Winter Formal

The night Cameron turned 16, this cute girl, Haylee asked Cameron to Winter Formal. It was super fun. She placed a poster board in front of the door with "Come on TOOTS let's ROLL to Winter Formal" with a trail of tootsie rolls behind it. We had to unwrap the tootsie rolls to find the letters and spell out her name. It was super fun and a fun way to wrap up Cameron's birthday. Winter Formal wasn't until Dec 8th, which gave us plenty of time to shop for the perfect outfit for Cameron. Man, stressful!!! It's probably just me, but what mom wouldn't want their son to be the most handsome date at the dance? Thankfully, we found some deals and the outfit was complete!! A few of the boys in the group are basketball players. Not a big deal, except for the fact these boys practice a lot. The "day date" was a little difficult for the girls to plan. The "day date" took place the week before at San Tan Mall where they did a scavenger hunt and went to eat. The day of the dance, the boys had practice so the girls didn't come pick them up until late afternoon on their way to dinner and the dance. Seems like yesterday I was in high school and attending dances. I know I say this all the time... Where did the time go? How did my kids get to be this old? I am trying to love every minute of it!!

Happy 16th Birthday

On October 28th Cameron turned 16!!! Can you believe it? I still can't.... Cameron has not had any interest in having a birthday party the last few years, but something about 16 made him want to party!!! We were happy to throw a birthday bash for him :) I had told him he better invite a lot of people to ensure a decent turn out. He had more show up then I thought would. With living so far away from Mesa High, I wasn't sure if these kids would make the trek out. Boy, was I wrong!!!! We had more Mesa High kids than we had Desert Ridge kids. It was fun. We ordered Chick Fil A nuggets, had chips, cupcakes, cake pops and drinks. Marc and I think at one point in the night we had about 50 kids at the house. We did have a DJ sound system so the house was rocking. Unfortunately, the cops showed up about 10:45. The party was already starting to die down, but the officer had to talk to us anyway. We just moved into our house about 6 weeks ago. What a good way to get to know our neighbors.... The music had already been turned down and there were only a few kids left (maybe 10-15). However, Cameron and Kaelyn think it was awesome that the cops came!! I think it was hilarious!! Hope your 16th birthday party was everything you had hoped it would be.

Loving Each Other

Not too long before school started we had to make the doctor rounds. Both kids had to get some blood work drawn. While waiting they found some comedy to occupy their time. I love this... I had always wondered if they would become friends... All those years of getting on each other's nerves (well that still happens too) I wondered if they would ever hang out or call each other friends. Cameron went first on getting blood drawn - per his sister's request. Kaelyn was a little nervous. After Cameron was done, he held her hand and tried to distract her from the blood draw. They are friends :)

Where has the time gone?? There was so much going on I had to take a little break from a few things in my life... my blog being one of them. I will try and catch up the best I can, after all my kids tell me how old I am getting, so my memory may not be all that good.......

New Life..

A few weeks ago, Marc and Cameron were out back doing a little yard work. Ok, maybe it was a lot of yard work. As Marc was trimming a bush under a window he noticed this cocoon. How awesome!!! In all my life I have NEVER seen anything like this. I have NEVER seen one of these in real life, in my backyard!!!! I wonder what the butterfly looked like that came out of that thing? I wonder what his new life was like? We are getting ready to move in a few weeks. We have been in this house for 13 years. For some reason, I get emotionally attached to stupid things; our cars, our house... there are a lot of memories in this house. Although I am excited for the new adventure, I am also very nervous. I like my comfort zone. I like knowing most people when I walk into the church building, I like the comfort that most people know me. Just like the butterfly who came out of this cocoon, I am also coming out of my cocoon. My goal is to friendly and not shy. Meet new people and make new friends. Here's to our new life!

First Day of School 2012

The kids started school a couple weeks ago... Cameron, Sophomore; Kaelyn, Freshman; Ellie, 6th grade and Emersyn, 4th grade. Where does the time go?? I now have not one but TWO kids in high school!!! The start to this school has gone very well so far. Cameron, is back at Mesa High and enjoying it. Within the first week of school the basketball coaches took measurements. We were thrilled to find out since the end of last basketball season, Cameron had grown 2 inches and gained 12 lbs. Kaelyn, is at Desert Ridge.. She is in dance. Last year when they had try-outs she found out she had made intermediate. Although, intermediate is better than beginning, she was disappointed she didn't make advanced. Well, we have discovered the dance teachers break down each level. Kaelyn was put into the advanced intermediate class and was the only Freshman in the class for a time... a couple of her friends from dance got moved in. Ellie, is the Student Council President. She is loving being a part of it so far and anxious to learn more of what she is suppose to do. All the classroom representatives were just picked and now Ellie along with her board gets to train them... Emersyn, is doing wonderful!!! NO TEARS!!! Her teacher is awesome. This last week at school the 4th grade classes just got little animals delivered. They will be studying frogs, millipedes and fiddler crabs. Emersyn is hoping to adopt a fiddler crab when the learning about them at school is all complete. It's a little adjustment getting back into the school routine. We don't just start school, we start the beginning of basketball and dance. Ellie will be starting volleyball soon too. Back to busy lives!!

The first week of July we headed up to Nampa, Idaho for the yearly Washburn Reunion. There are many events my kids look forward to... going to the pond, playing games with cousins and eating yummy food. Emersyn was excited to go to the "pond" this reunion. This "pond" is privately owned and has all kinds of things for the kids to do. There is a zip line, a twisty slide, canoes, wood plank anchored and lots of room. So, Emersyn has never done the zip line before because it is fairly high. She was determined to do it this year. She did it!!! And she was so proud :) None of the mom's went out to the pond this year. We had our women's lunch while the men took the kids out for some fun. It never fails when the family gets together for dinner at night, there are games to be played. They played ultimate frisbee, homemade twister, dodgeball, volleyball and 4 square. The last night, we had a carnival in the Rudder's backyard. The kids would go play games and earn tickets. They would take these tickets to the prize table and get to pick out something. One of the things Emersyn chose was HOT TAMALES!!! She is so thoughtful and knew her dad would be enjoy them. Sadly, we found out during this reunion this was the last official Washburn Reunion. There will be no more scheduled reunion with activities planned and places for everyone to stay. Doesn't sound like many of the family are anxious to give the reunion up. Rumor is, we may all try and gather at Lake Powell next summer. I am down for that!!!! Course, everyone will have to be responsible for their lodging and helping with expenses, but we hope it works out. Would be so fun!!!! I will NOT miss the drive to Nampa, Idaho. We love all the family there, but the 16 hour drive to get there is pure torture. Thanks Grandpa for all the years of Reunion. My kids always had a great time and many memories have been made.

Nothing like water volleyball on Sunday with the family!!! Being younger I remember gathering on Sunday's for a little water volleyball fun. Now, it's fun to gather again for volleyball on Sunday's. Fun, that now my kids can play, have fun and will have the same memory!!

This summer has gone by fast.. so far. There has been basketball camps, ballet camps, Marc working, Me working..... Cameron and Kaelyn have been kept pretty busy with the camps they have attended. Ellie and Emersyn have sadly not been so busy. They are the product of being younger and needing Mom around to do anything. It's hard for Mom to be around though when I have to work. One day this last week, it hit me and I felt bad. Our neighbor is always telling us we can go swimming.. so Ellie went and asked if we could swim. I put the computer aside and took them swimming. It was a great time!!!! When we were done swimming we headed to QT. It's been a QT kind of summer.....

We had a fun weekend last weekend!!! Through the month of June, Cameron (and the Mesa High Basketball Team) have played in several tournaments. Last weekend was no exception.... Varsity and JV both played in separate tournaments with left us with the pleasure of attending both... The JV tournament was held at Mesa High and Dobson. Going into Sunday morning we were seated #1 with being undefeated. We played one game and won... 77-49!!! The championship game played next against another undefeated team. I had talked to one of the coaches who said they were usually a good program. They seem them a lot in playoffs and that sort of thing. I got nervous... I did!! Isn't that what Mom's are suppose to do anyway???? Thankfully, the boys had an hour rest before the Championship game started. The team we played had a rest while we played and came to watch... The game started.... within just a few mins we were up by more than 10 points. To be honest I can't remember the final score, but WE WERE THE CHAMPIONS!!!!! I do know we beat them by 20-25 pts. So much for being nervous.... It was a fun day... It was a fun summer.... out of 26 games played by the JV, they only lost 1 game. Not a bad summer season!!! Now, we look forward to basketball season which starts in Dec :)

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!!!!

This is what we have been doing the last couple of weekends.... I think it is actually kind of fun :) Cameron plays for his high school basketball team. During the month of June they enter a tournament a week it seems. Usually, they go to Michigan, but that has been taken off the schedule for this summer. It does sound like they are suppose to go to St Mary's in California though... not sure when. These tournaments have been especially fun because WE WIN!!! Who doesn't like to be on a winning team??? This weekend's tournament is at ASU... There are a few gyms which leaves us parents shuttling the boys' back and forth across the ASU campus. I love it!!!!!

And the party continues. After a couple days break we were back to celebrating Emersyn's birthday. She had a few friends come over and we were off to get nails done. Tomorrow... family over for dinner and then we will call it a Happy Birthday!

This birthday girl LOVES her ribs!!!! Typically, when it is someone's birthday we give them the choice of what to do for dinner. Some choose to stay home and others choose to go out. Emersyn wanted some ribs... She hasn't had any ribs for a while and I guess she was having a little craving. Texas Roadhouse are her favorite, except for dad's, who will be making ribs on Sunday night. After dinner she did her next favorite thing; SHOPPING!!! This girl loves to shop :) I love how if anyone in the family has a question on what to wear or if something looks good; Emersyn is the one to consult!! We love you Emersyn! Hope you had a fantastic day and we look forward to more birthday celebration this weekend.

Happy Birthday EMERSYN!!!! Emersyn has been talking about her birthday and counting the days. She is so excited!! I remember as a kid being excited for my birthday too. I loved it all; presents, cake, friends over, more presents, spoiled rotten. I would have to guess that these are some of the same reasons Emersyn is excited for her birthday as well. In our kitchen we have this block calendar where you change the date. The other day, I looked at Emersyn and said, "You only have 5 days til your birthday Emersyn." She looked at the block calendar (which we always forget to change) and said, "No, I have 9 days til my birthday." Oh the surprise she had when she discovered there were fewer days than she thought. Yesterday, she made some requests. She wanted brunch. I asked her if she wanted to go out for brunch. She said no, I just want brunch. I had to explain that brunch was eating breakfast late and lunch early. We decided I would make her a big breakfast for her birthday this morning. Pancakes with a candle :) We will go to dinner tonight to celebrate. She wants ribs, so hello Texas Roadhouse!!! Hope you enjoy your day Emersyn!! Can't believe you are 9

I can hardly believe the school year is over!!! At the end of the year I like to get the teachers' a little something to say thank you. Thank you for taking care of my child who at times can be scared of her own shadow. Thank you for wiping the tears away and providing the comfort she needed. Thank you for helping my child improve with her reading skills. Thank you for taking them 6 hours a day, 5 days a week. I do miss my kids, but am grateful they are occupied at the same time. Thank you for helping solve girl drama. (didn't realize it could start so young). Thank you!!!!! Although, I love to thank my teacher's, I also get a little nervous. I have a friend who was a teacher who once told me after school gets out some teachers will get together and trade. I don't want my gift to be traded. I want my gift to be wanted. I hope this year my teachers' want to keep my gift and find the time to relax during the summer. With time going by as fast as it does, we will be starting a new school year in a blink of an eye. See ya next year!!!

We have some crazy busy weeks around here lately!!!! I won't go into much detail, because most of it dealt with school projects and getting the kids to and fro. There is one thing we are all jumping for joy over...... ELLIE WON STUDENT COUNSEL PRESIDENT!!!! Marc and I felt a ton of pressure going into this election and with everything else going on around us... very unprepared!!! We did the "hero" theme for this election. One of her friends at school was running for Executive Board and wanted to campaign with her. The posters were of different hero's around saying "be a hero, vote Ellie Washburn president and Grant Waldron executive board". I have the announcing of her winning and will try to post on here if I can figure out how.

Ellie is a busy girl these days!! She has had a lot going on and I am proud of her for making sure things get done when they are due. Today, she presented her White House Tea Party project. She did all of the work, while Marc helped her with the background of her tri-fold. What a fitting person for Ellie to study :) Up next; Presidential election (more to come soon) and Egg drop. Both have to be done by the end of next week. Looks like we have our week planned out for us again!!!

Ellie had her last strings concert last night. I am glad she tried strings, although, she is VERY relieved it is over. They all did a wonderful job. I left there questioning... does Ellie really want to quit doing strings?? Her answer is Y E S!!! I guess there is no changing her mind... on to the next thing.

Good Luck to our girl Kaelyn!!!! She is trying out today for the Desert Ridge dance team. We all wish you luck!!!