VOTE FOR MY SHOES!!!!

Go to this blog:

www.mommymodels.blogspot.com

I saw this cute contest and couldn't pass it up SOOOO now you have to help me get some votes and vote for MY shoes. BEWARE- there is also a Chanda so make sure you vote for CHANDRA!! I will be forever grateful..........

ahhhh SuMMErTimE.... the livin's EZ

THAT MEANS........

• not only sleeping in BUT lying in bed till you feel like rolling out OR until the guilt hits you of all the things you SHOULD be doing
• no worries of homework or projects...... just imagination
• feeling the heat of the sun burn and soak into your skin
• swimming til you can't swim anymore
• thunderstorms and a few cherished drops of rain
• blackmailing children into cleaning their rooms in exchange for trips to Target
• sunburned shoulders and peeling skin
• not cooking big meals because it's just too hot to eat too much
• staying awake as long as your eyelids will allow
• endless play dates and sleepovers at Grandma's

AND SPEAKING OF NO MORE SCHOOL-

the kids had their awards ceremony on the 8th of July and here are the results........

drum roll please

First up Lauren:

The first award she received was the Nevada Citizenship Award. To earn this you must memorize all the Nevada governors, physical and Native American map, the counties and their seat, state symbols, state song, preamble, Native American tribes that dwelt here, and the bordering states. Her reward for all this hard work was no homework for the last couple of weeks of school(or was that for me?) plus she received a certificate and medal.

She also received citizenship, A/B Honor Roll and Excellent Gladiator for exceeding the standards on the CRT state assessment. Way to go Lauren!!

Jace also reeled 'em in with A Honor Roll and citizenship. GO JACE!!

4th OF JULY

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

-Constitution of the United States

Four score and one week ago we celebrated our day of independence. We, as a free family in this United States of America, CHOSE to first celebrate with our ward family followed by a soiree with some fab friends.

Our ward met at Warm Springs, this however is not the same Warm Springs that I remember from my youth, the location has remained the same but the experience has been lost. No longer can you flail through the air on the tattered rope, dive recklessly from the rocks or in the case of my brother in-law, tease "somebody has to save me first" when our cousin was barely treading water and he thought we were messing with him. Yep, those days are gone and new memories are now shut off by a towering black metal gate that will allow no more. We WERE allowed, on this day,to swim in the cement pool. The slide-CLOSED. Big surprise. Thank goodness for friends, that is what made it all worthwhile. The ward supplied hamburgers and hot dogs, Jason made homemade root beer. We sang a few patriotic songs and Bishop Eddie gave a short inspirational talk. Ward parties are great fun and it gives you the opportunity to get to know people outside of Sunday meetings. I give it a thumbs up!

Our next stop was the P.P.P (Pisciotta Party Palace). There we gathered for some BBQ, games and fireworks. Everyone swam and played, Donald grilled up enough meat to feed a small village and we barely made it home with the hair on our heads after a few misguided fireworks(well except for Ryan or was it already gone?). We really enjoyed a great time-thanks everyone!

Donald with 20lbs. of carne asada

A seemingly innocent game of basketball gets WAY out of hand.........


somebody's going down....

Here you CAN jump off of the rocks- Go Jace!

The tail end of Lauren's jump off the rocks

OK Leslie, this one is for you.... check out Dayne's face- it's hilarious!

Lauren and Chloe with the super sparklers

Lauren and Megan shooting Roman Candles

Don't worry, they're underage- no jail time

Jace

Jace and Dayne

So you see we as a people were able to succeed in choosing a great way to spend our day of honoring and remembering this great country. We hope to continue to exercise these rights and privileges that we have been so abundantly blessed with.

Jace's Baptism

GETTING READY.........

Preparations for Jace's baptism consisted of having these handsome photos taken for the invitation. My friend Heather so graciously took time out to capture Jace.........

Pulling off an ad for GQ

getting up close and personal

and oh so smooth!

JUNE 27th, 2009........

Our little Jace is getting baptized today. I can hardly believe that 8 years has passed so quickly. Next time I turn around I'll be crying my eyes out sending him out for 2 whole years on a mission. So far the day has gone smoothly. Dinner preparations are well underway(started yesterday), Jace got a haircut and everyone is preparing to head down to the church.

Jason and Jace- ready for the big moment

After the baptism and confirmation our friends and family joined us for our version of Cafe Rio pork salads and tacos with Texas sheet cake and ice cream cones for dessert.

Jace's best friend Brett was able to join him on this special day

Jace with mom and dad

Brother & sister- HOW SWEET!

Grandma & Grandpa & Jace

Grandma & Grandpa & Jace


My cousin Marissa made this cute brownie for Jace

We had around 60 people with all of our friends and family so we opened up the backyard for swimming and eating.



Relaxing on the grass

Jace ready for church on Sunday

Thank-you again to all of our family and friends who came and supported Jace on his baptism day. He really felt special. Thank-you to all who know him for being a good example and having children that are a good example to him. We all had a great day and I know Jace will always remember his special baptism day.