Trip to Pinetop

This weekend we got away to Pinetop - a cool town in the White Mountains about 180 miles from here. Last Fall Tyler and I bought a timeshare from some friends - the same one that Tyler's parents have had for years and years. Vacationing to a timeshare is wonderful because it is like staying in a furnished condo and the amenities are a lot of fun. We loved the pools and hot tub, tennis and basketball courts, game room, hiking trails, scavenger hunt, playground and just being surrounded by the beautiful forest - a rarity for us! We stumbled upon a rinky dinky carnival that had stopped in town and took the kids there one night. We found a pretty lake to walk around, a family fun center for go-carting (notice Jake as Tyler's wingman in the bottom pic) and a good little breakfast cafe called "Darbi's".
We have been looking forward to taking this trip as a family and count on taking many, many more like it as the kids grow up. It was great.

Last day of school 2010

Ashley's kindergarten graduation -




Kicking off summer at the bowling alley with lots of friends -

Ashley

I took this picture of Ashley sleeping last night and wanted to give a little update on how things have been going. She's had the tube for a full month now - and is doing really well overall! All of us have learned so much through the growing pains of this first month and now I'm sure the rest of the summer will go more smoothly (Dr wants her to have the tube three months). After three weeks Ash had gained a pound and a half! Her daytime eating goal is 600-700 calories and she is getting 500calories through the pediasure at night, over 10 hours. But unfortunately she came down with strep throat last week and wasn't willing to eat at all for a few days, so we may be back down a bit. I felt so badly for her!

But she is healthy again and this is her last week of school! She is happy as ever with all the parties they are having. Also, she has been swimming a lot with her tube and it doesn't seem to bother her. The only thing she really dislikes is having to get a new tube put in, which we've done once so far when it accidentally got pulled out in her sleep. That is undoubtedly the worst part. But we've gotten through that and survived! She's just a champ. And a cute one at that - if I do say so myself.

Gila Valley Temple Dedication

Today the whole state of Arizona had no church (LDS members I guess I should say!). Instead, all church members were able to attend the dedication of the new Gila Valley Temple via satalite! It was wonderful! Last weekend Tyler and I took the kids to see the temple at the open house. It is about three hours drive from here. Anytime we can take the kids into the temple to see how beautiful it is and to teach them about the important things we learn and do there, we take the opportunity.

Seeing this temple be built and dedicated has made all of us even more excited about the new Gilbert Temple! There is a neat site(www.ldschurchtemples.com/gilbert/construction)that tells all about it - and I think they are planning to break ground this summer. The new temple will be just 5 minutes from our home. We are so excited!

Tyler and I share our testimonies often with the kids about the remarkable blessing it has been to have been married in the temple for time and all eternity. Our children have felt the peace and joy of knowing that their parents love each other and Heavenly Father so much and that our family is a family forever.

Fathers and Sons

This weekend was the fathers and sons campout with our ward. Since life has been so wonderfully hectic lately, my boys opted for a simpler option than driving all the way up to the real mountains and decided to stay close to home and sleep out on the trampoline! Ashley and I did our regular girls night out (haircuts, some shopping at the Disney Store, and dinner at Sweet Tomatoes) while the boys found a nearby hiking trail and did what little boys and dads do. I thought the pictures Ty brought home were darling!










Both boys came home with wild reports about the many prickles and thorns they found in the dessert. Luke had wounds in his leg to prove it - and Jake was wearing daddy's gym shorts home since he apparently sat on a cactus and had thorns all over in his bum! Ouch.