Homecoming

I know, I know....behind again---Cassie went to Homecoming with one of her good friends Zack Jackson. They had a great time and lots of fun!
~The group~

Zack, Cassie, Makelle, and Levi

They had dinner over at the Biggs (so nice of them to do). Cassie said the food was great and they had fun props too!

For their day date --no Cassie was not Makelle's date-- they had a box for a Diamondback game. I don't think I have ever watched a game from a box seat....but I'm not jealous or anything!

Getting ready to go to the Dback game!

What is happening?

So...after Chantz left on his mission I thought I had a lot of time before Chelsey left for BYU-Idaho to finish up her degree. Somehow--the time flew by and all of a sudden it was time for her to go. I tried to be supportive but I am really going to miss her! I have to admit I was a little worried about her being able to fit everything (she has been known to have a lot of STUFF--and working full-time at a great job didn't help matters much!) She told me I was allowed to take one small suitcase and she would make the rest fit. I had my doubts but....she was right. Everything fit (except her vintage record player that she had to leave behind...Carlee is really excited about that!) Needless to say, we didn't open the back door very much and just hoped everything would stay put while we drove.Side-viewOther side--like I said, Chelsey made it all fit!Once we made it up there and got everything unloaded, we had to get busy and get it organized and her room put together. She is in an apartment with 6 girls but they each have their own room and more importantly--closet! Chelsey always has great ideas to decorate. She had saved a calendar and we cut the pictures up--found cheap frames at Walmart--and made a great arrangement on her wall--you'll have to look at her blog to see better pictures!

She loves Marilyn Monroe and we found a perfect place for this picture.

I was pretty proud of us--we didn't have a screw-gun (couldn't take on airplane home) and we still put together a chair, nightstand and hung her drapes in her room. I had such a great time with her and the drive wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. It is a lot easier to drive a long distance if there is only 2 of you instead of 9! We are really going to miss Chelsey around our house--she is a great big sister to everyone. That puts us down to 5 kids at home--which means we actually have an empty seat at our table--not fun! I know Chelsey will have a great time and after all--she actually gets to wear winter clothes and boots--what more could a girl want!

Oh and by the way--I finally got Chantz's blog up if you want to check it out. (it's on my blog list)

Happy Birthday Cass-a-frass

Hard to believe Cassie's already 17 and a Senior! (didn't Chantz just graduate!) We took Cassie out to eat at Paradise Bakery because she loves their breadbowls but by the time we got there they were out! It wasn't even that late--who runs out of something everyone loves!! Cassie was a good sport about it and we ended up having a great time. Sometimes it is so nice to have some one on one time with each child on their birthdays--I am glad we finally started this tradition!
17 things you might not know about Cassie
She LOVES babies!
She is a great cheerleader and base even though we didn't give her a lot of tumbling experience
She is always trying to help me
She is not afraid to work
She is very brave (see stitches experience)
She is a closet "hippie"
She loves the Beatles
She always told me when she was little that her house was going to be one huge jungle gym and she was definitely going to let her kids jump on the furniture
She is a great dancer and so fun to watch
She doesn't need a lot to make her happy
She loves to love on her siblings
She is now the oldest at home (not sure she likes this arrangement)
She is very independent
She is great with hair and is going to cosmetology school (I am really excited for this one!)
She is always laughing and happy
She is a great example to everyone around her
She misses Chelsey and Chantz
I love you Cassie!! You are a great daughter and sister and I am so very lucky to be your mom!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

no vacation--School starts!

Well...I am going to have to skip our vacation back East and update later--I am getting too far behind and I don't see an end in sight. Things just keep happening and time just keeps going (faster than I would like--unless of course we are talking mission time!)

We always have a fashion show at Grampy and Grammy's the Sunday before school starts. Everyone gets to model and pose in their first-day of school clothes. It's a lot of fun and something we look forward to each year. Here's the group shot--Chelsey is dressed for the cold in Idaho in case you were wondering why she is wearing a jacket when it is 110 outside!
After the show is over we put on some music and everyone gets to dance!

I am always so sad when this time of year rolls around. I love not being on a tight schedule and just having my kids around. I know they get bored near the end and they can't find anything to do especially since it is so hot outside and the pool feels like warm bath water (uck!). But our house is always noisy and full of life during the summer and it's hard to let them go back and be gone most of the day. Cassie started EVIT (Cosmetology) so she only goes to school half day (long enough to be on cheer and dance and of course Seminary) that is why she is dressed so cute in her black smock! It is nice having the three girls still at elementary school for one last year! Clay is a sophomore and the only one at high school for a full day (and an A hour that starts at 6:30--he is excited for that!) We have a really busy schedule right now with soccer, dance, cheer and just living! Since Chelsey is going to BYU Idaho to finish up and Chantz is on a mission we are down to one other driver and Cassie is gone a lot. Hopefully Russ and I survive and don't forget anything or anyone!!

Happy Birthday Clay!

HAPPY 15th BIRTHDAY CLAY! Hard to believe he is just 6 short months away from driving (and dating!) We are so lucky to have Clay in our family. He is a great brother to all of his sisters and he hardly ever complains that he is the only boy now (at home that is!) We love you Clay and hope you have a great day (3 months ago!)

15 things you might not know about Clay

He loves to wake and snow board

He has crazy hair (according to me) and has since he was a baby

He has a huge heart

He cares about others

He is a hard worker

He hates doing the yard without Chantz

He is very athletic and likes to try new things

He is adventurous and pushes the limit (again according to me)

He hasn't read all the Harry Potter books but loves the movies

He hates potatoes in almost all form but french fries

He has a great voice

He finally has his own room for the first time!

He is always Hungry!

He was a little nugget when he was small but wanted to be big just like his brother and sisters

He use to want to marry me (and I love him even more for that!)

Happy Birthday!

For his birthday he wanted to invite a couple of friends to the lake. Since I didn't go this is the only picture we got!

Just one small accident--Cassie hit her hand on the wake board and had to have 6 stitches. We are lucky it happened in the summer so she will only miss a couple weeks of cheer leading. I have to admit....Cassie is one tough cookie--very brave and watched them stitching her up!

Singing + Dancing =FUN!

Carlee, Cami and Chloe did music camp this year and it was GREAT! Our kids have been doing this camp for about 14 or 15 years. We love to watch old family movies of the performances when the older kids were in it. I am always amazed that they can put on such a great performance after only 2 weeks. Each of the girls had parts and it was so much fun to watch. They are definately keeping up the tradition!
Best friends (minus Chloe)! It is so much fun having 3 girls together! Hopefully I feel the same way when they are all teenagers! They are great performers and never afraid to do anything. I think they must get that from Russ!

Happy Father's Day

I don't know why this always happens at this time of year but I get so far behind and it is overwhelming to try to catch up. I noticed last year I skipped a couple of months thinking I would go back and update but it still hasn't happened so I'm determined to catch up quickly!

Happy Father's Day Russ!
Cami made a "special" tie at school she was so excited to give him.

Carlee had made these cute treats at activity days (or whatever it is called now). I love when they have such great ideas--that I could never come up with. I am so lucky to have Russ as the father to my children. I love him with all my heart and I know my kids are so lucky. He is everything you thought you would want when thinking about someone to marry and have a family with. I know each of my kids are so close to him and it has been such a blessing to have him work out of our home and be able to have time to be a big part of their lives. He is such an example to me and to everyone around him of someone who is so willing to serve our Heavenly Father.

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!

50 years!

We had a party to celebrate my parents 50th wedding anniversary! They are such great examples to me and I am so grateful for them. They have taught me so many things that have helped me throughout my life and the challenges I have faced. I hope I can be just like them when I grow up! ('cause you know I'm still pretty young!)

We invited family, friends and some of my dad's clients that have been with him for quite a while. Dena and I looked through old photographs (and there's a lot--after all it's 50 years!) Then Dena and her family put together a wonderful slide show to all of my parents favorite songs. Luckily for us itunes has a lot of music from the 50's. We had lots of yummy food and hopefully everyone had a great time. Russ and I are almost half-way there!!

June = Dance Recitals!

As soon as we dropped Chantz off we had to hurry back to watch these three cuties in their Dance Recital. I love this time of year mainly because it all seems worth it! During the year it is really hard to like dance when we are driving so often back and forth to the studio and it seems like I spend a great chunk of time doing this. At the end-- I see them dance at the recital and I always end up crying (kind of weird) because they are so great! (I'm allowed to say that 'cause I'm the mom!)

If you couldn't tell the theme was the "80's"-- I know I didn't dress like this but I'm pretty sure Madonna did!

Chloe waiting for her turn to perform (luckily for me she still likes to take pictures!)

Always nice to have the support of your brother (only one now) and sisters!

So grateful for cousins (and best friend) who come and watch too!

Dailynd and Chloe--he's a great sport to watch her dance!

The day has arrived -- MTC

What a handsome missionary! Russ and I flew up with him to drop him off at the MTC--it was so nice to be able to spend a little bit of time with just Chantz. We were able to attend a session at the Salt Lake City Temple and that was a great experience. Anyways--we got to the MTC about 10 minutes early thinking we were going to take some pictures in front of the MTC sign before we drove across the street to drop him off.
But...that little man (guard) across the street told us they took the sign down for security reasons (nice to let me know right before I drop my son off!) So we took a couple of pictures across the street and then got back in our car to drive him over (I didn't want to be there one minute early--so I enjoyed every single last second with Chantz!)

So this is where the sign use to be--I know Russ is going to miss having Chantz around--he was just much better at being positive!

It is very hard to let go--even when you know it is absolutely the best thing that could ever happen and it is something you have wanted for your son since he was born.

A final wave good-bye. I know he will be the best missionary out there (in Florida). Finally now I can post about this because I can tell you he is truly happy. Each and every letter we receive helps me remember what he is doing and how he is serving our Father in Heaven. I miss Chantz but I know he loves what he is doing and he will be able to bring so much happiness to those he comes in contact with. (and besides it's almost been 3 1/2 months!)

Really a missionary!

Monday night we had our family over and Chantz was set apart as a missionary. It was such a special night for us but bittersweet because I realized he was really leaving! Our Stake President, President Barker, had a few of us bear our testimonies (which was difficult) but I was glad I had the chance to express my deep love for the gospel and to let Chantz know that I knew he was doing what our Heavenly Father wanted him to do (even though I might have cried and continued to cry for the next several weeks!) I am so proud of him and I could tell he was excited to be a missionary. What more could a mother possible want for her son? (maybe a way to incorporate contact with your mom on your mission) just joking!

Grampy and Grammy with the new missionary! We are so lucky to have both sets of grandparents living so close.

PaPa and Grandma

Lots of girls (and hair) in our family!

Chantz might need to grow a couple inches on his mission to stay on top in the height category of our family!

Clay will have some pretty big shoes to fill being the only brother to all the girls. I"m pretty sure he will be able to do it but only until Chantz comes home and then they can share the responsiblity again!

All present and future priesthood holders in our family (at least those that live in town!) What a special night for our family. I am so glad we have the gospel in our lives and a Heavenly Father who loves us and will watch over Chantz while he is gone!

Just catchin' up

Before Chantz left on his mission we had a fun family and friends Bar-B-Que (since our Stake strongly discourages any type of "open house" on Sunday.) Luckily, it was pretty hot but bearable (not like today when it is 115). We had lots of yummy food and plenty of time to just hang out and enjoy everyone. We are so lucky to have family and friends that support us in whatever we do. Hopefully everyone had as much fun as I did!

Lots of family and friends! Thanks again for always being there for our family.

Out of order

Untitled from Karen Oliver on Vimeo.

Even though I know I haven't even posted about Chantz leaving I wanted to post this because it is so great! Chantz had been in the MTC almost 8 weeks and this is one of his friends from here that is just getting there. The Biggs sent this to us and I am so grateful. I know how hard that day is! Sister Biggs told me it was so great to see Chantz and she was so grateful he was so excited--she felt a little better knowing Stetson would know someone. I am also so happy that he looks so happy. It makes things a little bit easier (but not much!)

Family Pictures

We had our family pictures done recently (before Chantz left on his mission) by our friend, Amy Fraughton. She did an incredible job! I couldn't believe they turned out as well as they did with all nine of us looking ok! What an accomplishment!

She took lots of fun shots that I never would have thought to do.

What a cute bunch--(if I do say so myself!)

I love this one of the men in the family (I'm even including you Clay)

Girls, Girls and more girls (I'm including myself in that title!)

~Four best friends~

~Best brothers~

~The youngest~

The three "beloved" as my teenagers refer to them and yes they are!

I love this picture!

We are so lucky to have such wonderful kids--I hate when things have to change and with Chantz leaving on a mission --I know this is the beginning of many changes.