Halloween

I LOVE Halloween...It is fun to decorate for it, I love getting the girls costumes...I just love it! So this year is no suprise...the girls look GREAT in their attire!


Chelsea got to dress up 2 times for Halloween. Once for the tri-ward Halloween dance for mutual. And then again on Halloween. For the dance she chose to be a WILD CAVE WOMAN...at the dance they always give away prizes...Chelsea has won that prize for the last 3 years, and this year was no exception! GO CHELSEA! Then on Halloween she was a Baseball player.


Courtney decided a long time before Halloween that she wanted to be a CAVE WOMAN! She wasn't too sure about how things would look. While we were at Walmart, I thought about using dog bones for accessories. So we put them in our cart, and while we were cutting material the lady asked if we were getting things for Halloween. And the girls said yes, we were. She aked each of them what they were going to be, and Courtney said a CAVE WOMAN, and we are using these dog bones...LOL The lady then told the girls they were lucky they had a creative mom.(well I try to be, and it was a nice compliment)


Cashlyn was a CUTE unicorn! She wasn't too shy this year about going around and getting candy. I love that our ward holds a trunk or treat in the church parking lot! Makes it easy and fun for MOM's and all the kids!

Spirit Week

For Homecoming Week all the schools got together and had Spirit Days to show their TRUE MUSTANG colors. Each day the girls dress up as something different! It was lots of fun, and I love it that my GIRLS get all into it!

Here are pictures of them on different days, which were: CrAzY hAiR day, Career Day, Cowboy day, Pajama day, Sports day, Twin day, and the last day was MUSTANG colors day! It was fun to help my sister Tiffani with her kids as well. They had fun dressing up;even Devon(big shcoker, was a hawaiian girl, and dressed as a HiPpiE) participated in the action. The boys' favorite day was cowboy day. Grandma Baum showed her spirit(even to the TRUE BLUE) by wearing a BYU jersey on Sports day. Chelsea also got to participate in an activity every night at the high school (which is a little much), but I guess the kids have FUN!

HUNTING SEASON!

WE INTERRUPT THIS MARRIAGE FOR HUNTING SEASON!

Hal loves to hunt! I am glad he has a hobby that he is so passionate about! I just would have never dreamed when I married him, how much hunting really goes on! (so thus the statement up above) The best thing that I can say about HUNTING is that my girls have learned to shoot a gun, and the safety when using one. They put in for Elk and Deer, and it is a great time to spend with their dad! I have come to love the outdoors more, and appreciate the "sport" that it is. I love to be out in the woods with Hal and the girls and see the wildlife. So here's to another hunting season....the next one start soons!

CaShLyN's BiRtHdAy

Cashlyn celebrated her 2nd Birthday on September 20th.
She loves chocolate, and helped make her own birthday cake.
I think she loved the beaters more than the cake.

Cashlyn with her cake!

Cashlyn did a good job blowing out her candles. She would blow so fast, we had to light the candle several times just to get a picture. Cashlyn thought it was funny, and the other girls tried to tell her not to blow, but she didn't listen.

Cahslyn with her sisters, and gifts. Courtney(who always gets her own toys to share with others) gave her a play microphone, and some dolls. Cashlyn also got lots of cute clothes from grandparents. We love the new wardrobe!
We love Cashlyn, she is such a cutie!

Volleyball

Chelsea played on the Freshman volleyball team this year. Chelsea did a great job, and you could tell by the end of the season she had improved a lot.

Chelsea was a "passer". She got some great passes, and learned to serve open handed. Chelsea could serve pretty good, she just had to make sure she didn't step on the line.

Chelsea was always happy and encouraging on the court. She is an outstanding player and a great asset to her team.

GO CHELSEA!

Saying Goodbye

We enjoy having the missionaries over...although we don't have them over as often as we should. Elder Harris was a missionary from Hawaii that we all grew to love. Elder Harris and his companion would give lots of service, getting wood and helping people move, whatever they needed to do. Elder Harris was lots of fun, and we enjoyed him in our home. We had 2 "farewell" parties for him. One after conference with the Whitmer's from Young, and the other was the day before he was transfered. We had Brandon, Chelsea, Bethanie, Chalyce over and Hal cooked lunch for everyone. It was great! We miss Elder Harris, but we know he is doing great in Mesa.

BaCk tO ScHoOL

Chelsea's 1st day as a FRESHMAN! Yes, it's true her Momma is getting old. I can't believe that Chelsea is old enough to go to High School! She was excited to be there, and Chelsea LOVES high school better than JR. High (imagine that)!


Courtney's 1st day of 3rd GRADE! She is growing up so fast, and is becoming a sweet, cute little lady. Courtney was excited to go to school and have Ms. Duncan as her teacher.

I always dread when school starts. I do NOT look forward to early mornings with lots hustle and bustle. But I love for the girls to go to school, have friends, participate in activities, and get an education. I love to watch them develop and grow, and I love to attend whatever they are doing! HOPE THIS YEAR IS A GOOD ONE!

Perfect Words

I have been thinking a lot of the events of 2008. There were so many things that happened that year. There was Good and Bad, Joy and Sorrow, Anger and Hurt, Healing and Peace, Tears and more Tears, and LOTS OF LOVE! I guess the list could go on and on. But there is a day that year that will always hold many of those feelings for me, a day that I will never forget, a day that will always be remembered as the day I lost my brown-eyed girl. So today, I am touched by this song...

Music Playlist at MixPod.com

Born to be an ANGEL!

Today is Carissa's 4th Birthday!

We love her and miss her so much. Carissa was born earlier in the morning on July 8th, after having an emergency C-section. She was such a chunky baby for us, and had beautiful, big brown eyes. Carissa was a good baby, and never cried. She was given the nick name of "baby doll" right from the start. We should have figured that after waiting 5 extra days, and a difficult birth that Carissa wouldn't be ours for very long. I think she wanted a little more time in Heaven.

Carissa was a very smart little girl. She learned lots about our family, like our favorite colors(she always said Hal's was camouflage), and that 3 of us had brown eyes, and 3 had blue eyes. Carissa also learned the 1st & 2nd Articles of Faith.

Carissa will be remembered for her big pretty eyes, cute little smile, and for bringing lots of sunshine to our lives. She is our little princess, and a beautiful ANGEL!

Carissa will live on forever in our lives, and hearts. We love you!
July 8th, 2005-May 26th 2008

Chelsea's 8th grade Promotion

Chelsea promoted from 8th grade. Now she is a FRESHMAN! Way to go Chelsea. We are so proud of her, Chelsea is a beautiful young lady. She is a great helper around the house, loves to do things her sisters and family, and is a happy, smiling girl. Watch out high school...here she comes!

Memorial Weekend 2009

There is lots that I want to say about Memorial Weekend 2009, but for now I will just say that I will never forget the feelings I had in 2008 as my life changed forever. But not only did my life change but the lives of friends, family, my girls, and probably most of all, my husbands. I am glad my family was here in Heber for Memorial weekend, and I can't express enough how much I am grateful for them and all that they do for me.

Words can never explain the heartache I have felt, as we have lived for 1 year without a sweet little girl. Carissa touched our lives, and we will always remember her. She is an Angel, and I miss her. I love her, and can't wait for the day when I will see her again.

Life is NOT fair...Fair is where you go to see the pigs and ride the ferris wheel. Time does heal, and each day the pain lessens some. But through it all...there is a shinning ray...I know that I will see Carissa again! My Savior lives, and LOVES me. My family is eternal, and will can be together forever!

Happy Birthday to ME!

This year my birthday, and mothers day came with a little more emotion attached than in years past. I was remembering last year at this time, how my family was all on vacation and that we were all together. This year I am thinking of a little girl who doesn't get to share in our special days anymore. But I can say that this birthday was GREAT! Thanks to my husband and my girls who let me have a day to myself. Thanks to my sister, Tiffani and Nikki and my cousin Leah(who drove all the way from the valley) to suprise me with a day of "whatever I wanted to do". WOW! So we headed to Showlow and got a great pedicure, then went to trappers for dinner. After that we went back to my sister RaChelle's house to have ice cream cake with all the family. It was a great day, and I am so greatful for family to spend time with me, and to help me through all my trials. THANK YOU!

Planting a Garden

The prophet said to plant a garden. I don't know if he said make sure your family helps! It is more work to get your kids to plant, water, NOT step on the plants/seeds, than sometimes it is worth it! I am so glad that Hal doesn't mind getting things ready, and working hard for us to have a garden. A garden is A LOT of WORK, but I do love to eat the fresh vegetables that the garden brings. Hal heard about new method for planting and keeping weeds out, so we will see if it works. I think this year we over planted, and I hope that I can harvest the fruits of our labors. The girls did love being out there, and getting in the water.(but not filling the walls of water). Cashlyn got the dirtiest, and she was so cute to always "help". We haven't been out there to weed it yet, and the rain has sure helped with the watering. I sure hope we get a good garden this year. I think the most important thing is to teach our children how to plant and harvest a garden. And, to learn how to ourselves so when the time comes that we only have to rely on what we can produce we will know how. PLANTING A GARDEN IS FUN TO DO, FUN TO DO! (we will see)

Girls Just Wanna Have FUN!

Chelsea and Courtney (and the rest of us) just love it when cousins come to town. It just happend that this weekend it was the Garner Girls! We love to have the Garner Girls stay at our house. They put on some music and they were all dancing around my living room have a great time. The girls all look so pretty dressed up, getting ready to go to a baptism in Young. Cambree, Hailee, Alyssa & Courtney paused for a picture, but only if they could do bunny ears to Chelsea. lol

I know this is a blurry picture...bummer! This is taken in the Young Church house after Hannah's baptism. Hannah is the daughter of Jared and Amy Whitmer. Hal and I became friends with them several years ago, after Eric Garner introduced us. We have enjoyed getting to their family...to bad Young is SOOOOOO far away! In the picture is Cambree and Chelsea back row. Then L to R: Emily, Alyssa, Hannah, Hailee, and Courtney. What a CUTE bunch of girls.

3 little Monkeys!

3 little monkeys sitting in a tree! Chelsea and Courtney were out in the woods one day with Hal and they found this great tree. They dubbed it the monkey tree. Next time we were driving in the woods, the girls said "lets go to the monkey tree.". I was like, what is the monkey tree, and they said they would show me. The girls all had to climb in the tree, and of course get their picture taken. I do have to say...It is a COOL tree!

Pinewood Derby for Men!

I guess if the men belly ache enough, they get what they want. They wanted a pinewood derby....relieve their youth!(not me) Heber 2nd & 3rd wards got together and some of the men
raced their cars down the track. Hal had a great time. He wished he could have worked on his car more, but due to his work schedule it didn't work out. Hal's car didn't perform that well, but he was a good sport about it, and had a good time anyway.

Easter

Easter was blah around our house this year. We
didn't dye eggs, we didn't hide eggs at Grandma's
house, but we did go to the park for the Lion's Club
Annual Egg hunt.

Cashlyn didn't know what to do at first so Hal helped
her put the first egg in her bag. She got the hang
of it, and tried to pick up as many as she could


My 3 pretty girls on our way to Church!


Courtney also had a great time at the park. She loves to
get the "tattoos" and had one stuck on her forhead before
I could get a picture.

We had so many eggs this year, we had lots of
deviled eggs. The Easter Bunny did find us, and
the girls were super excited. Chelsea wasn't around
for the day. She went with the youth to the
Easter Pagent in Mesa. They left Friday afternoon
and came home Sat. around noon.

Easter is a great holiday. I love to remember the true
meaning of Easter, the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
I love this time of year when we can celebrate new life,
HOPE, and know that because of our Savior we WILL live
again someday, and we WILL see those we love again!

TRACK

Chelsea loves to participate in Sports. Right now it is track season. Chelsea throws the shot put, usually gets 2nd. That is so good, considering she has never thrown before. Way to go, Chelsea! She also runs the 100 meter, & 800 meter and places in the top 4. That is great too...fast little runner. Then she does the 4x100 relay. The group was doing pretty good in this, but then their 1st runner got hurt, so things aren't looking so good for them.

Chelsea loves to go on the track meet with her friends. Above is Smily getting ready to run the 200 meter, he does awsome at whatever sport he is participating in. Also in the picture is Chelsea and her good friend Bethanie. Bethanie also is a great athlete.

GOOD JOB Chelsea. We are proud of all of your accomplishments!

Leaving a Legacy...Thelma Carpenter (my great grandma)

My Great Grandma, Thelma Carpenter passed away on March 24th, 2009. She live a healthy, full, memorable life for 100 years! Great Grandma outlived all but 1 of her children, and 1 brother. I remember when her son, Jerald (my grandpa) died, she said: "You aren't suppose to outlive your children". Can you imagine the reunion that greeted her just beyond the veil. Her husband, Jim who died in 1990, 3 children, her parents & grandparents, and many others who had gone before! What a sweet experience to have been there when she greeted those she loved!

Great Grandma grew up without the frivolities we enjoy now. She had NO electricity, running water, straw in her matresses for a bed, NO hot water, or a vacuum cleaner, and the list could go on. She learned to sew, and made her first dress at age 12. She also made lots of quilts.

Great Grandma applied Pres. Kimballs qoute of "Use it up, Wear it out, Make it do, or Do with out" long before that saying was given. She would use water in a bucket to wash her hair, mop the floor, then water the grape vines. She didn't like paper towels because you couldn't reuse them.

Great Grandma LOVED to go to the temple. In her 80's she bought a condo across the street from the Mesa, Az Temple. She would walk there everyday and attend 4 or so sessions. They estimated she did 5000-7000 endowments during that time.

When she was 95 years old she sewed 100 baby outfits for the humanitarian project in her stake. After she was finished she said,"Now what shall I do?"

I always remember when she was in Mesa visiting and she came to my Grandma Carpenters house to see everyone. She had curlers in her hair, and all the kids(my girls, nieces & nephews) wanted to take a picture with her. She chuckled a little, and said she had curlers in her hair. We all laughed a little and then she said "I am going to be SOOO beautiful, YOU JUST WAIT AND SEE"! She was 100 years old then! How sweet! Our kids go around saying that phrase ALL the time.

At the funeral all the great grandchildren got to sing "There is Sunshine in my Soul Today" as a tribute to her. A cousin told of how a few days before she died, they were visiting grandma and asked if they could sing some hymns with her. Grandma said she didn't feel like singing, but would love to listen. After they started singing, Grandma titled her head back and sung all 3 verses of the song. I will always think of her funeral, and my great grandma when I hear this song. It so reminds me of Great Grandma and the life she lived...she always found the Sunshine in life!

As said at her funeral, We honor her today for her legacy of faith and love and for her endurance to the end. Her faith is evident when she wrote, "I do believe the Lord will bless me if I am the kind of person I can be (the person I should be)."

I love the heritage that I have. I am grateful for the blessings I have been given. Many wonderful things have happened in my life, and I am truly blessed to have known this Great Grandma, Thelma Carpenter and many other relatives who have already gone beyond the veil!

March 25 & 26...Spring Break Week

Yesterday morning we got the phone call that my Great-Grandma Carpenter had passed away! How could you be sad?-She was 100 years old! So today Wednesday we are thinking about what we need to do for the funeral, and what to do with the kids. It seems like Spring Break had either super slow days, or days that were so busy you didn't have time to sit around. Thursday was pretty much the same, running around for things we needed. Shopping and Eating out! Lots of fun to go to the mall, and watch the kids at the play area! Thursday night I took the girls to Scottsdale, where Gma Wendy had a condo. She and Aunt Valerie are going to watch my kids while we go to the funeral. That worked out great for me...and the girls got to swim a little too!

March 24th, Happy Birthday Chelsea

Chelsea always gets to celebrate her birthday
during Spring Break...she feels a little cheated.
I never got to take cupcakes or treats to her
class, and she ALWAYS spends the day with
her family! We LOVE Chelsea and think she
is growing up to be a beautiful young lady!
Here are 14 things we love about Chelsea...

#1 Always smiling
#2 Loves people...is a people person
#3 Wants to do what is RIGHT!
#4 Cute baby, and Beautiful young lady
#5 Loves Sports, Hunting, Snowboarding
and anything to keep busy!

#6 Is a GREAT big sister
#7 LOVES to pose for pictures,(I love, love that)
#8 Always tries to look her best
#9 Thinks of others
#10 Has beautiful thick hair(even though some times she doesn't like---we are jealous)

#11 Loves to participate in ALL the activities(like crazy hair
day, spirit week, silly YW activities)
#12 Is a big tease(sometimes this gets her in trouble)
#13 Great example to her sisters
#14 Is a Child of God, and is a Special young lady!

Hope you had a great Birthday, Chelsea! We love you and
are so glad you are part of our family!

March 23rd Monday, A Day at the ZOO!

Monday was a GREAT day to go to the ZOO. It wasn't very
crowded and wasn't HOT! You can't beat that! Our family
hasn't been to the ZOO in several years, so we were excited
for the adventure! The ZOO was lots of walking, animals that
didn't want to be seen, whining kids(I'm hot, I'm hungry, lets
go here, we didn't see this, how come that...but over all they
were pretty good and had a good time)!


Cashlyn LOVED the petting ZOO! This was fun for the kids,
my girls loved to get close to the animals, they especially loved
it when the goats would start to poop or pee!


Courtney and Amberly were ALWAYS posing for
a picture. When I went to the bathroom, they stole
my camera and started snapping...I have lots of
pictures of them, and feet and heads or no heads...and
did I say LOTS of them! They are cute girls, and
at such a fun age!


Chelsea LOVES to pose for pictures! She was pretty
bored at the ZOO, but tried to make the best of it!


Grandpa and Grandma Baum with the grandkids who went
to the ZOO! A lady near by said, Is that your family...YES...
they are SOOOOO beautiful...tell them they are so lucky, you
don't see families like that anymore...We tried to tell her this
was only half of us, but she didn't listen.

We LOVE our FAMILY, and are so glad we could spend
SPRING BREAK WITH THEM!