Abbey house update!

The Abbey house is up for rent again. We've had pretty good luck with renters, first being Mike and Erika who lived in it for 3 years. Then our last renters lived in it for 2 years. They treated it well. The property  management company wanted to few things done to update and help get the house rented quickly. The major thing was to have the WHOLE house painted from floor to ceiling!!! I was a little hesitate, but knew it needed to be done. They first finished the crown molding around the kitchen pantry and new wall that Lathe had built. They also filled in the missing tile pieces in the laundry room from Rod's remodel. We came in and did little things to help keep the cost of everything down. The boys came and did yard work and helped change outlet cover plates. When we came back to see the paint job, I was blown away with how good it looked!! It looks amazing! I've always loved this house, it holds so many memories. I hope we get some good renters who will treat it nicely too.

Noah's last football game of the season

Tonight was Noah's last football game of the season. They played Posten Butte. Noah was able to play a little offense the first half of the game. We didn't get to the game until after half time, so we missed being able to see him play. Though we did get to see him after there was a touch down on special teams. Queen Creek won 34-24! They were able to finish up the season undefeated!! One thing I loved about the game was, Posten was down quite a bit in points and towards the end of the game when they had the ball, they passed it to a large lineman and Queen Creek let him catch it and run to make a touch down! It was awesome! Everyone was cheering!! The guy was so happy, he was giving hugs and shaking our teams hands. It was great to see! Noah had a pretty good season. He was able to be on the special teams to get a little playing time. He started out on defense and then a few weeks ago switched to offense. He was able to make a touch down on his very first play of being on offense. So, I hope he continues to work hard and that the coaches will see. Hope there will be great things in store for him next season! Now a little break and then track! Great job Noah! We're so proud of you!

"Called to serve...."

At last the day finally arrived for Garrett to open his mission call tonight!  He was scheduled to work at Taco Bell, but arranged with his manager to have someone else fill his shift so he could open his call tonight.  He invited lots of friends over, as well as his swim team members and coaches...along with family, cousins and church leaders.  The house was definitely full with everyone there anxiously awaiting Garrett to open his call.  It seemed to take forever for 6pm to arrive, then Garrett still wanted to wait a few minutes longer for any late comers who kept coming in.  The so nobly he walked up to our stairs platform and opened his call.  He the read the words we were all awaiting...Chile Concepcion Mission!  There was a great cheer of excitement from everyone to hear where he will be serving for the next two years and it just felt right.  I would have never have guessed Chile again, but Kami was sure excited since that's where she served, but in Antofagasta.  Garrett will be leaving on March 23rd...two days after my birthday and 1 day before Cindy's, it couldn't be a better time.  That day is also 1 day after when I left on my mission, 27 years ago I believe -- where has the time gone!  Garrett's mission president is from Gilbert and just so happens to be the father-in-law of one of the widows I got to know well after Cindy died.  Garrett will be our first kid to go to an MTC other than Provo...he will go directly to the Mexico MTC -- so it will be great to hear what experiences he has there!  We sure are proud of you buddy...and I KNOW mom is too!!!

Maizey's Badminton Banquet

Maizey had her last Badminton banquet. She's been playing this sport since she was a freshman. She wasn't quite sure if she wanted to do it her senior year with all her extra curricular and working, but I encouraged her to finish playing all 4 years in high school. She did and I think she was happy she did it. Coach Roen had a lot of good things to say about Maizey and she received a special award for playing all 4 years and being a senior. I love how Maizey likes to participate in all aspects of high school! She's awesome! Way to go Maizey mouse! 

Halloween FHE

I always love to celebrate the holidays. Every holiday if I can. Haha! I use to have little Halloween parties when the kids were young. But now that they're getting older, they're not as excited as me to celebrate. Haha! So for FHE I wanted to carve pumpkins and make caramel apples. Well, the kids weren't to excited about the pumpkin part, but pretty happy about the caramel apples. So we by-passed and made the apples instead. They turned out pretty good. I guess I'm just going to have to wait until the grandchildren are born to have fun again on holidays. Haha!

FINALLY!!!

FINALLY Garrett's mission call came today!!! We had heard that it had been assigned last Friday and was suppose to be mailed out on Monday or Tuesday. So, on Thursday Garrett started checking the mail, and then on Friday and then again on Saturday!!! We were certain that it would come on Saturday. But no luck! If Garrett was anxious, he hid it very well. Haha! He seemed very calm each day. So, today when he checked, I'm sure he was relived that it finally came. Now, we just need to find a day to open it! Haha! He has to work today and tomorrow is our ward Trunk or Treat, so all the ward will be at that. We are shooting for Wednesday, if he can get it off. Good luck Garrett!!!

5 Year Familyversary!!

Toby and I were married 5 years ago last week. Today is the anniversary that the Severtsons and Clark's became the Sevarks and moved into our house! One big happy family! Boy, do I love our family! Happy Familyversary!

Homecoming 2015!!!

Today was Homecoming. Maizey had a lot to do this weekend with being in student council. There was the big assembly and football game and then decorating the gym for the dance. She's been a busy girl. She ordered her dress on-line and thank goodness it came on time and fit! Haha! We tried to go shoe shopping last minute when she realized that her date went on the day date without her! Haha! BOYS!!! There was a miscommunication whether or not Maizey would be available to go. So, we went shopping instead. But with no luck of finding shoes. :( But that's okay, Maizey improvised and she looked fabulous!!!! Brock came and picked her up at 6pm where the went to his house and they had fondue for dinner! Then they went to the dance and had a great time. They left early and had dessert back at Brocks house and then they went back to the school to clean up. She had a great time!

Garrett's Mini-Mission

This weekend Garrett got himself all signed up for a mini-mission that the Gilbert mission puts on every so often.  They treat it just like a real mission...no phones, no calling home...doing everything just as the missionaries do.  So on Friday evening, he showed up at the Stake Center -- Kami drove him since Lexine and I were in Dallas for a work convention -- and there he proceeded to be assigned to a companionship.  As it turned out, he was assigned with Elder Campbell who served in our ward for a time, so Garrett already knew him well (Elder Campbell was actually trained in our ward and ate dinner with us his very first day in the mission field).

Garrett loved his mini-mission.  He came home and told us all about it.  He said, "It almost feels like I'm a real missionary after this weekend".  He had a lot of great experiences, served at the Queen Creek carnival and was even able to teach a couple lessons.  He even committed a young woman to baptism which really impressed the family that she was taking the discussions in their home (we found that out later when someone in our ward passed on that message to us who knew them).  All-in-all Garrett loved it and it has made him even more excited for his mission call which should be here in the next week or two.  Great job buddy...you are going to be an awesome missionary!

Happy 5th Anniversary!!!

5 years ago today Lexine and I were married in the Mesa AZ temple.  I can't believe its been 5 years since that day.  In so many ways the time has flown by...but I think that has been helped by the many various and overlapping activities of so many kids and teenagers!  :-)  I always told Lexine at 5 years we should go on a big trip together to Europe to celebrate, but with everything going on at home and work, we were not able to get away on an actual vacation, but rather she accompanied me on most of the business trips that I have this last quarter of the year...so technically I did take her to Europe by her coming with me to Russia.  We will be going on a quick weekend cruise in the Bahama's in two weeks.  She wasn't able to get a Brazil visa in time, so she'll not be able to accompany me there, but two weeks after that, she'll be coming with me to Hong Kong for a conference I'll be attending there.  What better way is there to celebrate a 5th year anniversary together...both of us are to thankful to have each other, having tasted the bitter lonliness of losing a spouse to having the job of someone to love and who loves you.

For our actual 5th year anniversary, Lexine actually accompanied me to Dallas, TX for the CEDIA home theater show I attended there.  Its always nice to have her with me and we are bless that our kids are at an age where they can take care of themselves for a few days.  Since we worked until late that night, we had dinner at a nearby Dallas restaurant that was highly recommended and very appropriate for the evening -- "Celebrations".  It was really good home cooking style food and the coolest thing about it was after you finished your selection, if you wanted seconds or thirds, they brought them to you free of charge.  The food was great but it was wonderful just being together remembering the special day of our wedding 5 years ago.

When we got back to the hotel and were getting cleaned up, I grabbed a card out of my bad that I wrote for Lexine a few days prior. As I laid it on her pillow, something caught my eye on her pillow.  She had just done the exact same thing for me a few seconds before.  That scored her a big kiss for being as sneaky as me!  :-)

Lexine is a wonderful wife and mother.  The kids and I are so blessed to have her in our lives.  She is so considerate of all our needs and an amazing example.  I feel so blessed and loved to be her husband and I love having her as my wife.  She has turned loneliness and sadness around and brought happiness and love back into our lives.  Happy Anniversary Lexine.  I love you...

"The stars at night are big and bright..down in the heart of Texas!"

Today we're heading to the Lone Star state, Dallas Texas. We are going the home theatre show CEDIA. We got there in the afternoon and started setting up our booth. This will be home for the next few days. We really didn't do anything exciting or sight see. We went to a couple good restaurants, Celebrations that served home cooked food and when you were done they asked if you want seconds or thirds for free! Another great place was called Blue Mesa, it was a Mexican restaurant.Toby and I went and had a meeting with Dankin Oil. They were the most down to earth kinda guys. They treated us to a nice restaurant too that reminded me of Cheesecake Factory. While we were there, Toby and I celebrated our 5th year wedding anniversary. It's nice that I have the opportunity to go on business trip with Toby and that our kids are old enough to take care of themselves and not burn down the house. Haha! Our next adventure together will be the Bahamas, but for pleasure this time, not business.

Mission papers submitted!!!

Last Tuesday Garrett had his final interview with President Zemp and turned in his mission papers! He will submit Garrett's mission papers today! So, I guess we better start taking guessing on where in the world will Garrett serve??? He should get his call in a couple weeks! Stay tuned!

Maizey gets asked to Homecoming!

Late tonight, the door bell rang a couple times. I though it was our "friend" Shawn who came to our door really late Tuesday trying to get away from his dad and use the phone. So, when I opened the door I was shocked to see this money bag on the ground. It was for Maizey, but she was working late. So, I tried to stay up so I could see what it was. She got hone around midnight and opened it. It was Brock Goates asking Maizey to homecoming! So cute!!! The candy bars kill me! Haha! This is how she answered him back too.

Garrett's swim invitational!

Garrett was able to go to a swim invitational at Chandler High school. So, Toby, Caleb and I drove over there to cheer him on. We had missed his first race, but he said that he had done well in it. We were able to see 2 of his races. One he had won and the other he came in second. But with all of his races he PR'd!! What an accomplishment! Garrett's had a great swim season and will be able to qualify for State next month! Good job!

Maizey hardworking at Harkins

We LOVE going to the movies and it makes it even better when we know it's our movie screen. Also it always fun to see this cutie hard at work. Great job Maizey!

Good things come to those who wait!

For quite a few years, I've been patiently waiting to get a fireplace. I've saved for the last 2 years our cash reward from Costco and I finally got my fireplace! We tried to go get it the week before we left for Russia, but it was raining. Then we tried again and they were all out of them. So, now I finally got it. On Friday the kids still were on break and the boys wanted to put it all together! I didn't even have to ask them. They got it all out and helped put it together. I love it!!!

Noah's 15 seconds to fame!!!

Noah had a football game down in Tucson. He had been playing defense all season and just last week decided to sw7itch to offense. With the last 4 minutes of the game left, Noah got put in. With the ball on the 25 yard line, Noah headed into the end zone and caught the pass, scored a TOUCH DOWN for the team!!! Oh, how I wish I could've been there to see it! So, he got his 15 seconds of fame. Hopefully his coaches notice and will start to work with him more. It's hard to advance with over  70 kids on the team and they coaches play the same kids over and over. Noah only has 2 more games left in season to work even more harder! Good job, we're so proud of you!!

A long day!

Said goodbye to Russia early this morning. Flew into Frankfurt Germany for a 5 hour layover! Wish we could've done a little sightseeing while waiting. I guess I'll just have to enjoy this chocolate dipped croissant while I wait. 

Yes, I know... I spelled Germany wrong. Haha!

Last day in St. Petersburg

Last day in St. Petersburg! Sad to be leaving this beautiful place. We have loved exploring and getting to know the people here! It's been amazing! Today we finished up the convention and went out to lunch at the Cheer Duck! Great place! We had a beet salad, bread with pesto and some kind of humus and pickled mushrooms. Salmon on little toast. Toby ordered the Borsht soup and halibut. I got beef stroganoff! We also ordered yummy desserts of creme brûlée, homemade doughnuts and custard and Danny got a traditional Russian dessert of sour cream cake with homemade strawberry jam. Hoping we can come back next year to explore even more of this amazing city! Do svidaniya!

Happy year anniversary to Bentley!

One year ago today Bentley headed to her dream mission!Can't believe it's been a year already! So proud of the amazing missionary that she's become!#6moremonths!