My two youngest Boys!

Jake was taking pictures and captured this magical moment when Eli started to kiss him. I love this photo! I was told I should sell it to magazines it's that precious. Eli loves like he does everything in life, very intensely! :)

Ava and Caleb's Research Project

Ava and Caleb Craner

After they gave their report

Caleb and Ava sharing what they learned about hot air balloons.

Ava and Caleb decided to do a research project together. The topic they chose to research was hot air balloons. Caleb's mother helped them do a little power point presentation and they each had little note cards with their lines on them. They did such a good job and answered questions from the principal and the Mayor (Eli asked him if he was the prophet-Mayor Wilson got a kick out of that).
I just found out that they have an awards ceremony tomorrow night.

The Shaw Boys

Ava, Jesse, Jake, Eli, and Hunter at Zootopia

Mitchell York, Eli, Hunter, Dillan, Jesse, Brad, and Jake. The boys made the fire and roasted hot dogs and marshmallows.

This boy makes me smile! He has the funniest personality and the best heart. 

Jess, Dillan, and Brad enjoying the fire that they built.

While Rachel went to St.George, her boys came to my house for some fun. We went to the movie, Zootopia (Dillan and Brad were busy with Mitchell), had a fire in the pit for hot dogs and marshmallows, went to the store for treats, and they spent some time at the duck pond too. They had such a good time that it went by so fast and before they were ready, their mom was back to get them.

District Leader in Queens Creek, Arizona

Ethan was transferred to Queens Creek, Arizona.

He was made a District Leader and this was his first District Meeting.

Elder Ralph was in the same area for the first 6 months of his mission. He was just transferred to Queens Creek and made a District Leader. I asked him yesterday how it is different that his first area and he said he's finding out that people don't keep their appointments as well as they did in his first area. I guess a lot of people will make appointments but then aren't there when they go back to visit them. (Pretty typical of people today, myself included)

Cancun (February 25-28, 2016)

Our first day (it was evening by the time we got to the beach)

The view from our balcony. It was beautiful to see and hear the ocean and feel the breeze.

Dennis isn't embarrassed to try different things! He was the first one on the bull. After he did it there was a line of people wanting to do it. Not me! I just laughed at my hubby as he was thrown. He did stay on for quite a few seconds though.

We played night tennis and had a blast (And no that is not sweat on my shirt! It was a shadow.)

Look at that blue water!

This is the Hard Rock Hotel we stayed at.

Dennis and I drank so many Pina Coladas and Miami Vice (Pina Colada with Stawberry Daiquiri) drinks we lost count. These all-inclusive resorts are so nice! They have people who walk around the whole day just asking you if they can get you drinks and of course eating whenever and whatever you want is part of the deal too.

The little bar with the Mexican flag on it had the best tacos and brick-oven pizzas. 

WOW!! That's the only word to describe our vacation to Cancun. There is a company called Contempo (tile) that paid for those who used their company for their jobs (I'm not sure how much the companies had to spend) Darin didn't want to go so he gave the trip to Dennis (and paid for my part) so we could go to Cancun. Dennis and I had so much fun together. We enjoyed the beach, the food, the drinks, the entertainment, and just being alone (even in the sea of people).
Grandpa Merrill was so kind to stay with the kids from Thursday morning until Sunday night. I think Grandma stayed at night but went back to babysit Tess during the days. My kids had fun and enjoyed having Grandpa with them. Jake and Ava even skipped school on Friday to "help" Grandpa with Eli.
Dennis and I say we need to do this every few years but we never do it on our own! But it really is so much fun to get away and enjoy "paradise" for a while.

The Aquarium and the Habit

Mitchell York, Brad, James Hanna, Jake, Ava and Eli with their 3-D glasses

Ava and Jake enjoying their burgers

Eli and his fry stache

I can't remember what day this was but somehow we ended up at the Aquarium for a few hours. We even enjoyed a 4-D show with little sprays of water and shaking seats as we learned about the Galapagos islands. We then went to the Habit burger joint and to a guitar store. It was a fun day! (I wish I could remember why everyone was out of school)!

My mysterious girl

Jake LOVES photography and Ava is his favorite subject because she dresses up and puts make-up on too. This was during the most horrific smog of the year. The pollution was so bad that many old and young with asthma and unhealthy lungs ended up in hospitals. But just look at the background it provided for Jake to work his magic!

Family Fun

Sorry about the poor quality of this picture but my phone camera isn't the best. I think this is one of the things we did for Brad's birthday. We knew we would be gone on his birthdate (Feb 26th) so we did this before we left. (Dennis and I were going to Cancun on the 25th).
Brad's friend, Mitchell York, joined us for the day.

My boy (Valentine's 2016)

Ethan sent me this picture a few days before Valentine's Day with the caption "I love you Mom". It made my day and I have to say, this is one of my favorite pictures of him. He looks so happy and content. I'm glad he is enjoying his mission and having such a wonderful experience!

Dennis and his Teacher's Quorum

Brendan (a non-member boy with Autism), Liam (our backyard neighbor), Mitchell (Brad's best friend), Wyatt (new boy from California), and Brad

Dennis decided it would be a great experience for these boys to go together to the Provo Temple Open House. They all really enjoyed it and Dennis said that little Brendan had such a good time and loved the Temple. These boys all get along really well and are just good boys who try to make everyone feel loved.

Provo Temple Open House (2016)

We took the kids to see the new Provo Temple open house. We missed the Payson Temple open house so we didn't want to miss this one. It is the most beautiful temple ever! The wood work, marble, and stained glass windows are just breathtaking. We all enjoyed the tour but wished it was a little longer and Jake didn't get to see the eternity mirrors that he had been talking about the whole week before we went. But it was an amazing experience and I think Ava and Brad thought it would be a perfect Temple to be married in. (Jake wants to get married in the San Diego Temple).

Ava gets her ears pierced (again) Jan 2016

Ava and her brand new earrings

Jake, Savannah, Ava, and Eli eating Cinnabon right before getting Ava's ears pierced.

This 3 year old pounded down a whole bowl of doughnut holes all by himself!

So, Ava really wanted to get her ears pierced again. The first time, one earring fell out so Jake took out the other and didn't tell me so the next morning her ears were sealed shut and I couldn't get the earrings back in. It was Martin Luther King Jr. day and the kids were off from school so we decided it was a great day to go to the mall and get her ears done again. There was another girl getting hers done when we got to the store so poor Ava was a bundle of nerves by the time she got to the chair. She literally almost fainted when they did her ears. She was pale and dizzy. Poor little bug. But she made it and is so very happy with her new earrings!

Valentines 2016

Eli had to have a rose too.

Ava with her chocolates, card and rose from Daddy

Jake with his chocolates

Brad with his chocolates and Eli with his balloon.

I don't go all out for Valentine's Day. I usually just get each child a little chocolate heart. This year Dennis bought each of them something too. He bought Eli a huge balloon, Ava a rose and card, and Brad and Jake a huge heart filled with chocolates.  They loved it all!

Cheesecake Factory (Feb 2016)

Jill and I decided we would take the munchkins out for lunch after seeing Chelsea at the airport. So, we went to the Cheesecake factory. The kids loved it (except for Eli). We then went to Don and Jill's and the kids played and just enjoyed the day. We even got to see Nick play a basketball game. (Don was in Nevada and Dennis was getting certified to be an Insanity (exercise) instructor).

Chelsea home from Chile (Feb 2016)

Jake and Ava made Chelsea a sign to welcome her home at the airport.

Grandpa Rosemund (Carolyn's Dad), Carolyn, Savannah, David, Chelsea, and Andrew

Nick, Whitney, Chelsea, Jill, and Reagan

Brad, Eli (who was throwing a fit until Jill gave him the little flag), Chelsea, Ava, Me, and Jake

Grandpa Ralph, Chelsea, and Grandma Ralph

Chelsea served for 18 months in Orsorno, Chile. She came home in February. David and Carolyn went down and stayed a little over a week I think, seeing all of Chelsea's favorite places. We all met them at the airport with our little signs. It was so precious to see Chelsea hug her Grandpa Rosemund. Her Grandma Rosemund passed away unexpectedly shortly after Chelsea left for her mission. She was extremely close to her Grandma and I know it was a trying time for her. But she's home, safe and sound and we are happy to have her back!

Skyping with Elder Ralph

It was so fun to Skype with Ethan this year. At first he couldn't hear us. I forgot I had to turn on the external speakers so we wasted like 5 to 10 minutes of his hour. But we finally figured it out and then everything was fine. Lexi was there too and we gave them a few minutes to talk without all of us hovering around. We heard Ethan ask Lexi, "So what are you doing to strengthen your testimony?" Dennis and I smiled at each other. Yup, he's in missionary mode! It was so cute. He looked happy and we are sure proud of him. I got a little emotional when it was time to say goodbye but it was just so nice to see and hear him at the same time!

Their Favorite things and My Favorite things (Dec 2015)I

I love this picture of Ava looking lovingly at a glowing Santa decoration. 

Santa brought this boy his Blastboard from "Miles of Tomorrowland" and he didn't look at any other gift the whole day!

Santa brought Ava her Journey doll, Callie.

Santa brought Jake some new sneaks.

Brad also got some new sneakers from Santa.

Ethan got a guitar for Christmas. (Along with a whole bunch of goodies from family!)

These were just the first gifts these kids opened Christmas morning. I always take a picture of them with their Santa gift and then we open the rest of the tree but don't usually take pictures of all the gifts. We had a wonderful Christmas together.