Sacrament Primary Program

On October 26, 2008, we had our yearly Primary Sacrament Program. Each of the girls was given a speaking part for the program. They each did a pretty good job of memorizing their parts.
Katelyn's part was "Heavenly Father has given us temples to bless our lives. Families can be together forever because of temples."
Rachel's part was "Because I am His child, I will serve Him with all my heart, might, mind and strength."
Bridget's part was "I know that Jesus lives and that He loves me."
The girls were all decked out in their finest Sunday best. I had bought them fabulous dresses at Costco (gotta love Costco dresses). Too bad Katelyn will be too big for them after this year. Why do they have to grow up? The night before the program, I spent time making fabulous hair bows to match their dresses. The morning of the program, my friend, Gini J., had come over to help me make their bracelets and necklaces (thanks Gini). They looked fabulous, if I say so myself.
We had some really great family members who came to watch the program. Grandpa Rudd, Grandma Gaddie and Auntie April, Brycen and Brielle all came to watch. We are so grateful for our fmaily and the support that they are to us.

Another Lost Tooth

Rachel has recently lost another tooth. It is a much anticipated event in our family because the tooth fairy brings $5.00 for each lost tooth. Rachel was so excited to save her money to buy something on her field trip. She chose to buy a harmonica. When will I ever learn? LOL

Tolmachoff Farms in Glendale

On Wednesday, November 19, 2008 I had the opportunity to accompany Bridget on her field trip to Tolmachoff Farm in Glendale. What an adventure that was. The drive over was really long but the ride home didn't seem to be so long. This was the best "farm" field trip that I have ever been on. We got to pick vegetables from the "huge" garden, go through a corn maze, and the kids got to ride on a "train." I told Bridget's teacher that next time we went there we needed to leave a little earlier because we didn't have time to see and do everything that the farm offered.

Here is a picture of Bridget on the bus waiting to leave. Does she look excited or what?

This is a picture of our "group." Left to right, Bridget, Ben, Mom (Staci), Victor, and Alexandra.

Bridget and Alexandra waiting for the "train ride."

American Heritage Festival

On Friday, November 14, I had the pleasure of accompanying both Katelyn and Rachel on their first field trip of the year. Both the 2nd and the 3rd graders had the opportunity to attend the American Heritage Festival out at Schnepf Farms in Queen Creek. Katelyn's teacher had asked me earlier in the week if I wanted to have both of my girls in the same group and I said yes. It was nice. I've always tried to go with my kids on all of their field trips. I think that there have only been two that I've missed over the past 4 years. I've always figured that if someone was going to lose my kids, I should be the one to do it. Luckily that has never happened.

It was a good day. The weather was warm but not too hot and the girls enjoyed themselves. Katelyn's class had gone to the festival last year but this was Rachel's first time. They enjoyed seeing the "mock" battle with the cannons and rifles. It was really pretty neat.

A funny, a few nights before the field trip Rachel noticed that Katelyn had a pair of her panties on (they are her favorite pair with "pet shop" puppies on them). She got mad at Katelyn and told her to take them off right away because she wanted to wear them to the field trip. It was really funny, I told her that I would have time to wash them before the field trip but she was pretty adamant that I wouldn't have time. It was really pretty funny. On a side note, I was able to get them washed and clean before the field trip so that Rachel could wear them.

This is a picture of "our group" with "Abraham Lincoln" (left to right) Katelyn, Jasmine, Dakota, Rachel, Bethel, Jennifer and Jacqueline.

This is a picture of Rachel with a "coyote" skin hat.

This is a picture of Katelyn with the same "coyote" skin hat.

Rachel holding a pretty heavy rifle. Can you imagine having to carry that for miles and miles?

Katelyn "trying" to hold the same heavy rifle.

Here is a picture of all three of us at the end of a "long" day. The girls are holding their prizes, Rachel got a harmonica and a sling shot, Katelyn got a sling shot and we got Bridget a fan and a sling shot.

Halloween

I can't believe that I haven't posted any pictures from Halloween before now. The girls decided that they wanted to be Super Heroes this year. Katelyn chose to be Wonder Woman, Rachel chose to be Super Girl, Bridget originally wanted to be Cat Woman but I told her that the costume wasn't very cute and convinced her to be Bat Girl. I ordered the costumes from an online store and was pleased with the costumes when they arrived. The girls were ecstatic and couldn't wait to wear them.

Our neighborhood becomes very inundated with trick-or-treaters on Halloween. We have only passed out candy a couple of years in all of the years that we have lived in this house. Since the girls were born, we have always tried to leave before it gets dark. We started the night out early by going to Grandpa and Grandma Gaddie's house. Then we went to our ward trunk-or-treat for lots of fun. The ward members parked their vehicles and passed out candy from the back. I had go a little bit overboard and bought way to much candy. Luckily, Reed was able to hand it all out. I am pretty sure that he was handing the candy out by the handful. I'm sure that the kids that came to our van, left happy with lots of candy. After the ward trunk-or-treat, we went to Grandpa and Grandma Rudd's house.

The girls gathered more candy than they could ever eat. I think that most of the candy is still on top of the fridge, minus all of the Twix and Snickers bars (they are Mom's favorite). All in all, we had a wonderful Halloween. The girls are already planning what they can dress up as next year.

Katelyn (Wonder Woman), Rachel (Super Girl), and Bridget (Bat Girl)

Katelyn, Rachel and Bridget with Bishop Terek at the Ward truck-or-treat.

Katelyn, Rachel and Bridget with Grandpa Rudd

1st Quarter Awards

On October 17, 2008, both Bridget and Rachel were given awards for their accomplishments for the 1st quarter of the 2008-2009 school year.

Rachel received awards for being a Super Attender, and a PAWS award for "Positive Words and Actions." Each quarter each teacher picks a student out of their class that exemplifies an attribute outlined in the PAWS statement. "P" stands for Positive Words and Actions, "A" stands for Academic Excellence, "W" stands for Winning Attitude, and "S" stands for Selfless Service. Way to go Rachel!!

Here is a picture of Rachel with one of her teachers Ms. Baker.

Bridget received awards for being a Super Attender, First Honor Roll and a PAWS award for Selfless Service. I am sure proud of my little Bridget. Way to go Bridget!

Here is a picture of Bridget with her afternoon teacher Mrs. Vaughan.

Here is a picture of Bridget with her morning teacher, Mrs. Fisher.

We are sure proud of our daughters and their accomplishments. Keep up the good work!!

The Museum with our Cousins

On Friday, October 10, 2008 we invited our cousins, The Smith's, to go with us to the Natural History Museum in Mesa. My daughters call the museum, The Dinosaur Museum. We had lots of fun as we wandered around the museum checking out all of the fun exhibits. We also purchased a membership for the next year so that we can go back and enjoy the museum any time and as many times as we want.

Here is a picture of all of the cousins in "jail."

Here is a picture of the cousins showing off their "gold."

Here is a picture of my little "angels" standing in front of the stage coach.

Thanks, Smith Family, for coming with us to the museum. We really love having so much family so close to do things with often.

Giving Thanks

The time of year for giving thanks is here once again.

Thanks for all the little things that we all hold so dear.

The smile from a child, a simple kiss good night,“I love you mom”

as they leave for school and quickly run out of sight.

A goodbye kiss, from the one that we hold most dear.

The phone call from them later to see how our day has

been and if we are all right.

Or their warm embracing hug when they return

home to us at night.

A quick note from a friend or mother can change an entire day.

Or better still the hour chat that could go on for

another hour or two still.

When asked “What did you talk about?”

That is the easiest of replies.

We talked about the little things that we love about our lives!

The things that drive us crazy!

The things that make us cry!

The things that we worry about!

All the little things that add up in our lives!

And what would our day truly be without those simple things.

The phone calls, kisses, hugs, and such that we all hold so dear.

The things that keep us sane!

So even on the days when you think

“I’m going to lose your mind!”

Just remember all the little things

that make it all worth your time.

We don’t remember our blessings as often as

we should and in the time of year

when we are reminded to give thanks

for all the things we have.

These should be the first and not the last

we thank the Lord for in our prayers.

One more thought before I go……….

shouldn’t we give thanks all year for these

“little” things and life that we have?

The things and the life we are so blessed to have?

Why do we wait till we are reminded to “Give Thanks”?

We should remember them all year, every day, every hour!

I borrowed this from a friend's blog. This poem was written by my friend, Rana Mortensen. I thought that you would all enjoy!! I am going to try to be more grateful for all the blessings in my life.