Reading.

One day after school I picked up Sandy's kids, Travis and Zach. I let them all play for a while and then its homework time.

Desirae (second grade) and Zach (first grade) both had to read for homework. So, they read to each other. It was very cute. They have been friends since their brothers, Blake and Travis, started Kindergarten. Blake and Travis are now fifth graders.

Holiday Band Concert!

This is Blake's first year in band. He plays the Baritone (can't explain it, you will just have to look it up). Of course, he is the only one playing the Baritone. We all know that Blake is one of a kind.

This is all that we were able to see of Blake. Half his face and the top of his Baritone.

This is Kirk's 4th year in band. Last year he was the only flute player in the junior high band.

Here is the boys and their band teacher, Mrs. Melkin.

All three of the kids after the concert. Aren't they lovely.

Lights, lights everywhere.

Every year a house close to us has a huge light display for the holidays. My friend, Sandy, knows them. Their last name is Largo. The lights officially go on the weekend after turkey day. We usually go. We call it the "Lighting at the Largos".

We have done our holiday cards there. We didn't this year so here is a pic of the kids and the lights along with a couple friends. Garrett, Kirk's friend, and Zach.

Turkey Day!

It is Jr.'s first turkey day! Too bad he couldn't eat all the yummy food. He just had to watch everyone else. He was ok with it (I know cuz he told me).

Our dinning room isn't very big so we turn the living room into the dinning room for the day.
And yes...that is our Halloween mummy in the back. He is now our holiday mummy.

Girls just wanna have fun!

At our last girl scout meeting we were showing different ways to use a bandanna. This one is my favorite. Of course my wonderful co-leader Gina is right in there with the girls.

Best Committee Meeting Ever!

Every month we have a cub scout committee meeting to plan pack meetings, events and other things that involve the pack.

At the end of the camp out it was decided that because most of the committee was at the camp out out we would just have our meeting then. That way we wouldn't have to get home, unload, get cleaned up and go to a meeting. Or, in our case get home, unload, get cleaned up and straighten up the house so the committee could come to our house for the meeting.

So, here it is...the best committee meeting ever!

Cub Scout Winter Family Pack

We held the Pack 276 second annual Winter Family Camp at Clear Creek in the Verde Valley area again this year. It is about a hour north of the Phoenix area. Last year we held it in December and it got below freezing at night. It was a little to cold for some. So, this year we held it the second weekend in November. It was still cold but not bad.

A little teambuilding. It was hilarous. They thought it may be easier to jump and we were rolling watching them try to time the jump. (btw Jeff made the board/straps things)

We did some Geo cashing on our hike. Our camp was set up at the base of this hill. The colors looked great.

Here is clear creek. I am trying to get better at picture taking and I like the sunlight in this one.


Desirae crossing the creek with Kirk there to help her like a good big brother.


Blake always finds a seat.

Hassayampa River Preserve

On November 1st 2008 my friend Leanne's husband Scott lost his battle with cancer. November 1st this year she asked Sandy and me to go to the Hassayampa River Preserve with her in remembrance of Scott. It was a beautiful day.

See, look there is water in Arizona.

There were lots of webs in the trees.

There really are plants here other than palm trees and cactus.

This is a view from the top. It was a good time. We love you Scott.

Boo!

Every year our friends bring there children over and we order pizza and go out looking for candy together. Its fun. This year Kirk had some of his friends over and they went out checking out the haunted houses in the neighborhood instead of trick or treating. So, it wasn't real easy getting all three of them together long enough for a photo. Usually they are going three different directions. But no worries I did it.

Desirae was the spider queen, Blake was a banana and Kirk was something scary.
Jeff spray painted her crown black and we added some of those spider rings. It was the perfect finishing touch. I put some press on black nails on her and it was so funny. She walked around most of the time with her hands held out and couldn't grab anything.

What is there to say about Blake. He is the banana boy! He said he was the banana carrying a monkey instead of the monkey carrying a banana. That is our unique Blake.

Football, football and more football!

Here they are! The long awaited photos of football, football and more football.

In the huddle.

Hey, don't be pushing my son (he is #9) around. Actually I was good and didn't yell at anyone.

Running...

Running...

And more running!

This is Riley and Kirk. Here they are in the 8th grade on the football team.

And here was Riley and Kirk at Kindergarten graduation. Aren't they so cute!! (Sorry the camera wasn't very good then).

Girl Scout Day Camp

My brownies are old enough that they can finally start enjoying some of the girl scout events. In September my co-leader, Gina, and I took 5 of the girls to day camp.

Making cards for children in the hospital.

There was a nature hike where they had to look for different plants, rocks and etc.

They made puppets.

It was lots of fun. I have really enjoyed being involved with cub scouts. It is a wonderful experience. But, this is my last year with the cubs because Blake will cross over into Boy scouts and they don't involve the "mommies" much. Then I will be able to completely focus on girl scouts. I am looking forward to it.

Route 66

While Deborah and Mike (sis-in-law and bro-in-law) were here we took them on a little road trip.

We went to Williams AZ. It is the "Gateway to the Grand Canyon." It is in northern Arizona and the day we were there the clouds were coming over the mountains. It looked awesome.

This is what Blake does when we make pit stops. Notice the typical Arizona fashion statement, flip flops and sweatshirt. You gotta love AZ.

Baby Acosta!

On August 30th Jorge and Brittani welcomed their baby boy into the world. I was lucky enough to be able to enjoy it with them. And of course I took photos.

Here is Jorge trying to relax before the big stuff happens.
Brittani is still smiling.

Happy parents loving the first sounds of their son.

Mommy and son.

Daddy and son.

Great Aunt Deanna.

Grandma and her newest grandson.

Grandma with her 3rd grandson.

My sister and brother-in-law were still on their way from Oregon when Jorge Jr. began his entrance so I was able to be there with Brittani and help her. It was a wonderful experience and I am glad they asked me to be apart of it.

My nieces, Baka (aka Sarah) and Bert (aka Brittani) are wonderful young ladies and wonderful mothers. I am very proud of them and I love them and their beautiful families very much.

Girl Scouts

Here are my girl scouts. Right now there are 6 of them. There is one missing in this photo and we may be getting another.

I just wanted to share this because they are such posers and they are only in the 2nd grade. They are wonderful girls.

Shower...baby shower!

Some of my friends and I decided to have a baby shower for Brittani. It was nothing real major. Just an excuse to eat and tell our own child birth stories.

Desirae helped and put together the goodie boxes. I found them at the dollar store (love the dollar store) and they were very cute.
Here is the finished product.

The lovely mommy to be belly and all.

It was a good day and everyone had a relaxing time.