Aria

 

We had the opportunity to go eat at Jean Georges Resturant in Aria at City Center. First day of opening. The property is so beautiful. So many water features and so much to see. It is a HUGE hotel. We can't wait to go back and explore more.

Christmas Pictures 2009

 

This year Sean is working so much that we didn't have time earlier to do family pictures or to go to a photogropher. We used the tripod and timer on our Cannon Powershot and took pictures. Got cards being made hopefully I will mail them soon!

Town Square

 
Madison, Julie, Troy and I all went on Monday this week to see The Princess and the Frog. It was a great movie and in the theater there were Alvin and the Chipmonk statues. Of course the children had to go for the noses.

Disneyland

 
We wnet to Disneyland in November and finally I am blogging about it. Madison and I went with Troy and Julie. We had such a great time and can't wait to go back.

Halloween

 

This Halloween was a blast. We started a week early by going to the church party with friends. Then we has a Halloween day pumpkin carving at the house. Sean and Madison carved theirs freestyle while I used a Tigger template. They all turned out great. Then we went down to the party at the end of the street for dinner. Fantastic pulled pork sandwiches and lots of other great food. Madison then went to her friends house to Trick-or-Treat and they all wound up at our house. So many good times here in Arizona we can't wait to get to Las Vegas for all the exciting times waiting for us back living in our house. Party at the Griffin's sometime soon!!

Freestone Park

There is a park in Gilbert that we finally went to. We played tennis, then went over to the little ride area where we rode the train. There is a small ferris wheel and a few other rides but the train was the only one we felt like riding. There also was a big pond with ducks and egrets! I think the egrets came from Escondido. They also had a baby egret.

The Best Picture of All

I forgot to post this picture. At the hotel in Oceanside we had a huge jet bathtub. Madison took a few baths with some bubbles. I just love this photo.

Sealed August 18th 2009

 

We were sealed on the 18th of August. Madison was blessed to actually see us (her parents) be sealed. Then she was sealed to us. It was such an unbelieveable feeling. So here are some of the pictures. My nephew Danny wanted in the pictures so he was in them. When I said "Lucky 13" I really ment it. We have been married for 13 years and I really feel blessed having my husband and daughter now forever!

Madison and Troy

 

Madison and Troy had the best time together. They would dig in the sand with their buns in the air then boogy board in the ocean. They had such a fantastic time together.

Oceanside 2009

 

This was the third year that we have been lucky enough to go to Oceanside, CA for vacation. We got a huge room this year we shared with Julie, Troy and Mark. Of course when we got the room Madison asked if Mark was coming with us because it's not vacation unless Mark is there. She loves her Uncle Mark! So here are some of the pictures we took.

Madison

 

Madison had me do her make-up and wanted me to post these on facebook. I put them here instead. She did the gloves, dress, crown and faces. I think we might have a model in the making. What do you think?

Edington's and Bourbon

Yes, the Edington's came to Bourbon Steak last week. We all went to dinner there friday. They came out to see us and Sean cooked dinner.

Sean

Sean took out his endowments on Friday. I actually left my camera in the car, so no photos. We are being sealed on August 18th in the San Diego temple. Sean has vacation so we decided to be sealed there. I am so excited as is Madison. We can't wait to go be sealed. This time I will bring my camera. He also has a new You tube video and will be on ABC 15 tomorrow. He had a photo shoot in Desert Living out in September. We are very proud of him!

4th of July

 

This year Marianne, my sister, came with us to Las Vegas. We stopped in Wikieup and other small town places on the way up to Las Vegas. Madison got sunburned and it reminded me of the Vegas trips we took when I was little. We had so much fun. Thank you to all who fed us and kept us entertained! We can't wait until next year!

Lucky Number 13!

 

We had our anniversary yesterday. June 15, 1996 was when we were married. 13 years ago!! We decided to celebrate as a family and go to Sunsplash in the afternoon. Madison had a blast on the waterslides, she especially loved the wavepool. That night we went to The Keg for dinner. It was fantastic. I still can't believe 13 years have flown by, but I have enjoyed every minute of being with Sean and can't wait to see what the future holds!

Mesquite Grove and Gilbert Fire Station

On Monday we went to the Mesquite Grove. It is a community pool that has a diving area, a lazy river, water slides and a fun area for kids. It was only 91 outside in the afternoon that day. I actually got cold in the pool. Funny to think that if it gets 77 degrees inside I need a blanket. But we had a good time swimming. Then today our ward was able to visit the fire station on the corner by our house. We were in the first group visiting. About 60 kids were signed up. Madison liked it dispite her grumpy photos.

Nothing Happening

Madison got out of school on May 20th. She got B's and two C's so this summer we are doing a learning program. She has math, reading and writing she is doing. I made a planner for the whole summer and have everyday planned. She earns points which in turn we go and do fun things. Some include swimming in the Williams Field pool, going to movies and other things. She really took to the program, so far. She gets points knocked off for complaining. The dog had a adventure. He had an anal gland that got infected. We had to take him to the vet, they did surgery and he got to wear a "cone of shame" for a week. We also had to do a makeshift doggie door. Before we took it down Madison was doing her learning program one day and a lizard entered though the makeshift doggie door. I was upstiars giving the dog a haircut at the time and just heard screaming. She ended picking up the lizard and in her words "Chucking it" as far as she could out the door. About 5 feet. She later on that day saw the lizard in the front yard. I don't think he will come into the house anytime soon.

Madison's Birthday

 

Madison celebrated her 11th birthday on April 22. She had such a great time at her birthday party. They made hair things and played games. Sean said that the guests got just as much stuff as Madison did. She had a ball at the party.

Easter

 
Our Easter this year actually included Sean. He had Easter off so we got to spend it together. We had so much fun. On Saturday Madison dyed eggs. She got to do 11, it was a record number for her. Then on Sunday we all matched at church because we had too. Sean even got a Easter tie. Madison found her basket with the bunny I made for her and JR even got a crazy eyed lamb toy. For dinner we had fondue and the red velvet cupcake made by me. So good!!

Cousin's in Arizona!

Last monday the Chesnik clan came to dinner. Jalie climbed in the dog's "bedroom" and had shut the door. She wouldn't stay put for the picture but it was funny. The photo with Eliana has Madison in the dog's room behind her!!

Cavalia and Bourbon Steak

Sean got Madison and I tickets to Cavalia. It is a show with horses and people doing acrobatics with and on the horses. It was so cool. we got to go to the stables after the show and see the horses. I let my camera in the car and it was way to windy to go and get it so Madison got a photo in front of the huge white tent. We got to eat at Bourbon Steak before the show since it was down the street from the Fairmont. So much fun!

Madison and Fifi

This is Julie and Troy's new dog Fifi. She is a Pomeranian and very much the center of attention.