Family Photo Shoot

Ahhh picture day. The day where we threaten to take away Christmas and any other fun thing we can think of to ensure a picture perfect family photo. Well, here it is (see below) ha ha! It's the best we could do :) Emily (Dave's little sister) took our pics this last week at the Mesa Art Center. She is an aspiring photogropher and we thought we would give her a challenge to wrangle our little boys and capture their little personalities in some photos. Well done Em, I think you nailed it!

Please note my fake smile. What the ?!?

What a punkin!

Making Chase smile...

Our grumpy little guy!

Bwakey boy...

Can't fake those smiles!

It's hard work to carry the weight of the world's on these little 4 year old shoulders.

And this takes the cake. This picture captures perfectly the nature of each of our children.

Zoo with Dad and a trip to Superstition Farm with Mom!

Chase had a field trip to Superstition Farm last Friday with his preschool. It was so cute to see the way Chase interacts with his friends and hear the silly jokes he tells. He was so happy to taste 12 different kinds of milk, go on a hay ride, and feed the animals! When we got home Chase told me "Mooooom (short pause to verify his dramatic way of saying mom was heard), I really wanted you there today. Thanks!" If you know anything about Chase this is very uncharacteristic of him. But I soaked it in! With a four kids, the one on one time with each child is so precious! Just so you know Chasey, I wanted to be there today too.






Part Deux:

Dave took the two younger boys to the Zoo for Austin's 1rst grade field trip. He "ran" into Austin several times on their adventure to pass on treats like cotton candy and snow cones. The kids had a lot of fun just running around and being boys. Thanks to Dave for seriously being such a great dad and always planning fun things to do with the kids! We love you!

Random Pictures

Austin riding bikes in the neighborhood with the kids!


Blake hunting for monsters in the "monster garden"


Chase pouting, and doing it so well :)


Addi overload! I just love her little face with her chubby cheekers and her bluest eyes. I was so worried the chubby cheeks would never come. And here they are...






Who's that hiding behind the garbage? Peek-a-boo it's the Blake Monster!

I've lost that blog and feeling...

Don't say it... I already know. I have been horrible at blogging. I am mustering up all that I have inside me to keep pushing through this crazy time in my life where I feel like my children grow in number exponentially each day. The most important thing for me to remember is, I know I will want to remember this time in my life. Blogging is a great way to do that, and if others get to see our family happenings in the process great. I know I will not regret the effort I put forth to keep it alive as I get to look back on our life in years to come.

Last night was Austin's first grade musical, "The Box". It was so cute to see Austin up on stage being brave and singing. He was really embarrassed at first but quickly loosened up and had a great time. He had a little speaking part in it. It was too sweet. Thanks to all my family (Lyd's fam, Dawn's fam, Shauna, Mom & Dad) for supporting Austin. He felt so loved!




Here is the beginning of a wood fort in our back yard. The kids are super excited to have a project to work on with Dave. They have their own hammers and are working hard to engineer it just perfect! They are hoping it will be ready soon so they can "spy" with their friends.


This is Rob (aka Spy Guy). He is our latest creation for Austin's 1rst grade robotics project. His lights flash and he has an Iron Man heart. The kids have had a hay day with him! Dave, Austin, and Chase are responsible for this ingenuity.

Getting Involved

Below is a letter from the Gilbert Public School's Governing Board regarding some proposed time changes for GPS. This is a great way for everyone whom this will effect to get involved. Turns out we actually do have a voice :) The letter: The GPS Governing Board will soon be making a decision regarding school start and end times for the 2009–2010 school year. As your representatives,we’d like to hear from you regarding the alternatives being considered by the Governing Board. We have scheduled three regional meetings to discuss the proposed options: March 9, 2009 Desert Ridge High School 7:00 p.m. March 11, 2009 Highland High School 7:00 p.m.. March 12, 2009 Mesquite High School 7:00 p.m.. The format of these meetings will allow an opportunity for a presentation on the research data, outline impacts and potential changes related to the alternatives, answer questions, and receive personal feedback. To read a complete letter from the GPS Governing Board and see the proposed schedules for each elementary, junior high, and high school in the District, click here: http://www.gilbert.k12.az.us/board/boardletter.php. From the site: Below you will find the school start times being considered along with basic pros and cons. 7:30 am (A hour 6:30) - Current Schedule Pro: No disruption to the status quo. Con: Does not support what the research recommends. Significant negative reaction when implemented. 8:30 am (A hour 7:30) Pro: Matches the schools that were researched. Con: After school programs and students in them affected in various ways. 8:00 am (A Hour 7:00) Pro: Provides some movement based on research. End of school day activities less impacted than 8:30. Con: Does not move as far as the schools that were researched. Incurs increased bussing cost for the district. Additional Links Times and dates of Community Conversations and RSVP Letter from the Governing Board (PDF File) Proposed School Start Times for 2009-2010 (PDF File)
SCHOOL	Current Time	Proposal 1	Proposal 2
ALL HIGH SCHOOLS	7:30-2:30 6:30 A Hour	8:30-3:30 7:30 A Hour	8:00-3:00 7:00 A Hour
JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOLS
Desert Ridge Jr. High	7:38-2:40	8:40-3:40	8:45-3:45
Gilbert Jr. High	7:58-3:00	8:50-3:50	8:45-3:45
Greenfield Jr. High	7:58-3:00	8:50-3:50	8:45-3:45
Highland Jr. High	7:48-2:50	8:40-3:40	8:45-3:45
Mesquite Jr. High	7:48-2:50	8:50-3:50	8;45-3:45
South Valley Jr. High	7:58-3:00	8:50-3:50	8:45-3:45
ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
Burk Elementary	7:58-2:45	8:15-3:00	8:00-2:45
Carol Rae Ranch Elementary	7:58-2:45	8:15-3:00	8:00-2:45
Highland Park Elementary	7:58-2:45	8:15-3:00	8:00-2:45
Houston Elementary	7:58-2:45	8:15-3:00	8:00-2:45
Gilbert Elementary	8:13-3:00	8:00-2:45	8:30-3:15
Meridian Elementary	8:13-3:00	8:00-2:45	8:00-2:45
Spectrum Elementary	8:13-3:00	8:00-2:45	9:00-3:45
Superstition Springs Elementary	8:13-3:00	8:00-2:45	8:00-2:45
Val Vista Lakes Elementary	8:13-3:00	8:00-2:45	8:30-3:15
Boulder Creek Elementary	8:28-3:15	8:00-2:45	8:00-2:45
Canyon Rim Elementary	8:28-3:15	8:00-2:45	8:30-3:15
Settler's Point Elementary	8:28-3:15	8:00-2:45	9:00-3:45
Finley Farms Elementary	8:38-3:25	7:45-2:30	9:00-3:45
Greenfield Elementary	8:38-3:25	7:45-2:30	8:30-3:15
Islands Elementary	8:38-3:25	7:45-2:30	8:00-2:45
Neely Elementary	8:38-3:25	7:45-2:30	9:00-3:45
Oak Tree Elementary	8:38-3:25	7:45-2:30	8:30-3:15
Patterson Elementry	8:38-3:25	7:45-2:30	8:30-3:15
Pioneer Elementary	8:38-3:25	7:45-2:30	9:00-3:45
Towne Meadows Elementary	8:38-3:25	7:45-2:30	8:00-2:45
Harris Elementary	8:43-3:30	7:45-2:30	9:00-3:45
Sonoma Ranch Elementary	8:43-3:30	7:45-2:30	8:00-2:45
Ashland Ranch Elementary	8:53-3:40	8:55-3:40	8:30-3:15
Augusta Ranch Elementary	8:53-3:40	8:55-3:40	9:00-3:45
Mesquite Elementary	8:53-3:40	8:55-3:40	9:00-3:45
Playa del Rey Elementary	8:53-3:40	8:55-3:40	8:00-2:45
Quartz Hill Elementary	8:53-3:40	8:55-3:40	8:00-2:45