Miscellaneous Cuteness

I just had to post these because they are too cute!

 Cool shades that Alex got from Taylor & Mallory for Christmas

 Suns Game

Scottsdale Rodeo

Blessings

We had the blessing of going with 2 of our children to receive their endowments at the same time.  Emily flew home for my birthday weekend and we were able to take her to the temple at the same time that we were taking Alex to get his endowments before his mission.  It was such a beautiful experience!  I can't even describe the feelings I felt especially right before the session was about to start.  I was sitting there with Emily and I saw Brad and Alex together and then I turned around and saw so many loved ones coming into the room.  Right then I felt the love of so many both here and those that are not here anymore.  It was one of the most tender experiences I have ever had.  I am so thankful that my family can be together forever.  That knowledge gives me so much peace.  I am thankful for the temples and for the blessings that they bring into our lives.  Alex and Emily - we are so proud of you and we love all of you so much!

A Mission Call

Yesterday was a happy day in our family!  This little boy:

 got his mission call!  Elder Alex James McBride is reporting on May 16th to the Argentina Buenos Aires West Mission!!!  We were all so surprised.  For some reason, we were just sure that he would go somewhere in the States (I would have been totally happy with that).  South America wasn't even on my radar.  The majority of his friends are either gone or already have their calls and they are all really exotic.  So we thought it was probably time for someone to go close to home.

We are thrilled with his call and he is so happy.  We did some studying yesterday and learned that Buenos Aires is more like a European city than a South American City.  It is filled with descendants from Spain, Italy and Germany.  They call it the "Paris of South America".  Alex is really excited because he really wanted to get called to a big city.  We have a lot of stuff ahead of us to do to get him ready to go, but we have 4 months.

We are so proud of Alex.  He is such a loving, sweet spirit.  He will be a great missionary!

Happy Halloween!

Well, another Halloween has come and gone!  It is really interesting to see how Halloween has changed over the years.  When I was young, we trick-or-treated, but I don't have any pictures of those times.  It seems like the holiday has gotten more "fashionable". It seems like everyone is always saying that Halloween is one of their favorite holidays.  It also seems like adults are waaay into it more than they used to be.  The most disturbing thing to me is that so many girls and women use Halloween as an excuse to not wear much clothing.  Anyway . . . I love the parts of Halloween that are cutesy and "Fall-ish".  It is a fun time if it is done right.

I go to help with Mr. Petrie's 4th Grade Halloween Party.  I was supposed to bring cupcakes.  I found a picture of mummy's online and decided to try them.  They were so fun to make and I think they turned out so cute.  I love them!

Taylor and Alex went to a few different parties and had a great time.  Taylor and Matt dressed as Arabs from some things that Aunt Susie got while she was in Saudi Arabia.  they were awesome costumes, but I guess got pretty hot after dancing for awhile!

Taylor, Diana & Alex . . . cowboy???

Ryan tried to carve a stick man into his pumpkin - because that was what he was going to be for Halloween.  It's hard to see in the light, but turns out better in the dark.  He did a good job!

 Great job Danny!

 Nice glasses Alex!

 Taylor and the Robot

 Ryan the Stickman - isn't it great!

 The Zombie (Quinn) and the Stickman 

 Danana???

 Sorting Candy

Beauty & Culture

We had two concerts back to back last week.  This was the gorgeous view on the way into the high school where Danny's Jr. High orchestra was performing.  It took my breath away.  Watching my sons musical performances was pretty awesome too.  It makes me so happy that they love music and that they are trying to be well-rounded.  They do it because they want to.  :)

Danny in the 8th grade orchestra for Greenfield Junior High

Alex on the right in the back.  He is in the Concert Choir for Highland High School.

Birthdays & Disney Magic

I always knew that I have the best husband in the world - but gee whiz - he still catches me off guard.  January and into February was one of our worst on record.  I was sick for a whole month.  I had bronchitis and a sinus infection and then Ryan got sick.  He had a high fever and got sicker and sicker.  Four days in, I finally took him to the doctor and he said he had a really bad flu and that we would probably all get it.  This is where I proclaim what a bad mom I am, because I know I am supposed to get flu shots for myself and my children because we have lung issues in our family.  What can I say?  I just never found the time?  I don't know what the reason is, but I didn't do it . . . and can I just say that I will NEVER make that mistake again.  

That very night, Danny and I came down with the flu - on top of my bronchitis I already had.  I was the sickest I can remember being for a long time.  I literally did not move from my bed except to use the bathroom for 4 days.  It was horrible.  Then, poor Brad got sick on Friday night.  So, we all managed to get the flu except for Alex . . . go figure because he always gets sick.

The problem was, I just couldn't seem to kick everything even with antibiotics.  My birthday was coming up on February 5th and Brad started acting weirder and weirder.  Since he is notorious for fabulous birthday surprises, I asked him if he had plans.  He finally broke down and told me that he had been planning a surprise Disney trip since Thanksgiving.  Emily was even gonna fly down and drive over with us and then fly back to SLC from California.  Brad was struggling wondering if he should cancel everything.  With more confidence than I actually felt, I told him that things would be fine and we should just go.  I was surprised and excited, but boy was I worried.

Things turned out a lot better than I had hoped.  I stocked up on my cough meds and my breathing machine and off we went.  I'm embarrassed to admit it, but Brad rented a wheelchair to push me around the park.  I was just too weak and sick to do all the walking that Disneyland required.  Anyway, it was a WONDERFUL surprise and a much needed break in the sunshine for me and my family.  I love my awesome husband more than anything.  He is the best!!!!

 Waiting in line for the Matterhorn

 The longest line the whole time was for Toy Story Arcade.  Ryan got tired of standing :)

 Space Mountain

I LOVE the miniature villages in Storybook land!!

Alex and Danny look thrilled don't they?!

Ryan was so excited to be able to ride everything and to "drive" the Indiana Jones car

I love these kiddos and it sure makes me miss Elder McBride :)

Ward Camp-Out #3

We had our 3rd Annual Gilbert 3rd Ward Camp-out this weekend.  It is such a fun little tradition that was started 3 years ago.  Everyones loves it and we get a huge turn-out.  We were disappointed though this year because Ryan missed the whole wee of school with the croup.  He still wasn't feeling well and had a really nasty cough - so we headed up with the boys for just the evening.  The weather was beautiful and our dinner was delicious!  Brad made green chili burros in the dutch oven.  We had a nice program and then we packed up our stuff and left minus Danny!  He wanted to stay really bad, so we left him a tent and some of the scouts slept in it with him.  Hopefully we will be able to stay the whole time next year . . . but who knows - that will be around the time Taylor will be done with his mission :)

Ryan taking it easy

Nice... Alex!

David, Danny, Ryan & Jake