Dear Jeff.....

My last post was all about our great get a way for our 11 year anniversary, but I wanted to just reflect on the past 11 years and the ups and downs of married life.


Our meeting was not extravagant but a little odd being at a family reunion. There was something about you that was different and I liked it. Did I think things would go anywhere for us, honestly no. You were not a member of the church and I knew I wanted a temple marriage. As we dated and things became more serious I got a little more nervous because I knew I was falling for you and before I knew it you had brought up marriage. I knew I had to bring up the temple but was more scared than I realized but as you know it all worked out. You moved to Tucson from Seattle in August of 1999 (I believe you told a friend there that you thought you had found the one). I don't know that I knew that when you moved down here. You proposed the weekend before Thanksgiving of 1999, got baptized December of 1999, we were married March 25, 2000, and finally sealed December 29, 2000. What an exciting year that was for us.

Just a year and 12 days later, April 6, 2001, Caelin joined us and life was a little tougher or so it seemed at the time. We loved having a baby around but it definitely changed things for us. That didn't stop us though it was only 21 months later, January 17, 2003, Jace joined our little family. I remember when Jace was probably a year and Caelin close to 3 I struggled with my role and how I felt with you like I wasn't needed or wanted and I remember wanting to just give up, but we got through that. We had many moves the first 5 years of marriage and in one of those move we had a miscarriage that was really hard on me, and you helped me through that. I felt like I was done after that no more kids for me, but you had other things in mind, and if I remember right it took some convincing on your part.

The day Jace started Kindergarten July 14, 2008 Jett joined our family. You really wanted this and I wasn't quite sure I wanted another pregnancy or more kids I guess you could say I was comfortable the way things were. When he came into our family it changed things once again. Jace was no longer the baby and I think he struggled with that, but Jett was our little comedian and he kept us laughing day after day. I remember telling you that if we had one we were having another one shortly after. Calissa came December 4, 2009, and made our family complete. The love you have for each of your kids and the way there faces light up when you walk in the door or you play catch with them makes me love you more. I would never go back and change the way we have done things in our life if I could. I love being a mom despite the day to day challenges at times and I love even more being your wife, the one you come home to every night, when business doesn't get in the way.

With your demanding job and four kids it seems as though there is never enough time for "my time" with you. At the end of the day when the house is finally quiet I too am exhausted. It has taken its toll on us for sure and once again I have thought about giving up but one thing that has never changed is how much I love you. I honestly can't imagine my life without you in it and I am so grateful to you for that.

Its hard to imagine but I love you more today than I did 11 years ago when I married you! Life is not always easy for us but I know you are always there for me. We have had hard times, trying times, fun times, and everything in between and through all these times I have grown to love you more and appreciate you more everyday. I looked forward to the many years as well as the eternities we have to be together.

All my love;

Casey

Happy 11 Years.....

Friday March 25th Jeff and I celebrated our 11 year wedding anniversary and spent the extra money to enjoy a LONG weekend with just us. Many thanks to my mom and dad and sisters who took my four kids for the weekend (something that I know was not a walk in the park). We made reservations at the Luxor in Las Vegas and purchased tickets for the Cirque Du Soleil "Beattles Love" show. Thursday morning I drove the kids to mom and dad's and we left when Jeff got off of work. We didn't get checked in to our hotel until 2:00 a.m. Friday morning, but knew we would be able to sleep in (no kids to wake us up).



The view at night!!!(Ours is the one with the light shining out the tip and it looks like a pyramid).

Friday during the day we walked and walked at least 5 miles, and then that evening we had a "VERY NICE" dinner at "Tenders Steakhouse" inside the Luxor. Then we enjoyed "Beattles Love" that was simply amazing. We enjoyed every minute of it. Then Saturday we put in close to 10 miles walking I am quite sure. We started our day at the Luxor and saw the "Bodies" Exhibition, that was eye opening and amazing. Then we decided to go down to Mandalay Bay and visit the Shark Reef Aquarium. Once again we were not disappointed. No they didn't have the full grown great whites but the fish and sharks were amazing to see. Our final adventure was a ride on the roller coaster at New York New York. It scared me more than the roller coasters we did at Disneyland, but we had fun and I didn't get sick.


A couple of shots from the Aquarium. Unfortunately no cameras inside the Beattles show or the Bodies Exhibition.

We got a message that on Saturday night between 8:30 and 9:30 all the lights along the strip would be turned off in honor of Earth Hour. We thought the difference would be a bit more drastic than it actually was.

Picture with the lights off, this was as dark as it got


Just a couple of miscellaneous pics from our many miles of walking.

Sunday we got up and went to an 11:00 sacrament meeting and then headed for home. We stopped at Hoover Dam to see the sights and check out the new bridge that was built. We walked a couple of miles that day and I have to say I was quite sore trying to climb the steps and just walking in general, but the bridge was an amazing sight to see.



Our final excitement for the weekend was on the drive home. On the road between Hoover Dam and Kingman we passed a motorhome that was swerving on the road and shortly after Jeff saw in his rearview mirror it roll over. So we turned around to go help. We were the first on the scene and Jeff was talking to the couple inside. There was not an easy way to get them out and the driver was stuck in the seatbelt and the passenger had not been buckled in and was toward the rear of the motorhome unable to find an escape. It took close to 10 minutes for the paramedics to arrive and by then Jeff and the several others who had stopped to help had figured out a way to get the passenger out. She came out with a sore shoulder and that was it. When we left they still hadn't quite got the driver out but he was close and he never complained about anything hurting. The pictures shows the damage and to us it was quite amazing they walked away with only minor injuries.

More on Disneyland....

So we found out at the first roller coaster "Matterhorn" that they have a "rider switch pass", which meant that Hannah would stand in line with Caelin and Jace for 30-60 minutes depending on the ride and then when they got off they would keep the babies and Jeff and I would get right on the ride not waiting more than 5 minutes. It was great and we got to do all the rides we wanted without standing in line for double the amount of time.

Jace was our total thrill seeker and Hannah would take him where ever he wanted to go (did I say how great it was to have her there). They did several roller coasters including California Adventures "Screamin" that Caelin joined in on and got a little scared and a little nauseous and refused anymore roller coasters. Jace could of gone on everyone of them again and again.
Thought this picture was appropriate for Caelin; that is "Screamin" in the background.


This was our final ride it was the tram that goes around the whole park and into downtown Disney. Kids were exhausted and liked to be able to just sit and look. I can't believe how happy Jett looks after such a long day.

I could have done another day because we didn't make it all the way through the parks, EXCEPT for the fact of the price tags :)!

A vacation we will cherish and always remember. Jeff wants to take them to Six Flags Magic Mountain....not sure Caelin is ready for that one.

Blue and Gold Banquet

The boys and I were able to attend the Blue and Gold Banquet for Jace the other night where he received his Bobcat award. They had a dinner of fried chicken, salads, rolls, and fun cakes that some ventured out to make.

Jett really enjoyed the dinner!


After dinner they had a little ceremony where the boys received awards and Jace got to pin a Bobcat pin on me. They did a little cute skit with a bunch of rowdy boys. Played a game with all the scouts, and ended with an award ceremony for the best cakes. It was my first Blue and Gold but surely not my last. Jace enjoys all the extra attention to go to these as well as the extra activities to pass off.

Way to go Jace keep up the good work.

Spring Break 2011.....

One of my most favorite vacations has got to be Spring Break in Alabama on the Gulf Coast with Jeff's mom and step dad, however they decided to take some friends this year so we chose to spend a few days in California. We took the 5th wheel and stayed at an RV Park in Huntington Beach that my Aunt Terri recommended. It was walking distance to the Pier, shopping, and of course the beach.


Our first nights stay (Golden Acorn Casino), and the next four nights on the beach (view from the end of the Pier).

The best part of the week was our one day trip to Disneyland. The kids had an absolute great time. We were there from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. and they were tired to say the least, but they were also troopers. We took the babysitter which made it even more fun because I got to ride the roller coasters with Jeff.


We did Disneyland and California Adventure (I don't think I could pick one over the other)


The kids loved having Hannah there and they all loved the rides. Jett would get mad when he couldn't go but we knew there was only so much his stomach would handle.


When it was his turn he was all smiles and ready to go. I had to do at least one ride with him...(when I was pregnant with Jett this ride made me sick).



Jett's favorite was Lightning McQueen and Mater, he just wasn't quite sure what to do when he got up close to them. The other two pics are of them "hanging out" waiting for the older ones to get off the ride.

We got to see the fireworks that night and they were by far the best I had ever seen. The kids (except Calissa she slept through them) were in awe the whole time.



We ate here at Ruby's it was a 50's diner and had great burgers and shakes! Caelin was a little bored acting!

Overall it was a good vacation. The weather was perfect for Disneyland, but a bit chilly to be out on the beach. The older kids played in the water a little and came out beat red and numb. It was cold to even sit out there and watch them trying to soak up a few rays. I don't even have any pictures of them in the water. We took lots of pictures just none of them in the sand or in the water.

Something about Jace.......

I feel like Caelin has been so involved in things that she has gotten more attention on the blog than Jace. Maybe it is just that I have spent more time with Caelin in her activities.

Jace recently started scouts and he absolutely loves it. Wednesday den meetings never come soon enough and he is always excited to do whatever is planned that day. He also participated in the annual Pine Wood Derby. I was home with the little ones for that because he wanted his dad to take him in the Corvette. So I heard second hand what happened. First heat he "smoked" the other car, second heat he won, and the third heat for the overall win he lost after 3 ties. He was not at all disappointed that he didn't win (at least he didn't act that way) just excited that he got to participate.

I love Jace's enthusiasm when it comes to scouts. He is a great help to others, this past week at den meeting they were making bird houses and I walked in and he was helping someone else and had not even started his own project.


He did the red and said it looked like the Corvette! :0)

Student Of The Week!

Last night at the monthly PTA meeting they honored all of the kids that had been student of the week over the past quarter. Caelin was one of those recognized. It was such a neat way to show the kids how much the teachers, principal, and PTA appreciate these kids that go above and beyond everyday.

Each teacher wrote why their student had been chosen and this is what Mrs. Stough had to say about Caelin:

Caelin is an all-around wonderful student! She works very hard each day, and is always willing to help those around her. She is responsible in all that she does, and is a wonderful role model for her peers. Way to go Caelin! You truly exemplify what it means to ACT!

After Mr. Graff read what the teachers had to say some of the kids he had a little something extra to add and he said:

And Caelin here can play football in high heels, very impressive!

I think she liked what Mr. Graff had to say as much as what Mrs. Stough had to say! This has been a phenomenal year for Caelin she has blossomed and gone the extra mile in all she does.


Way to go Caelin, we are so proud of you! Keep up the great work!

Caelin's 4th Grade Program

"Compose Yourself"

George Frideric Handel aka Caelin

This year Caelin had a big part for the 4th Grade performance. She had many speaking parts and had to lead one of there songs. She was so excited and had a fabulous time which is huge for her because she is shy and doesn't like to be in front of people. She did a fabulous job, and Principal Graff said it was the most entailed program they had ever done there.


They played recorders (which are not the most enjoyable sounding instrument), sang songs, and did a skit with many of the musics greats, Beethoven, Mozart, Bach, and many more. Very entertaining and the kids did great!

You were fabulous Caelin and I am very proud of you for all of your memorization!

RODEO BREAK 2011

With just a snack Jett was happy!

She looked so cute all bundled up but she didn't want her picture taken.

We spent another Rodeo Break at the sand dunes! It was a good weekend and we had a lot of fun but it was just a little chilly. Caelin is content to just ride in the RZR, where Jace loves to ride the quad, Jett loves to "GO" and Calissa is content to play in the sand or stay around mom, she is still not a fan of the rides, but is getting better. The dunes are definitely not my favorite place to ride but do enjoy the time we have together. Jeff just LOVES to ride, he likes the quad, he likes the RZR, if he is riding he is happy.






They spent a lot of time digging in the sand it is almost like being at the beach, just not very warm!