January 28th 2016 swimming in Sabino Creek

Our property is super close to a wash. We love taking a nature walk down to it. One Saturday the kids took off with their cousin we couldn't find them after hollering their names this is what we found.

Only in Tucson in February can you go swimming. We live our "backyard."

February 1st 2017 Benjamin turns the big 4-0, 40 baby!

Benjamin turned 40! How did that happen?! It seems like yesterday we were at EFY posing for a silly picture because we were both kids from Tucson.

He didn't want a party he just wanted to do a hike. To celebrate his 40 years on this planet all he wanted was a walk-about. He took the day off of work and instead of doing it alone he asked John Collin to go with him. The night before we surprised him with hiking provisions, a carrot cake, streamers and balloons. Hopefully he wasn't disappointed, 40 is kind of a big deal. They hike Rincon Peak. Perhaps more impressively he recently ran a half marathon, 13.9 miles. Not bad from a man who said he would never be a runner. In fact  (unfortunately) he talked me into doing a Ragnar in April with him. Not many people's health and strength improve with age but Benjamin's has! Lucky attractive guy that he is! In church Benjamin is working with the Spanish ward and stake Primary in his High Council job. At work he continues to do great at his job, Raytheon is a great employer especially his boss who seems to always look out for him. As a dad he carpools the younger kids to school and wrestles the teenagers. Thank you Benjamin for the ongoing  adventures.

January 27th 2017 Grandpa Stander passes, a most inspired life.

Grandpa passed away. What a celebration of a life well lived. The funeral was so uplifting, hearing all the faith promoting experiences was so heart warming. One story was when he was a boy he found a quarter, meanwhile a life insurance salesman was trying to convince his parents to purchase a life insurance policy. They told the salesman they didn't have any money, the salesman said it didn't take much to get started. Grandpa offered his 25 cents, two weeks later his father passed away and that quarter paid for his coffin and burial. What an inspired, giving boy, what a blessing he was to his mother and sister! It was said he never had much but he always knew what direction to face. He overcame, financial and health obstacles. He made each grand kid feel special and would tell you how proud he was if you. I keep thinking of my old grandpa who always thought he would die young, embrace his father who did die young. This old man hugging his youthful father, and his father saying, well done son, well done. Thank you grandpa for your legacy of faith, grit and deliverance. You will be missed fiercely.

January 28th Parkin's Pine Wood Derby

Parkin at pine wood derby. What a cute scout he is!

January 19th New Beginnings

I'm the YWs President in our new ward,  Bear Canyon. It's a small group of awesome ladies. Bella and Olivia love that their mom is even more up in their business :)We had two girls plan our annual introduction to the young women's program at church called New Beginnings. It's a world wide thing all LDS young women do. Our them was taken from James 1:5-6. They focused on the light we receive when we ask for answers and receive them from Heavenly Father.

January 7th, Adrianna stops sucking her fingers!

Parkin went to an orthodontist appointment to check about getting braces. While in the office he saw, a retainer contraption for kids who suck their fingers. He looked pretty fierce with spikes pointing outward toward your teeth. When a kids puts their fingers in their mouth their finger gets poked.  I didn't think much about it. Later at dinner Parkin got real emotional and near to tears. I asked him what was wrong and he said he was worried about Anna having to wear that retainer. He described it to Anna and it got her all worried. Enough that, that fear fueled her to stop sucking her fingers!! We got a chart out and if she could go a whole month without sucking she would get a gift. She was properly motivated with a prize and fear :) Thank you Parkin!! We have tried several times before, but her brother's concern is what did it!  She chose going to get a Build a Bear stuffed animal. Benjamin and I live taking our littles their they get so excited, it's magical for kids and adults. Way to go Anna!!

January 1, 2017 family cruise!!

A family dream came true! Robin and John booked a family cruise and invited anyone else to join them. Since we both have foreign exchange students, both families try to do some extra fun activities. We were up for the adventure! Lindsey's family would not be left out, then our parents joined in and Hillary's crew followed too. What fun we had! The cousins all had a blast and git along great. We adults had some great times just hanging out and eating and talking in the dinning Hall. My favorite memory was playing man hunt. We each put our name in a hat, picked and anonymous name and scattered. We then had to search for that person, touch them and then they were out of the game. Then you took the name they had and then that became your new target. Super fun. The little men Desmond and Owen won the game. They bobbed and weaved through the crowds like nobody's business!  What a relaxing vacation, you don't have to worry about food or lodging, nobody's cooking for the large group. Everyone is truly on vacation. What a once in a lifetime adventure.