A quick look back at 2011...in no particular order.

Summer is all about friends, mud, frogs and fun!




We were so proud of Jake and Nash for wanting to be a part of their schools Science Fair. They did a great job!



Our little Gracie is quite the dare devil. She might look beat up but the swing ended up in the Intensive Care unit.



Nash's Super Mario Bros. birthday party. Boy was it fun!


This is how I feel we lived for most of 2011...out of a box. It is so nice to finally be settled in!


Jake had a great birthday party at the St. George Rec Center. Dodgeball anyone?


Some of Jake's favorite moments from last year were spending time with friends, scouts and yard work. Maybe scratch the last one.




We will miss our annual neighborhood Easter egg hunt and the weather. The kids ended up with more candy than at Halloween. Lucky!





Colorado was a fun trip. We played on Aunt Sandy's HUGE waterslide, went to a minor league game, watched fireworks, played with cousins and witnessed our sweet Maddy's baptism. It was a great vacation!

Popcorn popping on the Apricot tree...no wait, the Family Room floor.

So I finally bought a popcorn popper the other day because I was craving that fresh popcorn and butter taste. Yummy! I got it out to make us a little treat when the kids and I decided to live out one of my childhood memory that I had always told them about. I remember my mom laying a sheet/blanket out on the family room floor and putting the popcorn popper in the middle without the lid on. She would fill it with kernels and plug it in. All the kids would sit around and watch the popcorn volcano erupt. It was so much fun! You just have to watch out for very hot rogue kernels. The three oldest kids thought that it was so cool and Gracie was happy because I was finally letting her eat off of the floor.
It was a good night! Hopefully I helped my kids make a wonderful childhood memory!

I LOVE this kid!

This post is dedicated to a wonderful big brother and my right hand man! Thanks for being such a great kid Jake! I love you!

Fall...Football...Fun!

This year both Jake and Nash are playing flag football. Jake is a member of the Sniper team and Nash is on the Lions team. They have had fun learning new plays and making new friends. This last Saturday Jake made two touchdowns and Nash made one (first time for both of them this season). Grandma and Grandpa Palmer were there to witness their wonderful moments.

Jake is really good at getting flags and running the ball!



Nash is a wonderful QB and is super fast!



World's Loudest Cheerleaders

We're Back!

I know...I know...it has been WAY too long! I have finally recommitted myself to my blogging efforts. Thanks to all of you who have diligently kept checking in.

CaMPinG in UTaH!

We decided to take a break from the hot Phoenix sun and head north to cooler weather and family. Here are some pics of our time at the Terry Family Ranch.

Magic Kingdom...Here We Come!

This year my wonderful mother-in-law decided to give the kids tickets to Disneyland for Christmas. We hoped on board that train and made "Disneyland" our Christmas theme. So on January 8th we packed up the Suburban and headed off to the "Happiest Place on Earth" where we were going to meet up with Kurt's siblings and mom. My sister-in-law did all the leg work (THANK YOU!) and booked us a wonderful suite right across the street from Disneyland. It was the best trip and we made some wonderful memories. And yes, I did get a little camera happy.



He almost had it!


One of my all time favorite rides.


The boys liked this ride the best. I think that Kurt might have too!


We went on a river safari and it was all Kurt could do to not make fun of the guide. He was a little bit crazy.


Jasmin was the only princess that Drew got to see but she was worth the wait!


This is a rare sight to see! Nash was so mad at me and Kurt because we were trying to make him go on a ride that he was not about to get on. He finally walked away from us and sat down by the fountain. The look says it all!


Pluto was all over Jake and Broc. He even stole Broc away from us to show his pal Goofy Broc's shirt. It was a lot of fun for both the boys!



For part of the day we hopped over to California Adventures. The kids loved the "Bugs Life" rides. Here are two of our cute little "bugs"!


Every picture with these three stinkers turns into power ranger poses.


Daddy's little girl


Grandma Laine is the best...she bought each child their very own cotton candy. Those things are not cheap! I would've had to sell an arm and a leg to afford that!