A mission call to......

We started out with this list....everyone guessing on Sunday where Chantz would be called to and what date he would leave.

We thought we would get the call on Wednesday....nope, for sure Thursday....didn't happen, finally Friday it came! Chantz was excited to open it but a couple of us were not home so....we decided to open it right when he got off work at 6:30 so our family would be together. We decided to tape it because both Russ and I know we wanted to steam it open and see where he was going!

Finally time to find out!

The Florida Tampa mission Spanish speaking! We are so excited! That is pretty far away for us (expecially me!) I am so glad Chantz has chosen to serve a mission and I am so proud of him. He leaves June 1st--definately sooner than we thought. He put his first available date was May 20th (when ASU gets out). I really have to start getting things done--just in case you didn't realize...that is only 11 weeks away!!

Congratulations Chantz!

Chicago!

No, this is not the place Chantz is going on his mission but....Cassie and I were lucky enough to go there and it was beautiful! I decided to do some collages so it wouldn't be super long.

We had such a great time. We went with One Image (Cassie's dance group from school). I was the only one going as a chaperone besides her dance teachers--lucky for me, Cassie wanted me to go! There were 30 of us all together but we were combined with 4 other high schools so we had a huge group of 70 people. We went to 4 different dance studios in Chicago that had incredible dance instuctors. It almost made me want to get out there and dance but.....I held myself back. (I'm sure Cassie was happy with my restraint!) We also went to Navy Pier, The Field Museum and The John Hancock Observatory which had an incredible view. We went and saw the Blue Man Group and had front row seats. Usually that would be great seats but I knew something was up when I saw the plastic bags on the chairs for us to cover ourselves completely with. I wasn't sure I was really in the mood to get paint or food all over me but...it ended up being very entertaining and not too messy. Cassie even got a poster with their artwork of paint handed to her during the show! She was pretty excited!

Cassie had a lot of fun with these girls and I was pretty impressed. We had a lot of problems with our so called "tour guide" who knew nothing about the city or how to get places. Usually this wouldn't be such a big deal but when you are using the public transport system and you have 70 people getting on and off the bus and train....you probably should know where you are going. It was freezing cold and Cassie and I definately knew we would rather be hot than cold (easy to say when it's not 118 outside!) I really had a great time and I think Cassie did too. We had great weather the first couple of days--windy and cold but sunny. The day we were suppose to leave it started snowing pretty hard and while we were at the airport hoping to get out--you couldn't see anything (which makes me a little nervous about flying). Luckily we were only delayed about an hour and we were able to leave. I was happy to be home and I think "some" even missed me!

Glad we still have "little kids"

Russ got to take all three girls to the daddy-daughter dance at their school. They all made sure they had lip-gloss on for their special date!

I love Chloe's first grade teacher. Carlee and Cami have both had her and she does a special mothers-day program each year. Since she is about to have her baby, she decided to do it around Valentines Day so she would be sure to have it. We got to have special cupcakes and they sang wonderful songs to us. It was a great afternoon!

Update--in the middle of me catching up!

Well--it's official. Chantz sent his papers in on 3-1-11 and because Russ is a bishop we could look up on the computer if he has been assigned yet. I was very anxious and had Russ check it more than once (he had to be excited too but just hid it better!) This afternoon when we checked again....it said it had been sent out!! I am not sure I was ready for it to be that quick but I guess I don't really have a say in the whole matter! Anyways....we should recieve it sometime next week!

and the winner is.....Chloe!

Sometimes we get pretty creative over at my mom's for Sunday night activities. This particular week--we decided to see how talented we were. We had headstand contests.....Chloe was the winner!

Everyone started out the same... (excuse the underwear!)

Chelsey and Chantz concentrating hard to stay up

In the end it was between Chloe and I (of which I was extremely proud of myself--and yes this is a picture to prove it!) Chloe ended up winning out of all of us-- She was pretty excited!

For our next show of talent....the girls set out to prove how flexible they are!

The boys tried.....

But these two college girls proved they still have it! They have been doing this pose since they were little (Thanks Dena for finding the picture!) Always a lot of fun at Grampy and Grammy's. I must admit some of our necks were a little sore from the headstand contest!

Cami--Happy Birthday!

Hard to believe this girl turned 9! I don't know why--but my kids just keep getting bigger! Cami had a three-part birthday--Friday was her birthday but it is hard to keep Friday night clear with the older kids. So she got to go with Russ and I to watch Cassie cheer at a basketball game all by herself. She really loved it and it was fun to have some time with just her. Afterwards at 9:30 we arranged for everyone to be home for just a little while to open presents and have cake. Cami was a trooper and was super excited to receive the motor scooter--now to just get her to slow down a little!!

Nine things you might not know about Cami

1. She loves to do everything fast!

2. She is a great big and little sister to everyone!

3. She has an infectious smile that makes everyone around her smile too.

4. She has no fear (except one....see #5)

5. She doesn't really like the "Tower of Terror" at Disneyland but goes on it each year because the rest of us love that ride! (yes...she has a choice she can either ride the ride or sit by herself while the rest of us ride.)
6. She is kind, loving and worries a lot about others feelings.

7. She tries to keep up with her brothers and the tricks they do.

8. She is a ball of energy.

9. I am so lucky to be her mom and we LOVE CAMI!

Cami and Cassie

The second part of her birthday consists of dinner at Grampy and Grammy's on Sunday. She gets to pick whatever she wants--this year Bar-B-Que chicken. Then we open presents and always take pictures of all the cousins. (Notice Chantz pulling Chelsey over unexpectedly--pretty original for a pose!)

Third--Monday was a holiday so Cami invited her best friend Ashlyn and we went ice-skating with the Goodmans. It is always fun to watch the kids!

Having lots of fun!

Chloe has gotten so good at skating even if it is super crowded!

We are so thankful to big brothers to pull us when we are tired...or maybe they were practicing their ice-skating routine!

The whole gang! We hope you had a Happy Birthday and know that We Love You Cami!