The Haws Hawse

Ry's 1st grade music program...

2011-04-27T11:52:00.000-07:00

was a sport's theme. The little toothless grins by all the kids singing their little hearts out made me smile.

Ry had the welcome part, which we practiced and practiced, in her greatest sports announcer voice, "This is Ryli Haws and Jamison Stover your sports announcers and we're comin' to ya live from the Round Valley Primary School!"

Easter morning...

2011-04-24T13:08:00.002-07:00

was full of getting ready in our new Easter dresses for 8 am church! It's always exciting to wear the new dresses to church that grandma has for the girls.

All our girls...

Mk...

K...

Ry...

B...

H...

Hope you had a very HAPPY EASTER!

Who ever knew...

2011-04-16T10:11:00.002-07:00

that a boxer was a cow-dog. Every time we have Sandi while we are moving cows she's great help!

After we let her out of the back of the truck, she's already at work...

Goin' head-to-head with Big Red, our craziest cow...

Comin' back around...

Pushin' them down...

Love this picture! Makes her look like she's having such a great time...

Waiting for us after R whistled telling her "that's good!"...

Going to check the spring...

H is WAY up there...

Phreeeezing...

2011-02-02T22:23:00.001-07:00

cold. Last night we received a call warning us that there was going to be a two-hour delay for today, due to the snowy conditions and the -5 degrees over night...yippee! I love sleeping in until 7, it's great! So the girls got ready and we had a little photo shoot before school. I needed some new pictures for the wall anyways.

Mk...5th grade

K...2nd grade

Ry...1st grade

B...Preschool

H...2-years old

Tonight is suppose to be worse with wind chill of -30 degrees. I don't think that I've ever been that cold. Poor R is at work tonight. I just talked to him and he said they are having all kinds of trouble with things freezing. They had to wrap some-big-something that is has heaters in it to keep it above 70, and it was at 47. Stay warm babe!

I have my alarm set in the middle of the night to get up and stock the fire to keep my little ones warm...YUCK!!!

Are you kidding me...

2011-01-15T23:50:00.001-07:00

R & I went to Snowflake with the youth for baptisms. They ended up not needing me, so I decided I might not have time to do a session, therefore I did initiatory. It was a great evening! I love the temple!

After we left the temple, we needed to run and pick up a few things from Walmart. We got all we needed, and on our way out I called Mk and her friend who had stayed home with the girls to make sure things were still under control. She said that all the girls were asleep...good job!

About 15 minutes later she called me and said that they {she & her friend, Bry} were bored. I told them to play the Wii...they didn't want to do that, I told them to go run up the hill...they didn't want to do that either. R heard our conversation and being the sarcastic person he is told them to punch each other in the face. Of course they said, "No way!"

A bit later they called and said that they had punched each other and Bry had a bruise on her cheek. Whatever?!?

When we walked in the door {30 minutes later} they were both sitting on the couch and Bry had a cloth over her face with a very sober face, and Mk was just laying there. They did punch each other...I didn't know what to say. I put some bags in the kitchen as R walked in and asked Bry to see her face. She DID have a bruise. They both were still not giggling or anything...maybe they did???

He said, "Keek, did you really punch her?"

She said, "Yes" and I think Mk knew that she was going to get beat-down-cookie, so they started to laugh and said they had put makeup on her.

See it on her cheek bone? Ok, these two are in fifth grade. I would still think that they would put on this huge bruise all over her cheek. It looked soooo real! I guess it stinks when your kids start thinking like adults and knew that a huge bruise wouldn't look real. Crazy girls!

H's 2nd Birthday

2011-01-14T23:25:00.000-07:00

She had a wonderful day!!! Being the baby of the family she definitely is an attention getter, so today she got double the attention and loved every minute of it!

I guess we had a breakfast party {not on purpose}. We had pancakes, then all the girls brought in the gifts that they got for her and that's when the party started. Yeah for the pancake maker...Keek! Guess they were good!

She has been the one of my girls that has loved baby dolls. When she finally understood what this menagerie of baby goods was...she loved it!

My father-in-law always says that she takes after me in drama. She is always making the "OOOOoooo" noise and raising her eyebrows in surprise I guess like I do. Couldn't tell ya, never seen myself do it, but if I'm as cute as her when she does it I guess I don't mind.

Ha-Ha has the cutest, curly, blonde hair, so B decided that she wanted to get her these headbands. Don't know if they were so much for H, or for B and her new haircut! But they are cute anyways and looks like H knows exactly what they are for!

Everyone always has to get an outfit or two for their b-day. This year it's a purple shirt and jeans.

Someone help her out...she's "crackin' it!" Who remembers these toys? The things you sit on and spin. Oh the dizziness begins...

Who's been teachin' this babe how to tip the bottle?

And the daddy prize wins!!! She needs her legs to grow a few inches to get the full use of the pedals, however Ry helps her out and they love it! It was officially an outside toy after about 20 minutes of riding it in the kitchen.

HAPPY 2nd BIRTHDAY Ha-Ha!!!!! We sure love ya and your outgoing personality makes everyone around you fall in love with you too! Thanks for mending our hearts...you are such a joy!!!

Great weekend...

2011-01-08T21:17:00.000-07:00

with Abbi and her kiddos. We didn't do one constructive thing. Usually when we get together we have some sort of plan to do something crafty...nope. Friday night we did make Scotcheroos for treats, low and behold we weren't quick enough and noticed that there was some no-hand eating going on in the kitchen.

Aren't they cute, even with messy faces?

Saturday was pajama day...for Abbi and I, but the kids just weren't having it. They kept on asking what they could do. Finally, I told them to find a carrot, some rocks, a scarf, and a hat...yep you got it, go make a snowman. They were trying, but the snow wasn't sticky enough.

Oops, looks like Ry is getting ready to throw the head at someone.

Paybacks are the pits. Braxer hanging on to the carrot.

Funny how when they are small we get them all bundled up to play in the snow and it lasts a grand total of five minutes. They had a five minute snowman attempt, then an hour long snowball fight...great times!!!

Thanks for comin' over and spending the weekend. Pajama Day's are the best!!!!!

Quarter finals...

2010-02-26T23:20:00.006-07:00

at the Jobing.com Arena. RV vs. Safford. Brett played really, really good.

Girls all ready for the game in their RV Elk attire...

Stay in front on him, Brett-good job!

The final scoreboard. Elks 61-Bulldogs 53 and Uncle Brett #24 had 4 fouls and 17 points...

now we play tomorrow against Estrella Foothills...scary. They have a really good team!

On our way to state...

2010-02-26T23:00:00.002-07:00

to watch Uncle Brett. Ry & B singing to their Ipod...

H being such a good baby with her blankie...

K playing her DS, she's such a game nerd...

Keek sits up front with us, don't really know what she was doing???

Ry teachin...

2010-02-17T21:52:00.002-07:00

Ha-Ha all the goods of an Ipod. Ry was watching a movie and the baby crawled up to see what was going on...aaahhh this new technology???

Happy Valentines...

2010-02-14T00:08:00.000-07:00

baby boy!!! We "wuff" you!!!

Thanks to friends...

2010-02-13T14:34:00.001-07:00

on the way home from Grandpa & Grandma's, Mk says I wish that when we got home dad had a flower for each of us on our beds. I said, what made you think of that? She said that her friend, Callie's dad had done that for them and I guess that really impressed Mk. Secretly, I call R and tell him how funny that was. He had already gotten them new boots for Valentine's, because they have worn, and worn, and worn the one's they had. So he went to Safeway and got a wrapped rose for each of the girls and had the rose and their boots on their beds for when we got home. He is always so thoughtful for holidays...really thinks about it!

When we get home, we tell the girls to go get their pj's on and low-and-behold there is a Valentine prize on each of their beds. He had to work on Sunday, so he did it Saturday night. What was the prize...boots and a rose. Mk was gitty as she came out, K & Ry also were excited, but B, with her flower in tow, on the other hand says to me, "Mom, I like my new boots, but you can have my flower, because I'm not much into flowers," as she hands it to me.

She is one of a kind and tells what's on her mind. Actually, I wished that I could say what I thought sometimes...

Happy Valentine's Day...

2010-02-13T14:25:00.001-07:00

to all of us! I decided that we would go over to my parents' house to see them and give them a little treat. We had a great time! The kids always ask to go to the brown store (my nephew, Carson came up with that which stands for the convenience store) to get a treat. Grandpa informs the girls that the real brown store is going out of business so we will have to go into town and get a treat. We went to Dollar Tree (wished we had one of those in my town) and the girls chose whatever they wanted...much to our dismay...Ry chose a candy spray bottle (it happened to be the best candy bought). They all took turns spraying it in each other's mouths...great!!! We then went back to my parents' house and decided that we should go into Taco Bell, so back into town we went. We had fun visiting them for the day...wish we saw them more often!

Super Storm...

2010-01-22T19:54:00.004-07:00

2010! Well we got the biggest storm in Arizona that one of the meteorologists had seen in 35 years. Thursday, we got a total of about 4-6 inches, then it rained and melted it off, then came the hammer! We got about 10-12 inches, Thursday night. This week we had MLK day, 2-hour delay, 2-hour delay, no-school...wow what a week!

The girls had been waiting to build a snowman, so finally we went out and built one. We kinda cheated and packed buckets to build our rounds, used rocks for the eyes, ears, & buttons, celery for the arms, and a nice baby carrot for the nose, and one of dad's camo hats for the magical hat. Isn't she cute?? Then we came in for some toasty hot chocolate.

As we were building our snowman, it started sleeting with a breeze and I told R this is why I don't ski, because when I went this is what it did, so that's what I associate with skiing. He said that we will have to go on a good day to change by outlook. I am kind of excited for the adventure!

Here is a picture of our gangsta-snowman, gangsta-dad, and gangsta-sisters! Thanks for the fun girls!!!

Ha-ha's first...

2010-01-20T20:15:00.001-07:00

piggy-tails!!! She wasn't real happy to have them, but happy day...two curly, little, piggies!

2009 Family Pics...

2009-11-12T13:31:00.004-07:00

I really found some great ones. It's seems like I have alot of kids, but when I see so many little ones in a picture with us, it's a little different perspective. I love them all though and don't know which one I would trade if I had too...just depends on the day I guess.

H, 9 months...

B, 4 years...

Ry 5 1/2 years...

K {almost} 7 years...

Mk, 9 years...

H "hud had it"...

Happy 2nd Bday...

2009-11-03T00:14:00.000-07:00

Braxton. We think of you often and pray everyday that "we will be able to live with Baby Braxton again." I hope we can all live up to this and be together forever! We love you!!!

Happy Halloween...

2009-10-31T22:30:00.001-07:00

from the girls!!!

We had a good Halloween! I'm not the fondest of Halloween, but we had a good evening! We got ready and left with Grammy to do Main Street in Springerville (most businesses give out candy), then go to the Basha's parking lot (Eagar Fire Dept has a Hallow-weenie Roast...they give out hotdogs and hot cocoa, and some of the businesses in Eagar have little booths set up). Then we went on to the Show Choir Carnival. I love it...it's warm, and the girls get tickets, roam around and play games, while I helped B.

H was a little dalmation, B was a beautiful princess, Ry & K were witches, and Keek was a football player. I asked her what she wanted to be for Halloween and she said, "I don't know?" Kind of kidding I said, "get Uncle Bretts football stuff and be a football player" and she jumped all over it...his helmet was still sweaty from the Friday night game and all. I told R, I actually kind of miss that smell (like the smell of cow manure) it reminded me of after his games...back in the good ol' days!

Ha-ha's a jail bird...

2009-10-30T22:36:00.000-07:00

that fell asleep with her legs out the rails with her shoes on??? Don't quite know how she got them through in the first place, they were hard to get back through when she finally woke up.

Retakes...

2009-10-24T22:58:00.003-07:00

of the girls. H had just about had all the fun she wanted to have when we did family pics, so I got them all dressed up again this morning to try it again...we got some good ones. Ry is destined to be a cheerleader, don't know what's up with the little, sassy hands on her hips for every picture we took!

My fav...loved the sky (especially in the sepia one)...

New pics of the girls...

2009-09-25T22:37:00.000-07:00

in their Round Valley Elks attire and the new bows that Abbi helped me create!!!

I had heard that the leaves had started changing over the mountain, so we drove to the Snowbowl turn off looking for the oranges and reds...I don't think they are quite there yet, cause all we saw were slightly yellowing. Maybe next week!

The guys are away...

2009-09-21T22:59:00.001-07:00

the girls decide to play! I called my sister, Abbi, to see if we could come and have a sleepover at her house on Friday night since her husband was going to be in Chinle and R was working nights. Abbi's little girl, Riann, always has the CUTEST bows in her hair. I have always loved them but felt overwhelmed with making them, thinking I had to make some five times as many. I wanted to have some cute "black & gold" for the girls to wear to the games, so I decided to learn...I think I'm hooked! She helped me make all five...love them!

Friday night, we went to Wal-Mart to find ribbon, came home and made Grits Casserole {ooohhh ya!} for dinner, then made Shweaty-balls...yum, and made ribbons, ribbons, and more ribbons. I didn't think I would ever get it, but now I've got it...the two part ribbon anyway!

Saturday evening Abbi & Dustin were going to go to a get-together with some friends and were going to take some Marshmallow Balls. We decided that it would be easier to melt the marshmallows in the microwave than on the stove. We got it all ready and put them in for 4 minutes. We were doing other things and Abbi said, "it's melting my bowl!!!" So I opened the microwave and went to get the bowl out and stuck my pinkie finger through the plastic bowl into the HOT carmel, dropped the bowl after dropping some carmel on my arm. Aaaahhh, that hurts! I have the hugest blister on my finger and it is numb...I'm sure I did tissue damage!

Anyways, thanks Ab for letting us crash at your house for a few days, even if K barfed all over your Living Room. I love the bows...you are AWESOME!!!

From a great-great grandma's hands...

2009-09-20T23:21:00.000-07:00

now H gets to wear them. When I got married my mom gave me a bunch of my little dresses from when I was little, some baby quilts that were given to me when I was born, and a few other sentimental items. One of them were these cute little booties. I'm not sure which of my great grandma's (Angie or Tice) made these particular booties, because I have two pair out of the same yarn, just a little different pattern on each. I put H in them for church and my MIL said you need to take a picture of that. Glad that I did!

I was fortunate to have known three of my four sets of great grandmas. They were all such great women. Grandma Allie Lines...such a great example, was a single-mother (her husband was killed when a horse kicked him and she was pregnant with their youngest daughter). She was a very hard worker taking care of and raising her many children. Grandma Angie Alder..."trip-trap, trip-trap who's walking over my bridge?" is what comes to mind as I think of her. In her house we would enter through the kitchen and she and grandpa could hear when someone was walking, because of their wood floors. Another thought was when we would do something to help them out they would give us money and we would put it in our glass jar behind the "television" to save for our schooling at BYU {wonder where that $$$ went?} She loved to make bread and give it away, even when her hands were very sore with arthritis. Grandma Tice..."dynamite comes in small packages!" is what she would always tell me because she was way shorter than me, however I was one of the shortest grandkids. I loved her bright, white hair...that was really hers. She was a great cook, and was able to cook for a tribe when the whole family would be at round-up together for a week.

I am so glad that I had this chance to reflect on my great grandmothers. They were such awesome ladies! I am proud to be apart of their heritage, and to have been aquainted with them here on this earth!

How long is YOUR tongue...

2009-09-10T15:39:00.005-07:00

Ha-ha's is this long!

I have been so blessed with such a great baby! At almost eight months, H is...rolling over, scooting on the back of her head like an inchworm (just like Mk use to do), laughing and actually screaming with excitement when one of the girls come into the room. She is such a happy little girl...she sure makes our home fun!

B's 1st day of Preschool...

2009-08-27T23:42:00.000-07:00

was so fun!

She loves to play with kids and is looking forward to going to school with her good friend, Grayce.

Her teacher this year is Mrs. Kim Wiltbank. Have a good school year, Bean!

9 years ago today...

2009-08-24T10:29:00.008-07:00

there was a splash on the floor where R was sleeping. I told him "it won't stop!" My water broke and that was the beginnings of little Boogie Woogie! She was everything that I wanted in a baby...dimples, curly hair, long eyelashes (long to me, isn't extremely long)!

Nine years later, she is still a little special somebody...I love you, Keek! She is a natural at babies, and is such a good helper with baby Ha-Ha. She has been infatuated with cooking since Kindergarten at least, when she would come home from school and watch Food Network and more specifically, Sandra Lee. Her favorite thing to cook at this point in her life is Chocolate Chip Cookie...dough. We love eating the dough as you can probably tell by all our little ponches! She likes to ride her bike and most of the time play with her sisters! She enjoys playing with her friends at school, our house, and their house's too. She loves it when she has Activity Days and is always calling the other girls to make sure that they are aware of the activity too. Grandma has said that she loves it when she calls and Keek answers the phone, because you are so excited and happy when she talks to you! You have such a sweet testimony...knowing of our role in the Plan of Salvation, that President Monson and Joseph Smith are prophets, and have a love for your family!

You play such a special part in our family...I'm glad that you are our oldest child! You are SO beautiful and care about how you look (even if it's not the pink that I want you to wear)! You will go very far in your life because you are such a responsible person! I hope that you continue to strive to be a good example to everyone around you! I sure love you very, very much!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

"911, what's your emergency..."

2009-08-24T08:43:00.005-07:00

"Hello...hello...what's your name?"

I was in my bathroom getting ready and R who was on our bed said, "did someone knock?" Just then the doorbell rang, so I went to the front door and Officer Frazier was there and asked if everything was OK? "Yyyyyaaaa." He said that they had received six 911 calls within two minutes with a little kid on the line saying hello and asking what the dispatcher's name was. I told him that I was getting ready and they must have had the phone. I mentioned that I had never taught B to dial 911. He said that some phones now-a-days have an automatic emergency dial, so I thought that was what happened.

I called for B & Tylee (a girl I watch) to come down to the front room. Officer Frazier then asked them if they had been calling on the phone. B immediately said, "yeah mom, watch." She ran to get the phone and sure enough showed me...9-1-1-1. She dialed three ones. I was shocked that she even knew how to dial it. He then talked to them about the importance of dialing 911 only when someone is really hurt. They were actually a little nervous {or embarrassed} because B was kind of hiding behind my leg as he was talking to them. When he was leaving he laughed and said, "good Family Home Evening lesson for tonight."

I immediately went to the bedroom and told R what happened. He said, "I bet Tylee taught her that." I didn't think so, but after we started talking the both of them, B told us that Tylee told her to dial it.

I haven't ever taken the time to teach my kids to dial for help in an emergency fearing that this is what would happen. I assumed someone else would teach them, not knowing it would be a 4 year old.

School 2009-2010...

2009-08-12T23:35:00.000-07:00

Wow, school's starting again! It's such an exciting time for the girls, especially Ry this year as she is starting Kindergarten. Her teacher is Mrs. Benson (Mk & K have had her too...she's great!) K is in 1st grade and her teacher is Mrs. Oldham. Mk is in the fourth grade. Her homeroom teacher is Mrs. Prochnow, but they get to switch into four different classes Mrs. Quinlan, Mr. Sassarrini, and Mrs. Allred. She's really excited for that!

Good luck at school...Bean, H, and I will have fun at home!

He's an adult...

2009-07-15T07:23:00.001-07:00

Brett turned 18 today.

Mk is always wanting to bake something. She asked if she could make something today and we decided to make Uncle Brett a birthday cake. She did this almost all by herself...

I wished I would have been quick enough with the camera. When he came around the corner and saw the cake he had the most amazed face...

Happy 18th...

Blowing out the candles...

All got a cowboy hat, an electric razor, and some Wranglers to make him a complete cowboy! Hope you had a great day!

Hot tub with the cousins...

2009-06-15T22:14:00.002-07:00

it's sure fun to be able to use Grammy & Poppie's hot tub.

Last t-ball and softball games of 2009...

2009-06-11T22:13:00.000-07:00

Grandma Jann & Grandpa Ric came over to watch the girls. Thanks for coming they loved seeing you there!

Hold on to your helmet Ry! She's been doing this all season...

K, posin' on 2nd base with those nice pink shoes...

Ry playing catcher...

K, catching a grounder, then ran to tag out the runner at first...

Got em' out...

Run Ry...

Turnin' third...

K's turn to catch...

Just a moment too late. Keek caught the fly and tagged her bag to make a double play...

Third catcher of the night...

Great season girls!!!

K is starting to look alot like a first-grader...

2009-06-07T22:09:00.000-07:00

she had her first loose tooth.

Wiggle...wiggle...wiggle...

nice...

got it...

Cute smile...

K lost her first tooth this weekend while we were in Pima. I was a little nervous for this one, because she doesn't have the highest pain tolerance, but she did it! She was sure determined to get it out and she said, "it didn't even hurt!"

Jax's Blessing...

2009-06-07T21:50:00.000-07:00

gave us time to enjoy Pima. Lee and Allison were blessing their new baby Jax Robert. He is a cutie!

Weekend was so fun with all of the cousins and seeing Grandpa Joe and Grandma Evelyn.

Girls will be girls in their dress-up...

Bringing back memories of my childhood. Playing in the water at Grandpa Joe and Grandma Evelyn's...

Sunbathing fully clothed...

Isn't he just the cutest cowboy grandpa?

Ry...

Keek...

H...

What are we so thoughtful about?

Thanks for the great weekend everyone!!!

K is such a good babysitter...

2009-06-04T05:41:00.002-07:00

and she even got her to sleep! It is so nice to have such AWESOME helpers with the baby...and they love the responsibility!

4 1/2 month old...

2009-05-25T05:55:00.000-07:00

H posin' for some pictures...

Preschool 2009...

2009-05-19T05:53:00.000-07:00

was great! Ry went the entire year and she looked forward to it every "Tuesday and Thursday". Almost everyday she would ask, "is it Tuesday?" or "is it Thursday?" B would always come in with me to take or pick up Ry and Tylee, towards the end of the year Teacher Kim (Wiltbank) said that she had room in the class for a couple more kids, so B got to go to preschool the last six weeks or so.

This was the last day of class...having an awards party!

L to R...Tylee, Race, B, Ry, Jessica, Grayce, and Carmen. Rachel and Skyler weren't there that day.

B...most improved color-er...

Ry...best-est speller {she loved to spell all the names of the people in her family}...

Weekend trip...

2009-05-16T05:36:00.002-07:00

for Aunt Mame's graduation as an X-Ray Technician. Kudos to you, Mame! I left my cam in the car, we'll have to get some pics from Dad.

On Saturday, R went with the Priests and Laurels of our ward as they were in the valley on a Super Activity, so we went over to Aunt Heidi's to go swimming. I love water and am bummed that the Eagar Pool won't be opening this year!

Keek...

Testin' out the waters...

Ma & B...

Close your eyes Ry so you don't know when you'll hit the water...

K, kind of like her dad, not too much of a water dog...

Heidi, me, and Abbi remember old times at the Pima Pool with the ever popular...figure-four...

B afraid to death of jumping in off the side, gets a little help from Aunt Ab...

Mk and Aunt Ab attempting synchronized swimming...

The girls and I...

Ry loves the water and was anxious to learn to swim by herself...

Bring back old memories! Me trying to shoot Keek off my shoulders {guess I'm not strong enough for her to fly high}...

Aunt Heid hangin' with the kiddos...

Keek learning to DIVE {or something like that!}! Perfect on the first half of the body, just work on the bottom half now...

Abbi & Heidi think that they can dunk me...they succeeded, but after a long, hard, two-minute struggle...

Finally B liked jumping off the edge...CUTE BUNS!!!

Hangin' out, doin' our thing...

That should be a model shot for the "Good Dr."...

Aunt Mame thought she had to study for her X-ray exam on Monday and didn't have time to swim with us so she was the photographer! FYI: Thanks to all of the studying she passed!!!

Thanks guys for the fun weekend...it's great to get away every now and then to play!

The "A" Team...

2009-05-12T05:42:00.002-07:00

K & Ry are on the A's t-ball team together. It's fun watching them pick up on the simple fundamentals of game...what hand to put the glove on, step-and-throw, watch the ball to hit and SWING!!!

unhook the trailer Ry {as she is holding on to her helmet so it doesn't fall off}...K is going to lap ya...

Homemade Pie...

2009-05-12T05:16:00.000-07:00

doesn't it just make you want to eat a piece topped with a big ol' scoop of vanilla ice cream? Actually, it was dinner...chicken pot pie. I was pretty proud of this as it was my first pie to make by myself...look at those crimped edges and the shine on that thing...don't really know what's up with the cracks, but it still looks good to me!

K's End of the Year Music Program...

2009-05-08T04:41:00.002-07:00

was so fun! I think Kindergarteners are so cute...they still are so happy to see their mom's and wave to her.

K was chosen to have her art work featured on the back of the program...

this years program...

After the program we went to Mrs. Benson's classroom where each student had painted a picture of their mother and written what they enjoy about their mother....

So cute, as each kid knew exactly where their mom was as they sang "Skid-a-mir-in-a-dink". I love "you"...

sing it loud...

All it takes is a...

2009-05-03T16:33:00.002-07:00

car accident on top of the 4th Street hill and we finally get cops to patrol our road, even if he's a bike cop {so funny!}. I didn't even know our town had bike cops, he actually had someone pulled over in front of my house that's how I noticed that he was patrolling our road. People always fly down off the hill and I've always been afraid that a little kid could get run over. My wish is to just put a stop sign at the 4th & Burk intersection...we'll see what we get!

Opening Day...

2009-05-02T16:35:00.001-07:00

for t-ball and softball...windy as usual!

Ry {1st year t-ball}...

K {second year t-ball}...

Ry & K's team...

Mk {2nd year softball}...

Part of Mk's team {lots of them were out of town}...

Good luck girls...hope you all have a good season!

We also got to see Grandma Evelyn & Grandpa Joe today! They were up visiting my parents for a couple of days. While my parents were working in the temple my grandma and grandpa came over to visit us. We had a great visit with them...I love my grandma & grandpa!

Mk's 3rd Grade Music Program...

2009-04-29T16:27:00.001-07:00

"Make a Difference" was actually very enjoyable. I had invisioned the class just singing songs on the risers, but it was a real program, what we can do to make a difference with song and speaking parts. Mrs. Schier does a great job with the Middle School music...big thanks to her!

Playing bells {awesome sound}...

Half the class...

What went on...

Fun few days...

2009-04-23T16:30:00.003-07:00

with my niece and nephew. My sister is going to school and her MIL, who usually watches them, was going to be out-of-town, so I told her I would watch them for a few days. We had a great time. Since it was such nice weather, we just kept the backdoor open and the kids played outside most of the time. Little Braxers just followed around the big kids and only cried once the whole time he was here. He got in the hole under the underground trampoline and couldn't get out...I guess that's a good reason to cry. We had picnics, went to see all our animals, took pictures, played, and played, and played! Thanks for coming to visit us Riann & Brax!

Lunch outside...

Braxers enjoying the corndog, rather the ketchup...

Riann, being a clown like always...

Attempting to take a few pics...

What's so interesting up there?

Nice smurk...

Feeding the ever friendly goat...

Sarge's funeral...

2009-04-18T13:49:00.003-07:00

was a great learning experience for me. I learned a lot about his life that I did not know. Sarge served in the Air Force as a Sergeant {that's where the nickname Sarge came from}. He loved serving his country! He loved his nieces and nephews and treated them as if they were his own. He always treated his dear wife, Babes, with the utmost respect. He and JoAnn are great examples to the community. She taught for over 50 years all at Round Valley, just recently retiring.

Sarge & JoAnn were married later in life so they didn't have any children of their own, however they treated us like grandchildren. In fact, Sarge had requested that R conduct his funeral which he did and next to his name it had "grandson". R was their home teacher when he was young serving with his dad. Willis is still their home teacher serving with Brett. This past Christmas, Sarge had given us a beautiful pieced quilt that they had bought from one of his distant cousins in Greer. He wanted us to have something special from him...we will cherish that quilt. Sarge we will miss you driving your white truck around town and seeing you at the Post Office!

Ooohhh Nooo...

2009-04-18T13:46:00.002-07:00

look what the baby has found. Ry sucked her thumb when she was a baby and oh it was so cute, until now she is five and still has her moments! She has recently gotten alot better on her own. Last year when we went on our Alaskan Cruise my parents kept the girls. My dad taped up her hand so that she couldn't suck it any more. When we got home we kept it on for another week or so and she was cured??? From the end of May until September-ish that is. Then she started sucking it again...this time even worse it seemed. People have told me that she will stop when she is ready to give up her "pacifier". As of now, five years old, I have only seen her suck it maybe once a day, so I think she is not needing it as much.

So I have seen H sucking on her fist. I was talking to Cyndi, my cousin, who has a four month old and she told me that her baby found her thumb and that she sucked on her fist until about three and a half months, then one day just found that thumb. Well I guess last night was H's day to finally find it. I was sitting on my bed going over my lesson I have to teach on Sunday and I heard a very loud sucking sound. So I went and looked in her crib and sure enough she found it. I grabbed my camera thinking oh she won't be doing it when I get back, but she was.

I have to admit I think it is cute to see a SMALL baby sucking their thumb. We will definately break her at about a year before it becomes a long, drawn out problem!

Spring Fling...

2009-04-09T13:51:00.003-07:00

started out not so springy...we woke up this morning with snow on the ground! We were suppose to have an Easter Egg Hunt for Ry & B's preschool class first thing this morning at the Springerville Park. But due to the snow, they just went to their classroom, played games, made little Easter baskets, and had a quick Easter Egg Hunt outside. They had a great time opening each egg to find a special prize. I forgot my camera so we didn't get pictures of their party. They all had a great time!!!

Immediately following their party we were suppose to meet the kindergarteners at Ramsey Park for their Easter Spring Fling. We ran home real fast to get the camera and some big, heavy jackets. By the time we got to the park and played for ten minutes the snow had all melted and it was getting warm. Each year, the kindergarten classes all go to Ramsey Park, have an Easter Egg Hunt (with about 100 kindergarteners that could get a little crazy), cook hotdogs, and play for most of the day. By the time we got there, the egg hunt was over. We are so glad to have such an AWESOME park in our town...my kids love to go there to play!

Right before we were getting ready to leave I was taking Ry to the bathroom. When we came out I saw lots of the teachers and adults gathered around. One of the teachers quickly told me to come over. Tylee (little girl I watch) had a very bloody face and blood was coming out her nose and mouth. I was pretty worried, but by the time we got her all washed up we saw that her tooth had bit a good chunk in the inside of her lip. She was being very tough, however after we got some ice and got in the truck she decided that she needed a little Mommy-lovin'. So we went by the Intermediate School to show her mom. She was one tough little girl, because that hurts even me being a tough adult!

K when she first saw that we had made it (I hope that she will always be that excited to see me)...

K staying on top of the spinny-thing...

Ry proud to finally be able to pump herself on the swing...

Tylee (I babysit her) swinging after an underdog...

B coming down the slide on her belly...

K making sure that her big kindergarten buddies don't run over her little sisters...

We had such a great day of entertainment!

Spring has come...

2009-04-08T19:07:00.005-07:00

and so have the winds...yuk! We had two really nice days and today, holy cow I don't know how the winds can keep blowing SO hard for SO long, it just seems impossible! They say that the wind makes babies kind of cranky...now they can say that it makes moms kind of cranky too! The wind does something to me and I am on edge all day, I hope it goes away soon!

Along with spring comes...

baby calves! Here is the first of our few this year. They are so cute as calves prancing around, running as fast as they can with their tales high in the air. What happens when they grow up?

Favorite new friends...

2009-04-07T17:49:00.000-07:00

the little animals that go around above the swing. H loves sitting in the swing and talking to her new friends! Thanks Jessica for letting us borrow it, since mine bit the dust after four kids and storage...

H looks so grown up sitting in the Bumbo. She enjoys watching the "goings on" while she sits up. Thanks Aunt Heid for letting us borrow the purple Bumbo!

Still not feeling too well today...

2009-04-04T17:50:00.003-07:00

Ry has had a cough for about a week, then she got the fever stuff and B had a fever yesterday and still didn't feel good today. Ry had a total meltdown so I was holding her on the couch. After only a few minutes she was OUT! So I held her for a while, like the little book says, "rocked her back and forth, back and forth" since I don't get to do that much anymore with her being 5! I laid her down, then B crawled up on the couch and fell asleep...hope ya get better soon girls!

B fell asleep so fast...

2009-04-03T17:48:00.000-07:00

she forgot to get comfy! She hasn't been feeling well so she was actually wanting to go take a nap. A few minutes later I was going to my bedroom and glanced into her room and ran to get my camera...too funny to miss! She must have tried to read a book with her little leg crossed, because there was a book in her lap...didn't last long! Kind of like me and movies...I don't even get past the previews before I'm asleep.

Whose green thumb???

2009-04-02T13:22:00.005-07:00

oh...me!!! We had an Enrichment a couple of weeks ago from the County Extension Office about gardening and canning what we grow. So I decided that I would give it a try and save some money by starting veggies by seed in the house. I planted cherry tomatoes {my fave}, tomatoes, green onions, cabbage, green beans {haven't come up yet}, pumpkins, cantaloupe, and squash. I bought a plant light and have kept them on the dryer and look what I have!

Cherry tomatoes...

Pumpkins are the two tall ones...

almost everything has come up except green beans, we will just plant them outside when it warms up...

Good luck little plants...do good!

What's for dinner???

2009-04-01T15:14:00.000-07:00

cupcakes...

April Fools!

B was sooo excited until K says, "these are mashed potatoes not frosting, {and with a closer look} and meat." B was a bit disappointed, but it was good. We will have to make real cupcakes tomorrow!

B & H

2009-03-31T13:26:00.002-07:00

watchin' toons! B, I just can't believe that you love your baby sister???? Sometimes it's a bit too much. She is constantly kissing her {on the side or back of the head}, wanting to hold her {only for a minute or so} and loving on her.

look at Baby Chubby Cheeks...

What happens while your blogging???

2009-03-20T13:16:00.002-07:00

Little helpers think that they are needed! Ry was at school, so it was just B, H & I. B was right by me, then she was gone. I heard the baby crying, so I decided to finish the post and had an idea that this might be what was going on. Yep, B trying to put the "plug" {as she calls it} in Baby H's mouth.

She found me...

Thanks for all your help, Bean! I'm sure glad that you love your baby sister.

Mk's first year of BB...

2009-03-17T16:52:00.001-07:00

was so exciting! She really enjoys playing basketball, so since she was in third grade she got to play Little League. She did very well and learned alot! Her team was undefeated throughout the season and the last game was against the only other undefeated team...her team won 12-8. Great season Bobcats!

H's St. Patty's Day outfit...

2009-03-17T10:51:00.002-07:00

we didn't have any 0-3 month green outfits. We have some newborn outfits that are green, however the little chunk won't fit in those anymore. So the green headband and little green leaves will have to do. She is sure growing fast! She has started grinning and sleeping at night from 8:30 pm-3:30 am for two nights in a row...hopefully we are on a roll!!!

Happy 5th Birthday to...

2009-03-10T13:24:00.001-07:00

Ry! She is such a special little girl. I can't believe that she is old enough to go to Kindergarten. When Mk was this age she was already in school. She is growing up too fast. Thanks Ry, for your willingness to help out with H. She really likes you and you are so tender with her!

silly girl...

look at those cute, little freckles on your nose...

We are sure glad you are part of our family. Keep growing into the sweet spirit that Heavenly Father has given you. Sure love ya!

H isn't too fond of a photoshoot...

2009-03-09T14:45:00.000-07:00

in her blessing dress. "Look here baby, nana-nana!"

"Right here!"

And then this...and then red faced just not going to do it!

We will have to try again to get one of her not crying and looking at us with her cute little smile!

H's blessing...

2009-03-08T14:42:00.001-07:00

was super special, especially because it was the day after her dad's birthday and he got to conduct sacrament meeting! R did an excellent job on the blessing, I'm so glad that he honors his priesthood and is able to give us special blessings.

A little side note...right before her blessing my dad was holding her ready to take her up and she threw up...I mean threw up all over herself and my dad. They took her up to give her the blessing then my mom immediately took her to get cleaned up. Baby H we are sure glad that you came to live with us...we sure love you! {I'm sad that I didn't get one picture of her this day, she didn't feel good.}

We had many family members come up to support us.

Aunt Shamane...

Uncle Lee, Aunt Alicia, and dad...

Aunt Mame {who never wants her pic taken}...

again...

Uncle Brettie...

Aunt Heidi, Aunt Allison, Gunner, and Brock...

Poppie...

B & Peyton...

Uncle Chad had a his 7 1/2 birthday {he was born on leapday}...

Thanks to all of you who made the effort to come and support us...we love you all!!!

Happy Bday Fred...

2009-03-07T16:51:00.000-07:00

hope you had a great day! He had a pretty event-filled day. He left at 6 am to go to Winslow...his 8th grade girls basketball team made it to the tournament. They have done very well this season and ended up second behind Joe City. He got home around 5:00, we had the girls recital at 6:30, so we went to that and he came home and crashed because he hasn't been feeling well. Thanks for all you do for our little family...sure love ya!

A Night to Remember...

2009-03-07T16:47:00.005-07:00

from High School Musical was the theme of this years gymnastics recital. The girls love High School Musical {so does R...he took them to watch HSM 3 in theaters} so they were excited! Since I was a gymnast, I love that my girls enjoy gymnastics. They all did great and looked so cute!

Keek on her ending pose. All of the pics of her "in action" weren't in focus {she's too fast, so I guess I need to figure out what new lense I NEED}, but this one was good of her during an ending pose!

I totally wished this shot of Ry was in focus...I think it is so funny...

B taking after dad, ready in her stance...

Ry taking time to wave at her fans...

Bean can balance...

Bean can crawl...

The ending pose...

K also was too fast, but this one was kind of funny too...

Caught her during the ending pose also...

Watch out...

2009-02-27T16:48:00.000-07:00

look who's coming? Mk thinks that since she's in a car about her size that she can drive. R was going up to do the chores so he told Mk that she could drive. Everything was her size and she could have driven by herself...good thing its a stick so R had to be in the drivers seat to reach the clutch. Seven more years sister-sue!

Bye, bye Kate...

2009-02-26T16:49:00.001-07:00

K's bestest little friend is moving to Yuma. They were in the same preschool class last year and became really good friends. This year they both had Mrs. Benson, so they have remained really close. Kate invited K over to play a few days after I had the baby and when they brought her home her mom told us that they would be moving. K was really sad today, Kate's last day of school, so we took her over a little prize and took this last little picture of them together. Hopefully we will get to see her when we visit Uncle Kayle & Aunt Mona. Miss ya, Kate!!!

Do you think we've grown out of the truck?

2009-02-13T16:51:00.003-07:00

and H was on the other side of Ry. We will have to do something soon. Mk usually rides in the front but she wanted to watch a movie and was okay with being squished.

And that's how they rode all the way to Pima {3 1/2 hour trip}...

We went down because one of R's friends were baptizing their little boy. So it was fun to see family while we were their. Aunt Jane happened to show up moving some of her kids back to Pima. We also saw Heidi & Chad, their boys, Aunt Joyce and Uncle Scott, JJ, Marlo, Justin, & Kashlee. Thanks for coming to see us!

G & G Alder's swing is always a hit...

Relaxin' in the swing...

Grandma Evelyn with H, her 29th {I think} great-grandchild...

I'm so glad that my kids know Grandma Evelyn...

and Grandpa Joe.

They were such good examples to me growing up! All my mom's family lived within a half mile from each other, so we always had cousins to play with. My grandparents were so supportive of their grandchildren, not missing a ballgame or activity very often. It was always good to have a support group! They still are great examples to me as I try to raise my little girls! Thanks for letting us camp out at your house! ~Love ya!

Happy Valentines, Braxton...

2009-02-10T11:26:00.000-07:00

we sure love you!

We had been waiting to go, but the weather hadn't been cooperating, so when we decided to Mk was at basketball practice, but I said that we better go or it would be dark by the time she got home. She was sad she missed it. The girls all love going to visit him and are touched when they go there...

As we were sitting around the little grave talking, K came and sat on my lap with her head turned the other way and after a bit I could tell she was crying. Sometimes when she sees others crying she will begin to cry, but I wasn't. So I asked her what was wrong and she said, "I miss Baby Braxton." It really touched me as to how tender her emotions are. Her school teacher has told me several times that she will make comments about him that touch her also. K knows that he really is her little brother and that she will see him again in heaven. I love your sweet spirit Karli!

On her due date...

2009-02-09T11:31:00.000-07:00

Oh I'm so glad that she was four weeks early. Now I am pretty much healed and on with life. She has been such a delight to have in our family for these past four weeks. We love you, Harli!

Sisters by chance...

2009-02-09T11:29:00.000-07:00

Friends by choice. I know that it is such a cliche`, however being one of four girls my mom always said that when we grow up we would be best friends...now I would have to agree to that. I am so thankful for my sisters...I love them so much! My girls have started to get along really well, I hope that they will always be grateful for each other and to be one another's best friend!!!

Stake New Beginnings...

2009-02-07T11:33:00.001-07:00

turned out perfect! We decided to have a Pajama Breakfast for all of our young women, their moms, and leaders. We were up early fixing french toast sticks and sausage for the breakfast part of it. Harli got to come because she is semi-attached. She was so good! We had such a great turn out and I think that everyone enjoyed it!

We used the theme of "let your little light shine" so we had a variety of lanterns for our centerpieces and gave each of the girls a little lantern to take home.

The theme was "Be Thou an Example...a Return to Virtue." Sister Rhoton was our first speaker, Melissa McNeil sang, and Sister Bigham talked on Being a Virtuous Woman. It was all so great! I hope that the young women of our stake will become virtuous women and be good example to others they come into contact with, whether it be at school, in the community or anywhere! There are so many more temptations for them than there were 15-20 years ago when I was in Young Womens. I can just imagine what temptations will exist in the next 5-10 years when my daughters become Young Women...scary!!!

Rats, rats, I hate rats...

2009-02-01T11:46:00.002-07:00

We had washed all of the girls hair and R asked B to come over and he would comb it out. As she was walking over to him she says, "There's only one rat." So he combed so careful only to get the one rat out. She's so crazy!

Picture mode...

2009-01-31T15:56:00.004-07:00

in progress. Since we have added the fifth little girl to our clan, we had to update the pictures on the wall. I love my little girls...doing hair, ribbons, cute outfits, and occassional drama! Each one adds so much to our family. It will be exciting to wait and see what personality little Harli has to add! Thanks girls for making my life complete!!! Sure love ya~

Love the newborn stage...

2009-01-23T12:42:00.009-07:00

especially when Heavenly Father sends such a good little girl! She hardly ever cries, eats good and wakes up only once a night to eat and goes right back to sleep...I can handle that! Sweet, sweet little girl!

She's finally here...

2009-01-14T15:47:00.000-07:00

and all is well! HARLI was born the 14th of January at 1:08 pm. She was 6 pounds 3 ounces, 19 inches long with lots of dark hair! We are so glad that she is here healthy and strong. She loves to eat, so I'm sure her little scrawny body will be showing some rolls in no time. Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers in our behalf!

It's the end of the year...

2008-12-31T13:32:00.001-07:00

and what did we do??? Went to bed at 8:30. I was kind of a party-pooper this year. R stayed up for a while and watched a movie and Mk & K stayed up to welcome in the new year watching shows on Nick Jr. I have been going to bed around 8 o'clock for a while and just because it was New Year's Eve wasn't any reason to change my ways...right? This pregnancy has been alot different. I haven't had much ambition to do anything, guess that's what high blood pressure will do to ya!

I have had a great year overall...many great things to look back on! I am thankful for my little family for making life as exciting as it is...I love you all and wish you a great New Year!

More, more, & still more...

2008-12-25T13:25:00.001-07:00

gifts to open once we got back over to Grandma & Grandpas. After we opened the gifts we had at our house, we had egg mcmuffins at the in-laws, then mid-morning we headed back over to Snowflake.

Aunt Mame made all of the nieces and nephews little aprons. My girls will love them as they love being in the kitchen with me.

Mk's apron...

B showing her apron off...

All of the cousins drew names and K got a whole art collection...

Ry modeling her apron...

and outfit from G & G Lines...

Thanks to all for the great Christmas!!! We love you!

Christmas morning at our house...

2008-12-25T13:23:00.003-07:00

was so fun! The girls all love SANTA and loved opening gifts! I guess I was just too fat to have much ambition to take many pics, but this is what Christmas morning looked like at the Haws Hawse!!!

Mk, basketball hoop and basketball, showing off one of her shirts she got...

B, looks like she's just waking up or something...

Ry, the all important make-up...

K and her Littlest Pet Shops...

I have only surprised R a couple of times with gifts, I usually am so excited that I end up telling him, he guesses what it is, or he has prompted me on what to get so he usually knows. I knew that I had to keep this a total secret because it was probably the best gift I had ever given him. I had compiled all of the pictures of Braxton that people had given us...at the hospital, viewing, and graveside. I decided that someday when the girls get older they might want to know what happened, so I told the whole story. I am surprised that this picture actually turned out, because I was bawling before he even had it opened. I hope that he will treasure this book as much as I will!!! Love ya, Fred!

I am thankful for the Savior and his birth and life on this earth! I hope that I can strive to live like him and be better everyday! I hope that everyone had a very Merry Christmas and we appreciate the gifts that we have been given!!!

My favorite time of the year...

2008-12-24T13:19:00.001-07:00

the Christmas season! This year we spent Christmas with my family in Snowflake! We went over on Christmas Eve afternoon. The girls had a good time visiting with all the cousins. I always have such a good time playing with my fam.

Abbi & Heidi both said that they wanted Mk to come to their house and be the nanny...she kept the little ones entertained and taken care of. {She's going to be such a great helper when the baby is born!} Then we ate dinner followed by Mk playing Jingle Bells on the piano.

One of my mom's good friends, Kim, was telling her about one of their family traditions. Everyone has a stocking and each person gets to put a little something in the stockings...a candy cane, little game, toothbrush, sodas (thanks Mame), then open it on Christmas morning.

Grandma helping B get it in the stocking...

Ry putting in a favorite, Tootsie Rolls...

K, are you putting in or peeking in the stocking?...

Keek had bubbles...

It was a special treat to have Grandpa Joe & Grandma Evelyn there with us for Christmas. I miss them and wish I could see them more often...

We stayed until about 10 pm while R finished his game of Risk...we drove home...waited for Santa Claus...

A visit to Baby Braxton...

2008-12-24T13:00:00.000-07:00

with his little teddy bear and Christmas tree for Christmas!

The girls love to visit the resting place of our sweet baby boy!

I hope that we can always keep him alive in our family...we have grown so much because of this trial and our girls have learned alot more about Eternal Life because of it. We love you, Braxton!

How much can you eat???

2008-12-23T12:33:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite traditions in the Haws' family is the Christmas Progressive Dinner and Caroling Evening. Every year {except this year} we pull a flatbed trailer behind a truck and sit on hay while driving through town singing Christmas songs and traveling to the next house to eat. In between houses we usually go caroling to a home teaching family or someone that we feel would enjoy the caroling.

This year we started at Aunt Edie & Uncle Pinky's house with appetizers...cheese balls, crackers, fruits & veggies w/dip. I love cheese balls and fruits & veggies, so I was pretty full before ever starting on the "real food". We went and sang Happy Birthday and a few Christmas carols at Aunt Winnie's house since it was her birthday! She really loves to see the kids and is glad to see the adults I'm sure too. This year because of the blistery cold we all just drove our own vehicles. We had soup at our house and Kathy served her bread here so we didn't have another stop. I served a Chicken Stew that was a huge hit...kind of like Chicken Dumplings without the dumplings, and my MIL's bread just can't have one piece. The next stop was at Grandma Haws' as Aunt Deann and all of her family and Aunt Dorie were spending Christmas there. We had salads at their stop. Wow...are we full yet??? We haven't even eaten the main dish. We ate Posse Stew for the main course at Rand and Karen's house. I love soups & stew, however we don't eat them much because R doesn't qualify them as a meal. I qualify them as girl food, I am always glad to have hot soups or stews especially when it's cold!

We had dessert at Aunt Pat and Uncle Ted's house as well as played the much anticipated Right-Left Game. I am always anxious to hear the story Aunt Pat has to share. Everyone gets a wrapped gift and while the story is being read when it says "right" you pass the gift to the right...and "left" pass the gift to the left. I love traditions to look forward to and I always have so much fun on the Progressive Dinner Night!

Pretty intellegent kid

2008-12-21T19:48:00.001-07:00

We had tithing settlement after church today and R gave K a tithing slip and said that she needed to write her name backwards...meaning last name, first name. After she was finished this is what we saw...Haws, ilraK. She did exactly what she was told!!!

Grandma did it again...

2008-12-21T16:22:00.003-07:00

made all of my sweet girls Christmas dresses (her one other granddaughter and also got all of the boys little Christmas outfits). Today was the debut! I love the tradition of getting new Christmas and Easter dresses every year. I also love that they are homemade and always so cute!!! Someone commented to me after church that just the other day they thought to themself...I wonder what the Haws' girls dresses are going to be like. Since R was put in the bishopric he has meetings at 6 am, so every Sunday has been a struggle trying to get everyone ready and out the door for 8 o'clock church. We have done pretty good! This morning we hurried fast so we could get in a quick photoshoot before church. Thanks mom so much for always allowing my kiddos to have cute new outfits. We all loved them!!!

First Encounter with a HICKIE...

2008-12-17T16:11:00.000-07:00

happened to be with K. She kept rubbing her face and looking in the mirror. I asked her what she was doing and she showed me her face and said "it wouldn't come off." She was playing with one of those rubber poppy things (the things that you turn wrong side out and set on a table and it pops in the air???) and suctioned it to her face causing the first hickie in the Haws' home. It was pretty funny!

B: mom, what is this?

2008-12-13T20:24:00.002-07:00

as she holds up Coffeemate creamer.

Mom: It's stuff for coffee.

B: {cough, cough} Can I have it, I'm coughing?

We went out to dinner after seeing Santa and this was the laugh of the evening.

Santa Claus, Santa Claus...

2008-12-13T20:20:00.000-07:00

we've been good this year!!!

B...asked for dollie, a stroller, a new toothbrush and a Strawberry Shortcake movie.

Ry...a dollie, a new stroller, Tink the movie, and new jammies.

K...Little Pet Shops, Wall-E, a Wii, and make-up.

Mk...wants a basketball hoop, a new basketball, and a Wii.

Hope you girlies have been good, cuz Santa's been watching you!

Happy Christmas

2008-12-10T20:23:00.005-07:00

We set up the Christmas tree and B says, "now we can have a Happy Christmas." I hope that by setting up the tree we will have a Happy Christmas! I love this time of the year...it seems to be magical with love in the aire! Here are a few pics of our Happy Christmas...Hope the season brings happiness to you and your families!

My tree...

the girls tree...

our very cute stockings {thanks to Heidi}...

I waited and waited until I found the perfect nativity. I found it a couple of years ago... love it, love it, love it...

RS had a special dinner...

2008-12-02T20:33:00.001-07:00

for all of the women in our ward. It was a very nice enrichment. They asked for volunteers to bring their china and set a table complete with a centerpiece. I didn't know if they would have enough people, so I signed up. As we were setting up the table I was confused on how to set the silverware...we laughed and decided that we needed to have more formal dinners. They had prepared a turkey dinner with all of the fixins, which by the way was wonderful, had the high school choir come perform, a special Christmas reading, a white elephant gift exchange {I got a book that hopefully I won't ever need to read, something about a widow's something-or-other} and some primary children sang the closing song. I had a great evening...a special thanks to those who prepared this...we have a great ward!!!

We are so thankful for what we pray for...

2008-11-29T22:05:00.004-07:00

even if it is grease! B was saying the prayer for dinner and we were having tacos. R has always called them Greasy Tacos, so as she was praying she says, "thank you for the greasy and thank you for the tacos." Both R & I had to turn our backs and giggle to ourselves so she wouldn't see us {she still has issues with the closing the eyes part}. We will always be grateful for EVERYTHING...even grease!!!

What am I thankful for?

2008-11-27T15:34:00.001-07:00

It seems that we reflect on this more around Thanksgiving time, but I would like to list a few things I am thankful for...

my family. I can't imagine life without my kiddos and my husband. They are all and more than I ever expected! ~Sure love you guys!
my parents and my sisters. I loved growing up in my family. We have so many good memories and still have a great time when we are together!
my grandparents. I have learned so much from them. I have such a rich legacy, I hope that I will be able to always live up to their expectations!
my in-law family. I am so glad that I have such a great "other family". I am glad that I get along with all of them. Thanks for the Alaska trip this past year!
the gospel, my testimony and the Savior. I think that I have taken this for granted alot of my life, but this year has been one full of spiritual experiences and growth. I am so thankful for Jesus Christ and all he has done and continues to do for me!
my health. I have also taken this for granted until this year. I am thankful for my health and the health of each of my family members.
my home. I am grateful to live in Eagar and to have such a nice home. Someday when we are done with all of our projects it will be perfect!
R's job and mine. I am thankful for his employment, especially in these hard times. I am also grateful that he has a new job opportunity...starting at TEP January 12th. I am glad that I am able to stay home {most days} and raise my little ones.
I am so thankful for all that the Lord has blessed me and my family with!

We had such a great Thanksgiving! We stayed in town and most of R's family came up for the holidays. The weather was so nice the week leading up to Thanksgiving, however Thanksgiving Day was pretty cold. My blood pressure was low so I took it easy and enjoyed a great Thanksgiving dinner. The turkey, name, place settings were so cute...thanks to those of you who put them together. It was so good to visit with those of you who were here!

K showing off her turkey

The table setting

Uncle Lee being goofy

Ry patiently waiting for dinner

Attempting Grandma's Famous Rolls...

2008-11-25T14:27:00.000-07:00

didn't turn out so swell. My MIL asked if I would make rolls for Thanksgiving Dinner. I have learned to love making bread and most recently rolls, so I wasn't too stressed out about that. My Grandma Evelyn has always made these rolls that are to die for...you can't take just one or two. Anyways, those aren't the rolls I have loved making, but I thought to myself I should make Grandma's Famous Rolls for Thanksgiving. I did a test run before the actual roll-making day and good thing I did, because they were so funny! They just looked funny, I guess they tasted alright...Mk had one as her afternoon snack and then asked to have another one. Needless to say...they were also great pig food. I will have to have a one-on-one lesson (like Heidi did this year) and take some pictures to keep in the recipe book.

Ry had a party at school...

2008-11-25T13:57:00.002-07:00

and their families were invited! We got there a little late and no one was there except her teacher, so I wondered if we had the time wrong or something, but everyone just had taken an early Thanksgiving Break I guess. Finally one other little girl came. We had a fun time playing Musical Chairs, a Cake Walk, Balloon Toss, and other games. We heard the story about the First Thanksgiving and the pilgrims and Indians, then we tasted some homemade Pumpkin Pie...yummy, and some homemade Gingerbread! We all had a good time!

I didn't take my camera, but I found this crazy picture of Ry...had to share.

K is 6...

2008-11-19T14:26:00.001-07:00

and such a joy to be around. I love her sweet smile, which she shows off sooo often.

We played games, jumped on the trampoline, played in the playhouse, and swingset. Then we got down to the real party...decorated our own cupcakes, wish I could show close-up pictures of everyone's they were pretty creative.

Cutter, Gracie, Ry (must have had a taste...look at her face), & Tylee

Mollie, Krista, B (is it anticipation or has she already tried it), and Daniel in background.

The party crew

Here are the final products.

Happy Birthday to YOU!

Make a wish and BLOW!

She is such a girl...drama over every gift, but she loved her Little Pet Shops,

Kung Fu Panda,

Polly Pockets (which helps out to know what to get her for Christmas),

a heavy jacket,

new froggie flannel jams!

K we love you so much and remember the day you were born like it was a couple of years ago, not six {Grandpa & Grandma were moving that day from Buckeye to Casa Grande...good thing you were born in Mesa as a middle grounds to come and see us}. You are such a joy to be around and are a good helper to Ry & B and a best friend to Mk. Thanks for the hugs and kisses and sits on the laps even at six. It is so fun to see your sweet and sensitive personality blossom. I love you so much! Keep smilin' all your life!!!

Mk's Piano Recital...

2008-11-18T21:46:00.002-07:00

was so exciting! She has practiced, and practiced, and practiced some more for this recital. I actually went back in her notebook to see when she got her songs and one was in June and one in May...so we all have these songs memorized by now. She played Blue Whale Blues, I am a Child of God, and Jingle Bells. She played I am a Child of God as prelude in Primary. She has really started to catch on to playing the piano. She has really blossomed this year and loves playing! She has started looking at different pieces and playing them on her own. I can't wait for her to be able to open a book and play...I love piano music!

Heart doctor...

2008-11-14T21:49:00.002-07:00

says things still look very good! They did an echocardiogram and then I had my regular appointment and Dr. Grossman said that things looked very good! They still say that there is a chance that my heart could act up again, but I feel pretty safe about things.

Dads Day...

2008-11-07T21:40:00.002-07:00

in Kindergarten! K was so excited that R got to come to school with her. For the entire week every morning she would say, "not today, not tomorrow, but the next day, Dad gets to come to my class." The Dads, Dudes or Dears met them at recess, then came in for Donuts, games and activities. The student had painted pictures of the dads {I wish that I could have scanned the picture it was pretty cute, just too big} and wrote a little about them...they are so funny...

I have to explain a few things...he is a little older than my mom {he actually is a little older than me...by two months...but I'm not 47}, his favorite gray shirt he actually has lots of different gray shirts {but funny that she notices that}, he works at this white house which is the top of the Springerville Post Office {sounded good though}, fixes cereal for us and lots of other things...he does cook breakfast most days and cereal is only about once every two weeks. She certainly is right that he's a good dad and she loves him alot! See it is funny!

This was the highlight of her week {and his too}!!!

My baby is ONE!!!

2008-11-03T21:19:00.001-07:00

Today is such a bitter-sweet day. It was one year ago that we lost our sweet Baby Braxton. This year has been a year of learning and growth for us. We have had so many inspiring things happen to our little family because of him. I love to hear when people remember him and talk of him...it is a good thing to me now. My girls love remembering him in their prayers...that we can live with him again. They talk of him often. I hope that we can always keep him as a part of our family here on this earth and in the eternities.

I would like to thank everyone who remembered him on this day...thanks for the flowers, cards and calls! I would also like to thank my mother-in law for asking me what she could do. We decided that spaghetti is a great one-year old birthday dinner...so she had dinner for us and made chocolate cupcakes. The girls each had to have their turn blowing out the candle and singing Happy Birthday! I really appreciated that and I know Braxton was there to celebrate too. I would also like to thank my mom for coming over and staying the night with us. It was a tough day and it was sooo nice to have her there! She made this little bouquet and bear for him and I made the wreath, so we took it to the cemetary for his birthday.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BABY BOY...we love you!

Off of Bedrest...

2008-11-03T20:24:00.001-07:00

that's a good thing. I went to the doctor today and he put me on some medication to keep my blood pressure down. Everything else seemed to be good! Robert & my mom came to my appointment with me, mostly because it was an emotional day anyway. Hope the meds do what they should!

Happy Halloween...

2008-10-31T20:56:00.000-07:00

from the witches and the pumpkins here. This year was kind of crazy as I wasn't much help during Halloween. It's not my favorite holiday anyways. The other day, R's mom broke out her little box of Halloween stuff and Mk & K saw some witch hats and they instantly decided they wanted to be witches.

Ry had told me that she wanted to be a pumpkin and I have a cute, little, fat pumpkin costume, but as she and B were looking through the tote they found the pumpkin sweat suits that are so adorable and warm. They were so excited and so was I!

Mk & K got to wear their costumes to school and have little Halloween parties there. Then that evening R toted the four little girls to Basha's...the city always does a hotdog and nacho dinner...then on to the Show Choir Carnival. They played some games, got little prizes, got their faces painted and were happy to have gone out on Halloween.

R was so happy to be home...it's hard work being a single dad!

Major headache...

2008-10-29T20:57:00.001-07:00

right between my eyes...sweaty palms...and I could feel my heart beating. What was going on? I went to my in-laws to check my blood pressure...don't know what made me think of that, but glad I did. Their automatic cuff said 180/103...wasn't sure if it was calibrated correctly so my mother-in-law took me down to the doctors office to have it checked and then it was 168/100. R & I decided we should go over to Show Low to be checked out...I get a little nervous now-a-days. By the time we got there it had gone down some so they kept me there for a few hours and sent me home on bedrest until Dr. Tindall came home from his Las Vegas conference on Monday. Holy cow...I think I'm too much of a busy-body to stay in bed for that long.

I have the BESTEST husband. He took off work for 3 days and was my hand...getting girls to the bus, taking care of the kids, Halloween, dinners, laundry, taking my blood pressure every hour, telling me to get back in bed, and anything that I needed. I know that not every husband would take that much interest in their wife as they were suppose to be down, I think he gets a little nervous too. But like I said he is sooo WONDERFUL! Thanks Fred for taking such good care of me...sure love ya!

Cauldron Bread Bowls, Chili and pumpkin pie...

2008-10-27T06:17:00.000-07:00

for lunch. Well it's getting close to the end of the month and Jennifer and I hadn't gotten to our visiting teaching, so we decided to have a luncheon with our ladies. I love to make bread bowls and chili every year during Halloween, so that's what we did! We had a great time (at least I did) visiting, eating, and laughing. I forgot to take any pics. Thanks for coming girls!

Ry taking off on the first try...

2008-10-13T20:14:00.002-07:00

on her bike. R took her out on the road to teach her to ride her bike. He held onto her for about 15 feet, then let go and ran beside her and that's all it took! The other two girls it took alot longer than that, but Ry & B ride their bikes almost everyday on the carport, so she must have had all of the practice she needed.

Dad watching her go...

So excited! She loves her bike and I love her hair-do! Nice tongue...when I am concentrating I stick out my tongue, and my dad does too. Funny how little things like that are passed down.