Kayla's Open House

Last night we had an open house for Kayla... it was wonderful! There were so many people that wanted to wish her well and say goodbye, we had a house full the whole time! Shea was the official photographer, so take a look at the slide show below. It was very touching to see all the people that love Kayla and the notes they wrote her and gifts they gave her. Make a Smilebox slideshow

Happy 21st Birthday Kayla!

Yesterday was Kayla's Birthday... WOW! 21. Where did the time go?? Just a few days ago, Kayla was that 9lb 10oz baby with huge blue eyes and beautiful red hair. I am so grateful for the time I have had to be Kayla's mom. I just wish it hadn't gone by so fast!

I thought I would share my top 10 reasons I love Kayla.

1. Kayla is kind and compassionate. To everyone.


2. She plays the piano beautifully and is always willing to share her talent.


3. Kayla is a wonderful example to everyone she is around.


4. She is always willing to help. (run errands, pick up the kids, cook, clean etc. Everything except the bedroom. That one she complains about for days before doing it)


5. Kayla is beautiful. Inside and out.


6. She lives what she believes. Every day.


7. Kayla tries not to complain about my bad jokes and not so funny comments.


8. She LOVES children and is going to be a wonderful mother. (especially when we send Shea to live with her in about 6 years.)


9. Kayla makes great snickerdoodles.


10. She is willing to do things even when she feels shy, uncomfortable or unsure. She is brave.

Now... just so you don't think I am biased. Here are the top annoying things about Kayla.

1. She procastinates. Just barely read all the way through her mission book. Ugh!


2. Nervous packer. "Just throw it in!" says the mom.


3. Doesn't clean her car. "Ick... that chocolage goober is from 2 years ago!"


4. Isn't a good letter-writer. We're going to have a serious chat about that one! 16 hours in the car - plenty of time for me to nag.


5. Is grumpy in the morning.

But I love her for the good and bad! Happy Birthday Kayla!

Dinner at Cracker Barrel

2 beautiful girls in a clean room. 1 happy mom.

Father/Daughter turns into Brother/Sister

Shea had a father/daughter pumpkin paint party on Wednesday, but Robert teaches a graduate class so Andrew took Shea (and her friend who's dad also couldn't come) They had lots of fun! The bottom left picture is funny because Shea told me they were both were thinking about what to paint.. and don't they look alike?

My Day...

This is a picture of me right now... at the end of a very crazy day. I was up at 5:30 to finish work on a new product my company was launching. The launch came after an intense 1 1/2 hour online Webinar at 12. This resulted in an onslaught of calls and emails that I was determined to get to before the end of the day. I don't think I'll be making much on this venture any time soon in this crazy market - but the ultimate hope is that it will fund 3 1/2 college educations, a couple of missions, weddings and a cabin in the mountains. Oh - and a boat for Greg the egg.

I also had to finish up work on the Primary Program and Fall Festival - both of which I am in charge of. I think I only screwed up on a few things. Then I had to write an article for my next newsletter and edit a guest article.

It didn't end there... I started painting the last coat of the "not-because-I-wanted-to-remodel-it" bathroom project that has taken 3 weeks. Luckily, Robert was home by this time and was doing the detail part I hate. I took a break and wrapped Christmas presents to take on our trip next week. Finished a quilt (I won't tell you who it is for) and worked on details for Kayla's open house Sunday.

I made a few visiting teaching phone calls, cooked dinner and filled out Kayla's shot record for her to take to the MTC. When I got frustrated at her disaster of a room (it looks 10 times worse than the picture below) Kayla said it is my fault for not making her clean her room as a teenager - so she has bad habits now. That didn't irk me at all! She must want me to look forward to her leaving!

It's 10 p.m. and I'm happy... that's an awful lot to face in one day and I did it! Tomorrow is another day and the to-do list is shorter. Sounds like a good one to me.

Mosquitos & Family Pictures

Family pictures are VERY important to me... so then why did I procastinate until the week before Kayla leaves to get it done? Well, it could be because I love family pictures AFTER they are taken and printed up. NOT when I have to get everyone in the same place at the same time, dressed decent, and not mad at each other. AND get a photographer there at the same time. UGH.

But today was the magic day... a gorgeous day for outside pictures. Perfect light, handsome family, no one angry at a sibling... and the photographer was available. The problem? We chose mosquito he!! as our setting. Everyone was miserable. But tried valiently to smile and look normal. At one point, Andrew smacked my forehead (and poked my eye) to get rid of a HUGE one. He was too late, as the mosquito had filled up on my blood which then got all over me as it was smashed by my loving son.

Luckily, we have a fabulous photographer who will edit out all the bugs, bites and grimaces.

Here's a photo of me and Shea getting ready. It's all about the hair! I'll be posting the mosquito-free photos when they are ready!

Saturday morning vandalism

We woke up this morning to a yard full of political signs (Republican) spray painted... with not very nice words. They had also spread Popeye's food around the yard and on threw it on the roof. Thank goodness they didn't do anything destructive or smash my pretty pumpkins.

We are Republican, but not in a vocal way that would upset anyone, so the police think they may have gone a the wrong house. We're just glad it wasn't more than this.

A contrast in bedrooms...

We finished Braden's room today (previously occupied by Andrew.) The walls are a color called Latte... very pretty. It was a ton of work, we had to take off wall paper that was cemented to the drywall and then retexture the room. But it looks beautiful! Braden says he's going to keep it clean.... I can only hope.



In contrast, Kayla & Shea have been sharing a room and Kayla has pretty much exploded in there. It doesn't help that Shea is messy in her own right. I am really going to miss Kayla when she leaves (12 more days!) but I won't miss her mess!

Kayla playing one of my favorites

I begged Kayla to let me video her playing "Dancing on the Berlin Wall" by David Lanz. She memorized this for her dad almost 5 years ago for his Christmas present. I used my digital camera to record it, so the quality isn't great. But in person, it sounds fabulous!

Homework Puppy

I complain quite a bit about Sasha. She barks waaaaay too much, tries to eat grandma every chance she gets and still piddles in the house once in a while. But everyone now and then, she is just adorable.

Shea and Braden wanted to have her with them while they did their homework and she sat there the whole time, quiet as can be. Yes, that is her luxury bed and blanket. I spent part of Braden's college fund on it. It was a weak moment at PetSmart.

What have you done with my son?

Andrew moved into the dorms about 2 weeks ago - and we've seen him more in the last 2 weeks than the 6 months before! He's been fun to have around... today he went shopping with me and then helped make dinner (it was delicious.) Andrew helped me in the bathroom - he hates to have his picture taken, so I snuck this one.



Braden was getting ready to go to a church activity where they were playing video games at a leaders house and Andrew went with him. That's a first! I also asked him to take Shea to her Father/daughter activity next week because Robert teaches that night and he was great about it! I'm not sure what happened to that other kid.... but I like this one!

To make you laugh...

They say you should keep a journal of the funny things your kids say so you will remember them. I'm pretty sure that's for when they are little - but I may just start one after today.

Kayla and I were going over her finances - she is responsible for part of the cost of her mission and then will have to pay for school expenses when she gets back to finish up her last 1 1/2 years. After going over everything, Kayla asked me if we could put the rest of her savings onto a disk.

Hmmmm. It took me two seconds to get it. Then I spent two minutes laughing before I could explain it to her. A certificate of deposit. A CD. At a bank. Not a (c)ompact (d)isk. Now, before you get worried about my first born. She is quite smart. Good grades. Even had an economics class her senior year of high school. I'm going to say the momentary lapse of smartness came from her father's side of the family.

If you don't buy that - then she must have eaten paint chips in that old house in Providence.

Kayla's Special Day

Kayla went to the temple today for the first time in preparation for going on her mission. (17 more days!) It was a wonderful experience and we were all so grateful that her Grandma & Grandpa Sawyer were able to be there. Kayla is the first grandchild on both sides to go on a mission and it was great to have them here to share it.

Kayla definitely has a light that shines through more and more each day. She is a very special person and we are so proud that she has chosen to share what is important to her.

Two cats & a pink car

Kayla had a halloween party last night and as she got dressed up as a cat - of course Shea had to do it as well. Ms. Creativity even made her own ears and added whiskers.

They were the most beautiful cats I've seen in a long time!

18 days and counting...

We are very busy getting Kayla ready to go on her mission. She goes into the Missionary Training Center in Provo, UT on October 29. After about three weeks there, she will spend the rest of her 18 months in Seattle, WA. LUCKY!

Kayla has had a very busy year. After spending two straight semesters at BYU-ID, she immediately started working at Kohl's and doing nanny work. There are some days where she starts work at 6 a.m. and doesn't get done working until 9 p.m. Yet she still has time to date, hang out with friends and be the best big sister in the world.

We'll keep you posted!

We love Grandma Zee!!!!!

I love to quilt - not make clothes, so when Shea told me she wanted to be Dorothy for Halloween, I called in the army for help. The Grandma army. I made her a deal. She only had to make ONE Dorothy costume and I would make her TWO quilts. Grandma even threw in a pair of Ruby Red slippers to make sure she wins the grandma of the year contest.

I'm pretty sure I got the better end of the deal.

The box came today and the dress went on the next minute. After homework (and a little bit of tv of course), Dorothy wanted to wear it to bed, but the wicked mother from the west told her no. After much wailing and gnashing of teeth, the dress came off and pj's went on.

I'm pretty sure she'll want to wear it tomorrow. Good thing for that uniform code.

Shea & Braden off to school

This year Shea and Braden transferred from their public schools to a charter school. Harmony Science Academy was started here in Lubbock a year ago. They are both doing great! I love that they wear uniforms and the work seems to be on a higher level than their other schools.

Braden was chosen to be on the Robotics and Science team. He has his first Robotics competition November 1st. He was also put in 9th grade algebra (he's in 8th grade) He complains about the homework, but we are all proud of how well he is doing.


Shea loves her Turkish language class and after school Turkish dance class. (I know Turkish seems a bit weird - but the administration and some of the teachers are from Turkey.)


The only bad part is that the school is on the other side of town, where before we were just blocks from their schools, but it's worth it!

Summer vacation picts

We went on great trip this summer with our friends, the Laws. First we spent a few days in Miami then it was onto a big boat for a cruise to Cococay and Nassau. There was a threat of a tropical storm - but the weather was perfect for us.

Kayla went the summer session at BYU-ID and Andrew was working so it was just Robert, me, Braden and Shea. We missed Kayla and Andrew - but it was still a blast!

Shea and Robert saw a sting ray just a few feet from them when they were snorkling... Shea was able to scream through her snorkeling gear just fine! Braden had a great time hanging out with Bryce & Tanner.

Great Neighbors

We live next door to Scott & Corrie Clark and their 2-yr old son Grayson... they are great neighbors! Shea loves to play with Grayson (she's going to be a great babysitter one day!) and Grayson LOVES Shea.

My Mom drives me crazy!

Andrew was home for a while this afternoon getting ready for a speech in his communications class. He looked so handsome, I wanted to get a picture of him and he wouldn't cooperate.

Some day he'll thank me for at least trying to take pictures!

The Meastro....

Shea is starting to really enjoy piano. On Sunday, she sat down and site read this song... within a few minutes she had it memorized! Click below to watch...

Crazy Kids going to the Fair

Kayla, Braden and Shea had a blast taking pictures in the car on the way to the fair... It was the best part of the evening!

Grandma & Grandpa

We are so blessed to have Robert's parents come visit us twice each year from Utah. Here are photos I took today... Charles, of course, is sleeping and Lois, of course, is cleaning up. We love them!

Our Pets

Jack is our 8 year old Siberian Huskey. We inherited him about 6 years. He is a great dog... except for all that hair! He loves any attention - especially going on walks. We can't say the "w" word unless we realllly mean it.

Faya is our 3 1/2 year old tabby cat. She loves to play hide and seek and chill out on the computer desk. She had 5 kittens last year, which was great fun for the kids until mom said they had to go.

Sasha is a 9 month old Chihuahua that Andrew brought home when she was only 7 weeks old. I had a weak moment and said yes. That was before she learned how to bark and hate everyone outside of our family! We do love her... even if she is EVIL.

Joey is our Beta fish. Robert gave him to me for Christmas last year. He'll probably die soon.

It's the first post of our new blog!

I've had a professional blog for some time... but now that our family is growing up (and some are moving out) I want a place to share what each of us are doing and I think I might be more successful at this than I am at scrapbooking or keeping a journal!

Here's a brief shot at each of us:

Robert - Teaches Exercise Physiology at Texas Tech University. In charge of BoyScout fundraising.

Bliss - Busy with her marketing training company, biking, quilting and being primary president.

Kayla - Finished 2 1/2 years at BYU-ID majoring in Child Dev/Special needs. Going on an 18 month mission to Seattle, WA Oct 29.

Andrew - Freshman at Lubbock Christian University. Just moved into the dorms! Doing great at school and working at WalMart.

Braden - 8th grade. Plays trumpet and guitar. On the school robotics team and is working on his Life in Boy Scouts.

Shea - 4th grade. Is doing great at piano and school. Learning Turkish dance at school. Loves animals and creating things.