The Diamondbacks vs. Cubs

My Sister, her Husband, and my Nephew

Hmmm...that sign intrigues me...why exactly do they need it?

My nephew, cheering for the cubs, with a D-Backs finger on?

Chase Field, Nice View

My Dad, his New Wife (Congratulations!), and the Girls!

Family Fun

I am from Illinois, Kyle likes to say that I am not. I was born there and moved here when I was 2, so he feels that that means I am from AZ. Digressing...

Kyle was off for a few days and we ended up NOT going to San Diego because money is a factor. We found a great special on Diamondbacks Tickets to suffice our desire for the beach. We had a ton of fun at the game. The best part was, that the D-Backs (5/7 family member rooting for) were playing the Cubs (2/7 family members rooting for, I included Riesse because she likes me better =P).

Well as one might've guessed the Cubs won...because the D-Backs didn't play their best. Riesse and I are still revelling the defeat of the family majority. Maybe next time we won't be so lucky, but for now, we are happy our team WON!

Memories

I saw this on my friend Andrea's blog and I think it is pretty cool. Let's see if this works.

1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you.

Yaya Sisterhood, 007 STYLE!

Walmart gave away free Hannah Montana 3D glasses last night. So we decide to try them out. They also had a special on Toilet Paper. We were gonna do the Bishopric's Houses, much to our "surprise" someone had already been there. Then we went to the Coates and the Martindales, same deal. We got a good idea for a Young Women's service project, plant more tree's in the ward. Bless the Bartlets for having tree's, at least that is what the people who did it must have been thinking...

Signed, Yaya

Santa & Noelle

Hillary & Riesse

Kelli, Santa, & Riesse

The Girl Section, =)

Noelle and the Girls

I never noticed before...that is before I did this post...that Santa and Noelle both have something to do with Christmas...haha...like Peanut Butter and Jelly. Wait, that doesn't make any sense. hmm...and 24...WoW...that goes with Christmas too! It was a match made in Christmas, get it! haha hahaha haha. Nevermind. =)

Well we cannot forget about Hillary for this extravaganza so we will have to mention her, but she doesn't really fit above, you know that whole Christmas thing. Oh wait, and Matt...anyway, we digress.


We had a blast last weekend with Santa & Noelle & Company. They tell me they like me because of the kids, but we all know the truth *wink wink*. It was the typical swim and barbecue, with a little bit of Crazy mixed in. The weather was perfect, and of course the food (thank you Charlie and the Smoker Factory) fyi, you would have to see the backyard to understand. Lets not forget that Noelle makes the best brownies EVER. So of course we all ate well, and swam too. I love getting together for the summer, with everyone. One day the Coates will have Grandkids and I am sure we will starve to death, but for now we will enjoy the hospitality. Thanks guys!

I would NEVER do this...

Wow...that is a huge slide...my kids seem to think its fun though,

and they give me a heart attack everytime they go down, especially Camille.

Um, yeah...seriously...I will NOT make sugar cookies with my kids...I realize now..that that is what Shelley is for...She was great...patient...kind...my kids loved it...Thanks Shell

Look who showed up...Isn't he cute.

Just Having Fun together!

A couple of weeks ago we went to visit Shelley. We thought it would be for an hour or so, but we stayed much longer. It was really fun. The kids love to play at her house. I never really understood why, until now. Its not enough that there are a few dozen animals to play with, but Shelley has more energy than me on my best day, and lets face it...she is just fun. Their friend Cole showed up part way through, and they enjoyed playing with him. She has this slide, from when she was a kid and it is HUGE, and the kids are not afraid of it at all. It scares me to an exreme, but they love it. We really had fun, and it was nice to relax and talk.

What do you think?

All right...I am now asking your opinion because I opened an envelope today and started bawling. This doesn't happen very often...but today it most certainly hit me like a ton of bricks.

Phoenix Children's Hospital is having a "We Remember Them" Memorial Service for all of the children that passed away at the hospital during 2007. They want us to send in a picture, and do a scrapbook page for Amberlee...as well as attend. The ceremony is supposed to promote peace and comfort.

So I am not sure...my thoughts are scattered here. I am afraid that seeing all those parents that lost children might be overwhelming...and most of them will be crying...I just don't know if this is the best thing. Maybe it will help to know that we are not alone. The hospital has done many things to ease our loss, and I am sure that this will be nothing short of amazing...I am afraid to go though. It might be healing...it might be an experience I shouldn't go without. What do you think?

Please comment and let me know what you think, and if you are courageous enough, why you think it.

Thanks.

Diffifcult to Swallow

So...interestingly...today Riesse is the same age as Amberlee was when she was injured...therefore Tomorrow...Riesse will become older than Amberlee had the chance to become. This morning...I gave Riesse a bath...and she kicked and splashed me significantly...Amberlee did this same thing to Kyle the morning of her last healthy day...I think this is the last challenge...but it is more difficult for me to swallow than even the anniversary of when Amberlee died. I feel like I am re-living the timing...with a different baby. I don't know how to explain it. Just Pray...Please, and if you can...call or hang out. I am trying to be busy to make sure I don't dwell...I keep saying...please help me through this one more thing...and there seems to be more...I am truly hoping this is it.

I love you all... Beth

I'm 3 Months Old!

Riesse turned 3 months old July 8th, and my how she has changed. She is almost double her birthweight...weighing in at 15lbs. She is the best baby I could ask for. I was sure I would be punished after my last few peaceful babies...but she is just as good. The best part of it all is...she is healthy! 4 of our 6 girls have had a disorder called vesicoureneral reflux (sp). Riesse does have it...but she has the slightest form...and only 1 kidney/ureter is affected. Translation...she is fine and we will not have to follow up with a urologist for her.

I am excited to watch her continue to grow, and to crawl, and to play, and to talk. I am so blessed to have had her come into my life, exactly when she did. When I was bathing her today I was remember how much I wanted her to be a boy, partly because of a prompting I had, but I am glad she is a girl. I cherish her so much more than I imagined I would.

Isn't she adorable!

Boys will be Boys

It Started out like this.

It turned into this!

Which closer up...looked like this.

So...on the 4th of July...My Favorite Holiday remember...the boys decided to play basketball in the pool. Nevermind the fact that there were children all around for them to help watch. I guess it is fair to expect they would want to have a little fun as well. Well anyway, the boys played a little rough...for a little bit of a long time...and when they got out of the pool...amazingly...their feet hurt. About 1 Minute later...came the blood...all of them...dripping...and lets just say it together...GROSS...or even...WHAT THE HECK!

I was not happy about it...and I was not shy about sharing my opinion about how smart my newly promoted husband...that works all day on his feet...was for doing this. In the end though...he did have fun...and I was happy for that...so I guess it really wasn't that big of a tragedy. It is still however, DISGUSTING!

4th of July, My Favorite

Fireworks

Camille Loving the Sun

Lindee Finding Jewels

Emma with Alysa and the Jewel Heist

Kelli helping Kelsi

Skylar, Kelli, & Karli @ the Fireworks

Yesterday was fun...I even got into a pool with my kids. Independance Day has always been my favorite holiday (and it actually feels like my favorite again)...Riesse absolutely loves the fireworks!!! She really is my baby...because there is nothing better for me than good fireworks. As I was holding her and watching her eyes grow big with every burst of color I became a little teary eyed. I missed 4th of July Fireworks with Amberlee by a little less than a week. Watching the Fireworks with my Family last night was an answer to a prayer. We are actually grasping life again...and enjoying each other and the holidays again. This is the way I choose to move forward...starting with my favorite holiday, counting my blessings one by one. I am excited to Dive in.

Lego Masters

Daddy is helping out.

This just looked cool, so I had to shoot the pic.

Camille, Jade, & Emma

Jade & Lindee working together.

Jen & one of the twins...sorry I cannot tell them apart. Let me take a quick guess, Hailey? 50/50 chance...guess I'll find out later if I am right, please love me anyway Jen =).

The Lego Master (insert loud deep voice here)

Callie, Kelli, Aften, Jade, and Emma's Braids

The Ham and the Cheese, haha

Legomania

On June 27th we went to the mall after we saw Wall-E. The new Lego store sponsored an event where we could take a part building the 8 foot R2-D2 structure they were going to leave in the store. We took Aften & Jade and met up with Jen, and the twins, Callie & Hailey, as well as the Bushmans. It was a lot of fun. Basically we built giant lego's that would be used to construct the 8 foot figure. I even got the Lego Master responsible for the chaos, to pose for a picture. I think that the Lego building was even more fun than the movie, honestly. The girls loved it as well, and Camille loved it the most. Its always nice to find a new interest for your child. Can you guess what she might get for Christmas this year?