The Thompson Family

Car Accident: Revisited from another post

2011-07-17T22:52:00.004-07:00

(Warning: Very Long Post) Scott posted earlier in the month about how we lost our poor SUV in a roll over accident the day before Mother's day, this post will go a little more into detail about the events of that fateful day! We were spending a fun filled Saturday with Scott's family up in Payson at the Wildlife Fair, We had a good time with the nieces and nephews and were headed back to the valley of the sun, we were outside of Sunflower when the accident happened, a motorcyclist (who took off) cut us off getting ready to go into a turn on highway 87, we fish tailed and went off of the road flipping 1 1/2 times finally landing in 4 cactus bushes all clumped together, Scott was able to undo his seat belt and then get my seat belt undone, he climbed into the back seat and started talking to me, I landed on my left side of my body with my Left Arm underneath my body, my glasses were never to be found again so all that I could see were things that were really close to me, I was talking to Scott as best as I could, He kept me calm while he was talking to witnesses who stopped to help, I was starting to lose feeling in my left arm due to my body being on top of it and it was really painful, I knew that I was pinned somehow around my leg area so I could not move, 15 minutes after we stopped our tumble Scott was taken to Payson Hospital by ambulance, before he left the car I heard him cry out that he needed help because he could not move his right arm without intense pain. After he was taken away a DPS Officer climbed into the vehicle to talk with me and keep me calm until the fire department and ambulance could get there, I started really getting almost hysterical because at the time that they arrived I had been laying on my arm for 45 minutes and the pain from my arm being asleep was more intense than any other problem with my body, I could hear the firefighters talking with each other about how to get me out of the vehicle, they determined that they needed to use the jaws of life to get my door (drivers side) open because my left leg was stuck under the steering wheel and they had no idea if my left arm was in tact, under the vehicle or just under me, once they used the jaws of life they had to pull me out on my tummy first before putting anything on me to determine where my left arm was, after they got me on the back board in intense pain (later I find out why, because I was covered in Cactus on both arms which would rub against the EMT's who had to carry me on a back board up a hill and my arms would hit their uniforms, ouch big time!!!!) They put me in the ambulence for a short trip to the Air Evac team who get me in a small enclosure of a helicopter and take off. They Evac me to Scottsdale Osborn which is a Level 1 Trauma Hospital, It all seems like a blur when you get into the ER room and you have like 15 people working on you, I had people trying to get cactus out of my body, checking my vitals, prepping me for several MRI's and CAT Scan's, cutting my hair in certain spots (my hair is really long and they cut some pieces flush to my head) to get a better view of my head wounds, asking me all sorts of questions that became mundane, but I knew they need to ask me the same questions over and over again to make sure that I was okay and was remembering everything that I told them earlier, After I was wheeled back to intensive care ER, I don't remember a whole lot until the DPS Officer who climbed in the car with me after they took Scott away came to the hospital to check on me and told me who he was. (Now here is the goose bumps on your arm way cool yet creepy part of this situation, when the Officer had climbed in the SUV to talk to me he sounded exactly like my Husband, using phrases that only my husband would use to keep me calm, but when I talked with him in the ER he did not sound like my husband at all). Not long after that my sister-in-law Marie and her husband come up to my bed letting me know that they are there, and they are not gonna leave, I ask about Scott and they tell me that he has a dislocated right shoulder and a couple of scrapes and he is being put out right now to put his arm back in place and as soon as he can get released from the hospital his parents are bringing him to me. Marie is asking how to get a hold of my family, My mom, step-dad, sister, and bro-in-law are 1 day shy from finishing their vacation to Disneyworld (Florida) and I am not sure if we can get a hold of them, they try my brother and get a hold of him and he and his wife come down, I see all of my sister-in-laws but one, and most of my brother-in-laws, Once my mother-in-law finds out about someone in the family being hurt, the entire world knows, LOL! Once Scott is released from the hospital at close to Midnight his parents travel the 1 1/2 hours to bring him to me so that he can see that I am okay, I just look like I got into a fight with several cactus' and they won, I am bruised everywhere, have a corneal abrasion on my right eye, cuts and scrapes everywhere and have a concussion. I spend 3 days in the hospital trying to recover enough to go home, I get released and get new glasses so that I can see something and my Mom takes Scott and I up to her house to move in with her for a couple of months so that she can help us recover, I start physical therapy for my arms because I cannot use them, Scott starts seeing a Orthpaedic Surgeon who determines that he needs to have surgery on the 20th of July to fix the tear in his socket which is torn over half way, once he recovers enough he will start therapy to get the strength back in his arm! While he was in the ER the nurses had to take away his cell phone because he was trying to find out what was wrong with me, and then finally one nurse took pity on him and let him call the Hospital that I was at to get a status update on me, he then calmed down a bit. That would be the love of my life!!!! We both know that we were saved for some unknown reason, upon talking with the officers and the insurance peeps we were told that we were both so lucky to be alive, one if not both of us should have perished in the accident! WE are so thankful to still have each other, our families and the lord, we cannot express the heartfelt gratitude for all of them!!

Happy Little family

2011-07-17T20:32:00.003-07:00

These are wolf pups from Bearizona in Williams, AZ! As you can tell we spent most of our time at the park looking at these guys and gal. These are Artic Wolves that are 2 months old. We hope to go back to Bearizona soon, we like going there!

Path of destruction

2011-06-29T12:11:00.004-07:00

This photo was taken at the side of the highway looking towards the path our SUV took in our roll over. The trees in the middle of the picture is were our SUV landed behind. A 150 feet from the edge of the highway and upside down.

Our Poor Car

2011-06-29T11:54:00.002-07:00

Well here is what is left our our poor SUV. We lost it in an roll over accident the day before mothers day. We are greatful to still be here and enjoy everything. Jodi and I walked away with minor injuries. Mostly cuts,bruises, scraps, cactus and a dislocated shoulder. It's hard to believe we walked away from this (OK carried away on back boards by the fire fighters). Rest in peace our poor SUV.

AZ State Fair 2010

2010-09-10T17:56:00.002-07:00

We are hoping that our pictures' for this years AZ state fair will do good. This year we are putting in 12 pictures all together. Jodi with 4 and me with 8. We think at least 2 will get honorable mention and I hope at least one will place. Any winning picture's might get posted on our photography blog. We will see.

Longish post about summer happenings......

2010-08-11T10:15:00.006-07:00

Another year has flown by so fast. We celebrated our 8 Year anniversary on Aug. 2! Wow 8 years together and still lovin' it! We are looking forward to many more crazy years together! It has been a very busy summer for us, all of my side of the family and some of Scott's side all have birthdays within a a couple of weeks of each other through out the summer months so we have a lot of parties to go to. We went to my Sister(her 25th) and her husbands(his 30th) combined bday party at a pool center that they rented out in Gilbert. It was a blast just having the people that they invited at the pool and not anyone else. We played again at a water park for our Nephew Morgan's 10th b-day, loved it but did not like the pool after I got a huge owie on my knee from the bottom of the pool, but had fun with all 20ish nephews and neices on scotts side! While we waited for another party or b-day to come we just worked, worked, and worked some more. We spent the 4th of July up at my mom's in Prescott Valley, we will probably continue to go there for every 4th of July until we die, b/c you cannot beat the lower degrees of heat or more and of course the Rain! Then my dreaded 31st b-day came (it means that i am another year older and still it is just me and Scott living our daily lives, with no children added to the mixture) I got a new DVD player and a couple of seasons of The Big Bang Theory.(love , love , love that show) Then a week later it was off to the 24th Pioneer Festivities in Safford, Az. We stayed with my aunt again and had a blast this year, It poured really, really good. And the best part was that we saw and hung out with my sister and her family most of the weekend! Then the next weekend was Scott's B-day weekend and our Aniversary. We left on Thursday night and headed back up to my mom's for a 4 day mini-vaca away from the heat! We went to the movies, explored alot of the mountains that are in prescott area, ate at some of our favorite places (one of them reminds my husband of the food that he ate while on his mission in Toronto, Canada. So we go there any time we visit my mom), oh yeah and did i mention that it rained on us the entire time we were there, we love rain! I also went mud boggin in the SUV, so much rain had fallen that I got mud almost all the way up the tires and part of the suv (needless to say it really needed a bath). The sad part was that we had to come back to reality that the summer is almost over and that there is not more traveling going to happen and that the busy months for Jodi are coming up ( not looking forward to them, but love the paychecks) until the next summer for more traveling! Oh how we will miss you, You Traveling Bug!

"FIRE"

2010-07-06T20:52:00.002-07:00

On our way to Prescott Valley this 4th of July weekend Jodi and I saw 2 wildland fires. This picture is from the second fire. I had Jodi pull of the highway so I can take some pictures. I think it was kind of cool to see the helicopter dropping water.

AZ Game & Fish Expo

2010-05-27T15:12:00.002-07:00

We went to the Arizona Game and Fish Expo a few weeks ago with other family members. We had a great time seeing all sorts of birds of prey and others. This is one of my favorite pictures I took there. It was fun seeing the little kids trying to cast their fishing lines into the water. They just don't have it down yet but soon. It was a good day to get out of the valley and enjoy the cool pines.

New Addition to the Family

2010-04-27T17:26:00.002-07:00

Well here it is, our new car. A 2009 Nissan Versa. It's a fun little car to drive.

Rattlesnakes !

2010-04-15T17:57:00.002-07:00

You know it cracks me up every year, when it's breaking news when someone is bitten by a rattlesnake. The news media makes it out to be some big deal, which in some cases it is but not all the time. It's even funnier to me when the person bitten is interviewed at the hospital and the proceeds to tell the reporter that they have lived in the valley for several years and that they didn't realize that rattlesnakes are dangerous. All I can say is well DAH!!!!!! Once the temps start to get warmer all the news and radio stations warn people to watch out for snakes because the come out. Some people are just plan stupid sometimes.

It's Playoff Time !!!!

2010-04-13T16:21:00.002-07:00

It's the best time of the year. Why ? you ask, well that's easy to answer, because it's hockey playoffs. In my opinion the best sport followed by baseball of course. Sure the NFL, NBA, and MLB playoffs are good to but nothing beats the NHL playoffs !!! Even though the Coyotes are in the playoffs I must cheer for my favorite team.... The New Jersey DEVILS !!!!!!!!!!!! I hope that the Coyotes and the Devils meet in the finals. That would be Awesome. Here We Go DEVILS !!!

Funny little story

2010-03-22T16:52:00.002-07:00

Over this past weekend Jodi and I went to a ASU baseball game, since I won tickets from the radio. We had really good seats. We were just 4 rows from the field in the grand stand on the visiting teams side (first base side). From where we were sitting, the visiting team (University of Houston) batters would take practice swings with there bats. Okay now the funny part of the story. It was in the 5th inning and Houston was batting. These little kids I would say were about 5 to 7 years old came over to the rail. They kept yelling at this player saying "Hey number 23, hey number 23" several times. But this player would not turn around. Then one of the boys started saying " Hey player not listening" The funny part was the player finally turned around after the kid said hey player not listening. Just seeing those kids trying to get the players attention and finally they did was just too funny. And ASU did win the game and are now 20 and 0.

The latest Addition is..... a new Nephew

2010-03-01T20:13:00.004-07:00

Scott and Emily have a new addition to their family, their son Dawson Scott Carnes made his debut this morning at 10:31 am. He weighed in at 8 lbs. 13oz and was 20.5 in long. His hair is dark and he has lots of it. He is such a beautiful baby, he has such long fingers. He already loves his pacifier. He is a total snuggle bunnie. The proud father Scott with his new son, he cannot wait to be a father to this wonderful new child. Emily did a wonderful job in carrying this bundle of joy she was due on the 21st of February. Yet he did not come without being helped along a little bit, I guess she was doing to much of a good job and he did not want to leave the warmth of her womb! He makes such cute faces at you when you talk to him, and he loves to show his tongue, He just sticks it right at you almost all of the time. I cannot wait for him to get a little bit older and see what his personality will be like. Yeah to new babies, they have the best smell ever, and are so fresh from heaven!! Congrats Scott and Emily!!!

Thompson Kids

2010-02-02T17:36:00.004-07:00

This past Christmas my family took some family photos. Something we have not done for awhile. Okay only to be fair not all of my parents kids were in town. This past x-mas my older brother David and his family drove from Tennessee to be here for a week. It was great to see them all. A little crazy and extremely noisy at my parents house (not even ear plugs could have drowned out the noise all the grand kids made). back row L to R : Tiffany, Me, David, Amber>front row L to R: Kirsha, Marie, Laurissa and Kayla This picture is a rare one. The last picture I can remember where it is just me and my brother, we were both little kids. Jodi says we look alike and it's scary but I don't see it. Maybe it's just me. Here is our family photo for this year.

Ready To Go...

2010-02-02T16:50:00.001-07:00

We are now ready to go again. Our computer is back and now we can start blogging again. As well as posting photos on our photography blog. Yea for us.

Sorry out of Order

2010-01-28T17:49:00.003-07:00

Ok, just so everyone knows the title does not mean anything. It just means sorry to all those who follow are blog. Our computer is being fixed right now so we will not be on here for a little while. But when it's fixed we will be back. Our photography blog will be down as well. I'm sorting out pictures that I want to post. you all should come and see the new pictures when I finally post them. I'll let you all know. Thanks for understanding. Scott and Jodi.

A little updating

2009-12-04T17:36:00.004-07:00

In case any one wanted to know. We are both doing good and are really busy with work so don't be shocked if we don't write for a little while. a side note -- my ankle is doing much better even though it still is sore when I run on it or turn to fast on my foot. Soon I'll be ready to play sports again :) !!!!!!!!!!

Jaycee's Day

2009-11-08T19:15:00.002-07:00

Little miss Jaycee Grant was blessed today, Her father gave her a beautiful one. We traveled all the way out to the Power Ranch ward to participate in this beautiful event. After the meeting we made our way over to Leslie and Jaycen's for a variety of sugar overloads (YUMMY!). I could not get enough of this little girl, I have not seen her since the day she was born, now she is almost 2 months old, and she is a little chunk-a-roonie. We brought our camera to take some pic's of her that Leslie had wanted, so we decided to post a couple for your viewing pleasure. Jaycee wore her cousin Maigan's blessing dress, my mom made her a blessing day blanket, and she wore the bracelet that my cousin Melinda made for her. The happy little family in their beautiful home. Jaycee is looking more and more like Leslie every day but she has Jaycen's dark hair! Congrats to them on this wonderful day!!

Softball Update and Such.......

2009-11-05T09:26:00.002-07:00

Well the softball season was a lot of fun for me even though we lost pretty much all of the games, it got me out doing a sport that I love to play. Yesterday was our last game, I lasted in the game about 15 minutes, until I was sliding into 2nd base and the baseman landed on my left ankle , my body went one way and my ankle went with the baseman, so Jodi got a phone call about my injury, and I was thankfully able to drive all of the way home to pick her up, (I just wanted to go get a bag of ice and put it on my foot), but upon picking her up I was vetoed and we were on our way to an extended open urgent care. We got registered, and I had to take off my cleat on my left foot, that was sooooo much fun, my ankle ballooned up, you could not even see my ankle bone, they took me to x-ray's and then I got to take their wheel chair back to the lobby, until the doctor could see me. The urgent care doctor saw me and the outcome is that I am in a soft cast for the next four days and I get to use crutches. I got some good medicine, Vicodin, before we left, we then had to make a stop at walmart, I got to use their electric cart, (that was totally cool, because everyone moves out of your way), but I determined that they suck at going fast, I tried to race Jodi, granted she was walking, I was like a turtle on the motorized chair. I gave up, but I had Jodi cracking up at me because I would do hand signals to indicate that I was going to turn, I think the vicodin was slowly starting to kick in. Today {thursday} is day one of staying off of my foot, and I am already going nuts, but am enjoying the factor that I get to watch my movies while Jodi is at work until midnight!

Softball

2009-10-19T17:06:00.002-07:00

Well it's been a few weeks since my last update on the softball team I play with. Well here it is. We are now 1-9. We finally won a game. a sad note is that there is only 4 games left to be played this season. This week the games are early and next weeks games are the late games. You are all welcome to come and watch.

Photos

2009-10-10T22:11:00.003-07:00

The photos we entered in to the Arizona State fair are going to be displayed. If you would like to see the ones that will be on display go to our photo blog. The link is on the page.

2009-10-07T19:18:00.002-07:00

Today is the day that we found out that my Brother Scott and his loverly wife Emily are expecting a BOY! I am so excited for this new little one to come into our lives. Until the middle of February, I will just have to wait and watch Emily's growing baby bump! With this new one it will bring the count to all three sides of our family to 23! Boys= 11 Girls= 12

Camping

2009-10-04T18:25:00.003-07:00

We decided to go on an overnight camping trip just the two of us. We have not really made any time in a couple of months to do anything that we like to really do just by ourselves! So we took off on friday for the cool pines around Payson. We decided to scout out a new spot that we have not been to as a married couple. We hit up the Houston Mesa area, as we were driving to find a campground, we came across a section of the forest that had been in a forest fire earlier this summer. As we were passing this section, your eyes are not prepared for the sadness that you see for all of the beautiful nature that had gone through such a devistation. I felt like crying, this section must have been so beautiful, but all I saw was Black, Charred masses that were trees at one point in time. Seeing that makes me so mad for all of those individuals that are not responsible for their fires when they camp! As Scott and I talked about this devistation, he said that at least one good thing would come from this in a couple of years, there would be a whole new section that would be beautiful with life, and we could see the progress if we wanted to, I think we just might do that!!! We found our camp ground and set if up, we were in a very quiet section. Hardly anyone came through there. We made a new concoction in our dutch oven that we will be making from now on. I just love it when we experiment with foods in our dutch ovens! It was a nice day, but it got a little cold at night, I slept in the SUV because it would be warmer in there, and Scott was not as cold as me. In the morning upon waking up, Scott proceeded to tell me that he was woken up around 4 am by a bunch of Turkey gobbling through the camp with their babies. I told him that I heard nothing, not even the crickets. I love my SUV!! We packed up our stuff and headed out to go home. There was a little craft fair in Payson, we stopped there and got the best Honey in the world, harvested that day! It is so YUMMY! We made it back home in enough time to go on a mini date, we played bowling. And had a lot of fun doing it!! Until our next little trip!

(our little camp ground, just the bare necessities for it: a tent, sleeping bags, chairs, table, dutch oven, water, and food)

The Growl of Anne-Marie

2009-10-04T18:12:00.003-07:00

This photo is from Kayla's wedding day, Scott was taking pictures of the kids before Kayla and Bret came out of the temple. He asked Anne-Marie to smile for the picture, and she proceeded to growl at him in the middle of the picture, and here is the finished product of the growl at him. I laughed so hard when I saw this picture and I am still laughing as I am writing. She is such a character, and we love our Miss Little Swiss Miss!!

HOCKEY season is HERE !!!!!!!!!!!!

2009-10-01T20:43:00.004-07:00

It is the time of year that I have been waiting for. It's HOCKEY TIME !!!!!!!! For the next 8 months there will be hockey posts for those who care. If you don't care well too bad. This year will be an interesting year. I'll say it now, the Stanley Cup will be decided between New Jersey Devils and the Chicago Blackhawks. And of course NJ Devils winning the cup in game 7. I'm ssssssoooooo excited that hockey has finally returned.

Congrats

2009-09-24T18:57:00.002-07:00

Congrats to my little sister Laurissa and Jason on their 4th kid being born today.

Softball updates

2009-09-24T12:49:00.003-07:00

Well, here is a softball update for all those who want to know. The team I play with is 0 -- 4 so far. We have lost every game so far. I'm a little sore today after last nights games. Lets see, I slide into home plate twice and first base head first, had a in the park homerun and two diving catches. I also got a nice rasberry on my knee to show for it, but it's worth it.

The Woodard Family is Official

2009-09-20T21:40:00.003-07:00

Bret and Kayla tied the knot this weekend, and we could not be more excited!! The day started out great, the temple was just packed with all of us mormons that think they need to get married when it is over 100 degrees (What were we thinking getting married in August, I do not remember it being so hot when we got married, It was probably swealtering, but when you are so excited for your day, you do not remember what the weather was like). There was a good turn out for the two love birds!!

We have no words for the joy that we have for Kayla and her new husband! He is the best thing that has happened to her since sliced bread (even though she was not born yet when this phenomenon happened). Watching her fall in love with this gentleman has been fun to watch, the twitterpated looks she has had were just priceless, as were his to her! Watching people fall in love just brings you back to your love of your life and the feelings that you had when you were falling in love with him. In the 7 years that Scott and I have been married, it has been a whirl wind and I love him even more so than when we got married, we both wish success to Bret and Kayla and their new adventure that is their marriage!! They are going to love it!

Scott and I hope that they have fun on their honeymoon in the Bahama's.

The Daines, Jarvis, and Haws children at the temple posing for one of the many photos that Scott took of them.

( l to r: Nathan D., Morgan D., Hunter H., Anne-Marie D., Sara J., Alexis H., Preston H., Jonathan D., Emma J.)

2009-09-20T21:37:00.001-07:00

Jaycee is officially a week old tomorrow! Leslie sent me this picture that she took of her with her eyes open. She looks SOOOOO cute in her outfit!

She's Here!!!

2009-09-15T08:49:00.002-07:00

She made her debute on Monday, September 14, 2009 at 1:35 a.m. She weighed in at 7lb 5oz and is 21 inches long. They have chosen to name her Jaycee Ione Grant. She is such a pretty baby. She was totally pink and she has such dark hair and a lot of it!!!

Here is the PROUD and EXCITED Grandma Leafty, she has had a smile from ear to ear since she was born!!!

Uncle Ren (that is what he will be called on Jodi's side, because of her brother Scott) was glad to hold her and play with her fingers and toes, she even wore his sunglasses for a pictures (to follow later). We are so glad that she has come into our lives, and cannot wait for her to get a little bit older, so that we can interact with her!!! Congrats to Jaycen and Leslie!!!

HOCKEY season is here

2009-09-10T18:55:00.004-07:00

It's time to lace up those skates, tape up those sticks and hit some body, cause its Hockey Time. Another great season of Hockey will soon be here. In my opinion the best sport, begins in just merely 5 days !!!!!!! HOCKEY...... Lets Go NJ DEVILS !!!!!!! Oh yea if any one is interested I can get some hockey tickets for a discounted price. That's only if the Coyotes are going to be here. In my opinion this whole disaster if you can call it that, with the Coyotes is just a pitifully example of how money ruins things. This mess that the Coyotes are in is just disgraceful to the great game of Hockey. It's truly sad and pitiful. Bad management all around on the organization, just sad.

Softball League !!!!!

2009-09-09T20:12:00.002-07:00

Now that I'm done with schooling for a while I can now start playing softball again !!!!!YEA !!!!! As it turns out, I will be playing softball this fall (starting next week). I play on Wednesday nights at Freestone park. I'm excited to be playing once more. If you like come on out and cheer.

Fixed

2009-09-08T17:44:00.001-07:00

I finally fixed our jeep. It only took a month to figure it out the problems. There were several little problems that decided to show up at the same time (8) all together. I am glad that i'm done finally. I just hope that I fixed all of the problems.

Our week

2009-09-07T19:01:00.006-07:00

The photo's that Jodi and I are submitting into the state fair this year are finally done. They will be going in tomorrow. We had a lot of photos to go through to see which ones we wanted to submit. Jodi has put 4 photo's in this year. This is her first year doing so, I hope she gets something. This is my second year and I hope to get something as well. I will be posting my photos on our other blog in the near future, so go see them. I'll let Jodi do what she wants with her photo's. I like holidays. I get to be lazy and not do a darn thing... it's great. This week for us has been crazy. The week has been frustrating for me. Trying to find the problem with our Jeep is driving me nuts, I've checked everything that I can think of and still our Jeep is broken. It's FRUSTRATING !!!!! Jodi has been busy this week as well. She has been working like mad at her work especially recently now that the snow birds are slowly migrating back to Arizona. She has been working on her little sisters baby shower all week, she's worked hard on it.

Jeep Adventures

2009-08-29T16:40:00.002-07:00

On our little vacation we took a few weeks ago, we went to Sedona, Arizona. We had a great time. We went to a few recommend dinning establishments in town ---- lets just say the ones we went to ---YUM YUM !!!!!!!. We would go back to Sedona just to eat at a least 2 of the restaurants. One of the things we did was to take a Jeep Adventure tour. There are 7 different companies that do the tours. One the tour we did it was just the 2 of us and the driver. It was great having room in the jeep. (the funning thing is that I can drive on the jeep tour trails with our jeep). That's going to be one of our next adventures we take, probably in the fall or as soon as I put or jeep back together.

2009-08-16T20:44:00.002-07:00

We had to delete our Miren Photography blog address and start a new one. We were having to many problems with wanting to make it the way that we wanted it, so we just decided to delete it and start all over again. The new blogsite address is www.mirenphotos.blogspot.com You will have to resign yourself up as a blog follower again. Hopefully this will work now and you can leave messages and comments on this one, our other one you could not leave comments on it!

Playing at the lake

2009-08-16T17:48:00.003-07:00

Anne Marie playing in the water at Woods Canyon Lake. She had a blast playing.

Grandpa T with Anne Marie. She was trying to make a run for the water to play in it but was caught.

Grandma T with Anne Marie at the Tonto Fish Hatchery.

Grandpa T with Kendal (Marie and Richard's youngest) both Emma and Nathan as well as all the little ones had a blast at the fish hatchery and at lake.

This family outing that we had was a much needed one to the cool pines. We all had the time of our lives, and will probably continue to do this over and over again. The look on all of the little kids faces when they saw all of the fish for the first time is completely priceless. This was the first family outing for Kayla's fiance Bret. We all hope that he had a good time. He had better get used to the mini family outings that we all decide to do in a moments notice. He could even suggest some of them also, and we would do them, because we all love to do things with each other. Now the wait is on for the next trip to a cooler place within a day. Any suggestions?

Fish Creek

2009-08-13T15:50:00.002-07:00

This is a view of Fish Creek. Fish Creek is on the Apache Trail, which runs a long 3 lakes (Canyon, Apache and Roosevelt). The trail is very drive able and enjoyable. But the road is at several places very very windy and 90% of it is a dirt road.

Photograph blog

2009-08-12T18:25:00.003-07:00

Okay everyone that wants to know. We have another blog that is up and running now. The address for the photo blog we have is : www.mirenphotography.blogspot.com Feel free to take a look if you like and make comments. This blog will be mostly pictures that either Jodi or myself have taken over the years. We are still working on the comment part of the blog.

2009-08-08T13:36:00.002-07:00

Today I can finally announce the excitement that I have known about since my birthday, but had to wait for the okay to announce it. My brother Scott and his wife Emily are expecting a little one in February 2010! Congrats goes out to them!! And I get another baby to hold and watch grow up!!!

A Quick Poll

2009-07-27T17:46:00.003-07:00

I am taking a quick little poll. Feed back is appreciated. It's a simple "Yes" or "No" poll. The poll is whether or not if I should start a new blog that would be just pictures Jodi and I have taken over the years. I would like some feed back from who ever wants to comment. Thank you participating.

24th of July Festivities

2009-07-26T15:39:00.003-07:00

This past weekend we went to our yearly pioneer festivities for the 24th of July. This year it was held in Pima, Az. We left friday and traveled up to Thatcher for good old family fun with the Layton, and Claridge side of my family. We were able to see the progress of the new Gila Valley Temple, it is going up so fast, they already have one side of the wall done, and they are almost finished with the new church building that is going in right next to it. It is already gorgeous!!! We got to eat at El Charro, our once a year outing to eat there!!! YUM! On Saturday morning the Claridge Family was taking family pictures before Clinton (the youngest kid gets his mission call and has to leave), so Scott and I went to be in the background taking pictures, while the professional photographer was taking pictures. Scott wanted to try out the new Lens that I bought him for his birthday! He took the above photo of my cousins, it turned out really well!!

I got to see my sister this past weekend. She is getting so big, she has 11 more weeks to go before little Peanut gets to come out. I also got to feel her kick Leslie. It is the coolest feeling to talk to her and have her kick at you. Leslie is getting so excited to become a mother!!!!

I sat outside with Kate and April to watch the storm come in on the mountain before we went to the parade and fireworks and entertainment. We had a lot of fun singing church songs. It is not a good 24th of July unless you get a storm to cool off the valley, so that the festivities are more bearable. This has become such an awesome memory for Scott and I every year. We love the small town feel that the 24th festivities have, and We get to see people that we both know from Mesa and in the Gila Valley!

(right outside my Aunt Marilyn's front door, a storm coming in on Mt. Graham)

HAPPY 30th BIRTHDAY

2009-07-19T16:12:00.002-07:00

Happy 30th Birthday Jodi !!!!!!! She looks so cute with those little ones. Annemarie and Kendel are so cute too. Have a great B-Day.

30

2009-07-19T08:32:00.007-07:00

So today is my 30th Birthday! Where has the time gone, it seems like only yesterday I was turning 23 and getting married! Nothing has gone according to plan for the two of us. Today is a somber event, as I sit here and write I ponder on the things that people take for granted in this life. Like starting a family! The two of us have wanted children for at the very least 6 years, but to no avail, we have none and the possibilities look slim. I ache each time I am told by a family member that they are expecting (it is because I want to know what it is like to experience what they are going through). So when my heart is in ache for a little one to love and hold and watch grow up, I am at the very least thankful for all of the people that are in my life that allow me the time for my brief grievance and then allow me to love all of their children as if they were my own! So thank you to all the mothers that I know for letting me get a glimpse of what motherhood would be like, I love your children so much!!!!

2009-07-13T10:47:00.003-07:00

Congrats are in order for another Thompson child. Scott's baby sister (she is 19) got engaged over the weekend to Bret Woodard. She is so excited. The amazing date for the two of them is September 19th. Congrats to you guys and good luck with the planning!!

Happy July 4th Celebration (a couple of days late)

2009-07-07T15:20:00.004-07:00

Happy Belated Fourth to everyone!!! We spent our fourth of July up at my mom's in prescott valley, we left on friday and decided to take the route through Payson, instead of the I-17. (something about the news of they closed the highway to get a chicken out of the road, and the 10-mile back up at the Loop-101 and I-17 interchange, just said if you are an idiot, please take this route up to your destination) We had smooth driving just up until 5 miles outside of Payson, then I swear every person that thinks that they need to camp with everything under the sun packed in their vehicles was on the highway, we went about 10-15 miles per hour until the light at the 260 intersection, everyone and their dog( Everyone practically had all of their dogs or what looked like dogs with them or in the back of their vehicles) turned at the intersection, We went straight and had no problem from then on! We drove through the beautiful rain, and saw the most gorgeous rainbow.

On the fourth of July, we went to the parade, it was so much fun to be able to watch a parade without feeling like you are loosing 25 pounds from sweating in the heat! John McCain was in the parade, that was hilarious to see all of the people watch him and his Entourage of people that were with him in the parade. Scott took this picture of the horses, he thought that it was a neat looking one because it has a blue eye and white eyelashes. After the parade ended we went to the bazar that they hold on the courthouse lawn, we watched people running on the road, and wondered what the heck they were doing, we came to find out that they were holding races of certain age groups of people who had to wear cowboy boots while running. It was hilarious to watch this because people actually dressed up for this event. After the bazar we went to eat at Buffalo Wild Wings, we chose to sit out on the patio seating. By the time that we were done eating we had moved our table in about 10 feet (upon receiving our food it started to pour like cats and dogs) we enjoyed the misting of the rain.

After lunch we venture back to my mom's and played in the rain. It was so much fun remembering about when we were children and played out in the rain. We hung out playing games and eating good food (we played Family Uno with my brother, he had to draw 46 cards in one hand, he was so mad at me for the 6 draw four's that I layed down in one turn, but it was hilarious to watch him trying to hold all of the cards at once)

We left about 30 minutes before the fireworks were to start, we played games and enjoyed ourselves. We enjoyed the fireworks that Prescott Valley had, My favorite part is hearing the sound that the fireworks make off of the mountains nearby. We think that we are going to try to make this a tradition of going to Prescott Valley every year, We cannot pass up the 70 degree or less weather!!!

(My brother Scott playing in the rain)

2009-06-22T18:31:00.002-07:00

So I forgot to post some pictures of Emma and Nathan from the "father's" day post, and I guess Nathan saw that there was a picture of his sister but not him. So I decided to post pic's of them! We took Emma to the Game and Fish Expo, and she chose to go fishing with Scott's help of course. She enjoyed it alot!

Emma was the only niece/nephew who was able to come to my father's funeral. This is a picture of her at his graveside. I bought her that dress for her B-Day. She looks so much older in this picture than she actually is! We love you Ems!!

Nathan stole Scott's sunglasses and put them on and said that he was his Uncle Scotty.

This child is so hi-larious. He cracks me up every time that we see him!! We love all of you lots and lots!

Happy "Father's" Day

2009-06-21T12:01:00.003-07:00

Even though today is father's day and we have not been blessed with our "own" children, Scott is a great father in so many ways to the "minons" in his life. He loves them all with his whole heart, and wants the best for them in their lives.

When he stole my heart 7 1/2 years ago, I would have never imagined that I would fall in love with him even more every single day. He loves me so much and lets me know every day that I am his number one girl!!! The trials that we have been through, have helped us so much to become each other's best friend.

I love that he is such an outdoors person. He loves that he married a woman who shares his love of the nature. When he becomes a father, Oh the things that he will teach them! Every day I grown amazed at the ability that he has to communicate with alot of his "minons", especially Camron, Emma and Nathan. Camron will always hold a special place in his heart, and he will always look out for him for the rest of his life. That boy has done alot to soften Scott's exterior shell! Emma with her sassy attitude, he says that she is a 30 year old in a 3 year old body, but yet they have a closeness that I love. And Nathan, quiet, but will attack you from behind when you least expect it. Scott still says that Nathan stole his blanket from him, but who better to have that blanket than Nathan who will always take care of it.

Every day that we spend with children I just have to sit back and love the scene that is playing out in front of me. He loves all children, and cannot wait until he can become a dad!!!! I want to thank my husband for loving me enough to allow me to find things out on my own (at my own pace). Thank you so much for being such a great husband to me and providing for our daily lives, in any way that you can. Here's to another 50+ years together on this earth!!!

Happy Earthly and Heavenly Father's Day

2009-06-21T11:20:00.002-07:00

This day is a great day for the father's that I have in my life. There are two earthly father's that I want mention. The first is Delbert Leafty (my mom's husband), this man has been the best thing for my mom after my parents split up. He is so kind and generous and would give you the shirt of off his back for you. He has taught Scott and I so much. He has some of the greatest advice in life, and he looks out for all of his children. The second one is Boyd Thompson, this man is very kind, loving, and very generous. He has accepted me with no qualms about the fact that I came into a very opinionated family, who was totally different than the way I was raised. He was one of the first ones that talked with me and told me to just ride out the drama that is the Thompson family. He has shared many life stories of his time in Guam, (I am thankful to be able to understand a hint of what he went through over there). Thank you to Boyd for raising my husband to be the man that he is today. The last and most close to my heart is my father Bruce David Carnes! It has been a very long yet fast 6 months since my father left his earthly body and went to live with his father in heaven. It has been very hard to cope with life on a daily basis!! Thankfully Scott has tried to help me cope with that loss of my father (way before I was ready to let him go). It has been a very trying time but it is slowly becoming easier to cope with the loss of my dad! The thing that I miss the most is his voice and smile. He had a very kind voice. He was such an example to me. I am so thankful every day that I was able to come to this world and be born to my mother and father! He taught me to look at life as a new adventure daily. I miss him so terribly much, but I know that he is in a better place, and that he is helping to watch over my future children and the future children of all of his children!!!

So happy father's day to all of the father's in my life may it be Earthly or Heavenly!! Thank you so much to Heavenly Father for taking care of them all!!

2009-06-20T21:22:00.001-07:00

Happy 9th Birthday Morgan!!!

2009-06-19T13:00:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Leslie!!!!!

Why Arizona?

2009-06-16T15:45:00.003-07:00

Last Monday I got off work alittle early and decided that it would be fun to go shooting and do some 4wheeling. I asked Kayla if she want to come since the last few times I have gone out she had not been able to go. We went to a great area near the Four Peaks, called Mud Springs. I don't know why Kayla gets alittle scared when she goes 4wheeling with me...what a scared pants... lol.. just kidding Kayla. We had a blast shooting my .22 rifle and 4wheeling. Her is Kayla shooting my .22 rifle, she is a pretty good shot with it at 25 yards and she is getting a little better each time we go out. Today at work, The co-worker I was working with asked me Why Arizona? I said what do you mean "Why Arizona"? He clarified his question. Why would you move to Arizona? I told him I didn't move to Arizona, I've lived here my whole life. He stopped what he was doing and just looked at me like I was crazy. He made the most obvious statement next,"Your a native to Arizona!!!!!" why have you stayed here so long? My answer to his question was simple, I love it here. The weather is not that bad, sure it is hot during the summer months, the spring,fall and winter weather is great. Arizona is a great place to live. I can go and do the things I love to do any time of the year, like camping, fishing, 4wheeling, exploring the state, taking pictures of things, like the Suguro cactus. Arizona has a vast divesity of terrains that you can't find anywhere else, the low desert to the high alpine and everything in between them. after I answered his question all he said was "it's wierd to see someone that is native to Arizona and I need to see the state move, because I have no idea what you are talking about the vast terrians because all I have seen is desert".

I told him that he should go out over the weekend and go explore the state, he might discover something he never knew before about the state he lives in.

ASU Baseball !!!!!!!

2009-06-08T13:53:00.002-07:00

For those who care(me mostly), Arizona State baseball is going to the college world series in Omaha. They beat Clemson in a best of 3 series over the weekend. I am hoping that ASU wins the national title this year, I think they will. GO ASU BASEBALL!!!!

2009-06-01T13:00:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Jaycen Grant!!!

Arizona Travels

2009-05-31T19:57:00.004-07:00

Yesterday Jodi and I spent the day together, we went for a scenic drive through central area up the Bush Highway and State Route 87. We had a blast. We even put out a smoldering fire that some irresponsible doof left. The first picture is a view looking north over a place called Mud Springs (great 4wheeling place).

The next pictures is a cactus flower that bloomed. The cactus was really small, about the size of a one liter bottle of water, and the flower was the size of a silver dollar. Cactus flowers in the desert are awesome to see, they are really colorful. Most of the cactuses were in bloom, except for the ones where the birds had eaten all of the flower seeds and buds off of it. But it was a very gorgeous site to see all of the different kinds and colors of flowers in bloom.

This little guy on the rock is the guard dog for Mesquite Wash (another great 4 wheeling place, camping, a day playing in the water). Jodi took this picture, we laughed about this little guy. He was defending his rock from what ever came down the road.

This last picture I took was cool. I was walking along the Salt river bank and saw this guy fly fishing out in the middle of the river. He was doing good out in the middle. He caught 3 trout while I was standing there.

A Great Baseball Game

2009-05-31T19:08:00.004-07:00

Yesterday, Jodi and I went to a great baseball game. And No it wasn't the Arizona Diamondbacks, since they aren't that great right now. We went to the Arizona State baseball game. Currently ASU is in the post season again for the 23 year in a row (NCAA record). They played against Oral Roberts, who is a really good team as well. We sat on the lawn on the first base side of the field (which is the visitors side). The game was awesome!!!!!! It was a pitching dual. The ASU pitcher had a perfect game through 6th innings. Being at the game was fun, lots of little kids playing their own little baseball game behind the lawn seats, which was funny to see them play. We had a few good laughs. Sparky was great too with the kids, he was giving high fives and taking pictures with every little kid that came up to him. ASU won the baseball game and they are currently one win away from going to the super regional. We are cheering for ASU.

2009-05-23T13:11:00.000-07:00

Happy 4th Birthday Hayden!!!!

2009-05-22T13:07:00.001-07:00

HAPPY BELATED B-DAY JAY! SORRY THAT WE FORGOT TO POST FOR IT! GLAD TO HEAR THAT YOU HAD A GOOD TIME! YOU ARE SOOOOO OLD!!!!!! LOL

And the verdict is?

2009-05-22T12:59:00.004-07:00

Tuesday my little sister found out that she is having a GIRL!!! Total excitement for a new little one. This is the first grandchild for my Mom with her biological children. The shame is that I now have to wait until October to meet my new little niece. I want to see her cute little face and smell the goodness that a brand new baby smells like. But she still has to roast in the oven called Leslie!! I am proud to say that I will be getting a total 3 new Nephews and 3 new Nieces in the fall!!!! Yeah me and my love for babies!

Canoeing with the "Minons"

2009-05-17T20:35:00.002-07:00

I don't have any pictures of the day that we had on Saturday before I had to go to work. We woke up really early and picked up Camron and the Canoe, and made our way over to Dobson Ranch Lake. We had a lot of little "Minons" ( Scott's way of saying little people, that are his little friends) waiting to go out on the lake in our Canoe. This is one of our favorite past times to do, we inherited this canoe from my Step-Dad Delbert. It sat in his back yard for like forever, and then one day my mom called and said do you want this huge canoe. We jumped at the chance to own a canoe. It has brought many joys. We have found a fondness with taking it out at Woods Canyon Lake and fishing with it. Scott took out all of the kids in the canoe many many times. They all pretty much wanted a chance to use the oar. That was a great scene to see a little child under the age of 6 trying to row the canoe forward. Three of the "Minons" wanted to help with the taking of the canoe out of the lake. They pulled with all of their little 3 year old muscles. They pulled it out with Scott at the helm. Then they wanted to put it back in, and scott said no we were done with it in the water, so they plus all of the toddlers crawled into it to play in it until scott pulled the canoe to the SUV. Fun times. We will have to do this again, but the next time we need to do it up north!!

Peach Season

2009-05-17T20:25:00.002-07:00

We went out to Schnepf farms and picked organic peaches right off of the tree!!! It was a lot of fun, especially to see all of the peaches that had grown "funky" so to speak. One of them had grown together with three other ones, Scott said that it looked like a Butt!! (Laughed my butt off !! LOL) We also purchased a jar of their homeade Peach Jam. YUMMM!! I plan on dabbling my hand in making peach jam sometime this week (we will see how this goes), I get the pleasure of using my husband's late Grandma Greenhalgh's cookbook that I have a copy of. I am told that she was an excellent cook. I have tasted some of her recipes made from his mom and sisters, and I have to say that it was so yummy! So hopefully sometime down the road I can post that it was a success with the making of Peach Jam!!!

Yipee!!! School and Work Fun

2009-05-06T20:24:00.004-07:00

Today is one of the most joyous days in a long time. SCOTT GRADUATED SCHOOL!!!!!! He passed his final and got his little diploma. And to top off the Graduation, I myself got a raise at work, and I am now the department head!!! Yeah Me!!! We leave tomorrow to go on a mini vacation up to my Mom's. We are going to be going fishing , hiking, playing in the water and possibly going Quading (so sorry Kat, but we can't fit you in our suitcases, so you will have to go next time!) Now it is just a waiting game on what is going to be happening in our lives in the next couple of months, hopefully he is going to get hired to full time status here in the next couple of weeks. And if everything all pans out the way we think it is going to pan out we may be moving!!!!

A sad day in Hockey

2009-04-28T19:16:00.004-07:00

Tonight was not a good night for my New Jersey Devils. They were unable to win game 7 tonight so there season is now over. Congrats to Carolina Hurricans on a great playoff series. Since they beat my team I hope they win the Stanley Cup.

GAME 7

2009-04-28T16:20:00.003-07:00

Well tonight's the night for all you hockey fans (ok just me!!!!!) game 7 in a playoff series. Tonight my favorite team (NEW JERSEY DEVILS) are playing in a game 7, against the Carolina Hurricanes. This playoff series is important. Out of the 4 previous playoff series between these two teams the winner has gone on to win the CUP! (that's the STANLEY CUP for you non-hockey folks) Personally I think the Stanley cup is the most important trophy in sports but that's me. Jodi is not so into hockey but I still love her. The only bad thing about this game is I will not be able to watch it because I got school tonight. (Jodi would be A little Mad at me if I don't go). I hope the DEVILS win tonight !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Lets go DEVILS !!!!!!! Lets go DEVILS!!!!!!!!!!!!! everyone join in...........

2009-04-21T08:00:00.000-07:00

Happy 1st Birthday Sara!!

Tis' the season for HOCKEY Playoffs

2009-04-17T21:37:00.002-07:00

It's the best time of the year for me, because it's hockey playoffs. My favorite team the New Jersey Devils are in the playoffs. The best hockey is played during this time. Everyone root for the NJ DEVILS to win the stanley cup this year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A day with the Carnes Family!!

2009-04-12T11:33:00.004-07:00

Jeeping anyone??? Need I say more to that phrase! We joined up with my Father's side of the family at Mesquite Wash (on the way to Payson)to do a little 4-Wheeling and eat Excellent Mexican Food. My Aunt's and Uncle's were camping there for the weekend. The rain did not stop us from the fun that we had. As Scott puts it a "little" rain makes for a better time while exploring all the hills and washes in a Jeep!! We took off exploring the wetlands revitalization area on foot and got some great pictures and played with all of the dogs, 5 of them.

We then went to do a little bit of 4-wheeling across the highway, it was a blast. We took my Aunt Sabra's partner's daughter Jody with us. I am big Jodi, she is little Jody. She giggled almost the entire time that we went 4-wheeling. I got so wet from the rain soaked washes, my husband thought that it would be a brilliant idea to take the windows off of the jeep because it was nice outside. Oh-well a little water never hurt no one. We made our way back to the camp and talked for a little while, Scott left with all of the Uncle's and cousin-in-laws to go 4-wheeling some more. He was gone forever. I stayed behind to catch up with all of the happenings in everyone's life. My Aunt Sabra and Rosemary cooked Carne Asada, a Ham, and made fresh Salsa. The best that I have ever had in my life. My tummy said YUM to me after I ate it. For dessert the request was for Dutch oven cobbler. So Scott got everything ready for the goodness that was to come. We made a peach/pineapple, and a apple pie filling one. They were so good. We all hung around 1 of the 2 campfires going on, telling jokes, and playing with one of the dogs "Corona" who loved flashlights. She would chase the lights everywhere. It was so much fun. It was a very good day to have gone out to be with my Father's side of the family. Scott and Emily made the trip out there to be with us for a couple of hours, I was so glad that they were able to come and be with us. I know that the Carnes side really enjoyed seeing them. Being with the Carnes side of the family helped me with the slow healing process of losing my Father 3 months ago. I want to continue to be around them as much as possible, to help me remember all of the greatest things about my Father.

We were able to get this photo near the camp site. It looks like a giant acorn, but in all reality it is a hive full of Bees!!

This was one of the coolest things that I have seen in a while this Scorpion crawled out of the log that was on the fire and cooked itself on top of the log.

My Oh My, Grandmother Layton turns 83!!!

2009-04-09T09:59:00.004-07:00

My Grandmother turned 83 on April 3, 2009. We received an email back in Januaryish that Shannon was going to throw a surprise birthday party for my grandmother. Scott and I decided that we were going to go. We received more emails throughout the months leading up to the party. We were so excited because all of my family on the Layton side was going to be there. My Uncle Keith drove in from California, Uncle Larry and Aunt Lori drove from texas, Christie and Jennifer flew from Texas. So, Friday came and both Scott and I were able to get the day off ( on a side note Scott has found a job through a temp agency, thanks to Delbert, it is a 4-5 week job that could turn into full time if they choose to hire Scott, He is working for Trane, Delbert works for them but out of Prescott Valley, If Scott is hired there is the possibility that we could be moving up to Prescott Valley, ain't no complaints from here on the move if it happens!!!!) So we were on our way to the Gila Valley. We got stopped right out of Globe because they were blasting the road, we think to make it bigger, and what a sight all of the rocks were on the side of the highway. We also ran into the problem of having to share the roadway with hundreds if not a gazillion motorcycles. We stopped in Globe and ate lunch at KFC, I was informed that we could not eat anything Mexican foodish because that is what we would be eating all weekend while in Thatcher. We made it to Thatcher around 2ish and picked Kayla up. We chatted with her for about half and hour and then dropped her off so that she could get back to her big important college life, and not to have to sit with us old married people (just kidding Kayla) .

We made it over to the church (where the party was being held) and helped out as much as we could to get all of the food ready for the party (Taco Salads= Mexican Food) Shannon had decorated the church beautifully, The above picture of my Grandmother is from when she was a senior in high school, I think. The plan was for all of us to be at the church by 6 pm and then my Aunt Marilyn would bring my grandmother to the church to pick shannon up from decorating for a wedding. We all had to be quiet (a real challenge when you get all of us together, some of us are more loud than others, but that makes for more fun), my Grandmother was needless to say very surprised and very moved to tears. I saw her and just cried because she was so happy and we all did a great job of keeping the party a secret!

We all sat down and ate dinner and chit chatted and watched all of the kids eat the M & M's off of the tables and the amazing paradise bakery cookies (they came from nowhere as if they were growing from the ground, we had so many left over). We were able to meet for the first time since her birth my cousin Melinda's daughter Sara Lynn. She is so beautiful, and we got to see all of the other great grandkids on the Layton side. They are all hams, I cannot believe how grown up Abby is becoming.

After dinner there were games to be played, hi-larious, when you get all of us playing games, it is almost slap happyish. We played make a mummy out of toilet paper, then an awesome game where we split up into teams and had to find the item that was told to us, but we could only use our purses, wallets, and what was on us, and then we had to run to the front and ring a bell. The above picture was a fun game to play, it was called ape,man,woman (like rock, paper, and scissors) You had to act out the symbols. Scott and my brother Scott competed together. My Scott lost, unfortunately.

What a beautiful family we make. Saturday was windy, windy, windy. We all went our seperate ways for lunch. Six of us ended up at the one place that you must attend (in my book) El Charro= Mexican Food, again. The entire family ended up at my aunts playing games until Priesthood session, then most of the men left and went to that, My poor brother was left behind, my Aunt Lori was headed out on an errand and offered to take him, he made sure that he was by Delbert's brand new truck when priesthood session ended. The men came back and we ate Mexican food again. When Scott and I get around the entire Layton side we feel right at home because, it is loud, children everywhere, talking, games, good food, did I mention the noise level. It is like we are at Scott's mom's house. We made our way back down to the valley, we cannot wait for the 24th of July when we hope that we can go back to Thatcher for their festivities.

2009-04-09T08:00:00.001-07:00

Happy 3rd Birthday Emma !

Tis the season for Camping Trips

2009-03-25T17:54:00.004-07:00

We (and I mean most of Scott's family) piled into our modes of transportation on Friday and headed north to go camping. We made our home away from home at Bear Flat (just outside of Payson). We found a nice camping spot that had tonto creek trickling thru it. The spot was just perfect for us and the kids to be at. Friday night was cold needless to say, but by the morning it was well worth it to go camping, the kids played in the creek all day long, they dug up the sand and built their own little dams and got all wet, but hey who cares they left us adults alone, to talk of course. We went on hikes and explored the area. You could tell that we had a blast up there, by our little pink noses and cheeks ( some got more sunburnt that others). The weather was just perfect for all of us ( well except for Scott's mom she wore her coat the entire time). Scott's sister Kirsha celebrated her 22nd b-day while we camped, she had such a good time, ( if she could she would camp for like a week). We packed all of our stuff up and headed home on saturday. We have gotten emails and comments on our blog from family members that they want to go back to Bear Flat again, they all just had a great time. Maybe we might suggest the area to Jodi's side of the family, and we can go Quading and Jeep 4-Wheeling. There were a lot of trails to try out. We will head back to that area this summer, because it is such a short trip and a great place to go.

Twilight the Movie

2009-03-22T12:46:00.003-07:00

Okay, so I just got finished watching the movie Twilight, I was not able to see it in the theatres so I bought it yesterday. I have been a fan of the books and continue to re-read them (although I have not read the 4th book yet, to many things that are more important to do than sit still long enough to read a book, but I will get to it eventually, so please no spoilers out there). It was interesting to see how the movie was made from the director's point of view ( it was for the most part not like my point of view of how things would look) but I loved the movie. Scott sat and watched it with me, ( and made fun of me the entire time, about how I was a teenage girl and how I was giddy over a movie, I of course tried to ignore him and watch my movie, but who can ignore an annoying little voice that sits right next to you). I cannot wait for the other movie to come out. I know that Kayla is chomping at the bit for it to come out in November. So now that I have seen the movie I can actually hear what people are talking about, instead of walking away so that I will not hear all of the good parts that are being explained. Scott also said that he would probably watch the movie with me again, and of course I told him does the sun shine (he glares at me and tells me to stop being smartallic). So for those of you that are fans of the movie and books, I say yeah to all of you, and for those of you (my husband) who have never read the books or do not like them, well tough beans on you for not liking a book that is a great one. But you can have your own opinion of things, because I sure have an opinion also.

2009-03-21T08:00:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Kirsha !!!!

Spanish Poppies!!

2009-03-15T16:57:00.003-07:00

The Spanish Poppies are back!!!! Need I say more, well yeah I guess I should, every year come spring time my husband and I take a drive and find the Spanish Poppies that grow on the side of the highway. We love these flowers, the colors are just spectacular and that means that we get to spend one on one time with each other in nature which is our favorite part of the day. We go exploring and find cool spots that have become memorable to us. This picture was taken by Bush highway.

What my husband will do to get a picture is beyond me, he felt the need to get this picture of a bee in the flowers at the zoo. What you must understand is that my husband is severely allergic to bees. Does that stop him, That is a big No!!!! I just get ignored when I tell him to please step away from the bee, I do not need to take you to the hospital. But when he gets stung I get to yell at him, I told you so!!!

And the final count is....????

2009-03-10T20:04:00.005-07:00

Okay so this post is a lot of happiness with a little bit of sadness all rolled into one, but hey you just have to roll with the punches. Right ?? As of today I am happy to announce that I know 7 families that are related to Scott and I that will be adding new ones to their lives within 2 months of each other(Septemberish and October). And the drum roll please....... Jaycen & Leslie Grant, Jason & Laurissa Haws , Gregg & Kirsha Castle, Cody & Danica Claridge, Amy Leafty, Curt & Jenna Kleiner, Jason & Robin Lamb. Happy baby day to all of you. Good luck with the pregnancies. All that I can say to this wonderful news is that I had better get to hold all of these babies and watch them grow up.

More excitement for us

2009-03-03T19:46:00.002-07:00

I found out on Friday evening that my little sister Leslie and her husband Jaycen are expecting a little precious one in October. I am excited for them and this will be the first one for my siblings. Okay, so I wish big time that it was me that would be able to announce that FINALLY I was expecting, but it was not meant to be for a little while longer, until good insurance comes to us so that we can get my health back on track and then the good old fertility drugs to see if we can try to conceive. But I will have to just love this little new addition to our lives that much more. I am so excited for my sister.

Congrats, Leslie & Jaycen !!!

The ZOO

2009-02-27T20:42:00.004-07:00

Scott and I were so lucky as to be able to go to the Zoo today with his two older sister's Marie and Amber. Marie had free passes for all of us! YEAH!! Upon entering the zoo we headed over to the reptile area and looked at the snakes and lizards. The next stop that must be made under no circumstances is to Scott's favorite animal to visit the Mexican Gray Wolf. We spend at least 15-20 minutes in this area while he waits patiently for them to stop on by the fence and say hello to him. I patiently sit on the sidelines while he has a good time. Today he got some great pictures of this wolf above, which ticked some ladies off, and I qoute "We have been coming to this zoo for a month to see these animals and this young man sits down and here they are just waiting for him and they pose just perfectly for him" they spend a total of about 1 minute there and then are off, he chuckles to himself and just admires this animal!!

We stopped in the Golden Eagle enclosure and got to see them eat there food (which happened to be dead rats). You can hear Emma chime in and say "EEEWWW" , but still watches them eat, the other kids thought that it was a little cool, this Golden Eagle was huge, his wing span was so enormous. There was one Eagle in the enclosure that had only one wing. Poor guy! We then walked around and visited some more areas!

We then decided to wait and ride the train as our final thing to do in the park! It was an okay time, but kind of a bad day to go, I swear like almost every elementary school from out of town was at the zoo today! AAAHHH! So many little kids and not enough adults for them! Above picture is of Jodi, Anne-Maire, and Kendal waiting to ride the train.The later that we were at the zoo the hotter it became, thank goodness for vehicles that have excellent air conditioning! Hopefully we will get to go again, but probably not until well after summer is over.

2009-02-26T08:00:00.000-07:00

Happy B-Day Richard Daines!!

2009-02-20T22:08:00.002-07:00

This last weekend Scott and I decided to take a little day trip and go exploring we went up the US 60 towards Globe, we stopped right after the tunnel between Superior and Globe and went exploring and discovered that there was a river down in the ravine, so we hiked down and took some pictures and just enjoyed the scenery, it was a little cold and windy down in the ravine but we enjoyed it. We then hiked back up the ravine to the highway (very steep in spots). We got back on the 60 and drove to the turn off for Oak Flats,it is a really neat little camping area with a little stream running through it. It was really neat to see how the weather erodes an asphalt rode that is not kept up anymore.

After Oak Flats we went onto Globe and explored the downtown area, we stopped at a place called the Pickling Barrell Trading Post in downtown Globe and got to see a lot of old antiques that were not seen anymore. Scott and I found a lot of old Dutch Ovens ( if we had the money, they would have found a new home at our house). While there we learned that there is a train ride that you can take which will take you all the way to the San Carlos Reservation and back while you get to explore the scenery while you ride. We might do tht another time in the future. We ate at Jerry's restraunt ( a staple of good food when I was in college up at EAC). We headed back down to the valley and enjoyed seeing the poppy flowers that are popping up all along the highway. We are going to go explore another spot of this great State of Arizona again. Until the next time....... oh and posting!

2009-02-20T08:00:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Mom Thompson!!!!

Another Sad Day!!

2009-02-14T11:55:00.004-07:00

Happy V-Day to everyone!! Yesterday we went to Scott's friend L.R.'s funeral. It was hard for me to go because his family used the same funeral home as my dad and he was also buried in the same cemetary. The services were non LDS (my first one, a bit interesting but beautiful). People who new L.R. were able to get up and give heartwarming thoughts about him, I chose to get up and talk a little bit about him, really hard to do when you are so emotional and your husband is having a hard time with having to say goodbye to him completely. But everyone got through it. Scott was one of the pallbearer's for him. We got to see Tonya (his wife) for the first time since the accident, she has a cast on her arm, has to wear a neck brace (she broke her 5th vertibrae), and has a wheelchair for a while. After the services we proceeded to the cemetary, I took pictures for Tonya. They had the services at the cemetary, and we were able to let balloons go, to fly to heaven! There was a luncheon at a relatives house. Tonya did really well during the funeral, and the luncheon. But Scott and I had to drop off all of the Flowers that were received at the funeral (they ended up in our car) at night, We stayed for a little bit to try and comfort her, she was having a really hard time. She does not know how she is going to be able to do this all alone. We hope that she will eventually be okay with the heartache that has happened to her, please keep her in your thoughts and prayers, that she will be okay. Thankfully Scott and I do not live that far from her so we can go over and help her when needed, her son Lewis is gonna need alot of people around to help him and his mom. He is such a active 2 year old. We are going to be going with The Robedeau family this next weekend to go to the Professional Drag Races. It will be alot of fun, we always have a good time with them.

2009-02-11T08:00:00.001-07:00

Happy 3rd Birthday Camron "CamCam" Castle. You are getting so big. We Love You Lots!!!!!

2009-02-09T08:00:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Jenna Kleiner!!!

An update of happenings within the last week!

2009-02-07T22:04:00.008-07:00

Our Saturday started out with a trip to a Mesa park for a 3rd birthday party for our nephew Camron. We had pizza, cake, soda, presents and other stuff along with the wind (which made it a little nippy). Camron wore a baseball shirt and hat that he was so excited to wear. He called Scott on the phone and stated that he wanted to play baseball with him and when were we coming to be with him. Scott played with all of the kids and Jodi once again had her fill of babies and the older nieces and nephews. Until another birthday party with my husband's family of 38 and another one coming in fall 2009. His sister Laurissa is pregnant and will be adding a fourth child to there family! Congrats you guys! This is a picture of Sara at the zoo, Scott was able to go to the zoo with his 2 older sisters and their children. He loves that place. On friday night his sister Amber and her husband had a couples night with some friends, we got to have the two girls over for the evening so their parents could go have some fun. Scott's sister Marie and her clan of 8 also came over to the house. We cooked dinner and had a good time watching Madagascar 2. Emma brought over her princess dress up stuff and shared it with everyone, Sara loved every minute of the night until I put her in her pajamas, then she was not a happy camper, so we went for a walk to calm down. It is always a fun time when we have a lot of people over to our house. We would not change it for the world. I got to see one of my many favorite nieces Bailey this weekend. I just love her lots. She is the sweetest little thing. She will be two in July. Here she is after we fed her pizza and cake. Her brother Hayden is also another favorite to see. Right now the poor little guy is having problems with his breathing, there is something wrong with his lungs, so on monday he will be seeing a specialist, and hopefully they will be able to find out what is completely wrong with him and be able to get him feeling better. We love you lots Hayden!!

Last weekend Scott went to Camp Verde to pick pecans with His parents, My parents, Brother and Sister-in-Law. Camron was able to go along and pick the pecans, he was so excited to be able to help, he got his gloves on and went a pickin, the weather was just perfect up there. Scott brought back a big bucket full of pecans and a bag of cracked pecans. My brother played with Larry's homemade pecan shell cracker machine.I have eaten so many pecans they are coming out of my ears. But, Hopefully when I have a weekend off Scott and I will be able to go up there and visit Candy & Larry in Camp Verde and pick some more!!!

Another BIG setback for us in 2009 !!!!!

2009-02-02T21:43:00.003-07:00

Well another set back in our lives happened this weekend! I was at work and Scott had gone with his parents on saturday to Camp Verde to pick pecans at a friends house. He received a phone call from his "2nd" mom Dalia, that he needed to come over to her house right away something terrible had happened. He told her that he was out of town and could not come. He told her that he would come over on sunday. After the pecan picking they took the truck to get firewood and got stuck in the mud for about 6 hours. Scott did not get home until about 10:30 p.m. Upon returning home Scott proceeded to tell me that his best friend (L.R.) since he was in scouts (about 15 years) had gotten into an accident on his way back from texas from a funeral. His wife(Tonya), son(Lewis) , mother-in-law, and brother-in-law were in the car. They had gotten a flat tire that exploded on them and sent the car in the air. Tonya has a cracked pelvis, and she broke her 5th vertibrae and bruised some other ones, Lewis has scratches and a bump on the noggin (he was in his carseat- thank goodness, those things really work), Tonya's mom has a compound fracture to her arm, broken ribs among other things that I cannot remember. Scott then proceeded to tell me that L.R. and his brother-in-law had passed away in the accident. I lost it, I just started crying and could not stop, I was so concerned how Tonya was doing with the news that she would recieve about the tragedy that had happened. Scott has been pretty tight lipped about this whole thing (I think that he is hurting a lot inside and just is not ready to show it, if he ever does) Me on the other hand just lose it when I start remembering the good times that we had together with him. Scott needs to be strong for Daila, Larry, Tod, Bella, Tonya, and Lewis. It is going to be a long recovery for all of us. We love L.R. very much and will miss his laugh, personality, and wise cracks. Just pray for us that we will be able to get through this and that we will be able to get through Jodi losing her father 2 1/2 weeks ago.

2009-01-28T08:00:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Tiffany Brown!

A Little Tiny New Adventure added to our lives!!

2009-01-27T19:58:00.007-07:00

A new addition to my husband's side of the family came at 2:42 am today. His older sister Marie and her husband Richard added a little girl which they named: Kendal Elizabeth Daines. She weighed in at 6 lbs. 4 oz. and is 19 inches long. My husband and I are so excited for this new addition, we love all of our nieces and nephews, but it is always awesome to have a little new addition who came from such a precious place. She joins 4 older brothers and 1 older sister ranging in ages from 10 all the way down to 1 year. Anne-Marie celebrated her first birthday on the 4th of January. She did not like her new sister today, she wanted to take away her blanket from her. She will have to get used to her though because she is not going back from where she came from. The above picture shows the full head of dark brown almost black hair that this baby has. The bottom picture shows how long that it is. I wish that I was born with that much hair. I guess it runs in the Thompson gene. Hopefully when we are blessed with children, some of mine have this much hair. You could put a hair pretty in her hair right now and it would probably stay!!!

2009-01-27T08:00:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday David Thompson!

A Sad but Beautiful Day

2009-01-25T12:44:00.006-07:00

On Friday January 23, 2009 Family and Friends of my Dad, came together to lay my father to rest in the City of Mesa Cemetery. We had a family viewing in the morning with a family prayer. We then proceeded to the chapel and had a beautiful service for my dad. My sister spoke about memories that we had growing up of my dad. The life story was given by me step-brother Jarrod very funny at times and very sweet, A Spiritual message was given by my step-brother Jason. Our good family friend Bill Pollard sang with his beautiful voice. We then proceeded to the cemetery for the burial of my father. My husband and I drove my fathers jeep for the proceedings. That jeep was his pride and joy. After the internment to the cemetery we went back to the church building and had a luncheon provided by the ward relief society. There were about 75+ people there for this portion. My cousin Mindy and her Husband Brandon made a video of my dad's life to my dad's favorite songs. It was so beautiful to see the pictures. Everyone enjoyed it. We took the above picture at the luncheon. What a beautiful family, my dad is so proud of all of us!!!

At the viewing the night before the funeral some of Kim's colleagues came to view my dad and to see Kim, they brought the wings in the above picture and asked Kim if she would put them on my Dad to be buried with him so that he would always be flying in the sky.

The flower arrangement that went on top of the casket was made by my aunt's sister and family. They incorporated a Jeep climbing up a pile of rocks. They also had single roses that had a quote ribboned to it that said "Got Rocks". The eulogy started out with that saying. My dad loved rocks, climbing them, collecting them and anything else to do with them.

Many people sent amazing flower arrangements for my dad. They were huge and colorful, like my dad's life. He always tried to live life to the fullest and always surrounded himself around nature that grows bright and beautiful. Thank you to all that keep my family in your prayers and support Kim, the kids, and extended family. We greatly appreciate it!!!

One of the hardest times in our lives!!!

2009-01-21T21:44:00.003-07:00

This is not going to be an easy post to write about, but hopefully I will be able to get through this! On Friday January 16, 2009 my Father, Bruce David Carnes passed away from Gastric Carcinoma at the age of 54 yrs. We (children, siblings, uncles, aunts, step-sibling, and step-mom) got to have 3 unforgettable and amazing months with him before he went home to our father in heaven. My Dad found out that he had cancer in October right before my Step-Sister Jenna's wedding. He immediately started chemo and radiation therapy. (side note: he stated that anyone that gets a tattoo must be nuts because it hurts really bad. He got 3 or more little dots that were tattooed on him for the radiation) We all thought that the chemo and radiation was working for him and that he would have longer to live with us, but 2 weeks ago we found out that the cancer had spread and that we could no longer feed him (he had a feeding tube), we were to make him as comfortable as possible. He was moved from Banner Baywood hospital to Arbor Rose Hospice house. The house was like home away from home, we spent every moment that we could there with my dad. My loving sister-in-law Emily made us dinner every night and it was such a relief that we did not have to leave the hospice house to get something to eat. We had so many people that would come to visit my Dad. You knew that he was loved, practically every time the front door would open it would be someone to come and see my Dad and Kim.

Kim never left the hospice house, she was always within reach if needed. It was so beautiful to see the love between my Dad and Kim. They were so right for each other, and they, well you could tell the undying love that they had for each other. They did not have enough time here on earth together but they have eternity together!!!! I will miss my father every day for the rest of my life, he left such a good imprint on my life! The pain will never go away that I lost my father at a age when I probably need him the most, with his wisdom on life and his love for anyone. Just know that I Love you so much DAD!!! I am greatful that I have my siblings Scott and Leslie and their spouses here during this hard time, they help to keep me calm when I just want to loose it all. I Love You All!!

2009-01-19T08:00:00.001-07:00

Happy 3rd Birthday Nathan Daines!

2009-01-17T08:00:00.000-07:00

Happy 2nd B-day Alexis Haws

2009-01-05T11:02:00.001-07:00

Happy 1st Birthday Anne-Marie Daines!

Christmas, Snow, Quads, Inner Tubes Oh My

2008-12-27T23:07:00.005-07:00

All of us in the snow having a great time as a family at christmas time!! We celebrated the Christmas season with my Mom and Step-Dad this year we left Apache Junction around 5 pm on christmas eve and arrived in Prescott Valley well to it just plain being cold, we both are loving it. We played games for a little bit before going to bed. We all woke up around 7 am and proceeded to open up our presents, well almost we took a detour before we started the opening up of our presents, we played a white elephant gift exchange with my family (my siblings and their spouses were also there) Scott ended up with the movie Doom and a jar of change approximatley $6.00, I received an apple bread mix. My Mom and Step-Dad had another little surprise for us there were presents under the Christmas tree for 6 dwarves and Delbert had the key as to which dwarf got which present. I was Happy and I got a Walmart gift card. Scott was sneezy and he received a gift card to Home Depot. My brother-in-law Jaycen was the designated present hander outer. We received a box of our favorite cereal from Santa (aka Emily), a scrapbooking kit (from Jaycen), homemade sign with our last name on it (from Emily), an ASU Shirt and Hat (from Scott C.), and we each received in our stockings a movie ticket to Harkins theatres, and lots of candy. Scott and I gave each other our christmas gifts before we left for Prescott, Scott received the new Jeff Dunham DVD, A gaming console to try out and see if he likes. I received a Kitchen Aid Mixer. We both received courtesy of Scott Moccasins. They are so comfortable. Well onto all of the pictures on this blog post, we went on Saturday to play in the snow near Strawberry. We took one Quad and a couple of inner tubes and we hiked around in the snow.

This is my step-dad Delbert getting ready to ride an inner tube with my sister next to him. Delbert had so much fun doing this. We hooked two inner tubes up to the Quad and went riding behind it having a blast.

This is my sister-in-law Emily waiting to ride along with my husband Scott, I rode the inner tube with my brother Scott after my husband went, I had alot of fun although my tushy was frozen from riding on the inner tube.

My Mom and Delbert taking all of us kids for a ride on the inner tubes. Thanks for bringing the inner tubes and Quad you guys! We will have to do that again sometime.

2008-12-26T09:00:00.000-07:00

Happy 6th B-day Hunter Haws

Were you naughty or nice this year?

2008-12-21T11:16:00.003-07:00

This year my husbands family decided to join in with his older sister Maries in-laws traditions for christmas. They get together with each other on a weekend night and eat good food and celebrate being together, around 6:30ish a special visitor comes with his wife to visit all of the good little children. Santa and Mrs. Claus sit in their living room and call each child up by name (Magically of course) and the kids sit on their laps with the traditional question from Santa "Have you been good this year?" comes the reply from the small child yes. With the pictures all taken of the kids by their parents they get a surprise from Santa, they get a present from him to open up before christmas! The picture above is of our niece Anne-Marie she got a Dolly and a little stuffed Lamb from Santa. Scott got his name called and his present was a book light to help him read in the dark. I was at work so Scott got my present from Santa, I got a bracelet. I was sad that I missed all of the little kids and their experience with Santa and Mrs. Claus, but there is always next year. We want to let eveyone know that we love you all, and we appreciate all that you do for us.

2008-12-16T21:49:00.002-07:00

I came home tonight from work with these sitting on our kitchen table, and who is the wonderful culprit? That would be my loving husband. Aren't they just gourgeous. I also got a card that sings a song too with a wonderful sentiment in it. Thank you so much hubby!!! I have reason to believe that I recieved these beautiful roses because I have just started a job at Hobby Lobby in their scrapbooking department. Let me tell you having to learn at least 10,000 that is right 10,000 new codes just in scrapbooking and having to also be trained on the register (and the codes that they have) is the most fun I have had since well I don't know when. If you cannot already tell I was being sarcastic to the previous sentence, but you have learn them in order to do your job right, right?

Church happenings during sacrament

2008-12-14T14:17:00.004-07:00

We went to church today and sat in the back, we were one of the only couples sitting in the back when sacrament started, after we partook of the sacrament we had families sitting all around us with little children, this one family sitting directly in front of us had 5 children, this one little boy about the age of 4 would turn around and flirt with Jodi, he then by process of elimination because there are only two of us in our family right now worked his way over to scott to ask him questions and he decided to get really really close to Scott's face and put his little hand on scotts go-tee and feel it, he thought that it was cool i guess. i was trying so hard not to laugh because we were in sacrament. his poor mom just sat there staring at her son mortified that her son was doing these things, but he was so intrigued with scott and what scott was doing. I almost forgot during sacrament we determined that there are only 4 boys of age that can participate in the sacrament, and one of them I spied as only being about 4 foot 11 and pointed him out to scott that he was really short, he looked at me with his evil eye and stated there is nothing wrong with being short, for those of you who are not his siblings that read this blog when scott was of age to particpate in this sacred duty he was a little bit smaller than that boy, you could always tell where he was when they lined up at the back of the pews. Thankfully scott grew up and is 5ft 10 inches tall, 6 inches taller than me.

2008-12-13T10:34:00.002-07:00

just wanted to post this image of the temple that scott took yesterday night

A Night at the Temple for the Christmas season

2008-12-12T23:11:00.005-07:00

We went to the temple this evening to meet up with my siblings and their spouses and my father and his wife. We all arrived and listened to the musical group that was performing that evening which so happened to be the junior high that us kids went to and amazingly enough the director of the choir was the director that we had when we went there and she still looks the same. We wheeled my dad around in a wheelchair (provided by my step-brother Jarrod. Thanks alot, it helped greatly) we enjoyed being together and watching my dad just love every minute of it with his little camera taking pictures left and right, and then my husband with his camera catching us doing funny things because we did not know he was taking the picture, he got some really good ones that I will post. It is always the best thing to enter through those gates of the temple and just feel complete knowing that all is well and that you can enjoy the time spent there with family and the beautiful lights that were presented this year they do just a beautiful job. Well until another posting, we hope all of you who read this have a beautiful holiday season this year, and remember that life is precious dont take anything for granted. We love all of you!!

2008-12-09T09:00:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Jonathan!

It is amazing that you are already 5 years old!!