi Army) agrees:
"We have seen progress in the neighbourhoods; people aren't afraid now, they come out into the streets. The local shops are open, they come to Iraqi military and police officers and they come for advice; they ask them for help if they have problems with people. This was not happening before."

It's hoped the progress in the West Rashid Mahala can be replicated around other districts of Baghdad.

WELCOME HOME KURT! WE LOVE AND THANK YOU!!!!!

Just thinking about my

GRANDMA

Joe and I spent the weekend in California visiting my maternal grandma. This is the woman that I love more than any other woman in the world. She has taught me so much.

She is old, frail, toothless and has been in a nursing home for a couple of years. She probably is a sad sight to most but she was so beautiful to me. She is in the late stages of Alzheimer's and doesn't remember much....but I have so many memories that I will treasure forever.

I LOVE YOU GRANDMA!

JUST A FEW OF MY MEMORIES :

• Endless hours of playing Scrabble at her dining room table. ( I credit her for my love of words, spelling and reading.)




• Being taught the "correct" way to hold a pen/pencil.




• Her cute Canadian accent and the way she says words like "been" phonetically.




• Politics! If anyone is wondering where this obsession began...it was grandma. Nobody debated current events with me better than her. She did her share of running for and holding public offices. BTW..My uncle David told grandma that he was the President of the US when she asked where he works. It was obvious that she remembered that by her response..."that's right!"

• She collected elephants.... just to show how devoted she was to the republican party.

• She LOVED U.S. History (sound familiar...anybody...anybody?)

• I (being the oldest grandchild) was her "#1 grandchild". I do realize that it was luck of the draw that I am the oldest, but I always enjoyed being #1, nonetheless.




• Long talks on the phone and her concern over it being on my "dime". She never quite caught on to the fact that there was a flat monthly phone rate.




• Her visits as a child. She never missed a year (until she and my mom had an ugly falling out....those of you who know my mom will not be surprised by this.)




• She always sent a practical gift for birthdays and Christmas. My November birthday always brought me a French Toast brand coat , BUT there was always a surprise ($$$) in the pocket. Clothes for Christmas also with a "surprise" in the pockets.
  

• She loved to cook and bake and was a WONDERFUL cook. This seems to be a family trait. Trust me, of all of the family traits, Joe is VERY lucky that this is the one that got passed down through the generations.

Her beautiful blue eyes that are still as pretty today as they ever were. It was so good to just sit next to her for hours and read to her from a WWII book that I picked up from the book store. I "caught her up" on my family, politics and current world events (it's probably a good think she didn't know what I was talking about) . I had a great time and am so glad that I went.

I miss my grandma the way that I have always known her, but I know that she will soon be able to go home and I will one day join her and she will be as independent and feisty as ever!

Potty training SUCKS!

I have no idea why it seems so much worse this time. I swear Nathan is going to get married in a pull up! I have never had a kid take this long. He does really well....when he wants to. I feel like the older my kids get the busier I get and I just don't have the time to be around the house for a full day to make this happen. My mother in law always says not to stress because she has never seen a kindergatener in diapers....it will be a sad day when it's her own grandson that breaks that for her.

I really am not that worried about his age. He will be 3 in October. It's just more that he wants to wear underwear but he gets busy playing and just doesn't stop long enough to tell me he needs to go to the bathroom....then the yelling, crying and fit throwing starts....and I hate for him to see me act that way.

Oh well, we will just have the carpets cleaned REALLY well before the wedding reception :o)

I am so excited

OK, so this blog, like most, is more for me than my friendly readers. I am so excited about a triathlon sprint that I am doing in November. I, of course grew up swimming so that's an obvious interest. I spent years biking 10+ miles a day while living in Vegas. I have picked up running this past year. I am surprised at how much I love it. I have always done a little running. Like 3-4 miles but I have loved being able to put my ipod on and just run for miles. Michael is going to do it with me. Mother and son bonding :o)

I have a couple of friends who are interested so we'll see. My friend, Lucy, is running the PF Chang half marathon in January so I think I may do that as well. I have been so excited about this it's ridiculous.

If anyone has done one of these events and has any advice please let me know. Only positive thinking at this point! This seems a little more intimidating than the once dreaded 5K. Baby steps for me.

I think turning 35 this year is having some weird impact on me. I refuse to just lay down and get old.....I going to run my way unto my mid 30's :0 (even if I am the last one through that finish line)

July '08 in Amarillo, Tx.

YAAAAY! We're BA-ACK! Home Sweet Home. Mostly we were happy to be out of New Mexico! Thanks, Jenna for getting the picture as we drove across the state line.

Robin and I sitting at Robin's table with the kids. This was our first stop when we hit Texas.

AAAUUUUGGHHHHH!!!! What do you mean we are out numbered by girls?

The only way to survive a house full of girls is to pull our DS's and PSP's together and do some boy bonding. Thank goodness they each had their own toys.

Joy's house. I sure miss the good 'ol brick houses of Texas. We had so much fun. I came home wanting to trade my computer room into a guest room so that people would come visit me for the summer....well, maybe not. I am not as laid back of a hostess as Joy is. We have had 2 summers of great memories in this house. I will miss going out there each summer. Kurt got orders to Leavenworth (Kansas) while I was there. When he gets back from Iraq that is where they will go.

Brent and Robin's house. It sits on 2 acres and Michael helped Brent start a putting green. Brent also has his shop on the other end of the lot. They have a darling house....it's huge! I am jealous of the huge play room in the basement and the enormous laundry room with all of the walls lined with cupboards....and a laundry chute. I guess if I had 3 stories to go up and down I would have one, too. It makes me want to cut a whole in Jenna's closet floor :o)

The gang is back together...this is a tradition. We only bowl when we are with aunt Joy....this is what makes her the coolest! You all know how much I love bowling..... LOL

Where else could we all get shoes like these? Where else would we be willing to wear shoes like these?
Big sister to the rescue. It is so much easier on the Wii.

Princess Jenna

Princess for the day....oh, who are we kidding? These are diva's every day! Jenna had a great time, as you can imagine. Joy has 2 girls and she has 2 nieces that live in the area. Nothing but girls (now you know why Hayden opted for Las Vegas this summer to spend time with his friend, Joey....who has NO sisters)

Making their own tiaras. What fun they had!

GOT MILK?!?!

Brent's baby, Kevin.....AKA Superbaby! Popeye has spinach, Kevin has milk...it does the body good, you know.

Nathan and Craig. You will never see 2 cuter cousins. They LOVE being together

Meredith at the pool.

Joy's gym has a great pool. I joined the gym just for the month that I was there so we worked out alot and swam alot to try to get my money's worth. Joining for one month is not recommended when there is a hefty start up fee...but we had a great time.

Jack....I am not sure if he is unhappy about having to leave the pool to go to class, or if that is his martial art's face :o)

Jenna, Emily, Brad and Nathan at the pool.

Jenna and Emily. Cousins are so fun when they come in the form of a girl :o) Since both Jenna and Emily are the only girls in a family of 4 kids they were so excited to have a girl around they didn't seem to notice the age gap. They were nearly inseparable!

Joy and Stone. Yes, we spent a lot of time at the pool.


Alert the press...a picture of Michael.

Brent's baby~Kevin. How cute is he?

My nephew Brad showin' his talent. Thank goodness for a camera that takes 5 shots per second :o) Brad spent the whole time saying "aunt Trecia, get another picture of me in the air". I thought for sure he was going to break a bone every time he would find something to jump off of trying to out do the last shot. This is one of Michael's best shots, though.

Yes, another picture of Michael It is a fluke thing, but I actually got a few pictures of him over the summer. He hates getting his picture taken...plus, most of the pix were taken by him, so good luck getting the camera out of his hands. Notice the Longhorns hat. The favorite part of going to Texas is wearing his hat that spends a lot of time sitting on a shelf.

Joy and Stone. A day at the Amarillo zoo.

Nathan at the zoo. What a fun day.


You can click on any of the pictures to enlarge them.....these are so cool enlarged.

Once Michael played with the camera a little and Joy's sister Catherine showed him how to slow the shutter speed he got some great firework pix. I was pretty impressed considering he didn't have a tripod to steady his camera while the shutter speed was slowed down.

4th of July at Brent's house!

This is Michael pretending he is superman. Brent made this slip and slide and the arch over it that with a built in mister to keep it wet. He would go out every once in a while and squirt some dish soap on it to add that extra slip to the slide. The joys of owning a business that builds paintball bunkers.....it's amazing how many things can be done with that material.

Brent personalized the slip and slide for his kids.

Nathan and Craig are only 3 months apart. Craig turned 3 the day before Michael turned 15. These 2 were constantly wrestling. They are the biggest soul mates I have ever seen. From the day they were born they were meant to have fun together!

No fourth of July is complete without a BBQ. My brother Brent cooking in his back yard.


We had such a great time in Amarillo. The weather was great. It's one of the few places that I know where I can run outside at 8am in July and it's actually cool. The highs hit about 92 most days. We did get a few high 90's but not many. Mostly, though it was so good to be amongst family and friends that might as well be family.

It was pretty laid back. A lot of swimming, and some bowling, zoo, discovery centers, art classes for Jenna and Erika, several birthdays, playing the Wii with Joy's sister, Heather and brother in law, David, Michael working for Brent and just hanging out eating ice cream and making salsa. Salsa making is a tradition when Joy and I get together. We can't seem to get enough of our own salsa!

It was great having Brent and Robin in Amarillo. They moved there recently and live 4.5 miles from Joy. My baby sister, Julie, lives just outside of Amarillo so we got to see her and Trent while out there, too. It was the best of all worlds.

We went to Lubbock to witness the sealing of Joy's sister, Catherine to her sweet hubby, Jeff. That was a great session and sealing. We all helped in doing a lot of names for her family. Because it is a small temple the session room only held about 40 people and you have to make an appt. for the session so it was really neat to have it full of family and friends. It was really fun to see some of our old young women leaders who work in the temple. It was more fun to watch their faces....I think it was a little de ja' vu for them. We were reminded by some of them that we gave our leaders quite the run for their money. I always thought we were pretty good youth. To quote Dr. Phil "there is no reality only perception." Oh, well 16 years later as Joy and I sat next to each other in the Lubbock temple all is well.

Not may people are as lucky as I am to have a friend like Joy. I don't remember her not being around. There is not much we have not done together or been through together.....I am so blessed to watch that friendship continue through the years!