What a Week.......

Monday I went to Thatcher to get my hair cut wanted to try something a little different and I love it. My mom gave me a hard time because people down there go to Tucson or Phoenix for things like that (my sister Jonna), but it sure was nice to have a place to leave Jett and Calissa while I got my hair cut, sure does make it much easier. Thanks Mom and Dad your the BEST!


Monday while I was in Thatcher, my little sister Rocki was here in Tucson getting her wisdom teeth out. She was feeling pretty bad so Tuesday my parents came here for Dr.'s appointments and brought Rocki's two girls, Brinlee and Brikelle. They are about the same ages as Jett and Calissa and they spent the day with us on Tuesday. While I had them I had this crazy idea to keep them for a couple of days until Rocki felt better. It took a little convincing but she agreed. It was nice because Brinlee, Brikelle and Calissa are all about the same size, so we washed everyday and shared pajamas.

We went through, cheese, milk, goldfish crackers and fruit snacks, that is what they wanted to eat. It was a good week because Jeff was gone most of the week on business, mutual was cancelled and so I had the time. We have had fun having them here, the kids have all loved it. It is Saturday morning and Brinlee is ready to go home, they are all tired and 5 days has been enough for them. As for me I am definitely busier but they have all played so well together all week I would take them again in a heartbeat, but yes I am ready for normal again. Thanks Rocki and Brett for letting us have your sweet girls and help you out!

Glad to see Jett was still happy and playing with cars after this week because honestly my house looked like an all girl house with dolls, strollers, and pink everywhere!

Guess Jeff thought I needed these after him being gone and me taking on 2 more! Thanks Sweetie!

One more week and we are off for winter break! YAY!!

Happy Birthday Calissa!!!

She can be silly and cute and ornery all the same time!!

I can't believe my baby girl is already 2! It seems hard for me to believe, wow times flies by faster and faster every year. It fell on a Sunday which wasn't too bad I guess we were up early and off to church but Calissa and Jett have been sick so they didn't get to go to Nursery instead Calissa got to go to Young Women's with me and all the girls thought she was so cute (which she is but yes I am biased). Then we came home and had naps (even I got a 30 min nap). Then after dinner we opened gifts and she was so excited about everything, her little face would just light up.

She loves everything she opened (so easy to please at this age)

Caelin thought it was time to give Calissa her old baby doll.

I think this is the reaction Caelin was wanting!

Then she got clothes; she was in need of those for sure.

Her last gift she opened was a princess baby with ALL the accessories and when she got the paper off the box and saw the doll she let out a big squeal, so worth having all the stuff around. :)

Big Brother Jace helping to put it all together!

There was a lot in one box but she is so excited (as if you couldn't tell)

Then we watched the Christmas Devotional with the missionaries from our Ward and then had cake and ice cream with the Elders because tomorrow is Elder Scott's birthday so we had a double party. I made a chocolate explosion cake but the name sounds much better than it was not one I would recommend. Then Calissa got a little scared when I lit the candles, but she enjoyed her cake and ice cream, after the fire was gone. It was a great day! I feel blessed to have Calissa in our home, she is the baby and she knows it, but we love her all the more. She is sweet and demanding, loving and ornery, she knows how to push buttons and knows how to get what she wants. I love this crazy little 2 year old with her tantrums and all, bring on those terrible 2's!

Happy Birthday Baby Girl we LOVE you so so much!!

Thanksgiving

I can't believe it has been a month since my last post but as I sit and think over the past month and the craziness in our lives it is no wonder I haven't sat down to post on the blog. If I were a journal writer it would get pushed aside and forgotten at least with the blog I have friends that will ask where my update is, thanks Rachel and Sherra.

So for Thanksgiving we went to my Mom and Dad's in Thatcher for the long weekend. My dad is such a fabulous cook we always come a little heavier especially after that many days, even Caelin said she was heavier on the scale. My little sister Teonna had just had her twin boys a week before on November 15th, Gunner Wade and Gavin Edward. They are so cute and so little, but doing well and Teonna says they are good babies. I can't imagine being in her shoes with two newborns to care for. We wish her the best of luck as she adjusts to life with 5 - 5 years and younger.

Gavin and Gunner (no I don't know which is which)

I also did my first Black Friday shopping and it was crazy but standing in front of what I wanted was not such a fun thing. However the people in line were friendly and had made new friends by the time the night was over. It was fun I went with my sisters Jonna and Rocki, my brother Trym, and my niece Brittney. We got most of what we wanted and it was nice to feel like my Christmas shopping was close to being done. I then participated in the Cyber Monday sales and finished up what I needed for Christmas. Black Friday will be something I will never forget and I may do it again I feel like it was worth while (didn't totally scare me off)

The kids loved spending time with their cousins and spending time at the park. We had 8 of us there at my parents on Thanksgiving morning, (we missed you Sherra and Carter). What is more to Thanksgiving than family, friends, and great food. I feel so blessed this year for all that we have and am grateful for our family and friends, health, and most of all the Gospel in our lives.

A glimpse of the chaos during "feeding time"

Now Christmas is just around the corner and the tree is up and there is some Christmas decor around and I love the excitement in the air with my little ones knowing that Christmas is coming.

The tree is up

The stockings are hung

And even some extra Christmas decor, Calissa loves the bears!

Halloween and This and That!!!!

I am a little behind with things but we did do some Trunk or Treating.  The kids had a lot of fun and more than enough candy.  This year the costumes were all reused from years before.

 Jett got to be "Stitch" again and he loved it! 

                                     Calissa was the cutest little skeleton

Jace was "Darth Vader" again (think it is too small)                            Caelin was "Ruby the Pirate Beauty"

It was fun to see all the cute costumes and the faces light up as you put candy in there bags.  For those who don't know Halloween is my least favorite holiday, I never "enjoyed"it as a kid and still don't.  I try to do something because my kids like it.  Calissa even loved getting the candy and keeps asking for her "backpack" (her bag with all the candy).  So for Family Night we will have dinner a short lesson and let them eat as much candy as they want, after all thats really all they care about it the candy.  




Saturday morning was the 3rd Annual 5K Spooky Run that the Sycamore PTA puts on.  Caelin and Jace both ran it and Jeff and I volunteered.  Caelin was first place for the 5th grade girls (think she was the only one that ran)  her time was 37:40.  Jace came in 2nd place for 3rd grade boys and his time was 38:50.  They both did amazing and I was so proud to see them pushing as hard as they could as they came in to the finish line.  Way to go!  Pictures from the race still to come!

On another note, Caelin was able to attend STARBASE this year with her 5th grade class.  Over a five week period they spent one day a week at Davis Monthan Air Force Base and learned about rockets, robots, and all sorts of scientific things.  Caelin says she wants to be an Engineer like her dad.  She definitely has the math skills and logic thinking (most of the time).  She was also chosen to give the Graduation speech for her class.  She wrote it herself.  She is so confident and doesn't get nervous like I always have.  She really is a natural.

Hi! My name is Caelin Best. I am in Ms. Condely’s 5^th grade class. Our class just recently finished STARBASE. My top favorite things from STARBASE were: using our own computers when we were watching videos to show us how to make and control the robots. One of my other favorite things was trying to save Egbert from cracking when he was going full speed into a big block of cement. We also worked with a flight simulator and flew around over Hawaii and after we flew around a little bit the teachers, Ms. Fredrick, Ms. Whitaker, and Ms. Condely, came around to see if our passengers needed a barf bag and if they didn’t need a barf bag we would get a cool ball.   Since we were able to attend STARBASE we have to do a community service project to get a dog tag for our chains. As a class we brainstormed a few ideas. Our ideas were the Marshall Home for men, Ronald McDonald house, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and the PIMA ANIMAL CARE CENTER. When we voted the PIMA ANIMAL CARE CENTER got the most votes and so we choose to help the PIMA ANIMAL CARE CENTER. The PIMA ANIMAL CARE CENTER is an animal shelter that keeps animals that are in need of a home. To help the PIMA ANIMAL CARE CENTER we have collected items for them that they are in need of. Some of the items were pet shampoo, towels, blankets, galvanized metal buckets, & leashes. As a thank you to us some people from the PIMA ANIMAL CARE CENTER will come to give us a presentation to the 5th grade classes on animals sometime in November, we are excited for them to come.

A New Journey

Last Friday night Brother Jarem Bingham (from our new Bishopric) came by to visit with Jeff and I.  I knew it was about me because Jeff was just called as the Ward Mission Leader.  As I pondered what it might be I was nowhere prepared for what was about to come.  I even was trying to figure out what organization the 1st Counselor was over.  He first started out by saying that as a Bishopric they knew that Jeff has a demanding/important calling, but we feel that you need to serve in the Young Women as 1st Counselor (over the Mia Maids).  I think my mouth dropped and I just about fell out of my chair.  I knew I couldn't say no I am just not that person, although a HUGE part of me wanted to.  Brother Bingham in a way I think was waiting for the rejection, but it never came and he was grateful.  I have had a mixture of feelings over the past few days.  I am feeling overwhelmed with what is to come.  I am excited (for the amazing leaders and Young Women I get to work with), anxious (for the lessons I will have to teach), scared (about the activities I will have to plan), and nervous (about the time this calling will entail)!  All of this is NEW to me, I have never served with the youth before.  I remember a couple of years ago feeling the exact same way when I was called to serve as 1st Counselor in the Primary Presidency.  I didn't know those I was going to serve with but got to know them and have new friendships because of it.  I had many of the same feelings I am having now but got through it and was sad when I was released.  So my hope is that I will figure things out quickly and be able to serve these Young Women and find "Joy in the Journey".

So if my posts are even fewer and further between you will know why! :)

Happenings

Last night was Parent/Teacher Conferences for Jace and Caelin and as usual the got great reports.  Their teachers adore them and say what great kids/students they are.

Ms. Condley and Caelin

Caelin is definitely a teachers pet, but she loves it and her teacher loves her for always being willing to help and stays on track and gets the things done she is supposed to.  She wrote us a letter and this is what it says:


Dear Mom and Dad,
I want to tell you how my school year is going.  So far it has been fun and exciting.  My favorite thing so far has been going to STARBASE.  I learned a lot there.  I am doing an awesome job in math.  I am doing good in Advanced Math and Algebra Club.  Nothing.
Love from you helpful daughter,
Caelin Best


Lets just say she loves math and she told us a few days ago she would like to be an engineer like her dad.  Her scores from her Benchmark testing were 100% in math, and 96.7% in reading.  She really loves school and everything that goes with it.  She had a big state test where she had to memorize all the states and the location on a map and you could get extra credit if you knew the capital.  We gave her a little challenge to memorize all the states and capitals and we would pay her $5.00.  That was no problem for her she took on the challenge and got everyone right.  She is very self motivated and wants things done nice and right (makes me proud)  She also had to pick a state and find out information and make a board with the information and then make a brochure for someone going to visit that state.  She did an amazing job on that, even finished it early, and came home with a 100% on that project.  Things so far have been quite busy for her, but her teacher says she handles things well.  She is still in NEHS (Honor Society), now in Algebra Club, Advanced Math, and Technology Club.  She loves all of it and never acts overwhelmed, just knows she is busy and has meetings to keep up with.  Lastly she got her first report card of 5th grade and had straight A's (4 A+'s and 2 A's).  Keep up the good work Caelin you will do great.

Mrs. Irvin and Jace

Jace also got a great report however his personality is a bit different.  Mrs. Irvin said that Jace likes ALOT of extra attention which when she told me it makes sense he is the middle child.  He was the baby for 5 years and then here comes Jett and soon after that here comes Calissa.  It was a tough adjustment on him and it really shows through on his personality.  He does have an issue of rushing through his work no matter what work it may be.  We have had several discussions on it and had another one at conferences last night.  I hope he will learn to slow down on reading and writing and I think he will do even better.  He is quite busy as well he has signed up for Stinger Store (he helps get things together and run the store when it is opened), he loves it.  He has also signed up for Technology Club.  Plus he has Scouts which he loves also.  He also got great scores on Benchmark Testing all A's.  His report card was also straight A's (3 A+'s and 3 A's).  Jace is a loving cuddly kid (something I am not), and I love how he loves his little brother and sister and his face lights up when he gets home.  We are so proud of you Jace and know that if you take your time you will go far.  Jace also wrote us a letter but it had gotten misplaced so I will update that here when I get it.

Jace also finally got a good haircut, and he wasn't happy about it at all but I can see that cute little boy of mine again and really it isn't too short.  Not near as short as it used to be.  He can still spike it or do a mohawk or whatever he likes, but when he does it or does nothing with it, it still looks nice.


A week or so ago we had this amazing funnel cloud just out the yard.  It was really neat to see!  Caelin was a little freaked out and was afraid we would have an actual tornado come through.  It really was neat to see though, a first for me.

Labor Day Weekend 2011!

We had another muddy weekend up in the White Mountains near Luna, NM. It didn't quite feel like Labor Day because the big family reunion we typically have was cancelled due to the wildfire that went through up there. Also my dad decided (he wasn't given much choice) to have surgery on his knee Thursday and then they didn't make it up there. Last year my parents celebrated there 45th wedding anniversary and wanted everyone to be there, so they were only our weekend got cut short due to Calissa getting sick. So consequently it was the year for family to be with there spouses family, so that left just us and John and Jonna (aka Dad and Jonna, Grandma and Grandpa). We enjoyed the weekend with Dad and Jonna it was much quieter than we are used to but it was a great time.
This was our campsite. Everything is so green (it really had our allergies going)


This is what the campsite looked like after the rain and then slipping and sliding to get out. FUN TIMES!!
Jett and Calissa had so much fun stomping in the mud and we would say stop and they would look at us and grin and before long be back at it again. Needless to say I gave up telling them to stop, they were having so much fun. However, laundry was a MESS, when we got home!!


Jeff got bored with all the rain and started peeling stickers off the RZR!


Caelin and Jace entertaining Jonna (aka Grandma) or vise versa not sure which. Caelin and Jace loved having Grandpa and Grandma there for sure. We even stayed up LATE one night for a game of rummy.

This place is truly one of my favorite places to be, it is quiet with lots of room to play. I must say I wish we had a few more trips here every year. I may have to work on that. So we are back home safe and sound and the first time in three years we didn't end up in White Mountain Community Hospital ER. It was a good weekend!