Tina's 9!!

Fun crafts

Tina's new coat and boots from the Chambers grandparents

the other pair of boots

he bonked softly:)

my american boy doll LOL

The strawberry flower cake

The Grandma Daines outfit

The beautiful dress on the beautiful girl:)

My Sweet Tina girl has finally reached the ripe old age of 9. She told me she felt like she was 8 forever. I think it was because we went through many life changing events in that year: She went to 3 different schools, lived in 3 different houses, and got baptized. That is more change in one year than most of her lifetime. We had a family party this year to the theme of "flowers." She also got her highly anticipated "American Girl Doll" She has named her Maya, and no, Cole didn't fit in the package. I guess he's my doll:) She also got some wonderful outfits from Grandparents, some books, and a zooble contraption. We played heavy heavy hang over thy poor head, made tissue paper flowers and thumbprint flower shirts, and had a flower cake ( I rolled out starburst candies). I think it's the best amature cake I've ever done. All in all a successful day. She definately deserved it. She is such a wonderful girl. We all love her so much!

Projects

not necessarily a "project" but definately something on our wish list!!

Brooklyn may look like a model, but she didn't want to stop watching TV:)

This is the back. I can't wait to do some more in different patterns!!

I made this vest in the spring. I love the colors and the fun flowers!

I am in a project mode. I want to do a lot of things for a Christmas Baazar. Mainly bags. But I had to show you some of the things I've been working on so far in my knitting class. I'm loving it! I also have to show you our latest purchase! Dave got this for a screaming deal at Aaron's - it's a little damaged, but it is really nice!

Financial Freedom

We have discovered a "better way" to managing our finances, thanks to Dave's parents. We have 2 checking accounts now. We have already discussed which bills we are in charge of, and how much I need for groceries. Now we just transfer the money over and keep track of our own checkbook register. Last month we didn't go into our overdraft! I love that we get to keep anything left over in our account also. Dave's really excited to sell stuff so he can have a cusion in his account, and he's more conscious of his spending. I am keeping much better track of what I am spending and now I know we have enough to live on.

Thanks for giving us some good directions Gary and RuthAnn! I'm so grateful for all of your help in the finance department. I feel so much better now.

Only 4 more debts to go until we are debt free!

Step 1: Sell the truck and other miscellaneous stuff

Step 2: Increase Mel's income with piano students - include flute lessons too?

Step 3: Plan every purchase (grocery trips, research best deals for big purchases, use coupons, etc.)

Step 4: Reduce bills as much as we can - limit driving, AC, electricity, etc.

If you can't tell, I'm very occupied with our finances, but I really feel that this set-up is best for us. I had a hard time keeping up with both of our spending and bills. You'll have to let me know what works for you too!

New Spot

Braden took our picture:)

Attempted to make a mud castle:) Note the zhu zhu pet inhabitors

I thought the shirt was appropriate!

having fun

tried to get buried

playing in the water

Dave enjoying a day off!

We have found a new spot that we love here. When we get visitors, we know where to go now! Isn't this a pretty spot? I love living close to such beauty! This was what we did for Memorial Day after cleaning the house, and fixing our dishwasher.

Vision Boards and New Starts

Tina's first day of school - isn't she so cute?

Braden's first day of school - my handsome big boy!

Brooklyn's vision board includes dish sets, Christmas, a dog, and yummy treats.

Braden's has a fun game, shakes, crafts, and going to Disneyland.

Tina is also fascinated with desserts, Taylor Swift, a playset, and games. I think Disneyland was also included in hers:)

My vision board consists of living a healthier lifestyle, getting more spiritual, and family oriented. The fingernail picture is for me to finally conquer my life-long habit of biting my nails. I want to have beautiful nails. Also seeing beautiful natural sites, and growing a garden (or at least starting one). I didn't have room to include the Disneyland trip that is going to happen with our combined mind-power:)

With a new school year on the horizon, I love being able to assess how my year is going so far. I have been very consistent with tracking monthly goals, and over the summer, the kids and I created our vision boards. A vision board is something you create with things you want to accomplish along with pictures to solidify the image in your mind. Last time I did this, it led us to our big Colorado move! Plus it's fun to do and share with your family. And it gives you an idea of what's important to everyone. The pictures don't really do the posters justice, but I think you get the general idea. It's fun to try out:) And since we have made them, we have visited a waterfall, and Tina has joined a children's choir. It really is amazing how fast some of the things happen!

So far this year I have implemented a cleaning system that works, gotten lots of budget help from wonderful supportive people (thanks Gary!!) Been able to recognize some of my supporters, visited many new places around our area, learned how to index and burn primary CDs, learned how to knit, run, and finished the Book of Mormon (currently working on the New Testament). So far I think it's been a great year, with more great things on their way:) If you want to view my goal writing process go here. I've really loved the process. I may make a few changes for Jan. But I do think goals are achieved "automagically" by writing them down and tracking the progress. Good luck to everyone!!

Our UT trip

This hammock swing was the hit of the trip. We would have to give the kids 10 pushes each so they would share. If we had trees, we would totally get one!

Brooklyn loves the baby swing!

The classic North Logan 24th day parade. Not too busy, lots of candy and a fun park full of activities afterwards. Thank goodness Joanna was able to help me man the kids!

We found this great park with a splash pad. The kids had a blast both times!

Playing with Grandpa Chambers. Throwing sticks in the canal and seeing which one comes first.

Aren't these girls so cute? Tina, Anna, Brooklyn, and Amy (along with cute Melanie - Amy's mom) enjoying Aggie Ice Cream cones.

So our 3 week adventure has ended. We did have a lot of fun, and these are some random pictures taken from our "backup" camera. We started off the fun with Kari and enjoyed a "redneck water park" created by Grandpa Gary. It was completed with a slide attached with a slip and slide down a hill. We loved the BBQs with the family, the amazing fireworks compliments of Mont, and the hike, bowling, and feeding the ducks. The kids enjoyed the backyard more than I can express also. I came back wanting to garden and learn how to operate a weed whacker. I also have to give a big thank you to the chambers for boarding us for the entire time. We also made a few meetings and they came to the rescue in helping watch the kids for Braden's Dr. appointment. We also had a blast at the Children's museum in Salt Lake, but I think we were all worn out after that!! It's amazing how fast kids can disappear even with 3 adults watching them!

Our Daines time was especially fun when Devin and his cute family came to join us. We went to the fun park, splash pad, and Lava Hot springs. Lava has a fun tubing river that was quite dramatic. Tina went with Paga Daines, Joanna, Jeff, and Stephanie - my cousin. They tipped over and lost flip flops, confidence, and glasses. My trip down the river wasn't quite so scary, but very fun. I can't forget the slurpee run and learning the game "Telestrations", school shopping, and a DI adventure. Cole celebrated his 2nd birthday there, and I ran out of batteries unfortunately, but he had an extended birthday at home with Daddy.

In looking back, it was a very eventful fun time...but we all missed Daddy, and I think next time we will cut it shorter for everyone's sanity. Dave's co-worker said she was glad we were back because now Dave could return to normal. I'm glad we have a positive effect on him:) We feel complete again too. Thank you to everyone who had fun with us!! We sure love you all:)

Mesa Verde

The cliff dwellings. I think it's amazing that people could live there with kids. I'd be constantly worring about them falling off!

Our family at the cliff site.

Our new tent tested out - we like the room!

We had a "staycation" for the 4th of July weekend. We camped out in our backyard and went to Mesa Verde to check out the close attractions. I went there when I was little and remembered loving it. The kids did fall asleep and so we didn't venture out too much, but it was fun to take a trip down memory lane. We also went to Bayfield to see the fireworks with some friends and had a fun time with them. Happy 4th everyone!!