Beat The Sun and Look for Treasures

A couple Saturdays ago we were invited by our friends to spend the day at the Lake with them on their boat.  I woke up and headed to the Temple that morning early only to come out and have it raining and not exactly the perfect weather for boating..... Well, it's a good thing taht I stopped at the Salon on my way home.  My friend Robin who is my hair stylist informed me that the clouds and the storm always seperate and go around Lake Saguro and Fountain Hills.  It was on!  We were so excited.  We followed Robin and her family up to the Lake and could not believe that all of the Thunder, Clouds and Rain were no where to be found. 
We took a tour of the Lake and I will say I can't wait until we go back.  It is so beautiful.  We are used to viewing Pine Trees instead of Cactus. But it is so breath taking. Robin and Vincent along with Brian at one point all decided to do a little Geo Caching.... We were so bummed when they climbed to the very top of a rock island and the treasure was not there :(  But they were able to leave one in the beach area.  We all had so much fun that day.  Brian and Vincent are now looking at boats for our family......

Believe it or not that is ME on the knee board!!!! WOOT WOOT

Vincent who went the longest out of our family and even caught some air.

For some reason this is the only picture I had of Brian other than the next one.  But!  He did wake board and knee board.  Not sure why I don't have pictures of that?  Sorry Brian.

Our little family.  We had such a great day.  And of course our most fun teenage boy..... hee hee hee.  He just makes us laugh. 

THANK YOU to the BRATCHER FAMILY for such and amazing day!

Quiet House Again

Remember that we were so blessed to have our nephew Jacob here with us.  I have to admit, having the house not so quiet all the time was nice.  We had (or atleast he said he did) so much fun when he was here.  He was ordained by Brian with the Aaronic Preisthood, we were able to perfom Baptisms at the Mesa Temple (thank you Bishop Sorensen), he went to the Lake, the Water Park, Work :( not so enjoyable), Tubing down the Salt River..... the list could go on.  For us it was completely enjoyable to have him here with us.  I was sad to take him to the airport.  I can't wait until Christmas Break or Thanksgiving when we have two teenagers in the house again..... :) 

Jacob saying goodbye to us before the Southwest employee told us we could go with him to the gate. 

They are such goof balls.... Who knew you could have such great entertainment in the airport.

No really?  Glad Jacob could look out and see none other than Vincent....

Visa Versa

Boarding Call

How can you not just laugh and luv them.

Sadness :(  Saying goodbye to Jacob!!!!

We luv you Jacob!!! Miss you so much!

Boys & Service

It has become quite the habit every Sunday that some of the boys Vincent's age from Church end up at our house in the latter part of the day.  It just so happened that after picking up one boy from his house and already had another one we noticed that it was past 6pm and that the Bishop of our Ward was barely heading home.  One of the boys stated "Dude..... that so has to suck for his wife, all day long all the time he is gone." I was so overwhelmed by the concern that the teenagers in my car had.  What do you do?  When 4 teenagers are concerned about another person and family?  Honestly?  I was tired and knew the next couple of hours were going to be VERY VERY loud.  SO?  I turned it around and asked the boys what could they do to help if they were given the opportunity?  WOW!  I would have to say I was surprised and humored at the same time. 

The boys started making cookies in the kitchen.... I was shocked and could not stop laughing at the fact that each of the boys knew that their way to make cookies was the right way and that it was the only way.  After a couple of hours they boys made cookies for a family in the ward along with the Bishops family and a special gift to the Bishops Wife.

Back to School

These last two weeks have been pretty busy for us.  Vincent has had several activites being the end of summer.  Which leads us to the title of this post.  Brian is now a fulltime student at The University of Phoenix.  Yup!

Brian is now a Phoenix!!!!! (this is the only sign I could copy) not only is he working as a Fulltime instructor still at MMI but he is in school fulltime. 

It doesn't stop there!  I have now decided; well we decided together that it would be better for me to give notice at the Salon where I am working.  I have put off going back to school for way too long.  So!  as of 

October 12 of this year I will be attending Aesthetics school full time.  We are all excited but at the same time very nervous.  We are all working yet going to school full time.  This is really going to be a challenge for our household. 

Vincent will be a Freshman this year at Sandra Day O'Conner High School.  He is so relieved that he does not have to get up in the wee hours of the morning to attend Early Morning Seminary.... (Sis Haws you are still the best!!!!!!).  I think he is deprived but I really don't think he feels the same way.  Vincent will be attending a HS that has Released Time.  For those of you that do not know, Released Time is "Seminary" (a LDS Religion class) that is allowed by his HS and will receive credits for his electives of course.  The kids in our Ward attend early morning Seminary.  Needless to say, Vincent is thrilled to sleep in the morning. 

Tomorrow August 9 will be the first day of Football.  I am not so thrilled but we all know that Brian is...... :)  hee hee.  I am sure I will have more posts about that in itself.  I am sure you are all so busy getting ready for school and the kids.  So.... I do say with deep sympathy.  GOOD LUCK... We are right there with you.