NCAA Anniversary

Statue of Wyatt Earp

Out back of the Court House and City Hall, they had a fenced area where they did all the hangings. Creepy...

Courtroom...hardly anything has been touched. Pretty incredible.

Court House / City Hall

Gun show...I got to kill the bad guy.

View from the Hotel

Found this while at the Air Museum....thought you would appreciate this, Dad. All that's missing is the "h". Tried to get some more info on this helicopter, but couldn't find much.

Air Museum

Chopper...

Desert Museum...some of the biggest cactus I have ever seen.

The boys were so hot and tired.

If you look closely you can see a hummingbird in it's nest.

Desert Museum Entrance...we were already sweating.

Part of the Park along the route to the Desert Museum....they are literally everywhere. It's like a forest of cacti.

Big Blue doing a little break dancing.

Goofball...

No need to explain, this picture says it all...

So Delon wanted to go to Tucson for the NCAA tournament...and being as it's been 13 yrs now, I'm well aware of the fact that I will always be competing for attention on our Anniversary weekend. We took Haydn and Riley so they could enjoy a little basketball, and I tagged along because it wouldn't be right to leave me for basketball on our Anniversary ;)

We really enjoyed the trip, and the weather was WARM and very much appreciated after this incredibly cold winter and spring. The kids really liked seeing new places and being on their own with mom and dad. But I almost believe the best part of the trip for them, was driving in the rental car...seriously.

After the game and the Aggies' loss, we took a couple of days and checked a few things out. We went to the Desert Museum (which made for a very long hike in the heat, but interesting nonetheless), the air museum (3rd largest in the country) and Tombstone (the strangest, yet friendliest place I've been to).

The boys loved the museum and it was fun to get to know a little bit more about what each of

the different planes and aircraft can do. And of course there was the infamous fighter jet used in TOP GUN....brings back great memories.

Tombstone was quite an experience.....understatement. We took a little tour to learn about Tombstone and it's famous "characters" like the Earp brothers, Doc Hollywood, etc. Apparently there are quite a few buildings there that are haunted and have been featured on TLC and Discovery channels several times. Step back Sin City...as far as corruption, sex and murder, this little place had you beat a LONG time ago.

I'm always fascinated with learning about the way people lived way back when and the little things they did to cope with everything that we now take for granted, like plumbing, medicine and organized law. Most of the structures right in town are all original, and there is a theater there (the name has slipped my mind) where everyone went to have a "good time". There are over 100 bullet holes throughout the theater as a result of several shootouts that took place inside. An appropriate name would have been "Hoochie whorehouse", but we all know that wouldn't fly.

After the tour we went to watch a little wild west skit, which I quickly became a part of because Delon wanted to sit in the front row...needless to say, I ad libbed and became the main attraction...kidding. But I think they were expecting me to stand there with nothing to say, but I had a few one-liners that got a good laugh from the audience.

The flight home was horrible and I found myself caught in a bad lifetime movie scene of passengers trying to keep their cool while the plane bounced around and the pilot kept making statements to keep everyone calm....ugh. So glad when we landed.

So, the Aggies never moved on, and it wasn't much of an "Anniversary" trip, but it was definitely worth the awful plane ride. I'm always glad to go to a place I've never been and experience things I wouldn't have otherwise...but it's always good to be home.

"I Feel Really Clean!"

Riley was baptized Feb. 5th. This was a special day for our family. We love Riley so much and I know he was hoping to feel a little better that day, unfortunately he woke up feeling a little exhausted from a bad night's sleep, and with a bit of a fever. But everything else turned out really good. We were very grateful for the family that was able to make it and even to those who were on their way but had to turn around and head home because of sick kids. It's always nice to spend time with family and I know the kids really enjoyed having their cousins there.

I am grateful to know of the blessings that come from being a member of the church and I can't wait for Riley to experience some of those things. We love you Riley and are proud of your decision!!

The newest member of the church...you can tell he's not feeling great :(

The 3 of us

Handsome boys

Everyone looks good in "white"...

All Grown up...

Blowing out the candles

Thinking about what she wants to wish for...

Really attractive Emilee...

Emilee turned 12 on Feb. 3rd. It's hard for me to believe I have a daughter going into Young Women's. What's even more surprising, is how she is completely her own person. I've noticed the last little while that she seems to be pretty confident in who she is, and she has a great sense of humor. I also know that she can be grumpy when she doesn't get what she wants, but she always does what needs to be done. She is doing well in school, has great friends, helps out around the house without being asked and is always up and at 'em without someone nudging her along. I love that Emilee is responsible and makes good decisions. We are grateful for Emilee and for her example...and from these pictures taken, you'll see what I mean about her humor.

Happy Birthday Emilee!!

Riley is 8...and obsessed with basketball !

Riley with his new Scriptures...and Lakers b-ball jersey.

Being goofy

Blowing out the candles

I can't believe this kid is 8 already...


This year Delon and I took Riley "out" for his birthday. He chose to go and eat at Aggy's, browse through a few sporting goods stores, and pick up a few Basketball Jerseys. It's funny, Delon was always worried these boys would not enjoy the game of basketball like he does...now he knows that he's created a couple of monsters. We have 4 basketball hoops in the house and one outside, and I still don't think it's enough.

It was a lot of fun to spend some time with Riley one on one. We decided to do that this year with the kids and give them a night out where they get to pick what to do and where they want to eat. I hope Riley knows how much we love him, even when he gets out of control. We're really proud of him and his teachers at school can't say enough about him and how much he's improved.

Happy Birthday Riley we love you and can't wait for you to be baptized !

The Christmas That Never Was....

Our Christmas Tree...

Doesn't look like it in this picture, but this tree was huge, I loved it!


This year for Christmas, these are the only photos I have :( My camera battery went dead and the battery charger went missing. On Christmas Eve, I took pictures on my phone of the kids in their new pajamas. I also got a few while they were opening gifts Christmas morning. Incidently one of my gifts was a brand new phone...after it became activated, the boys got a hold of the old phone and started messing around. Apparently, they started fighting over the phone...yes this does happen in our house lately...and they literally snapped my phone in half ! I was sooo mad. This Christmas, to be honest, was a little rough for us and I was glad when it was over. Hopefully next year things will be better, if not...I'm banning Christmas at our house.

Temple Square Lights

These cool votive bags were everywhere on Temple Square...so pretty.

The kids, freezing...even with Hot Chocolate. But lots of fun with G&G Hillesheim...

Went to Temple Square with the kids and met my parents there. It's been forever since I've been during Christmas, but the kids really had a good time. It was nice to spend some time with my parents ...the kids love to have one on one time with G&G. While we were there, they had a high school choir performing in the Visitor's Center, and an AMAZING mens quartet that performed a capella up by the statue of Christ. It always takes those experiences to remind me how much I miss singing. I'm grateful to live so close to all of these beautiful temples. Thanks G&G for coming to hang out :)

Mom and Daughter Christmas Party

Me and my mom

The "Spread"

It's been awhile. The camera battery charger went missing during the move. But...we found it. Unfortunately it was after Christmas.

On the first Fri. in December my Mom did her annual Christmas Lunch/Dinner and shopping day. As you can tell from the photo above, she always puts a lot of time and thought into it. I usually get quite a bit of my Christmas shopping done, and I get to spend some uninterrupted time with everyone. I'm just so grateful that we can ALL sit around the table and enjoy each other's company...sincerely ENJOY. There's no drama...just good conversation, LOTS of laughing and of course the occasional making fun of ourselves. I'm so glad to have the sisters I have...and mom and dad thanks for the meal, the goodies, the gifts and the example. I AM SO LUCKY!!