SUMMER BIRTHDAYS

i have 2 summer birthdays! SLATON turned 9 June 22. T-man turned 2 July 4th. we can officially say that we end our kids birthdays with a bang!!!!! these two share a pretty close resemblance .

if slaton would've been born in the digital age i would have had a comparison picture for you to see...but he wasn't so i don't! you will just have to trust me.

Yeah for Slaton!

Slaton was picked as a semifinalist for the Arizona Sunwise Skin Cancer Prevention Poster contest. He was 1 of 50 out of the 6000 entries selected and 1 of 12 for his grade level. The posters were chosen by the Arizona Diamondbacks. Slaton was really wanting those tickets, so when he didn't win, he was a little disappointed. Then we clicked over and saw his name on the 3rd grade list as a semifinalist. We helped him see that he really was a winner after all. To come in the top 50 out of 6000 is really good indeed! We told him that we would be able to furnish some tickets for him. heehee! Slaton Huish.....UUUUUUUUU ROCK! (this his poster version, when Tim took this one to the dept of health services they turned it away, because it wasn't on 8 1/2 x 11, etc. so i raced with Slaton to the store for some markers and we were off to meet Tim at the half way point. Tim got him there just in time) WHEW! hard work pays off!

April 30th...Let's Play Music recital

These are always so fun to watch! Especially as a parent. when I was just the parent instead of the teacher too, I delighted in watching my children display their new found music knowledge. They loved being in the recital as much as I loved watching them. I loved watching their cute little faces delight as they performed their puppet shows. here is just a glimpse of the show. This year we performed a finale to DO, RE, MI from the Sound of Music. my class got to play the keyboards, while Shelle's class played the tone bells and ALL OF THEM sang harmony. It was FABULOUS!

Late about it, but here it is....

my oldest is 12 years old....it was april 28th. better late than never blogged. anyway, its his last year in elementary school and off to junior high this fall! WOW! time certainly does go by fast. This year we eliminated the fluff of party scenes and just did a low key bday! cooked to order breakfast, took him out to lunch at what he was craving...."a salad" this was no ordinary salad. it was the soup or salad varaitions-of-pork-salad. while i tried my darndist to get him to change to something a little hardier, his mind was made up, he wanted a salad. When i sat down next to him and across from Slaton, i realized that his definition of salad and mine are completely different. He filled his plate with bacos, ham bites, kidney beans, pepperonis, and let us not forget....PICKLES. Of course, THAT is a SALAD, what was i thinking?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KELL-BELL

OH! what joy birthdays bring to our home! Miss Kelle turned 6 today! i decided to buy her some roller blades. she looked like a fawn just learning how to walk. poor thing fell more than she cared to. but she is my TRYER! i love watching her persist until she is successful...does my heart good! she will try anything until she gets it! Butt before she gets it, she will have a pretty sore bootie.
She also had a lovely high school musical 3 party with her fun friends. She had soooo much fun! i'm too tired to get the camera and post the fun party pictures. 2 birthdays down and 3 to go. next up Stockton and his 12th....OH WOW!

what a good helper!

what a busy boy!

i heard this fast clanking while i was getting ready for the day. one day tman will be a really good helper, but for now, he is still a rookie.....but a great one at that! he had emptied the silverware basket in the dishwasher,...too bad they were all dirty!

MARCHIN INTO MARCH

Boy! did February go by fast! one birthday down and 4 more children to go...WHEW~!
I really have nothing to write about other than how fast time is flying by. savor the moment and enjoy the journey! i keep looking at my blog and thinking, man its almost been a month since i wrote about anything.....as i sit here, i just realized! that hello! my laundry room is almost finished....like just needs a sink install and that's it! oooo something to write about, i completely forgot! i'll even post some pictures a little later. i'm sure that will keep you on the edge of your seat! carry on in the month of madness!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY FUNNY GIRL!

Obviously, she loves her new BIKE!

TODAY WAS KAZZY'S 4TH BIRTHDAY! we had lots of fun at her Dora party with all her little friends and then it was off to Red Robins for a fun family birthday!

HERE ARE THE FACTS AS I SEE THEM!

I heard a shocking statement today as I came home from taking the kiddies to school, that completely enraged me. I truly need to vent the facts. Apparently the Associated Press made a misleading comment regarding Wells Fargo and their "Junkets." This years' junket in Las Vegas is cancelled because of pressure on the bank that it was mis-using the 25 Billion dollars it received from the government." I thought I would use this blog to enlighten any of you who are questioning the government these days....and lets just say, "if you are not, you should be!!!" (i must say, that Tim does not approve this message, nor does he even know that i blogged it. although, he may share some of the same opinions, they are completely MY OWN!)

Fact number 1: The "Junket" in question is actually called a RECOGNITION EVENT! to RECOGNIZE those workers in the banks (BRANCH LEVEL AND UP) who achieve excellence and surpass their fellow employees in performance numbers. Its not Just for anyone and last time I looked there weren't too many CEO's working inside the branches of the banks. Yes, the CEO's do attend and they are outside the buses waiting and screaming "way to go!" they shake each attendees hands and their spouses and tell them how greatful they are for their hard work and to the spouse, they recognize them for sharing that time away from their loved one. THEN ITS ON TO MEETINGS AND FUN! (MOSTLY FUN!) I know all about these, because Tim has earned trips based on his performance and we have gone to at least 5.

Fact number 2: WELLS FARGO was ranked one of the 10 safest banks recently and CEO Dick Kovacevich, was the first one to REFUSE, THAT IS RIGHT, REFUSE THE 25 BILLION DOLLARS, HE DID NOT WANT ANY PART OF THE GOVERNMENT'S BAIL OUT MONEY, THEY WERE JUST FINE AND HE CERTAINLY DIDN'T WANT THE GOVERNMENT TO HAVE PREFERRED STOCK IN WELLS FARGO....THAT MEANS THE GOV. CAN TELL THEM WHAT TO DO. AND THE LOVELY AND TALENTED TERRY PAULSON TOLD HIM HE HAD TO TAKE THE MONEY OR THEY WOULD MAKE THEIR LIVES MISERABLE.....YOU HAVE HEARD OF THIS ONE, ITS CALLED THE "OLD STRONG-ARM"

Fact number 3: REALLY WELL-DESERVED PEOPLE ARE GOING TO LOSE OUT ON THEIR WELL-EARNED RECOGNITION EVENT. ITS THE TRIP THAT KEEPS YOU MOTIVATED TO STAY IN THE GAME. THANKS TO CONGRESS, BUSH, TERRY PAULSON, AND NOW THE LOVELY current ADMINISTRATION with THE WONDERFUL CONGRESS THAT CAN'T PASS ANYTHING UNLESS IT HAS BILLIONS OF PORK IN THE BILL. THANKS FOR YANKING THE RUG OUT FROM UNDER GOOD, HARD WORKING PEOPLE!!!

FACT NUMBER 4: The government is loving this power over the banks and because it has NO CLUE ABOUT THE OPERATION OF A GOOD BANK, THEY HAVE LUMPED A GOOD BANK IN WITH ALL THE "INVESTMENT BANKS"

FACT NUMBER 5: NOW, Wells Fargo is having to pay back on a loan that they didn't want in the first place and HEAVEN FORBID THEY GET TO PAY IT OFF EARLY, THEY WILL INCURR PENALTIES IF THEY PAY OFF BEFORE 3 YEARS. (THANKS CONGRESS AND SECTRETARY PAULSON THANKS FOR NATIONALIZING BANKING..)

FACT NUMBER 6: as for mis-using funds for this recognition event, WELLS FARGO IS USING THE BAILOUT MONEY AKA STIMULUS MONEY TO HELP THOSE IN FORECLOSURES, ETC. NOT ONE RED CENT IS GOING FOR RECOGNITION EVENTS. RECOGNITION EVENTS ARE NOT NEW TO WELLS FARGO AND THEY CERTAINLY ARE NOT LIMITED TO CEO'S. SEE HOW THE GOVERNMENT IS SO EFFECTIVE RIGHT NOW! GOOD EMPLOYEES GETTIN' THE ARGIE POLE....AGAIN!
AND DON'T GET ME STARTED ON MISUSE OF FUNDS....HELLO! I WISH THAT CONGRESS WOULD HAVE THIS KIND OF ACCOUNTABILITY......FOR INSTANCE.." SORRY, GUYS YOU WILL HAVE TO WALK TO WORK, TAKE PUBLIC TRANSIT TO CONGRESS, UNTIL THE COUNTRY IS OUT OF DEBT, OR YOUR PAY WILL BE WITHHELD UNTIL YOU CAN BALANCE A BUDGET WITHOUT ADDING PORK! OR HOW ABOUT, IN LIGHT OF THE CURRENT EVENTS, YOU HAVE TO PAY YOUR TAXES IF YOU ARE A CONGRESSMAN OR CONGRESSWOMAN. (SORRY FOR THE RANT)

FACT NUMBER 7: I CAN'T WAIT UNTIL WELLS FARGO HAS PAID BACK EVERY CENT OF PREFERRED STOCK AND KICKS THE GOVERNMENT OUT OF THEIR BANK. THAT WILL BE A GREAT DAY INDEED! AND TRUST ME, I WILL BLOG ABOUT THAT DAY!

WHEW! I FEEL BETTER AND HOPEFULLY YOU ARE ENLIGHTENED!

I DIDN'T EVEN REALIZE

As of late, I am in love with a very tangible object. And although, Tim is high on the list of tangibility and truly the object of my affection, excuse the sappy.... I am referring to two very wonderful items that we purchased in January that have single-handedly decreased the amount of time it takes me to do this particular chore. I thought I had a really great system....wake up, put a load in, and try to tackle at least 2-3 loads /day. Well, Tim has been suggesting for quite some time now that we purchase these fabulous pieces of engineering machinery. I finally, agreed to "GO BIG" with these two items and it has made all the difference in the world. Yes, we have purchased the EXTRA CAPACITY FRONT LOADING WASHER AND DRYER. I never would have guessed that my day was so jam-packed with doing laundry that it was taking over my life....COMPLETELY! i actually FINISH MY LAUNDRY.....IN A DAY. (that includes ironing) OBVIOUSLY, it begins again later in the week. But I have never been able to say "my laundry is FINISHED!" Laundry is not such a "HAMPER" any longer. I can't believe that I did not Even REALIZE that I WAS SO BURIED! I didn't even Realize that I could LOVE MACHINERY SO MUCH EITHER....BUT I REALLY DO! just thought i would share my complete Joy!

STATE of SHOCK!

unbelievable!

amazing! wow! SURREAL! who would have thought! i am laughing as i say the words..."the arizona cardinals are in the superbowl!!!??? it was a great game with an excellent victory! i have to say that i have noticed a huge dose of professionalism from this team, or needless to say those who have been interviewed by the media. they are representing us very well! i would really like to be DUMBFOUNDED in two weeks! way to give us something great to cheer about!