Our baby is 12!!!!

A little tribute to C.J. We love you C.J. and are so proud of the beautiful Young Woman you have become.

The things we LOVE about C.J.

1- her ability to turn a t.v. show into her own reality (survivor man). she loves to mimic some of the survival tactics.

2- her BIG brown eyes

3- her tiny little freckles on her face

4- she still loves to snuggle well, at least for now.

5- she loves little kids

6- her desire to do good

7- her compassion for sports, she is so competitive-- reminds me of her dad.

8- the way she can make my heart smile, by still calling me "mommy."

9- her voice--she has a beautiful voice. I love to hear her singing in the tub/shower.

10- her desire to be loved by everyone-- especially her big brother.

11- the way she "lights" up when we talk about family coming to town, or coming over.

12- she is finally starting to like her hair done. :)

Here she is ready to start Young Women's, so confident & beautiful. I am excited to watch her grow & become closer to her Savior. Carinna we love you so much & are so pround of you!

I am Esme.

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I Love Crystal Caldwell!!!!

O.k. Every year my family dreads Christmas pictures. This year I decided to give my friend & hairdresser Crystal Caldwell a try. She just started her own photography company. Our experience was awesome! She was so good with the kids & they all were comfortable with her. They were actually a little too comfortable-- See what Crystal had to deal with. Look at Lil Val & MacKenzie. They are crazy!! Don't look to close-- my eyes are going crazy.

One of my favorite pictures of the girls. They actually look like they like each other.

Cute picture of the "girls"-- notice Kenz's peace sign. Her & Val were making faces & crazy poses most of the time.

Here is Kenz trying to climb over a wall, she is not very "agile"

The picture below is of us posing as the real "O.C."

So a little plug for Crystal-- check out her blog it is on my list of friends!

Thanks again Crystal--- Love you!

Boutique Crazy!

I am participating in another boutique this weekend. It is Saturday from 8:30 to 4:00 p.m. @ Michelle Bradley's house in Greenfield Acres. There is approximately 30 vendors participating.

We have a young family in our ward that is expecting their 3rd child soon. Heidi is a cute, sweet, creative, compassionate mother. Their baby girl, Jersey, is going to be born with a heart condition, requiring surgery & possibly more throughout her life. Their are vendors on Saturday that will be donating part of their proceeds to this young family to help with medical bills. So, please come & help us out.

You can view the blog associated with the boutique @ shopchicboutique.net. I hope you can make it.

Cry baby!

I have to admit I am an emotional person. I cry at commercials, tv shows, music, pretty much everything. I am not sure if I have hit a milestone in my life, but Sunday was an emotional day for me. Why, because my baby C.J. participated in her last primary program. I know, what is so emotional about that? I don't know! Of course, it could be just a small fact that I am getting old. I did turn 40 last month. But seriously, Val could not believe I was crying.

Our Primary Program was a little different this year. In stead of every child having some speaking part, they chose 12 kids to talk about their favorite Book of Mormon, or scripture story. They also had songs mixed in. C.J. was chosen, when asked what her favorite story was, she said, "the one where the bad king gets his head cut off by Nephi". Micah Slade her primary teacher had just told her that story. So, that is what she talked about. It was a great talk & I was so proud of her.

Xpressions Boutique

I know the pictures to the right are a little hard to read, but I wanted everyone to know about our boutique next week. It is a week from today, there are going to be some real fun items to order for christmas gifts. The list of vendors include:
Polka Dot Moon Invitation & Stationary Emporium *link from my blog
White Lotus Salon & Spa
All Frills Aprons Fabulously Flirty Aprons *link from my blog
Creative Works Trunk show specialists- bringing things from purses to clothing
Sugar Cookies
Funky Bums Fierce Fashion for Bad Bottom Boys & girls too
Mysti's Hair Pretties Hair clips
Gem Begs Flirty little bags for all your baubles
Burpies N Blankies
Banners by M & m Banners for occasions
O'Snap Baby onesies & hair couture with snap! *link from my blog
Gold Canyon Candles
Donai' Jewelry
Lil' Donai' Treasure Boxes *crafted by 15 year old*
Xpressions by me Baby Couture & Magnet Boards

*a portion of the proceeds are going to The Prayer Child Foundation. (founded by Karen Waiseth- Gold Canyon Candles)

The show is Thursday the 13th from 6:30 to 9:00. It is not at my house, so if you haven't received a flyer or invite, please let me know so I can get you directions. It is going to be Fabulous!!!

Halloween 2008

C.J., Brayden, Devin, Makenna, Allie & Lauren. Brayden is loving this- surrounded by girls. ya!

C.J., Makenna & Allie @ our ward trunk r treat Wed. Night. In case you are wondering, C.J.'s costume choice this year: A Secret Service Agent. hmmm. That's my baby for you. She looked cute!

This is Kenz's costume for Halloween. She is immitating an 80's excersise person. Like Olivia Newton John, "let's get physical" Her & Rylee got the idea from that show on Thursday nights called "Kath & Kim". It is pretty funny, they mock the 80's.

C.J.'s pumpkin turned out to be a Shrek head.

Here is Kenz at the Palmers on Monday carving pumpkins. Hers was really cute.

C.J's Citizenship Award

C.J. & Ms. Phillips. She is her teacher that nominated her for the award.

Me, C.J. & Val outside of the Council Chambers.

C.J. & the Mayor & one of the other councilmen.

O.k. forgive me for bragging, but we are so proud of C.J. She received an award this last Tuesday from the Gilbert Mayor. She was chosen by one of her teachers Ms. Phillips because she observed C.J. being a good citizen. The teachers are aloud to nominate two students, than one child is picked from the school & given the award. We went to the Gilbert Town Council last Tuesday for C.J. to be honored along with other students from other Gilbert schools.

It was pretty cool, the Mayor took time with each student when he handed out the plaques. He talked about how important it is to recognize students not just for academic or athletic achievments but also for good citizenship. He also commended the teachers for taking the time to fill out the nomination paperwork on the students.

We are very proud of C.J.

Happy Birthday to me!

Yesterday we went to Olive Garden to celebrate my bday. This is Shelly, me & Kristen. Thank you to my friends for the lunch & the fun gifts they gave me. I am blessed to have amazing friends that uplift me & help me try to be a better person. I am lucky to have them as friends.

Julie, MacKenzie & Courtney.

Amy, Shelly & Me.

MMM ice cream cake! Val went to cold stone and picked up this yummy ice cream cake & they sang Happy Birthday to me! Cute, huh?

Today I received these beautiful sunflowers from my sis Jolene in Colorado. The note she sent with it was awesome! She said, remember aging is mandatory, maturing is optional. I thought that was cool!

San Francisco 08

I told Val for my birthday this year I didn't want a party. Seriously, who really wants to celebrate their 40th????? I told him I thought it would be fun to go on a trip just the 2 of us. So he put together a trip to San Franciso this past weekend. I went to the Dr. before we left to get some of my anxiety medicine refilled, just in case of a panic attack. (i am being serious) But, I am so happy to report, I didn't have to take one pill. We had an amazing time, the food was awesome & the sights were interesting, just being together was wonderful. I wouldn't trade the time for anything. We went shopping & had fun talking & people watching. Wow, you can do some serious people watching in San Francisco. We went downtown on Saturday morning & they were having the "Love Parade". I should have taken some pictures for my blog, but I will leave it up to your imagination. Guys dressed like girls, girls dressed like girls (well hardly dressed I should say) I did notice alot of wigs & tights.

Here is Val & I with the Golden Gate Bridge behind us. It was really windy when we had this taken, so you can't really see that I just got my hair chopped & colored pretty dark & I think Val's eyes are closed- but it is the ONLY picture we have of the two of us on this trip. Am I seriously mental or what? (don't answer!!)

This is Scomas, we ate here the first night. This place sits on the water & at night you can look across the bay and see the city lights. So beautiful. I had the pistacio crusted salmon. Scomas is across the Golden Gate Bridge in a little town called Sausolito. (sp?)

This is a view from the car window of us driving on the "Bay Bridge". This bridge is huge, it takes you from San Francisco over to Oakland. Val told me AFTER we were off the bridge that the top portion of this bridge collapsed on the bottom portion during the last real big earth quake over there. I remember seeing photos of that damage- people trapped in cars, it was crazy.

This was our "best friend" while in San Franciso- our little rental car GPS device. I think she had a thing for Val.

What's up DO?

Ok, I am probably going to get in trouble for re-posting this. Yes, I said "re-posting", Kenz already deleted this once. So, I am hoping she stays in bed for the night & at least before she deletes it again, some of you can see it. They did "up-do's" for mutual one night & I thought Kenz's hair looked so beautiful, so of course I wanted everyone to see it. She always gives me these crazy looks when I am trying to take her picture. Oh well.

Homecoming 08

Homecoming 08. Val & Kimberly at Seville Golf Course taking photos. Remember when we went to school dances, we just paid for the pictures at the dance? Well, that isn't cool anymore- for some maybe, but not my boy. So, in order for the parents to get some pictures we have to go meet the kids & take pictures with our cameras. At least Seville provided a nice backdrop. They look cute don't they. Val is growing up before our eyes. It is sad that he is a Senior this year. We are so proud of him.

Tennis anyone?

Here is our beautiful girl Kenz. She is playing on the Perry High Tennis team. This was something new for her. She has never played before, but loves it. She is doing pretty good for never taking lessons & the coach wants her to tryout for spring tennis. (j.v.) I know this isn't a very good picture of her, I will post some more later.
They had a match in Casa Grande last Thursday & she won her singles match & her doubles match. Very exciting!!!!

Peaches!

O.k. our peaches came in about 2 weeks ago & I canned about a case of them. Than we had more come in, so I canned some more & made freezer jam. My family loves peaches, they were really yummy this year. Thank you Mrs. Fruit Lady Vonda!. I know it is crazy that I am trying to domesticate myself. I figured I am almost 40, now is a good time.

I Love Cake!

Oh how stinkin' cute is this cake? In August I had the honor of helping my very good friend Julie Lewis with her daughter Kelsee's wedding. I helped with the guest book & a magnet board & some outside decorations. Anyway, have you ever met someone that their creativity BLOWS your mind? This cake seriously blew my mind. I want to have an event at my house just so I can have one of her cakes.

I have added the gal's blog to my list of friends. Check it out. Her name is April.

She said, YES!

This week Val's gal Kim answered him to Homecoming. Our front yard was filled with these cute pink hearts on stakes. She said Yes. Surprise, right?

I miss Bunco Girls!

I know that our schedules have been so crazy, but I miss Bunco! I had to post this picture because it is so funny, it was our 80's night @ Jenn Lundgrens. The thing I miss most about Bunco, is not the prizes. Because everyone (including my husband) knows I am not very good at the game, but I am good at having fun! I miss the conversations, the food & the bonding we do at Bunco! Everyone in our Bunco group is awesome, we have so much fun together! So, I hope we actually get together this month, cuz I truly do miss you ladies!!

Mom come look at the yard!!!

Kenzie came running in the house last night screaming, "mom come look at the yard, there is something growing underneath it." Of course my first thought was, she is silly & for some reason is trying to get me to come outside. To my surprise, there was a huge bubble in our front yard. Like a pimple or a mole or a Blister-- that was the term Val used. So I had to put this video on my blog so you can see for yourself. If you look real close, you can see it move when Kenz puts her fut on it. Kind of like a water bed. Of course C.J. came out & wanted to jump on it, but we told her no. (especially since I picked her up from school early yesterday because she hurt her leg) :)

Mmmm sacrament bread

O.k. the story goes a little something like this. We are at church a few weeks ago & after the sacrament the kids told me "we need to find out who makes that bread." So, I started asking around & apparently it was a secret. The gal who was making it asked to remain anonymous. Anyone who knew, was sworn to secrecy. Well, the next sunday in relief society they were talking about the activity coming up on Sunday at Sis. Kobialka's house. She was going to teach us how to make bread. So, I thought it would be a good idea for me to go. Anyone who knows me, knows I am not a cook. But, the thought of learning how to make bread, yummy. I didn't put two & two together until we were at the temple on Wed. that Sis. Kobialka is the one who makes the sacrament bread. So Thursday came & I went, it was fun. Trish was a wonderful host, she had bread already baked & sliced for us to snack on. (that was all I had for dinner that night) She is an amazing woman, she is allergic to wheat, but bakes bread often. I don't think I could do that, knowing I couldn't eat what I was baking. So, here is my before & after pictures of my bread. It was so yummy!!!
These are the loaves before baking.

O.k. so the look a little deformed, but everyone loved the bread. In fact, Kenz ate almost half a loaf herself.

best freinds

Birthday dedications to Val & MacKenzie

I love this picture of them, they are so funny.

Dec 1996. Here they are before C.J. is born in Dec. So Cute!

Val & MacKenzie. Val is 5 & kenz is almost 3.