Highlights

We are leaving for vacation on Saturday and I thought I had better do a quick update before I go. We are going to Utah, Montana and Washington to visit family! And we will get to leave this awful heat for 5-6 weeks.

Now for a picture-overload update!

We said goodbye to a fallen hero, Crystal's dear friends son, Kyler Estrada. Killed in the Horne of Africa on Valentines Day.

We saw Air Force One land with President Obama.

William, Wayne, and Trey literally cleaned house at the Karate Championships!

Wayne posing with a very proud Sensei

I crocheted Jayden this super ruffly skirt for valentines day.

RaLee, a member of the National Thespian Society, running the sound booth at Higley High School's Center for the Performing Arts.

Ellie is growing so big, but don't let this sweet little face fool you, I think she might be the most mischievious little missy I have ever known! She sure keeps Crystal and I hopping. We definitely have to keep a close eye on Miss Ellie Mae

Jayden earned her teel colored poms and medaled in her cheer class.

William and Wayne, are awareded their Yellow belts with a white stripe and Trey is awarded his yellow belt!

William gets an A in the science fair!

Wayne wins second place in the Higley School districts art show! He drew the momma bear with her cub on her back(framed in blue behind him). He loves art and is very talented!

Jayden graduated from Kindergarten!

RaLee attended the Thespian Society's masquerrade ball

My brother, Mike, Meets Ladigo

Uncle DJ meets Ladigo

Ladigo is getting so big! He now has his two bottom teeth and is very close to crawling. He is just the cutest little boy!

William goes on his first TEN mile hike and camp out with the Boy Scouts. He did very well on the hike and had a blast!

We went to Payson to see my dad for Father's Day. We took him out to eat at the El Rancho. I sure love and respect my father and we had a very nice time.

Look who graduated and with honors! I'm so proud of RaLee! I will post more about her graduation at a later date.

DJ, RaLee, Me, Crystal, Amanda and Royal. We sure missed having Jessica there to celebrate with us.

Speaking of Jessica, she and John, and the children, will be sealed in the Spokane Washington Temple on July 20th! My eyes fill up with tears just writing about it.

Then the next day we will be in Newport, Washington for Sage's 5K memorial race. With proceeds going to The Northwest Infant Survival and SIDS Alliance(NISSA).

If your going to be in the area and are interested in attending, information regarding Sage's Memorial Race can be found at the following link. http://www.sagesdash2k5k.com/

There will be a dash that is free to children 12 and under, a silent auction, and pancake breakfast in addition to the 5 and 2K runs. We would love to see you there!

I hope all of you have a safe and happy summer!

Prom 2012

I can't believe that prom is over and senior graduation is right around the corner! My baby, of six kids, will be graduating! I'm proud of her and yet I'm sad knowing that this phase in my life is over. My children are grown, all six of them, and that they no longer need me like they used too. Yes that is a good thing, I know that, but can we say, "empty nest syndrome".  ha ha, yes it's like that for me.

So on to prom. She didn't want a long dress despite my begging and pleading. She tried on many just to make me happy but in the end the choice was hers. Here a few that she tried on...

No Mom, "it's the same color as last years".  Don't you like the cell phone addiction? Can we have conversations with our children any more without them reading and sending text messages?

 She liked the style, a lot, but not the color.

 We both hated everything about this dress! 

Ummmm NO! 

 This was personally my favorite, but I got vetoed.

Getting ready

Who can go anywhere in this Arizona heat without a "Big Gulp"?

I wish I had taken more of her wearing her shawl, but we left it in the car, when we went to take her pictures.

 Do you see all of those yellow trees in bloom? These trees are beautiful! They are our state tree, the Palo Verde, and they are everywhere! The trunks are a slick, kind of shiny green, they remind me of snakes, but when they are in bloom they are georgous!

The Palo Verde in bloom. I love looking at these trees in bloom I just wish my eyes weren't allergic to them!

RaLee chose not to go to prom with a date. She didn't want the pressure that some boys put on girls when they go to prom. She wanted the freedom to go with a large group of girls and just have fun. I was proud of her choice although I kind of wish she had gone with a date...but she had fun. In her words... "PROM was Leeegggitttt!" and that's what matters.

Meet My New Grandson!

Royal and Charlee are the proud parents of a new, healthy, and very big baby boy! Ladigo Dean Reidhead was born on January 16, 2012, weighing in at 9 pounds 7 ounces and was 22 inches long. He is such a beautiful little baby and perfect in every way.
On our way to the hospital, the night before he was born, it started to rain. In Arizona rain is a good sign because we don't see much of it. Just after he was born I took a picture of the sunrise-there wasn't one-because it was still drizzling and cloudy.

 Mommy and Daddy's truck. As I looked at it I could just imagine the excitement and even nervousness they must have felt when they parked it, knowing that they were about to become parents.

 One very exstatic daddy! I have to say I have been so proud of my son and how involved he has been with his son. Yes ladies, he changes diapers and even stays up at night, to give Charlee a few hours of much needed sleep. They work so well together and that makes this grandma very happy!

  A very emotional Aunt RaLee. Little boys hold a special place in our hearts.

Especially for Aunt Crystal

 Daddy's Hands

And of course Ladigo and his beautiful momma

 I love my daughter in law! She is beautiful inside and out and I think Ladigo is a very lucky little boy to have her for a mother.I am so thankful for her and her willingness to bring this little bundle into our lives.

As I have said before, and I will say it again, I am truly blessed.