theFamilyStone

Felt like Fake Thanksgiving

2011-11-25T07:52:00.000-08:00

We missed Courtney and Madisen
Tried to still enjoy the day and be THANKFUL
We managed to have some fun and laughs
Girls were mentioned 2,345 times
Made a Video so they didn't 100% miss the action

So grateful for family
that's what it's all about
our life and family is blessed
THANKSGIVING

I feel grumpy

2011-11-22T21:46:00.000-08:00

Yoohooo...is anyone out there?

Okay, I have seen a lot of really inspiring blog posts about what they're thankful for...shout out to our sweetest cousin Jennie Spicer...love her and love her blog! Beautiful Jennie.

Mine will have to be random...I should be asleep and I am NOT thankful that I have to get up and go to work tomorrow although I AM thankful that I have a job. I am not thankful that I have to wash my hair in the cold morning air but I AM thankful that it is chilly at all...yes, yes, thank you Arizona for cooling down. Isn't that how life goes? All your gripes if you think about it, have another "side", a better half...the good twin if you will. I am thankful for many things, but when the going gets tough...the tough gets going, so you better couple up those bad times, or those pesky little things in life with the good.

This Thanksgiving will be different for us, a "different" none of us are too thrilled about. Courtney and Maddi are away in China and Marcie is away in another Asian country, the Korea (inside joke). Thanksgiving is normally our hands-down favorite holiday and Asians are ruining it. Instead of dwelling on that...

I am thankful that:
The girls are learning and growing
The girls are seeing awesome sites and ancient stuff
The girls have been safe and protected by angels...no joke there
The girls are together
Skype works some of the time instead of not at all
Email and internet
We'll be with Nana and Papa
Marcie gets to shop hardcore & I know how to blend a raspberry sherbet drink alone
Mikki's long board arrived for sister-less amusement
at least...Two more thanksgivings with LLCOOLJ aka Big Daddy J
last but not least... Regan ended up NOT having to WORK!!!!

To steal a quote...

When I get sad, I stop being sad and
be AWESOME instead :)

China Dolls

2011-11-01T19:47:00.001-07:00

I just don't know what to do...I have procrastinated blogging to such an extent that now I don't know if I should make several smaller posts or one big huge massive one. I think today I'll just post what I can until I get sick of it, tired or called away...whichever comes first :)

Many of you know, Courtney and Madisen went to Zhongshan, China for a wild adventure teaching English to young students, grade school age. Maddi had always wanted/planned on going and then recruited Courtney...who was reluctant at first. Boy, were we glad she decided to go because we are markedly more at ease knowing they're together...taking care of each other. They live in a small apartment with a squatter toilet (haha) and a 3rd girl named Bre. They have a small class of 6 students who were all renamed with Book of Mormon names...Jarom, Nephi, Moroni, Abish, Emma and Jennie (with 2 exceptions) They have purchased bikes and ride to school. They are practically celebrities in their town which is an hour & 1/2 out of the city with no tourist action. Many people have never seen white Americans and therefore, wherever they go...people stop and stare, point and laugh. Anything they do is of interest and apparently very amusing.

Rainey (Chinese interpreter), Bre, Courtney and Maddi

The girls left Aug. 25th and will return Dec. 19th. Fund raising is one way volunteers can participate in this program...since Maddi had always planned on going and Courtney had a pretty good job, only Maddi chose to fund raise and many of our dear family and friends donated to her fund raiser. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for helping her reach her goal and be able to have this most incredible experience full of excitement, learning, TRIALS and culture shock. All things we couldn't have taught here in America and many things that boys learn on their missions. A true appreciation and love of the good ol USA is one of the many things they've learned and gaining a confidence that there isn't anything in the USA they couldn't do. They also love toilet seats more than ever now :) Simple things are wildly missed and longed for by our little girlies.

Here are some tasty tidbits from their letters...they have such great stories to tell and I'll try to be better about posting them.

Hong Kong was so awesome. There was a window on the floor of our room at the hotel-which was the 21st floor! Every single time I walked by I had to stand and look through the window. It is mind-blowing how many buildings there are. It is seriously a sea of sky scrappers. It was so different from Alaska, but there was a similar feeling. I remember looking around while I was in Gustavus and just feeling over whelmed with the size and how the forest continued on for miles and miles. In Hong Kong I had the same feeling of being in this huge place that seems like it is never going end. ~Maddi

First day of school: The kids are so cute -- I already just love them. They are so stinking smart and funny. Kids are funny cause you can kind of guess what they are saying by their expressions and what they are doing. And they keep speaking to us in Chinese ! We just nod and smile and laugh and then they will run off and come back with something else to tell us. Today they kept wanting us to do animal sounds -- they would bring us a stuffed animal and would just laugh when we would do the noise. ~Courtney

The Chinese teachers are really nice and just keep trying to talk to us and I feel bad cause we just have absolutely no idea what they are saying. They were funny though when they found out me and Maddi were sisters – they were surprised and kept pointing to our hair and eyes and skin shaking their heads saying no no no – its different! It was pretty funny. ~Courtney

Regarding their situation at a new school that has never had an English program...something they weren't expecting when they went...being outside the city and away from the group:
I was talking to Courtney and I just got this feeling that I should stay. I think that is why I was so mad when they said I was going to get switched. I just got this high, thinking to my self... I can do this! Yes, this is going to be hard and I might complain about it in the near future but I am not a quitter! I have and will continue to do hard things in my life and get through them.

The next day went a lot better. I just knew what to expect and I made the decision to work through this. I loved that first day of teaching. Just being there with the kids and seeing them smile and respond I knew... this is why I am here. I was so happy! It was the first time I had really felt like my self in along time. I just wanted to talk and laugh and just talk and talk about how cute the kids were. Then we were walking around with Rainy and she is so cute. I just kept getting this feeling of knowing I was supposed to stay. I really think Heavenly Father wanted me to be there and go through whatever is to come. ~Madisen

There are people everywhere and there is honking all through night. Everyone just drives around honking. It's pretty funny. Another crazy thing is everyone not in a taxi is on a bike or a scooter and they have like 3 or 4 people on the scooters and little babies! Its so crazy it's funny. ~Courtney

Our. Chinese. Kids. Are. Crazy! I looove them though. Every day me, maddi, and bre laugh so hard we are crying. I had forgotten how funny and entertaining little kids are. You are totally right though -- they are exhausting. Children are bipolar -- they are happy and laughing one second and then you turn around and they are crying on the floor. I feel like I am always thinking, " What the heck happened?!"

Little guy not wanting to be touched is "Nephi"

They named their favorite, cutest lil guy "Jarom" He loves Spiderman! Meet Chinese Jarom..

Mom -- don't ever come to China cause I have no idea what you would eat. I don't even ask what they give us cause I am scared at what they will say. The girls at the other school said that one day the were given rat meant -- gross.

Dragonfruit at a market they eventually found

Today we went and got our hair washed at one of the salons. It was seriously so amazing. They rubbed our head for about 20 minutes and then they rubbed our arms, legs, and back. They cleaned out our ears with these weird q-tips that felt like it touched my brain. It kind of hurt but I think I can hear better now. We all took pictures with the guys who styled our hair. When Bre asked her guy for a picture-he fixed HIS hair, hair sprayed it, and then grabbed his trophy from the shelf before posing for about 5 pictures. They all had freaky long finger nails so they could grab your hair. ~Maddi

Whenever the kids talk in English, we give them tokens and at the end they get to buy stuff with their tokens. Nephi has been trying to get this sword for about 2 weeks now. He won't save them though! I had this pile of tokens sitting by me and he came over and was acting like he just came by to look at my stuff. Then he started taking the tokens and putting them in his bag when he thought I wasn't looking. That Nephi isn't living up to his namesake. He is actually super smart and adorable! He has been one of my favorites since day one. ~Maddi

Trying to be good, waiting in line to shop in the store with their tokens

Everyone is so nice to us here -- they get so excited to see us and help us its always fun to go and buy from their little shops. We are the laughing stock of the city though. Everything we do is very funny to them. Every time we go to throw away the trash , a little crowd gathers to watch us throw it in and then they laugh. Now we just laugh back. It is pretty funny cause we stick out so much and probably do look so lost no matter what we do.

This little paragraph scared me and made me so happy and grateful all at the same time...Heavenly Father really is watching over them:
Maddi saved my life yesterday. This car was on the wrong side of the road and was speeding but i had stepped out to look the other way to see if we could cross and maddi pulled me back just in time. the van was inches from my face and it made my hair blow and my heart was racing for the rest of the day. it was super scary. the funny thing is maddi didn't ever remember pulling me back. weiird. thanks for the prayers :)

I asked Maddi for details after reading this, she says she just remembers going to touch her arm AFTERWARDS to see if she was okay

ANGELS!!

Okay, it happened. My not-very-great computer desk is hurting my wrists so there you have it, time to stop blogging. I will post letters they send more often & pictures soon. This long post is dedicated to GRANDPA...I know he won't be put off by the sheer length of it and push through it's entirety!

Northern Exposure

2011-06-05T19:39:00.000-07:00

Madisen made it safely to Gustavus, Alaska. This Alaskan adventure definitely started on the airplane with seat changes, very long lay overs and overnight in the Juneau airport without a blanket :(

From Juneau, she took a small plane to the small town of Gustavus and sat right by the pilot. She says it was breathtaking scenery and she feels like she's in a movie.

Here are some photos of the lodge accomodations and the surrounding beauty. As you can imagine, this lodge was closed all winter. This means to her dismay, all she's done since she's been there is help get the place cleaned up and ready for guests. Major cleaning, painting and even gardening. She is struggling a little bit because this isn't a normal job where you just "clock in" for a shift and she is the only non-family member...she sometimes feels underfoot and misses her own family awwww!! Her friend Ashley has been promising her this is definitely the worst part and chaotic, once it's ready to go and opened up...more time to explore beautiful Alaska. Maddi is looking forward to this while trying to remain positive and enjoy herself! Last I heard, she was starching and ironing napkins forever which she actually didn't mind since there was no rush or urgency.

Isn't that absolutely BEAUTIFUL??? and not the nasty HOT ARIZONA DESERT!!!

Madisen is the type who needs to go on her runs...she values the time alone and it is such a wonderful outlet as all avid runners know. Well, not there apparently and honestly, I'm a bit nervous about her going running because of this guy or his buddies...

This lodge is set back 1/2 mile off the main road IN THE FOREST. The road through the forest is spooky and they don't want them to go running alone...bear sitings. So, she drives the artic cat through the forest road, parks the cat and runs on the main road. On her first run, she ran by a huskie farm and the dogs all howled at her. She says everyone waves...the townspeople don't recognize her so they slow down to see who she is then wave. Yesterday she saw a big dog that looked like a wolf - SCARY - and also feels a bit uneasy as she runs by this sign:

Now I AM SCARED & really hope she doesn't have to figure out what to do if she encounters a moose. Yikes! Another interesting thing she sees on her runs are old abandoned cars and trucks, covered in moss etc. Guess they can't really haul them out or just don't do it.

Church is in a trailer...with members phoning in from surrounding areas and islands. Today they bore testimonies on the phone, a baby blessing by phone and even their sunday school and relief society-comments and all-by phone. She said it's actually pretty cool...you wouldn't be able to say to a member there that they need to magnify their callings and not just "phone it in". woohooo I'm hilarious!

This concludes Maddi's Alaskan adventures thus far. More to come and we're all praying she takes pictures...she does not take after her mother!! She LOVES to get emails...we can't call or text her. She calls once a week on their landline using a calling card. Reminds me of the 80's and Regan says it's good for her not being SO connected with every single person. Whatever! Email her...she will love you!
madisenstone@yahoo.com

Courtney ROCKS!!

2011-05-20T09:57:00.000-07:00

Just a lil bit 'o Courtney for ya...she went with Maddi to EAC this last semester and do you know what she went and did??? GOT STRAIGHT A's!!! Woohoo Sis, boy are we proud of you! She also was discovered via Facebook by fellow dancers...when asked if she could sub at a local studio she of course jumped at the chance. As soon as she meets the director and teaches for one evening...she wanted to adopt Courtney and will the studio to her. I, for one, am not surprised! She ended up landing herself a job teaching dance the rest of the semester. Way to go kiddo, they were lucky to have her and will miss her greatly. Now, neither Courtney nor Maddi have got the photography bug so I stole these shots from their roommate Lexie. They all lived in a big, old house and had a blast! These girls were awesome, people don't usually get this lucky and I am so proud of my big girls living together, supporting each other and making memories. (and relieved they were together when they got robbed!!) Another major accomplishment is she got Maddi to like eggs!! She cooks them a special, certain way and egg-hater Maddi loves Courtney-style eggs. HA! We love you Courtney and are proud of your accomplishments in school this semester! YOU ROCK first, best and harder.

well...

2011-04-12T20:07:00.001-07:00

I haven't blogged in awhile and I am certainly not going to start now. Maybe when pigs fly?? Oh, Mikki is doing great in track so far...she's a springy, cute little hurdler.
The end.

Thanksgiving

2010-12-18T14:10:00.000-08:00

MARCIE CAME!!!! That's it. That's the best part. We're thankful for Marcie and that she came all the way from Portland for Thanksgiving and it's a good thing, because we don't know how to do Thanksgiving now without her.

Okay wow, that last sentence is one hot run-on grammatical mess. See how I get when I think about Marcie??? We all love that girl!! PS... we didn't take very good pics...we just hung out and laughed!

TURKEY WEEKEND

ODE TO CODY

Maddi is Boss

2010-12-16T19:27:00.000-08:00

Maddi got straight A's this semester!! WOOHOO!! So, she failed calculus last semester. Tried to drop it, professor said no, stick it out...downhill from there. Do-Over this semester and she gets a 96%!! (different teacher helps plus major major studying). She had to overcome her hesitation to camp out at the math lab and shake that feeling that she was annoying the tutors who are being paid to tutor. Sociology...she said she could have done better but wow, all that time studying calculus cuts into other classes so she ends up with an 89%. How disappointing. So she emails and talks to the teacher, he does account for attendance etc. and WA-LA...bumped to an A!!!
YAY MADDS!!!

Here's some fun in ThatchNasty as they lovingly refer to their school town...

1. CAPTAIN UNDERPANTS of course
2. Tubing w/roommates, hometown of Lindsay
3. Halloween, Maddi is a sailor...Steph well, hot Mama?
4. This is how they play tennis
5. Monster drinks for studying...duh, made her sick
6. Jumping somewhere random in town
7. 3 Pretty Girls downtown Thatcher
8. ...and they brought along a guitar ;)

Homecoming 2010

2010-10-04T20:13:00.000-07:00

Jarom's first Homecoming...turned out great (ok he pretty much skipped all the festivities his freshman year...so this is his first real Homecoming experience!) Jarom and Duncan were ever so spirited-twice...WOOT! Dressed up for Nerd Day and BLUED-OUT for the game!

Duncan, Miranda (one of my Laurels) & BigDaddyJ

The infamous Duncan and his cohort in crime...BigDaddyJ

J-Town and Madeline

Maddi was home for the weekend and we managed to blindly match the perfect, complimentary shirt to Madeline's dress :) We are that good folks. Madeline's BFF Alex came along with her, Jarom and the group...everyone had fun and looked great!

For the big date, he and friends organized a group...his good buddy Duncan's mom and sister offered to save the gang some cash and decorated their patio Italian style, served salad, breadsticks and lasagne so they all got to be together without the mean waitresses who HATE the groups of teenagers. I love this because the restraunts really are too expensive anyway and the kids don't get good service since well, let's face it...teenagers don't tip well and are loud. That means an angry server even before they sit down.

Preston, Andrew, Jarom, Seth and Duncan...do any of them look like big tippers?

Thanks Lori and Cami! It looked fabulous and the kids loved it!!

Look at those 3 on the end...Jarom, Seth and Duncan. Fine Priests in the Bellair Ward. Do you remember the conference talk "I love Loud Boys"? Read it, see picture again...it'll mean more to you. Look at them...do you think they can sit together quietly?
Look at those faces. No they can not.

Getting a boy off to homecoming was wildly simpler than GIRLS!!! Don't grow up Mikki :) I'm getting spoiled!

ALL THINGS JAROM

2010-09-27T19:20:00.000-07:00

Jarom has been busy. First...his summer job was saving lives and looking cool as a lifeguard at Wet 'n Wild.

This was a grueling job which also required a 6ml bike ride to work...and yes, 6ml bike ride home. Poor little fella :/ He was a trooper and did not complain and folks...it was HOT!! He always left in plenty of time, never called off with some lame teenage excuse, he did save some lives, schooled a few punks and called security. se-CUR-ity, SE-cur-ity...this man's got to go! One 6yr old was tumbling in the catch pool beneath the slide who didn't pop back up so Jarom pulled the unconscious boy out, got him in proper position, lifted his legs and then the boy started breathing...a couple girls passed out (yeah right, at the mere sight of him right??) from heat exhaustion probably and then he had a college aged young man breaking rules in the lazy river (not using the required tube) that Jarom had to confront; the young man barked out clever obscenities but Jarom remained calm and cool & and only handed him a little bit of lip when the punk went around actually IN a tube-- Jarom in true Regan F. spirit says to him.."ahh good job man, you can follow a simple rule!"

School has started...he's running Cross Country and busy with homework. Football season is here, Homecoming is coming...and this boy is 16 yrs. old so he asked Madeline to the dance in this clever way...
Mikki chalked an outline of his body as if he'd fallen in death, murdered let's say, on Madeline's front driveway. We roped off the area with crime scene tape and made some posters that said..."Madeline, I would die to go to homecoming with you!" Madeline was at dance while we "murdered Jarom" so to her surprise when she got home from dance she was very alarmed to see the house taped off and didn't know what to think...after a minute of her in wonderment, she finally gets out of the van and checks it out & is pleasantly surprised!! Jarom then came out from behind a bush with some flowers. It was a HIT..and she said YES!

Lastly...Saturday chores saved Jarom's life this past weekend. Back story first...we had noticed the seams in the drywall of the ceiling were splitting, then later it was sagging and noticeably splitting and the cracks extending. So, we were going to repair it and nail it back and reinforce with dry wall screws etc etc. Well, Saturday he had slept in long enough and I went in to roust him out of bed and he said...HEY Mom, that ceiling was crackling and creaking in the night! We decided we better take down the ceiling fan just in case and do something until Dad got home. Jarom first of course gets a quick bowl of cereal and suddenly...BOOM!!! Down came the ceiling right on his bed. WHEW!!! Luckily our mancub was up and outta there, it would have been a RUDE AWAKENING!!

Let's do a movie review shall we?

2010-09-20T18:24:00.000-07:00

Courtney, Mikki, my mom and I went and saw this new cute movie. So, it's a slow one but enjoyable...I don't mind slow movies tho. Had an issue with Anthony Edwards from ER. He will always be Goose or Dr. Greene for me. He is majorly type casted in my opinion...as the NICE guy. In this movie his character is horrible and I just wasn't buying it. He can't do dumb and mean. He's GOOSE!!! Plus narration in the movie was trying to be Wonder Years or A Christmas Story and didn't quite make it. I know, I know...trivial things but all in all a good movie!

I'd say...this is a rental and you're not sleepy...or a matinee showing. And that's a movie review for ya right there...how bout it??

No blogging and Bon Qui Qui

2010-09-09T19:33:00.000-07:00

Mikki asked me why I haven't updated my blog lately. Honestly, no one reads it so why update it? Even dumb Courtney and Maddi rarely read it or even give it a glance. Right girls??? Are you reading this now? And that's dumb even if you do because you don't comment cuz you don't have a gmail or google account with which to comment. Stupid.

So, Mikki said to just put this....

JAROM AND MIKKI RUN LIKE BOSSES EVERY DAY IN CROSS COUNTRY.

The girls at work call me QuiQui because of this video...I at least "feel" like this with some of the phone calls I get...my face is dead on but I swear I'm trying to sound all funky fresh. Most days I'm almost irritated they're even calling ;) Of course I don't work fast food and I'm not dealing with the public LIVE and in my face...but still. It's fitting.

Nuh uh Sir do not get loud with me OH NO, do NOT get loud with me
(click WATCH ON YOUTUBE)

Father/Son pie making and other shenanigans

2010-05-31T17:35:00.000-07:00

Every year for Regan's birthday he wants this strawberry pie his Mama used to make called "Amish Strawberry Pie" and I must say it is delicious!! Now the mancub wants pie for his birthday too...with their May birthdays during strawberry season they can make this demand every year but I'm here to tell you they are a PAIN to make. Maddi calls the pie filling "sap" so ... this is father and son pouring on the sap, all the while...TWO SAPS are in the back being bizarre which is their specialty :)

Happy Birthday Jarom and Regan...thanks for being born!!!

Hot Pink track shoes in ACTION again

2010-04-10T17:45:00.000-07:00

This is Mikki's first year on the track team & she inherited Maddi's hot pink track shoes & runs them PROUD! WOOT! She decided to try hurdles and loves it! She's still a hopper :) but Jim Stone, hurdling champion from Idaho, is coaching her and has her doing some exercises etc. to help with that trail leg. Soon she's going to be winning like Bethany (lane 2, 2nd from RT). Mikki is lane 6 (2nd from left) and comes in 3rd but PR'd. GO MIKKI GO!!

ATTN!! AFTER PRESSING PLAY-CLICK THE VIDEO FOR FULL VIEW...WEIRD YOUTUBE UPLOAD!!!

She finally was also chosen to be on the 4x4 team which is quite the drama you see...the "head 8th grader" saw potential in this little 7th grader. We do NOT know why the coaches don't coach, time at meets etc & determine who runs what event. So "head 8th grader" chose Mikki when one of the other girls dropped out, then she also decided what legs everyone ran in. She is not aware that this little 7th grader has the fastest time of the 4 girls and uses her in the 2nd and 3rd legs. Awesome!

Bob Shark Lives

2010-03-18T20:49:00.000-07:00

My best friends from high school know who Bob Shark is. He was doodled on every note, letter, phone book and ward list in existence. (Any doodlers? While chatting for hours on a NON cordless phone in my youth--I felt compelled to doodle. Just ask my mom, I'd doodle on any paper lying around which was usually the ward list or the phone book) So anyway, Bob Shark was actually a drawing based off a Sea World toy shark. A couple years ago at Sea World, I found the toy again and bought it...the fun ensued as Jarom used it for photo bombing & we posed the shark everywhere & used it in our "Stone Witch Project" video through the corn maze. Our family realizes that only we think it's funny. Then the shark broke :( Oh how we've missed Bob. Well, looks like we scored!! Some friends who went to Sea World for spring break are bringing us back a new Bob Shark! Yippee!! We're going to take much better care of him this time and not let Maddi use him in the Mr. DV pageant for a skit. Here's to you Bob Shark...here's some fun we've had in the past and if you see a random shark in future pics--now you know the story!

Bored in Thatcher

2010-02-20T07:52:00.001-08:00

Well, I shouldn't say we were bored...we're never bored when we're together and that's no lie! It's just...Thatcher isn't all too exciting when you aren't a college kid and on a strict diet :) Therefore, one must grab their camera and go to town taking advantage of a sweet 15 yr old boy in a good mood. A 15 yr old boy in a good mood means he is mentally alert and ready to indulge and humor his sisters with ridiculous photos for over an hour.

The background story here with Maddi's socks is she had super stylish Steve Madden boots on with the socks discreetly hidden underneath...until of course, you have to climb on a wall and do endless poses. Courtney and Mikki were scared out of their minds...the wall was actually kinda high with cement below. This inhibits Courtney who ordinarily would not be outdone by a boy in the posing department but we all agree...Jarom is the winner and the yoga has paid off ;)

PhotoBOMBER

2010-02-20T07:00:00.000-08:00

Check out what Fast, Furious rain does to AZ...

2010-01-21T19:20:00.000-08:00

A huge winter storm slammed into Arizona Thursday, flooding highways and forcing some evacuations, stranding travelers at the Phoenix airport, and prompting Gov. Jan Brewer to declare a state of emergency for the entire state.

As heavy rains continued to pummel the Valley, Glendale officials Thursday offered residents safety tips and free sandbags to protect their homes.

Glendale remained under a flash flood watch, according to the Phoenix National Weather Service. Prolonged, widespread rains were expected to bring another 1.5 inches of rain between Thursday afternoon and early Friday.

Sustained winds of up to 40 miles per hour are expected throughout the West Valley, with some chance of gusts exceeding 60 miles per hour, according to Dan Leins a meteorologist with the Weather Service.

HA!! I will admit our flash floods cause problems but even some businesses closed due to the heavy rains. I bet our Oregon family members would be laughing at us now!!

I LOVE this RAIN and am trying to savor every second and listen to every raindrop!!! Finally something different than blue sunny skies ;)

EVEN MORE FUN IN FLAGSTAFF!! Dang I wish I was there too...

New Years Eve w/los amigos la Cervantes!!

2010-01-05T20:53:00.000-08:00

Okay, I don't habla. Clearly. Last 3 years on New Year's Eve, we go out our side door to the next-door neighbors house, the Cervantes, and Fiesta with those Mexicans who really know what they're doin!! :D Eat and karaoke all night! Imelda and I have our standards, with our favorite one being "Only the good die young" by Billy Joel...she sings "the mormon girls start much too late" while I sing "I'd rather laugh with the Catholics than cry with the Saints!" Unison..."the sinners are much more fun..." Of course it's all in good fun cuz I am of course, a good little mormon girl and they get us Cherry Pepsi and well, I guess even that's debatable but I'm not perfect :)

These are the twins Janette and Giovanna...Maddi would go play with them almost everyday, Jarom would too actually since Danny was still too little. Oh the fun they'd have!

Oh Mr. Efron. Wow.

Mikki and all the little neighborhood friends she's played with for years...her oldest and dearest friend GrAAAAAAce (said like Ed the principal in Ferris Bueller's Day Off) and of course Danny, plus Joey (the house behind us-usually seen bouncing above the fence line on the trampoline) and Tanner from the Jr. High group.

Joey trying to act like he's passed out from the Sparkling Apple Cider

Pablo Cervantes...he thinks he passes as George Lopez

Okay, Menudo. I just can not partake, I know I know...I'm at a Mexican Fiesta and they serve Menudo at midnight. Too bad. Regan usually has some but this year...Maddi was the practically a Mexican WHITE GIRL this year...she ate a bowl, even the TRIPE!!! SICK!!! Anyway, she made Pete and Imelda very proud. They raised her right. the first two pics are of the cow HOOVES ick that you supposedly suck on?!?!? and the third picture is the tripe and Maddi actually sunk her pearly whites into that. I'm just not this brave!

the Rennies!!

2010-01-05T20:45:00.000-08:00

We met Allen, his wife Jamie and 2 kids Alana and Derek at Glendale Glitters. Allen is a close awesome friend of Regan's from Gresham, OR...their childhood stories are classic! They're so close that even after years, they both were in sync and wore black leather jackets!

Those strawberry fruit kabobs and frozen cheesecake were YUMMY!

Christmas Lights

2010-01-04T19:07:00.000-08:00

Seems like something dramatic or extraordinary happened this night but now I've forgot...It was Marcie's last Thanksgiving with us as a UofA student, not the last Thanksgiving mind you but the last one as a student of education at UofA. OH MY we'll miss her this time of year ::sniff sniff::

All of Courtney and Maddi's fun friends who came with us...

Thanks for all the efforts when choosing what to wear Jarom! He would not have left the house in this if he'd left with me. Dad is cool and doesn't care and luckily for low maintenance Jarom and an almost 95% guarantee he wasn't going to see anyone he knew (any girls he knew) the apre-Halo w/dudes outfit goes to the temple lights.

Who reads Confessions of a Mormon Bachelor Pad?

2010-01-04T19:03:00.000-08:00

I don't know how many of you know about this blog or already read it but...it's fascinatingly horrible. Couple of RM's at BYU who blog about their dating escapades while trying to remain anonymous. It's crazy! I want them to be discovered, and please all my Mormon single ladies...not all boys are like this. I, and many others...have found HONEST AMAZING GUYS!! Don't give up hope but if your dates ever sound all too familiar to these blogs...RUN!!! Having said that, if I'm bored or during my lunch break at work...I find myself reading about these bachelor's ridiculous antics probably because with two daughters in college and listening to their tales...I'm awe struck and almost impressed these clowns are getting away with it.

Okay so, need a cheap, guilty read?? Start from the oldest posts, & go backwards or skip around by all means. These guys are idiots and I just don't see how it could really be happening nor do I see how any of their dates haven't figured it out. Doesn't everyone in the BYU/SLC area read blogs? They actually posted a letter some poor girl wrote after one of the guys had broken up with her...Oh My!

http://mormonbachelorpad.blogspot.com/2009/10/letter.html

I guess I'm supporting them with this blog but I find it amusing and maybe someone in Utah knows about it and that it's all a big GAG?? Let's just say I'd kill Jarom if he was involved ;)

Connolly Jr. High Flashback

2010-01-04T18:52:00.000-08:00

HAHA...Halloween post first week of January! Awesome! I just didn't want to NOT post these cute pics of Mikki wearing my JUNIOR HIGH POMMIE UNIFORM...yep. The hair is fabulously late 70's and the thug in one of the pictures is one of her best friends next door...Dan the Man Cervantes. His mom Imelda and I like to be politically INCORRECT and call them M&M...Morman and Mexican :D Where's our M&M's? They've done quite a bit together this year...choir/band and cross country and next sport is track. Either of them could legitimately be called "SPEEDY GONZALEZ" The other buddies are bff's Amanda and Sara!

Uncle Johnny and Aunt Robbie and their pet, the Corvette

2010-01-03T21:39:00.000-08:00

John and Robbie were touring with their Corvette club which brought them down South :) We were so glad they were able to visit real quick, never long enough but better than nothing. Every one of us says we'd live in Pocatello just cuz of John and Robbie. No battle.

Maddi's Crib

2009-09-28T22:16:00.000-07:00

Maddi is off at college having a blast and lovin life! She is at EAC, Eastern Arizona College, in Thatcher, AZ. Most Mormons know about Safford (which borders Thatcher), the home of Pres. Kimball and where one of the new AZ temples is being built...see below.

Here's some apartment shots...it's tiny but cute and her roommate is Stephanie Martin, a surprise 3rd cousin in our ward. Her mom and Regan are 3rd cousins, so maybe the girls are 4th cousins actually? Oh whatever. Reports are that the two are having way too much fun and we're all concerned whether or not they're studying ;)

The girls are on the top floor

See the building off in the not far distance?? That's campus...her long grueling walk ;)

Area surrounding Thatcher/Safford...kinda cute

A preview of the Safford Temple:

Donny & Marie

2009-07-28T15:44:00.000-07:00

So I love Donny & Marie...always have, always will. A fond childhood memory of mine is making up dances with my friend Kelly to the Donny & Marie album...fighting over who danced to Deep Purple ;) Friday nights in the 70's meant...THE DONNY & MARIE SHOW!! If we were out to dinner or something I would be just sweating and stressing hoping we'd get home in time. I loved the show so much, sometimes I'd cry when it was over (Okay I was young in the 70's) HAHA!! In high school for a lip sync contest, I suckered my very good and very goofy friend Mark into doing "I'm a little bit country-little bit rock 'n roll" with me. My mom had yellow Go-Go boots and of course we made sure Mark wore purple socks and rolled the pant leg up! Good times!

Regan's big bro Greg calls up and asks if we'd like to meet him and Patty in Vegas and go see the Donny & Marie show HIS TREAT!! Are you kidding me? We'd love to!! It was so fun, I was grinning ear to ear the entire time--especially when they sang "Deep Purple". Marie is BEAUTIFUL and Donny with his creamy voice and megawatt smile is well, there are no words ;) Greg got FRONT ROW tickets...Patty could have climbed up on stage. We shook Marie's hand, she's the cutest winker ;) Then Donny walks out to the audience across the tables and goes down our row...so of course, I touched his ankle as he walked by!! He caught me...power grin! End of show...he comes back to our row and PURPOSELY stops at my table and looks down at me & smiles...so I shook his hand again and the audience egged me on so...I massaged his calf!!! HAHA I tried to check for purple socks but he JOKINGLY said "Stop it!" and had to walk on! What a hoot! Loved it!! Thank you thank you thank you THANK YOU Greg & Patty...you make dreams come true!

"If you put these glasses to your ears...you can still hear Donny & Marie"

Little Man is startin to look like Dad...

2009-07-28T15:38:00.001-07:00

Freaky eh? For those of you who knew Young Regan F., don't you agree boy Stone is looking a lot like his old man? Regan says sometimes he thinks he's looking at old pics of himself. Jarom's voice is deep too, so watch out on the phone...it's a tricky call!

Wicked!

2009-07-28T09:54:00.000-07:00

Girls nite out to see WICKED was amazing!! We absolutely loved the play and wanted to stay and watch it all again! My mom always hated the Wizard of Oz as a child, it terrified her and she was actually a bit hesitant to come with us since she knew nothing about the play. She was pleasantly surprised and absolutely loved it and doesn't hate that mean ol witch anymore ;)

Glenda...our fave! Toss-Toss!!

Jarom's Eagle Scout Court of Honor

2009-07-01T16:50:00.001-07:00

YAHOO!! He is finally, officially DONE! No one could be happier than Jarom and this is partly due to the mere fact that now he has his old man off his back :) We are so proud of Jarom and his diligence and hard work.
One of my favorite things about Jarom is his compassion & that he is attentive to others feelings. He's going to be like Ammon someday ... a mighty missionary he will be!

We were so glad to have G-Ma & G-Pa, Aunt Stephanie, Nana & Papa & Marcie with us for the big event! Steph helped Jarom write some brilliant thoughts that he read during the presentation. It freaks me out hearing Jarom speak sometimes, low & monotone like Regan, you have to be paying attention or you'll miss their wit & subtle humor!

Jarom was given a framed picture of an Eagle as well as a gift certificate for 1# of See's Candy compliments of Bro Rogers-a personal gift he gives the boys in our ward who earn their Eagle Scout. Bro Layton was his mentor but he was out of town :(
In the pics below that super cool wood carved "scout" bolo tie was hand carved, with love, by Wayne Layton. Jarom would NOT have his Eagle at 14 yrs old without the dedication of Bro Layton to our ward's scouting program. He has had many wonderful leaders...his favorites are Brothers Shipley, Bingham, Welker & Layton.

I think Moms of Eagle scouts should be allowed to get in that Eagle's Nest ;)
I really want to get in the nest.

SLIDESHOW IN NEXT BLOG BELOW...WHY WOULDN'T IT LET ME PUT TEXT WITH THAT SLIDESHOW???

2009-07-01T16:47:00.001-07:00

Graduate #2

2009-07-01T13:47:00.000-07:00

Madisen is a high school graduate. Unbelievable. Not that it is unbelievable she graduated, but simply I can not believe we have two children who have graduated from high school. Madds had a great run and certainly enjoyed HS to the fullest. She reminds me of HSM 1, 2 & 3 without Zach Efron. She did everything she possibly could making her super busy with no time to clean her room but she did it right. She was always in check with the fact that this is only 4 yrs of her life, & since important and meaningful things are still to come - it is a high schooler's job to just have fun without life altering mistakes, grow & gain knowledge!!

Keep your nose clean and enjoy the ride!! It'll never be this easy baby so if life sends you a wave, get on your surfboard and ride it all the way in!!

Grandma & Grandpa came in May for Madisen's graduation and Jarom's Eagle court of honor. Unfortunately Grandma wasn't feeling well after a busy, tiring day and couldn't come at night but she was definitely there in spirit!!

Papa had a rough day too so Regan to the rescue with a motorized scooter!!

Cousins being CRAZY!! Love these girls

My wonderful neighbor/flight attendant brought Maddi back a flower lei from Maui...I always wanted to do like the Hawaiians do with flower leis at graduation. In our rush to leave, I left it in the fridge at home :( I was soo sad, sorry Madds.

She also of course, graduated from seminary! Yahoo! Here's the gang representing Bellair War. What a bunch and all grrrEAT kids!!

Dancing Queen

2009-07-01T13:30:00.000-07:00

Courtney was UHmazing in her dance show in May!! Soon I am going to make the long journey to Costco ;) and see if I can get my video of two of her dances uploaded to DVD and try to figure how to post them. Sounds like someone needs a better digital camcorder don't ya think? Meanwhile...here are some pics of the show. She is growing so much at SCC, has wonderful teachers and she just gets better and better (if that's possible ;)) When I was young and snotty, I didn't appreciate modern dance which was the type of dancer my mom was. Ya that's right. My mom was a professional modern dancer and I didn't get it or like it! I still struggle with some pieces haha Boy, art can be funky but for the most part...if I can come up with a story...I really do like modern now and would kill to time travel and watch my mom dance. So, we live through Courtney now and it's a good thing, cuz when she dances you can't take your eyes off her!

The leg that's straight up...that's Courtney

Courtney & Jen...her mentor and beloved teacher

A tribute to Michael Jackson

2009-07-01T12:28:00.000-07:00

Michael Jackson was, well he was a nut HOWEVER...his songs bring many memories of pom line dances, fun friends, singing MJ's stuff loud with the windows down and the easy days in the 80's when homework & overprotective parents were my stress. My first year on pom (pom was Arizona's answer to 'dance line' or 'drill team') was at Connelly Jr. High, our first performance ever was to Michael Jackson's "Working Day and Night". It was such a great dance ;)

I found these pics of Mikki and one of her best friends Maggie and I thought I'd post them. One day when "liquid hot MAGma" was over...the girls watched the Thriller video a million times trying to learn the dance and wanted me to film it (which sadly didn't record right) but when I walk in for taping they had dressed up as zombies. Aren't they cute?

Say "Cheese"

2009-05-12T09:28:00.001-07:00

Jarom earned his Eagle Scout ranking and we're working on the announcements to send in the mail. I was dragging my feet and then BOOM, it's two weeks away and now I'm rushed and the picture part hasn't turned out well. AARGHH!! Too late, they have to go out and now I've learned my lesson on florescent lighting (don't take an indoor portrait print anywhere near them) and I need to enroll immediately in a photoshop course.

14 [almost 15] year old boys do not cooperate in photo shoots. Here is proof:

Big Growed up kids...

2009-05-10T13:46:00.000-07:00

This Mother's Day video makes me laugh every time because...well, the mushy ones make me cry and this just depicts a photo session with kids so well and there are only TWO haha Try 4 or more. One year I tried to get a good Christmas pic of the kids PLUS our beloved Golden Retrievers BAD IDEA. By the end of the shot, I was FUMING because the dogs were retarded especially Copper, only Courtney was posing of course and Mikki was too little & squirmy and I think I yelled "SMILE IT'S CHRISTMAS quit being brats!!" At the end of the shoot with many, many bad shots one of my kids says "Hey Mom, for your photography business you should put on your cards 'Specializes in children and pets'". Thanks gang.

Only a few days left...

2009-05-05T11:11:00.001-07:00

Two of my favorite things...my Jasmine bushes and windchimes.

The bushes are in full bloom and smell so delicious! I need to make time while the fragrance is still thick to read a good book in my hammock. If a slight breeze would just blow through ...

I will be in Heaven!

Track Time

2009-04-30T10:23:00.000-07:00

Maddi is right in the middle of track season
well, regionals are next week and her 4X8 team qualified for STATE
This video is crummy and dark but I like how she busts out of the box she was in
and PR'd in the 800. Go Maddi!!
I like to watch her run...it looks so hard and not very fun
plus I remember it's a sweaty heart-pounding good excuse for her messy room!

Santa Fe Road Trip

2009-04-21T14:22:00.000-07:00

Regan had business on a Saturday in Santa Fe, New Mexico so I decided to go along to keep him company. We got our kicks on Route 66! Git along lil doggies!! Such a cool little artsy town. Checked out some historic sites, museums, interesting architecture, shops and had super yummy Mexican food with the best queso & chips mmmmmm!!

San Miguel Mission is the oldest church in the United States...next door is the oldest house in the US. Pueblo Indians trying to attack, shot their arrows from the top of the house which went through the rafters above and started the attic on fire. Everyone inside died. It is said to be haunted...some claim to hear children running up and down the aisles and the gift shop is haunted by a young child who died there. Many are buried inside and mass is still held there weekly. We lit a candle for Imelda inside. I think they really need...MELINDA GORDON GHOST WHISPERER!!

Here is the mission...

Inside...

Not a Pueblo Indian leaning on the door of the oldest house in the US...

When the settlers came, much fighting ensued with neighboring Native Americans. This monument was built to honor the men who fought and died...well, actually, honoring the white men who fought and died. This monument was erected in the 1800's.

So, someone took the time to put up a gold plaque to "apologize" for wording on the monument that could be considered offensive now and to please remember the times etc etc So here is how the plaque reads now...notice the cut out? It used to say SAVAGE. Don't know if it was vandalism or they removed it anyway. Click the picture to enlarge if you can't read it very well...

Some candids, not sure what the totem poles were and of course, Stone Soup.

2009-04-18T23:59:00.000-07:00

~ Madisen Rae Stone ~
~ Senior ~ Deer Valley HS ~
~ Swim Captain ~ Butterfly ~ Track ~ Piano ~ Stugo
~ Proud owner of a YW Medallion ~
~Daughter ~ Sister ~ Friend ~
"That's guitarded"
Don't touch her face

Photos by Nick Sorenson
www.thisisnick.com

Cheetah Girls with little Gurlz

2009-04-14T18:34:00.001-07:00

Mikki entered a drawing in the store "Girly Girls" for tickets to the Cheetah Girls concert. Much to her surprise...she WINS 4 tickets! Apparently, she and her 2 friends don't necessarily love the Cheetah Girls nor would they be caught dead wearing a concert shirt but WOW...once the Cheetah Girls got on stage and started the show it was sure suspicious how all 3 girls *Grace*Mikki*Carly* start screaming and jumping, sing all the songs and won't sit down or stop the scream singing the whole concert!! Here is proof...

Long time no see...

2009-04-14T16:59:00.000-07:00

For some reason I got the idea in my head that our growed up family wasn't interesting enough to blog about and then lo and behold, my cutest extended family ever has been complaining (& a couple friends) that my last update was back in December and it made me smile...

So to my family I love, that live far away and I HATE THAT...I'll stop the world and BLOG for you!! hehe Seriously, I promise to be better and love you all & I'm tickled someone actually reads this! I vow to blast a BLOG BOMB in the next couple days here!

All my love,
Aunt Janet ::smooch::

I got a fever...and the only prescription is MORE MIKKI!!!

2008-12-17T18:26:00.000-08:00

So, Mikki let me know that it's not very cool that I haven't blogged specifically about her. I agree, that is unacceptable. This blog is about Mikki and how AWESOME she is...just in case you didn't know. Follows are pics and videos from her recent piano recital, Halloween and soccer game. Mik can run SUPER FAST!!! She has lots of friends and is always happy, cheerful and silly. Silly is her middle name and she does a great "County Fair Accent"...you know, people that run a county fair have an accent of course. She read all the Twilight and Harry Potter books and is working on the series called Mediator. She recently entered a drawing for tickets to the Cheetah Girls concert...and WON!! I hope you all can fully appreciate now, even if only a little bit...that MIKKI ROCKS!!

Halloween...she is Nastia Lukin...Gold Medalist for bars...note the "chalk" all over her gym clothes

SOCCER is her GAME...Mikki is her name!!

Look for the blonde pony tail...

Here is Mikki on the sign at my elementary school in Tempe...Go Roadrunners!

Last but not least...The County Fair Accent...Enjoy!!

Turkey Bowl + Daniel + Marci + Us + Brining = The Best Thanksgiving Ever!

2008-12-03T15:06:00.000-08:00

We had such a fun Thanksgiving and so much to be grateful for!! We were so lucky to get Daniel for the weekend, he flew down from Pocatello for some sunny skies and warm weather and instead got RAIN!! We have never had pouring down rain for Thanksgiving EVER!! We loved having him here and just hanging out and talking and playing Mario Kart a TON...we all want Yoshi!!!

Marci came too...wouldn't be T-Day these days without her and I let her get crazy and bake a pie, didn't really realize she was a pie lady but sensed subtle hints last year that we're lame that we don't have homemade pies which I agree, that's lame, but I'm not a pie maker although for one brief moment while watching Keri Russell in the movie "The Waitress" I did want to start baking them...but anyway, I thwarted Regan at the store as he goes to buy a pie and said...NO REGAN NO!!! Marci will quit coming if don't let her bake!! By the way, don't cook with her unless you know what you're doing cuz she'll shut you DOWN!! hehe I follow recipes to the "T" and she is all Stone-ish a little here, a little there, la-de-freaking-DAH and it turns out great! Don't ask her about the Raspberry Sherbet Punch Drama of 2007 :) I must say, our turkey was amazing!! We brined it and it was dripping with juices. Like seriously.

We did Black Friday for awhile with no complaints except Maddi the Non-Marathon shopper whined and made us go home after too much shower-gel sniffing in Sephora. We also went to Organ Stop Pizza and temple lights Saturday night...Daniel ran into his bff for life Tyler who is serving his mission here in Mesa. Daniel's old basketball coach Andy also paid us a visit!

Okay, all in all...super fun and the STONES ROCK at TURKEY BOWL!! Regan and Jim Stone saved the day and played on the team of girls and lil people cuz typically, annually and frustratingly...our kids complain about the football drama of super competitive MEN who won't pass the ball to girls or kids :) Come on guys, we just want to have some Turkey Bowl FUN!

Regan CAN dance!!

2008-11-28T20:35:00.001-08:00

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Jarom's Eagle Project

2008-11-21T14:07:00.001-08:00

Jarom's Eagle project was a great success! We are so proud of Jarom for keeping at it and responding to Dad's gentle coaxing ;) to get it all done, all the calls and follow ups. His project was to sweep the headstones at National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona in honor of our veterans. Veteran's Day was November 11th so this was the perfect weekend. Jarom's favorite and most rewarding part was the family members who had come to their loved one's headstone to put out flowers (and some to dust it off but we did it for them) and they took the time to let him know how much they appreciate what he was doing and it really meant a lot to them. I, unfortunately, was unable to help the nice lady who wanted her late husband's stone to be more shiney with the gold leaves but everyone else was so appreciative and impressed. One man found Jarom...disguised in his scout uniform ;)...to tell him he was an Eagle scout too and had come to honor his grandfather and hadn't even thought to bring a broom and was sooo glad to see us there, so he signed in on Jarom's helper list haha but he said thank you and it really meant a lot to him. YAY!!! Good job Jarom!!

BEFORE

AFTER

FAVORITE HEADSTONE OF THE DAY: Floyd Eugene BATMAN...LDS (see Moroni?)

Krista Stone is THRILLER!!!

2008-11-21T13:31:00.000-08:00

This one's for you babe! HAHA So, don't go to the J&K Stone house EVER for an innocent dessert cuz before you know it you'll be suckered into relearning Michael Jackson's THRILLER dance and then teaching it to nutty young women on their 80's activity night. Ya, you heard me. Krista (in her 80's garb of course) & I were so TUBULAR that night and taught those girls how it's done! We actually had a blast and laughed ALOT and do not appreciate that Michael doesn't follow the 1 thru 8 counting rule with music ;) but all in all, we had fun, sweated, and had sore necks the next day (& sore hips cuz we can still shake it). So, to get her back...I'm posting the video. Enjoy. WAIT what am I doing??? I'm incriminating myself (& Maddi--she's in there in the argyle sweater)...I hope this is worth it and you all get a good laugh! Long live the 80's TO THE MAX

Stone Witch Project

2008-10-27T17:52:00.000-07:00

Super lots of fun at the Corn Maze!! After discovering the video feature of my little digital camera and in the spirit of Halloween, we decided to dramatize and otherwise boring, winding, exasperating corn maze of which we were showing no signs of getting out of!! It will not surprise anyone that we did several takes and most of the background noise is us cracking up even though we're supposed to be very scared a la Blair Witch Project. Look closely at Regan in the back...this is an Academy Awared Winning moment for him...

Which way should we go?? We're never gettin outta here!

Duchess Maddi

2008-10-27T16:50:00.000-07:00

Maddi was nominated for Homecoming Queen this year at Deer Valley High School. Her two best friends Jacqueline and Shawna were also nominated...her date Adam Zook was nominated & won for Senior Attendant and her partner on the committee, Alex, was nominated for King, and Jacqo's boyfriend of 3 yrs won King and Maddi's prom date last year, Jake, nominated for King and her good friend Anna for attendant and so on and so on. Maddi and her friends dominated the royalty! One funny thing that I forgot to get a picture of was the hot pink paint she spilled on her feet decorating the field. It was permanent. She had beautiful, hot pink shadowing on her feet for the dance the next night. GO Maddi!!

a lil bit o'Jarom

2008-10-10T20:19:00.000-07:00

Jarom had a school dance recently and they were supposed to dress up, he said the word "techno" and I was thinking he meant "retro" but I guess we'll never know how they were supposed to dress up. Jarom's friend at school, Taylor, has a very nice mom who offered to take them to Savers before the dance to get tacky suits. I picked him up AFTER the dance...anxious to see how he did with $10 at a thrift shop. Much to my surprise...

Pimp? Are you kidding me?

So all my "counseling" about matching and trips back to the room to "try again" really paid off huh? Don't you appreciate his use of purple mixed with a pattern, offset with the leopard print band on the fuzzy purple hat? I never dreamt it would be put together so well. Impressive. All under $10 at Savers!!

Now onto his Pirate Pants...
His pajama pants were waaay too long, Regan told him to go cut them. I squirmed but let him go do it...

After a few wash and wears...he had a nice, sexy slit going on up the back leg

So, after I got a couple memorable pics...to remind me that quite OBVIOUSLY I still have to "approve" what he's wearing and that I should teach him how to cut in a straight line...we've all voted that Jarom needs to get rid of his sexy pirate pants. Aaargh!

Maddi Rocks Hardcore!

2008-10-10T17:39:00.000-07:00

Ok...here's a video of Maddi WINNING by about 2/3 of the pool length this week and she had a headache and felt nauseated awwwww. The swimmer that came in 2nd is in the lane next to her on the right. She was no where near her. Maddi kicks it...I believe she can FLY!! So SORRY you have to turn your head...didn't know you couldn't rotate.

...only Courtney

2008-10-01T15:49:00.001-07:00

So, she did it again. Courtney had a whopper of a story for me as usual...something fantastic, surprising, alarming, disturbing or shocking is ALWAYS happening to her.

She has been pretty sick lately with an undetermined stomach issue. She is probably gonna be eating for the rest of her life like our little niece Stephanie...nothing fun, no bread blah blah blah. Also, she was just called to her RS presidency in her ward as the secretary, this last weekend of the RS broadcast there was a stake retreat at someone's cabin up in Payson. She had to work Saturday so had to leave early in the morning; had a rough night up there...you know, nausea etc. etc. So, she's driving out of Payson at like 6 am and apparently makes a left turn a little too late for the police officerSSSS (not just one, but 2 cars--like they called for back up or something). She says she was in the turn lane, it did turn yellow but she was like out there so she made the turn and got pulled over. So they're grilling her, asking her why she is in a hurry, why so early and all that. She is trying to explain she has to get to work down in Phoenix by 8am and feels very sick. They keep talking... she LOSES it...opens the door, pushes them out of the way and BARFS in the street. YESSSS barfed right there on command. What do you think they think?????? 19 yr old, early Saturday morning?? Hang over. AMAZING!!! She is telling them seriously officer, I've been really sick and I DO NOT DRINK. They say, they hear that ALL THE TIME!! So, they make her take the sobriety test complete with straight line walking and finger to the nose and a breathalizer test. Of course, our little angel on a retreat for Relief Society haha passes with flying colors. They let her go, apologize, and do not give her a ticket for the shady left turn issue. Yep...only Courtney :)

Courtney...this video is for you!

4 mile Spastic Walk of Emotions

2008-09-27T13:55:00.000-07:00

I have stepped it up on my walks now...added miles and frequency yippee!! Trying to lose weight on the open road with cars passing by is a pride swallowing seige!!! I may as well invite some humor into this weight loss challenge so I don't convince myself I'm 41 and that with my gift of 4 beautiful children to this world I am excused from physical activity.

Surely you can leave for a power walk at 9am in late September, right? No you can not. Not in Arizona. I take off all happy and pumped cuz you know, those endorphins make you happy, right? So about maybe a mile & 1/2 out I realize...uhoh, it's a tad warm and the sun is very bright and very on me and I'm quickly getting irritated, hot and grouchy cuz I hate the heat and blue sunny skies :) So now I'm half way out and have 2 miles to walk home and I just like HIT THE WALL of heat frustration (a lil less serious than heat exhaustion or exposure ;)) and I start to panick...oh my gosh...I'll never make it home...who can I call?...my water is getting warm...eww that was a cricket...I'm tired...why does Michaella have the Work Song from Les Mis on this play list?...eww that was a grasshopper...my ipod cord is bugging me and getting tangled...where is some shade?...aww that's a baby cricket STILL ewww...oh, here is one foot of shade I can crouch in...Regan is gone I can't call him...ewww another grasshopper I THINK ITS ON MY LEG...I hate Arizona...WHY?? it's like 2 days til October...grr my bangs are in my eyes...which house is Dena's, I'll refill my bottle...I'll sit on this rock in this micro-feathered shade from this mesquite tree and decide which house is Dena's...oh you think you're gonna hop on me little grasshopper??...why doesn't Dena have a wreath anymore???...oh whatever I'll just tough it out...brilliant idea-pouring my water on my head and down my shirt...nice, that guy thinks I'm crazy...oh great--here comes cute young thing with killer legs RUNNING casually with her cute puppy, whatever!!!...alright almost home, major traffic hi everyone...HOTTER THAN EVER I can feel a slight sunburn...HOME AT LAST!!!! On floor in front of fan next half hour. I HATE Arizona but today I appreciated the wind, small trees with shade and Stride Raspberry gum--it SO passed the 4 ml walk test didn't make me gag and revives itself with water :)

I'm not a good blogger.

2008-09-11T08:45:00.000-07:00

Ok, most of my problem is I don't get it. I usually can figure this stuff out better, so very soon I will conquer picture posting and put up the Spring Break trip HAHA and our trip to Utah for WEDDINGS FANTASMO!!! But on a side note, it's still freaking HOT in Arizona and if it doesn't cool down soon I'm going to kill someone. Regan tortures me yearly with a simple comment..."honey, you only have to make it til September 1st then it cools down." He insists there are only 3 hot months in Arizona then the rest is DEEElightful. Don't anybody listen to him.

Wow, I'm really good at this

2008-02-28T10:17:00.000-08:00

So, I made this to look at my cute lil younger friends family sites. I love my lil young family friends and their blogs...aren't the youth of today way cooler than us? Cuz, I thought I'd post here more, but I'm Lame-O!! I'll catch up later, but waaaaay cute sites...shout outs to C&Z Browns and C&G Glausers, my faves!! Callie and Cherise, how the heck do you have time to be cute like you are??? And the two of you, boy experts no battle, I would refer any mothers of boys to you two!! Well, and Melissa Sundwall ;)

Blog me

2007-12-27T14:56:00.000-08:00

Hi, don't know what I'm doing or how to blog or what to blog. Are there rules? Should I seek advice before my blogging gets out of control? Hopefully this will be a fun way to broadcast how awesome our family is just in case you didn't already know ;) This blog is for the Regan Stone Family cuz we Rock!!