I Love New York?

I think this is the only picture of the two of us in New York. So, Val surprised me with this little getaway to New York & it was awesome. We saw Wicked on Thursday night & Chicago on Friday night. We ate some awesome bagels & saw some great sites. I actually enjoyed it way more than I thought I would. In fact, I want to go back. We didn't get to see the statue of Liberty or Central Park. Someday.

Rockefeller Center. (spelling?) No ice skating today.

Radio City Music Hall.

There is my sweetie- walking towards NBC.

This picture, (I think :) is of the oldest church & the wealthiest churh today. The land that much of the city is on is owned by this church & rent is paid to the churh making it the wealthiest. Crazy, huh. Alexander Hamilton is burried in the cemetary by the church.

One of the many church buildings I took pictures of. The thing about New York that is so fascinating to me is the history that is there. New York is a place with so much history that you could take a good 2 or 3 days just touring the city & learning about some amazing history.

The United Nations.

What a humbling experience this was to walk through the museum & see the faces of so many lost on 9-11. I know I was thousands of miles away that day, but my heart was here along with millions of people all around the world. I only wish that all of these families could have the knowledge that we have as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints have about eternal life & how families can be together forever. My heart aches for those mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, wives, husbands, sons, daughters of those who lost their lives that day.

One of the windows recovered of one of the planes that hit the towers.

This is a view of the construction going on around the new memorial & tower that will be built where the twin towers were before 9-11.

This is time square at night--look at all the people. We stayed at the Millenium right in the heart of time square.

I took this one for Kenz. This is a brand of clothing & they have some cute stuff--

Madison Square Garden-- home of the New York Knicks. I thought C.J. would like this picture of the huge basketball.

This is the Macy's in New York & I must say-- heaven, wow this place is crazy big! I seriously could get lost in that store. Crazy Big!!!

Can you say Freaky? Have you ever heard of the Naked Cowboy? Well here he is & apparently he felt the need to pull my hair in this picture. He was very "full" of himself. I thought this picture would be a good end to our trip to New York.

My boy is 18!!!

Wow, where has the time gone? 18 years on Monday- I can't even believe it. I know "i'm old." What is crazy is, I still picture him as my little boy, so cute & sweet--and I am his favorite girl. Not anymore- The things I love about Val are...

I love his sense of humor---that is probably my favorite! He has a way of either irritating the heck out of you or making you laugh so hard- your tummy muscles hurt.

I love his sad "puppy" face- he know's how to get what he wants with me.

I love his eyes. I am sure I have said this before- but out of the 3 kids, he got my eyes & the girls got their dad's eyes.

I love his name! Valentin Martinez Galvan, III. How is that for a strong successful name!

I love his talent for making music--

He is a sweet little boy, now a young man. Aww.

Happy Birthday Kenz!!!!

Happy Birthday sweet 15!!!! This picture of Kenz makes me smile-- she started her cute faces early on in life.
Kenzie's personality has a funny way of sneaking up on you. She is quiet & sweet when you first meet her- & BAMM she opens up into this crazy crazy gal. Seriousy, she is stinkin hillarious. She says some of the funniest things & I love it!

Aww- here is our sweet beautiful girl at one year. Look at the smirk.

Sherman Peabody here!

This face- I love!!!

Aww. Here is MacKenize & her BFF Rylee Warner.

The facts about MacKenzie Anne Galvan
Kenz was born on July 11th, 1994. She came into the world weight 10 lbs. 8 oz. & 22 1/2 inches long- she was born with enough hair (black) for two or three babies. She was even 3 weeks early, so the doctor said she would have been over 12 lbs. if we had gone full term. (no- did not do that naturally-- c-section baby)

I love so many things about MacKenzie--

Her faces, Her style, Her beautiful smile, Her straight teeth (no braces- hopefully), Her hair, Her personality, Her sense of humor, Her creativity, Her compassion for little children, Her love of the gospel, Her example to choose the right. I could go on & on about MacKenzie-

I want to hear why you Love MacKenzie---(she will too)

please post your comments.

Couponsense rules!

Hey just a quick update on couponsense. O.k. when I first started, I know you were all thinking I was crazy- the first couple months I spent over what I would have normally spent on groceries--in return getting 2 to 3 times what I normally would have got.
Well, finally I am at the point where I only get what I need & I try to only get the FREE stuff. The month of May- my total groceries/toiletries/makeup-etc out of pocket was $258.00--for $1062.00 worth of product-- yeah!!
The best part of all this-- helping families that are not able to spend money on things like deodorant/razors/lotions/shampoos--etc. I love putting together little gift boxes of these luxuries.
Call Vonda 480-497-1214 if you haven't already, she will help you get started saving!

Moving again?

Here is a picture of our new back yard. It is actually done now & it has been fun watching the kids swim & play. The pool has helped us with our sorrow of having to leave our other home & neighborhood. Everyone has adjusted real well, even the little nixon boy-

Oh how I will miss this street!! You can't even imagine how hard the past few months have been trying to figure out a way to stay. The friendships we have made will never be forgotten! These families are amazing. We love them & will miss them, but realize that we are only a couple miles away. We love you Calle De Flores neighbors!!!

Time Flys...

Seriously- where did the past 17 years go????? My baby boy has graduated. Awwww.

Class of 2009.

There he is, Valentin Martinez Galvan III, getting his diploma (well the diploma wasn't actually in the case--they had to go back to school the following Tuesday to get it--of course making sure that the Seniors didn't pull any pranks & turned in all their books & paid all their fees) The guy who read Val's name- you guessed it, pronounced it WRONG!

Jared, Jeff, Tony, Matt, Josh, Val & David. What a good looking group of young men! These are Val's best friends- what a great group of boys. I am so proud of these boys- Jared & Jeff both graduated with honors- getting scholarships to U of A. Tony is going to a University in Iowa & Matt is going to New Mexico State, both on baseball scholarships. Josh & David are going to local community colleges to play baseball as well. These boys have been a huge part of Val's life the past 4 years & I want them all to know how much I appreciate their friendships & examples to Val.

Proud parents- bouncing little boy. Weighing in at 150#, 6', all 10 toes & 10 fingers. hahaha. I remember when Val was born- where has the last 17 years gone?

Graduation, wow what a huge milestone is someone's life. I remember my graduation like it was yesterday- I am getting old- my boy graduated. Here he is with Kimberly outside of Wells Fargo Arena on May 30th. What a good kid he is! He graduated with the Az. Scholar award & we are so proud of him!

Shop Chic Boutique

Hey friends, I am participating in another boutique next weekend. There are going to be lots of fun items for Mother's Day & the best part is, part of the proceeds go to help Breast Cancer Research. I love being a part of boutiques that have a purpose. So, come & get your Mother's Day shopping done early & don't forget your friends or family that are "expecting soon" they need something fun too. There will be fun baby items too. Directions: