Happy Thanksgiving!

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving here in AZ. The weather was close to 80 degrees. In the morning Andy, Summer, and Taylor went golfing with Ryan. We had a lovely meal outside at my parents house with all the family, including my Uncle Gordon and Aunt Leslie and Grandpa Gaisford. We enjoyed desert at my cousin Nicole's house and the Cardon bunch. We all had plenty to eat and enjoyed the company!

Grandma Cardon and Alexis

Noah, Summer, Peyton, Kate, and Hailey

On Friday I took the kids to the park to take their picture since we need a new one on the wall. Josh wasn't feeling well that day. I felt hopeless about the whole thing until we took a break and then snapped this one. All I needed was one. It was Joshua's idea to put his arm around his biggest brother. The others decided it was a good idea. Yes this bunch does love each other most of the time.
Summer didn't like the picture in front of the refrigerator. So I took this one.
On Saturday we spent hours at the park with my sisters families and my cousin Claire with her family. We had fun catching up. We took a drive enjoying some nature close by and the beautiful scenery. Should have brought my camera. Then the day ended like every Saturday does, with pizza.

This weekend was filled with good food, family, and the outdoors. I think I'm really going to like Thanksgiving in AZ.

November Happenings

Here's what's been going on lately.
For one on one time Taylor wanted to buy a Nerf gun. He actually researched on the internet which guns were the best. From he's research, he learned that the $9.44 gun was much better than the $27.99 or even the $29.99 gun. I was impressed. He wasn't going to just spend his allowance on any gun and wasn't going to be persuaded by the bigger is better theory. Apparently that isn't necessarily true when it comes to Nerf guns. Everyone thought the Nerf gun was the coolest thing ever. Andy liked it so much that he bought himself one and a few of our kidos have it on their Christmas list. I must say the Nerf gun is a very entertaining toy. I just ignore all the suction bullet marks on my windows, mirror, and tv.

Jacob and I went out for ice cream this month. I love how you can really enjoy ice cream all year round here. Jacob went for 2 scoops of fudge chocolate ice cream topped with M&Ms. It certainly was chocolaty. And of course we entertained ourselves by looking at all of the ice cream cakes and telling our opinion about each and every one. I voted no on the roasted turkey ice cream cake with its shining brown frosting and Jacob thought he would like to try it. The best part was seeing Jacobs huge chocolate smile about 100 times just in that hour. No pictures. I forgot the camera. But here is Jacob in his 3rd grade music program. He makes a handsome cowboy and he is quite the dancer. He totally was on rhythm the whole time. Way go Jacob!


Joshua wanted to go to the bookstore this month. But not just any bookstore. I took him to Borders. He walked in. I took him to the children's section. He said, "No," and then walked out of the store. I said, "Joshua is this the wrong bookstore?" He said, "Yes." I told him we would go to another book store. I took him to Barnes and Noble. He went right to the children's section. I asked him if this was the right store. He smiled and said,"Yes!" We had the best time sitting in one of the huge comfy chairs reading a compilation of Scooby-Doo. Joshua doesn't sit that long for very often, so I relished the moment, until he declared he was hungry and stood up. I showed him the cookies in the bakery and asked if he wanted one. He said, "Too big. I want a peanut butter sandwich." So we went home and made him one.


Here is Joshua in our closet. He likes to stay up later than the other kids. We discovered that walk in closets were the perfect place for our night owl. It's like his own secret cave at night. He can be awake and not bother anyone and no one bothers him. His favorite spot is the laundry basket.

I love my boys! I had some good times with them this month. They are amazing sons. I don't know why I was so blessed. I am grateful to be their mom and that they are a part of my daily life. Yes, even when they are driving me crazy, being gross, tuning me out, or forgetting what I just asked them to do, I still love being with my boys.

Now for the girls-

Summer cut her hair and started cross country practice. Always so happy when my kids are getting more exercise. It is so good for them. I love picking Summer up after practice, she is always so happy. I love it when she says how much she hurts, but its "the good kind of hurt.'' That's my girl!


Kate was star student of the week this month. She wanted to draw all the pictures on her poster. No photographs. With her dad's help she even made a rough draft of what she was going to draw before she drew it on the poster. I was very impressed. Very happy week for our star student and great motivator for getting her up and ready in the morning (she is like a bear in the mornings). Kate you are definitely a super star!

More Thanks

I don't know how some people blog everyday. I some days don't even get on the computer. I have been focusing all week on what I am grateful for, especially when I get the urge to complain. So here is what I came up with over the last 2 days.

1. The telephone- I talked to my mom and all of my sisters on the phone yesterday.

2. Floors- When I clean up my beaten up linoleum in the bathrooms I tell myself that at least they aren't dirt floors.

3. Jacob's clean desk-I went to Jacob's school yesterday to eat lunch with him and watch his readers theater and man was his desk completely organized.

4. Smiles-Whenever Andy or the kids smile, it makes me smile.

5. Repentance-Use it a lot.

6. Forgiveness- Need it a lot.

7. Physical Therapists- I glad someone can figure out my delicate body.

8. Boy Choy- My new favorite stir fry veggie. Had it for lunch

9. Grocery Stores- I can't imagine if I had to grow and make all the food that I buy for my little crew.

10. Sunshine! Sunshine! Sunshine!

What am I Grateful for Everyday?

In the spirit of Thanksgiving this week, here are my top 10 things I am grateful for today and everday:
1.Heavenly Father
2.Jesus Christ
3.The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Saints
4.My family-Andy, Summer, Taylor, Jacob, Joshua, and Kate
5.The scriptures
6.The temple
7.Prayer
8.Joseph Smith
9.Extended Family
10. Friends

Happy Halloween!

I love it when Halloween is on Saturday! You have the whole day to enjoy, no school, homework, sport practice, scouts, etc. It was great. We did our Saturday work and hung out and played while we waited for family to come celebrate with us the biggest candy night of the year. We ate dinner, went trick or treating, and ate candy while we watched The Nightmare Before Christmas (Joshua chose our "scary" film this year). Summer went to a party at her friends house. She was glad we ended up with lots of candy to share. The weather for the evening was in the 70s. No sweatshirts or coats. The perfect night for trick or treating. I love Halloween in Gilbert!

Summer and Kate making the edible haunted house. Thanks Grandma Maxfield!

Joshua swinging in the backyard

Carmel apples with our friend Macey

Cousins and Grandma and Grandpa Cardon

The Trick-or-Treating Crew -Joshua(green skeleton), Hailey, Peyton, Summer, Alexis, Kate, Jacob (ghost), Noah, Dean, and Taylor

That's My Baby Now

The other night Kate wanted to fall asleep in my bed. Before I go to sleep I like to lay in bed and read for a while to relax. Andy told Kate she could fall asleep in our bed as long as she didn't talk to me. Of course that is impossible for Kate. So after telling me just one more thing 20 more times, I told her she really needed to go to sleep. She told me she would just watch me read and then go to sleep with her usual excitement when she has an idea. After a few minutes I looked up and this is what I saw.


My precious little baby girl sleeping who isn't a baby any more and hasn't been for quite some time. Time flies by so fast. I love the little girl she has grown into. At that moment I was overcome by the love I have for her and each of my children. I feel so blessed to have 5 of Heavenly Father's most amazing spirits in my home.