My Baby turned 1

Mayley had her birthday on Dec 1. I can't believe it has been a year all ready. She is so fun to have around the house and she has all of us wrapped around her tiny finger.

Mayley is starting to walk now

Colton Carving his pumpkin

A Fun Visit

Colton was Bob the Builder


Bridger was a Giraffe and Chisolm was Davey Crocket

Dayton was a Pirate, Briley was a 50's Girl and Tillison was a

Robot.

Bridget and Sam came down for the weekend and there was a costume contest for the Fall Festival. So we got all of the kids dressed in their costumes. It was really fun and Tillison ended up winning the grand prize of $50. That was really exciting.

Here are some pictures of Mayley. When I am getting ready in the morning I sit Mayley in the sink. We also went on a family bike ride and borrowed our friends bike stroller. It was so relaxing of Mayley. By the end of the bike ride she was asleep.

Tire Swing

A couple of weeks ago, Wes's parents and sister Ashley came to visit and Wes and his Dad made a tire swing. The kids love it and swing on it everyday. Wes tries to swing the kids as high as the swing can go and the kids think it is so fun.

The County Fair

This last weekend we went to the county fair. Dayton and Briley enter projects that they had done at school and Dayton even got second place for his project. We also watched a magic show and Briley got picked to be his helper for one magic trick. We had fun looking at all the exhibits and animals and then the kids could pick one ride to go on. After the fair we had dinner at McDonalds. It was such a fun day.

The Aftermath of Mountain Biking

This is a really long story:

I tried my hand at mountain biking. I thought it would be a good past time and something Wes and I could do together. I also was getting pretty cocky thinking that I was getting good at riding a bike. Boy did I get humbled. We started out on the trail and a mountain biking group caught up to us. I got out of their way so that they could past me. I actually didn't want to fall right in front of them so I let them past. But Wes just kept up with them. Pretty soon I was all by myself trying to make it up this hill that the road was half eroded and trying not to fall in the eroded parts. Which is really hard to do for me sense I can't even ride in a straight line on a flat surface. Well, I had to stop but then I found it difficult to start back up again, going up a hill that was dirt and trying to get my toes back into the toe clip on my pedal. My back tire kept peeling out. I started to get panicky because I was all by myself since Wes was with the other guys. Then at the top of the little hill, the mountain bike group stop and Wes was talking to them and waiting for me to catch up. But I was have trouble starting my bike. Just then, I don't know how it happen but both of my feet was on either side of the bike and the bike tipped over and both of my feet were pinned underneath the bike. So I was on top of the bike and my feet were underneath and I could not get myself untangled. Then I heard at the top of the hill, a guy looked down and said to Wes "Um, I think she is pinned under her bike." Now everyone is looking at me struggling to get out if this predicament. So Wes came back down the hill, and by that time I was all scrapped up and my ego was bruised also. Plus, I felt like Wes left me stranded and I was crying. He was like what is the big deal. And I couldn't tell him because I trying to stop myself from crying and I am holding my breath which is making my cry harder. I told him that I couldn't start my bike and he quickly told me how to start riding a bike going up a hill. I told him why didn't you tell me that in the first place and he shrugged and said "I thought it was just common sense." Well, maybe it is if you have been biking all your life. Anyways, we start going again and I am going pretty good at it and we make it to the top of the mountain. Wes quickly explains again how to go down a hill and not to use your left hand break and he also says that the trail is going to get really rocky. So he goes first so I can follow where he is putting his tires. I was starting to need to use my breaks but then my back tire would slide to the side and I felt like I was going to tip over. So I just quit using my breaks and I started flying down the hill. As I past Wes he yelled to me use my breaks and my left hand squeezed as hard as it could and I flew over the handle bars and hit my head on rocks. Luckily I had my helmet on. My leg and my shoulder also hit pretty hard as you can tell in the picture. Well if I was crying before, I am sobbing now. Wes helps me up and starts telling that I should never use my left break. That is not what I am wanting to hear right now. After a while, we get back going again and this time I am in the front so he can tell me what gear I need to be in. We hit this fork in the road and of course I pick the wrong way. When I was turning around, I turned to tight and I fell over again. On the same side as my other fall, So that is how I got the second big bruise on my leg. So we start going again and Wes is in the front this time, so I don't go the wrong way and he would tell me to just get off and walk. This one time I was walking down the trail and I fell down on my other side and got another big bruise on my hip. By the time we were done I fell 5 times and on just one leg I had 10 big bruises. I was really sore and exhausted. On the drive home I told Wes that he should of picked an easier trail to do on my first time trying and he said that was the easy trail. It usually takes Wes 30 minutes to do that trail and it took us 2 1/2 hours. So I decided that next time I should just start out with riding on a dirt road. The funny thing about this whole thing is that the first time I came down to Sierra Vista to meet his family we went mountain biking on this same trail and I didn't fall once. And I hadn't rode a bike in years. I think a had a guardian angel was looking out for me that day. I don't know where it was this last time.

Yes For Marriage!

http://www.yesformarriage.com/

Remember to VOTE YES on Prop 102! Arizona could lose more than you think.

http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/commentary/the-divine-institution-of-marriage

"Other advocates of same-sex marriage are suggesting that tax exemptions and benefits be withdrawn from any religious organization that does not embrace same-sex unions. [17] Public accommodation laws are already being used as leverage in an attempt to force religious organizations to allow marriage celebrations or receptions in religious facilities that are otherwise open to the public. Accrediting organizations in some instances are asserting pressure on religious schools and universities to provide married housing for same-sex couples. Student religious organizations are being told by some universities that they may lose their campus recognition and benefits if they exclude same-sex couples from club membership. [18] "

[17] Jonathan Turley, “An Unholy Union: Same-Sex Marriage and the Use of Governmental Programs to Penalize Religious Groups with Unpopular Practices,” in Douglas Laycock, Jr., et al., eds., Same-Sex Marriage and Religious Liberty: Emerging Conflicts (Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc., 2008, forthcoming).
[18] Marc D. Stern, “Gay Marriage and the Churches, paper delivered at the Scholar’s Conference on Same-Sex Marriage and Religious Liberty, sponsored by the The Beckett Fund, 4 May 2006.

"The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has chosen to become involved, along with many other churches, organizations, and individuals, in defending the sanctity of marriage between a man and a woman because it is a compelling moral issue of profound importance to our religion and to the future of our society.

The final line in the Proclamation on the Family is an admonition to the world from the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve: “We call upon responsible citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society.” This is the course charted by Church leaders, and it is the only course of safety for the Church and for the nation. "

Me, a Shovel, and some Sprite

Wes went to help someone move tonight so this day is just dragging on. I decided that I should get up from the computer and go do something outside before it gets too dark outside. I told the kids that I am going outside to dig in the garden to get the dirt ready to plant. So that they know where I am if they need me. Pretty soon Dayton comes out bare footed with his shovel and says he wants to help. I told he needs to get shoes on so when he jumps on the shovel it doesn't hurt his feet, but he jumped on the shovel and said his feet were tough. Maybe 3 minutes later he said he was going to go get some shoes on and went in the house. A little while later he came out with a cup in his hand and said, "Here mom, I brought out a drink for you, its Sprite." I said, " Oh thank you, I was getting thirsty." And then I took a drink. I said, "Dayton this is the best Sprite I have ever had." And then he said, "Yep, it is from a can." What a thoughtful boy I have!! Life is good with a shovel, dirt, Sprite and Dayton.

Briley's Hairdo

Brittany doesn't know that I'm posting this, so it will be a big surprise...

Last time when they were down visiting us in Queen Creek, Briley let me do her hair. Since I don't have any girls of my own, I love it when she lets me do her hair! Any way, she couldn't see the back of it, so we took pictures and let her see that way. She is growing up so fast!

9 Months!!!

Mayley had her 9 month appt today. She weighed in at 14lbs 13 oz. She is in the 1 percent for her weight and she is 27 in long and is in the 30 percent for her height. She is starting to clap her hands and is taking a few steps on her own. She is getting her top two teeth now also. She is always smiling and gets into every drawer that is on the bottom. She also likes to climb on the dishwasher door and take everything out of the dishwasher for me. I feel like I just clean up all her messes that she makes. But I wouldn't trade her for anything

Happy Birthday Brittany!

Brittany is 26-years-old today!! She got a few things that she loves: music, A&W, a picture of Christ with children, and a Cherry Cream Pie (not a cake). We are glad that she is a part of our lives and want to wish her happy birthday!! We Love You!! :)

Elder John Reed

This is my brother John. He reported to the MTC yesterday. We are so proud of him. He is very talented and he wrote this song. We love our John! Remember to turn off the music to my blog first.

The Cabin

For the 24th of July every year we go to The Cabin in Lakeside. This is my favorite time of year. We get to perform with our violins as a family in Snowflake and we get out of the heat and it rains each afternoon. It is just beautiful at the cabin. Wes is mowing the lawn with Mayley. It doesn't seem like a chores when there is a riding lawn mower. Then I took some funny pictures of Briley with Kade and Carson. It is sad that these are the only pictures that I took out of the whole weekend.

Utah Trip

We had a blast in Utah. We went up on Friday and did a Triathalon on Saturday. That is a picture of all the Miner Boys in their wet suits. Lets just say we finished with room to improve next year. Yes, we want to do it again next year. I actually did the duathon with Erin. We did the 15 Mile Bike and 5K run. I was surprised that I wasn't muscle sore the next day. I was sore from sitting on that bike seat though. Ouch!

On one of the days we went on a hike with all of Wes's family up Payson Canyon. It was a beautiful hike and it ended at a waterfall. The kids had fun playing in the freezing water.

We also went and saw Travis and Allison Bright, A long time family friend, and it was fun to see them again. Travis plays for the BYU Football team and he took us on a tour of where all the football players workout and meet for meeting and we even went into the locker room. I was surprised that it wasn't stinky in there. That was really fun to do.

It was a really fun trip and it is sad to be home and back to the real world of cleaning and laundry. Thanks to all of you who let us spend the night and day at your house. It was so much fun visiting you.

Our Suburban!

We finally got our Suburban!! Thought that you all might like to see what it looks like! We love it! Now we can have a couple more kids (not an announcement) and then will have to get another vehicle if we want one after that!!

Brittany's Curse

I haven't had the best of luck lately and am wondering when my curse is going to stop and I will have good luck. Just when things couldn't get worst they do. This time it happened in my own house. I got up Saturday night to feed Mayley. After she was put back to sleep, I went into the bathroom to get a drink and when I was walking out I step right on a scorpian. It stung me pretty good right on the arch of my foot. I yelled for Wes and he came right away and we found the scorpian. He killed it and flushed it down the toilet. He then got some tylenol for me and tape some ice around my foot. I do not know how I was able to go back to sleep. I think I was just exhausted. When I woke up, my foot was throbbing. I tried to get on it and walk and it just shot pain up my leg. I didn't go to church that day. The numbness didn't go away until Monday about noon. I am just really worried about Mayley crawling and getting stung or one of my other kids. Knowing my luck the scorpian will crawl out of the toilet when I am sitting there and I will get stung on my back side.

Mayley Crawling

Careful...Crazy Lady on the Road

Okay, well I was going to my dentist appointment. And so I was all by myself, Wes came home to stay with the kids. I was on my way and I must of been daydreaming thinking how good it was to drive in a quiet car. The radio was off, the windows were down and then all of the sudden there was a white car right in front of me. I didn't even have time to react and push on my brakes. I ran a red light and hit the judges wife up here. From all that I know she is doing okay. She did go to the ER and got check out but I don't know the result of that. But everyone I have asked about her says she is okay, just a little shook up. I was going about 40 mph and hit her on the driver side back tire. I am lucky that it isn't as bad as it could of been. Both of my airbags deployed and it felt like my face ran into a brick wall. My knees hit the dash below the steering wheel and got cut and bruised. I am a little sore in my back and neck but not to bad. At first I refused to go to the hospital. But then I started to get a really bad headache and felt like I just wanted to lay down in the middle of the road and go to sleep. The EMT came to check on me again and he said it would be wise to go to the ER. So I got to ride in an Ambulance. I asked if they could turn on the lights and sirens but told me no. It was pretty cool, but don't ever want to do it again. James heard about it and came down to the ER and Wes and James gave me a blessing. Our car is totaled and now we are looking for a suburban to buy since our family is growing and we need more room anyways. Pretty dramatic last couple of days