Spring Piano Recital

Ashley and Mandy had their Spring Piano Recital and it really was the best one so far. They both have improved so much over this last year!! So proud of all their efforts. They must be enjoying it more because I am not having to ask them to practice nearly as much, this is a good sign! Thanks go out to a great teacher, Janelle Toller, who uses the best incentive program ever, CANDY!!

Derek's Wedding Quilt

My youngest brother Derek was married yesterday in Mesa and here is the quilt my Mom and I made for him. Only one more sibling to go, but no hurry Jeni, take your time, I'm quilted out for a while!

Our Graduate!

Jason is pretty excited to be a kindergarten graduate. Here he is in his cap and tassel with his teacher Mrs. Brockman. She was so wonderful and he's ready to move on to bigger and better things. First grade, watch out, here comes Jason!

Easter, a little late!

It's pretty sad that I'm posting an Easter picture at the end of May, but that seems to be about how far behind I truly am, if I want to be completely honest.

My sister Emily's family came over for Conference and Easter and we had a great time with them. Her little girl Isabelle is a hoot and it was fun to see her and Lydia playing together. They are both, how do you say, "high spirited" children and are both used to getting their way. The girls did get along 95% of the time.

We colored eggs, had Easter Egg hunts in the back yard and played and played. Thanks for making me happy Emily and coming for a visit! We love being close enough to spend a weekend together.

Rock Slide Pie

Many years ago, the Friday's restaurant used to carry "Rock Slide Pie." It was Seth's FAVORITE! For years he has been reflecting on the yumminess of this cheesecake. So a while ago I thought I would attempt it.

This consists of homemade cheesecake with an oreo cookie crust and homemade macadamia-nut fudge. Chocolate fudge and caramel sauce drizzled over the top with occasional roasted macadamia nuts sprinkled around. It was pretty good, but not the same as the original. The kids DID NOT LIKE the fudge or the nuts or the cheesecake (next time I will refrigerate it for a day before consumption). So even though my experiment seemed to be a failure, I did learn a few things: NEVER, NEVER, tell your children there are nuts in fudge, and it's o.k. to try new things, I learned quite a bit.

Wright Flight

In the fifth grade at our Elementary School they have a program called "Wright Flight." The kids enter the program, set some academic goals, accomplish them, learn about flight, and when the program is complete, they get to CO-PILOT a small plane! How awesome is that!

This really was the highlight of Mandy's 5th grade career. She worked really hard to accomplish her academic goals and became a proficient reader in the process!

Flight Day was so cool! This picture does not show how excited she was or how proud she was of herself. She said she didn't even get air sick (which I was really nervous about). I was really impressed with all the volunteer pilots and staff. What a great program!

Thank you to all the Wright Flight Volunteers!

Blessed

I've been feeling pretty blessed to be able to participate in the dedication of the Gila Valley Temple. This is something I did not think I was going to be able to do when the church announced they were building a temple in the Valley I grew up in! At the time we were living in Chicago and we had no idea we would be moving back to Arizona.

I am still amazed that we have a Temple right smack in the middle of my hometown! It's a little surreal for me.

I had a fairytale experience growing up in the Gila Valley. No one locks their doors, I walked to school, the pool, piano lessons, friends houses, the "jiffy market" down the street to get that king sized snickers I saved my money for. (Being a mother now, I would never let my kids do all that by themselves, and quite frankly, I miss that sense of security and freedom, and I envy my sister's kids for still having it.)

It is a great small town with good people, beautiful Mt. Graham to watch over the valley and yummy Mexican food. That little town made me who I am and prepared me for all the adventures I've had in life thus far. Thank you Gila Valley, I love you! I'm so blessed. And now this wonderful valley has a Temple. I am overwhelmed with gratitude.