FAMILY PHOTOS!

We were able to take a quick vacation last December for my baby brother's wedding.  I was so happy for Austin & Reagan and equally happy for family photos.  Is there a better place to take photo than Temple Square?!?  I think not!

Our family inside the North Visitor's Center

 EVERYONE

(well, missing Jean-Jacques's 6 kids)

 Love this shot!  I think this one will make it on the mantle.

 Only one kid shorter than me!

 All the men, so handsome.

 The women!

Seriously...I think 1992 was the last time the two of us were photographed.  I remember very big bangs and equally big "gold" earrings being involved.  (I should get that photo on here)  I think these teal earrings are even bigger than my gold ones.  This proves, you can take the girl out of the 80's, but you can't take the 80's out of the girl!

 LOVE!

Colton - 17

 Asher - 14

 Kyler - 8

 My beautiful niece, Jade!  I loved spending the weekend with her.

 My gorgeous sister, Audra.

My equally gorgeous sister, Catherine (it's easy to be equally gorgeous with your identical twin!), Sean and Miss Jade with an attitude.

 My Dad, Reagan (new sis-in-law), Austin and Connie

I can't speak for their whole childhood, but as toddlers/preschoolers this would have been the opposite.  Audra and Catherine loved to gain up on Austin, especially in the car!

 The five kids:

Austin, Jean-Jacques, Me, Catherine, Connie, Dad & Audra

Dad and Connie, thanks for the photos!!!

RANDOM

The other day I was pulling out of the garage when I noticed the cover was off of our garage keypad.  I figured one of the kids just set it down and asked Kyler to find it before we left.  After a little search, no cover!  So imagine my surprise when Tony emailed me that he had the cover.  He was racing out the door (well, garage) to jump in his car and head to work, when in his haste he took off down the road with the cover still in his hand.  That's my Tony!

I had a little problem with my calf last week and ended up in bed with my leg elevated for a few days.  Even though the kids were still in school and Tony was at work, I was never alone.  Roscoe was always by my side.

 Both Cocolette & Roscoe were nearby.

 Last Friday we had rain....lots of rain (for us), we even saw hail.  It was so cold and wonderful!

But all good things must come to an end.....today was 91 degrees.....91 DEGREES!  Summer is going to be here too quick.

CATCHING UP - FEBRUARY

Here's the recap of February (well, what I can remember)

I volunteered to work concessions again, but ran into a scheduling conflict.  Lucky for me I have two men ready to help when that happens.

 All three of the boys were asked by our neighbor to speak at her baptism.  Unfortunately, Asher was sick that day, but Colton and Kyler did a great job!  Way to go, Stock boys!!!  

 Coming home from date night we discover the gift the boys had for us!  

 Colton has a car! (thanks to Mamita)  Colton's on his way to pick up his date, wearing his favorite shirt, Klein.

 See our beautiful young women at church.....oh wait, isn't that Colton in the middle of them.  No wonder he likes church so much!

 Raiding the fridge for lunch, I put together this delicious meal!

 Kyler's Valentines - which I'm so happy he still wants to give out.

 Aren't they the best!

 Our Cub Scout Blue & Gold Banquet was carnival themed.  We even had a little photo booth! Asher in his wrestling sweats.

 Kyler tried out the booth earlier in the day.  I promise it was earlier in the day - he didn't wear his pajamas to the banquet.

Our Belated Valentine's Breakfast

 Kyler had a sick day this month.  It was nice to have an extra snuggly boy for the day.

 One of my most favorite salads!

Belgian Endive, Sliced Pears, Blue Cheese, Toasted Walnuts and a mustard vinaigrette.

 Cub Scout Field Trip to KPHO Channel 5 News

One of the news anchors and the weatherman posed for photos and talked with the boys.  It was such a fun night!

Now to get some sleep.  I'm going on another Cub Scout field trip tomorrow - Peter Piper Pizza.

CATCHING UP - JANUARY

2013 is here.....our words were chosen.....school's back in session.....family scripture reading is going strong......and time is flying by!  We started the year with a new church time - 12:30.  The boys are definitely more awake and Colton is drawing even more.  I love Asher!

 This is my favorite!!!

Asher is looking at Mamita's tablet.

Colton = Rico Suave 

(I'm pretty sure that's not the thing to say, oh well)

How he captured his dad.....priceless.

And finally Kyler....the baby.  Doesn't he look very Little Prince like, I think so. And I love it!

 I love dishes....and I can't say no to a great deal.  I recently purchased these scalloped salad plates in brown  and white (not pictured).  The brown went nicely with Mita's tablecloth.  This dinner was awesome too!  The boys devoured the quiche and fresh green beans.  The salad.....not so much by two certain children (Gary Jr. & Master Chief)

 My second attempt at Pad Thai.

Success!

(except it was missing something - it was still good though)

 First recipe out of my donut pan...

Baked Vanilla Doughnuts.

So yummy!

(I just purchased 2 doughnut hole pans this weekend.....can't wait to try them out!)

 Kyler, the babysitter.  He loves being in charge.  Yesterday I taught his Primary class and boy, was he bossing another kid around.  I asked him to not be so bossy, please.  He said, "I'm not being bossy.  I'm commanding."  W.O.W.

Tomorrow we'll talk February!

I'M BAAAAAAAAAAACK!!!

OK.....I need to consult my calendar to figure out what I need to catch up on.  It's been almost 2 months since I've blogged...and I miss it!  I like documenting my family's life.  I still haven't figured out my photo issue on here, but I found a way to make it work for now.  In January, we visited Rocket Fizz Soda Pop and Candy Shop.  So fun!  We decided to try some interesting sodas, get a sampling of different root beers and everyone was able to pick a personal favorite.  

We tried Bacon, Buffalo Wing and Green Apple & Jalapeno sodas.

Bacon = it did taste like bacon.  I discovered I really had no desire to drink bacon.....glad I tried it, but NEVER again!

Buffalo Wing Soda = I wasn't even brave enough to try it, but Colton and Tony did.  GROSS!  But they did go across the street and share it with the neighbors.  Their 3 year-old wanted soda so bad, she even said it was good.

Green Apple Jalapeno = I think this has the potential to be good.  I love cranberry jalapeno jelly and thought if they made it sweet enough with a little heat it would work.  It failed on every level.....BLECK!

The rootbeer tasting was fun and I saved my personal soda for last.

Butterscotch Beer!

I highly recommend it

OH, WHAT A BEAUTIFUL MORNING!

I'm always happy to find direction and make changes in my life (and my family's life).  I know that it always provides more growth and learning.  Since Colton started early morning seminary, our family scripture study has suffered.  We recently made another attempt to solve the problem and get us back on track.  Tony designated Family Scripture Study directly following dinner.  Then the holidays hit - schedules were non-existent.  And Tony started taking me out again (HOORAY!!!!) - and we weren't around for dinner every night.  We found that gathering our family to read the scriptures was not happening every day and we needed a little direction.  After another discussion, we ran into a dilemma.  There was only one time that we knew we would be able to gather everyone and be successful.  We stared at the time written on our paper and neither of us said a thing.  Finally, we gave each other the look of  resolution (or surrender....whatever you want to call it) and agreed.  5:40am.  5:40.....IN THE MORNING!  As much as I don't like that time, it's the only time that will get the job done.  We informed the kids last night....and we started this morning. (of course the Valley of the Sun is getting some really cold weather [for us!] and we woke up to temps in the 20's.)  No one wanted to leave their warm beds, but we did.  We gathered and had a prayer.  Then the four of us that were awake shared the reading.  We then said good-bye to Colton as he left for seminary with Tony and I sat there, thankful.  I'm so thankful for this gospel.  I'm so thankful for three righteous priesthood holders in my home.  I'm so thankful that we started the day off together.  I'm thankful that my boys participated.  I'm thankful to be their mom.  I'm thankful for all the opportunities to continue to change and grow in our life.  I'm thankful for scriptures.  (and I'm thankful that I can take a nap)

2013 WORDS

This is my 3rd year of picking one little word.  One word that helps me focus my mind and my goals around. My 2011 word was "DO"

(Wake up and DO something more)

Last year was "ENOUGH"

(again, like my best is enough, I am enough.....not ENOUGH!)

This year.....INVEST.

I don't want to just use my time, energy and resources - I want to invest them.  Invest in my future.  Invest in my relationships.  Invest in my home.  Invest in myself.  To think a little bit more about making moments count.  By giving more to a moment in life, I'll be taking more from it as well.

Yesterday, I was already on the right path even if I didn't realize it at the moment.  I brought a cake to a friend's funeral.  I used one of my decorated bundt pans and baked up the Hershey's Perfectly Chocolate Cake.  When it came time to plate it, I discovered the plate I had all  ready was too small.  I grabbed my cake stand from the garage and placed the cake on it.  Now the cake looked too small!  I quickly thought about the blueberries I had in the fridge and placed them around the base of the cake.  After a sprinkling of powdered sugar, the cake looked "magazine ready"!  I received lots of compliments as I brought it into the church kitchen.  I was feeling good about my efforts, but it was later as I attending the service that I truly thought about what I had invested.  I thought about the grieving family.  I thought about how they are feeling about saying goodbye to a loved one.  I thought about them at the cemetery.  Then gathering at the church after all is said and done, to sit down with one another and share a meal.  I've been there. Our family was always so appreciative to all the people who made the luncheon possible.  And truthfully, store bought or homemade, it's all appreciated.  But there is something special about a homemade cake - anything made from scratch!  It's not just the taste or presentation, but your effort that shows.  Special efforts didn't go unnoticed to us.  Like our neighbor and her mother-in-law that decorated the luncheon in Mita's favorite color.  They invested their time in service.  It wasn't expected or even necessary, but it was so appreciated.  To this day it still makes me feel so blessed that they did so much to help make that difficult day special for our family.  So here's to investing in 2013.

My family has also chosen words for the New Year:

Tony - PROACTIVE

Nicole - INVEST

Colton - AMELIORATE

Asher - DO

(great word!)

Kyler - CREATE

 So here's to a great 2013!