I took Isabelle to see Toy Story 3 yesterday ( But I couldn't wait to see it either).  What a great movie!  Just as good as the others.  I laughed alot, but I also cried.  Has anyone else seen it?  Please tell me I'm not the only one who cried.

Do YOU still have YOUR favorite childhood toy?

21 Years

That's how long we've been married.  21 years ago today.  It was a sweltering hot day.  Like melt your face off hot.  We got married at the Mesa Temple in the morning.  We got out and took all the pictures ( no one told me to get pictures taken on a different day other than my wedding day, so we walked all over the Temple grounds taking pictures at noon on this hottter than hot day.)  We had a luncheon, then drove to Pima for the reception that evening.  Then drove to Lakeside for honeymoon late that night.  I was falling asleep in the car.  But it was still a wonderful day.  And it's been a wonderful marriage with it's ups and downs.  Just as it should be.  Look how young we were!

I'm really not a hoarder

This is what moving looks like. I don't recommend doing it if you don't have to. We don't have to. I don't know why we're doing it, really. It's just what we've always done. It's a sickness I think. We just get the itch to relocate every few years. This is the longest we've ever gone.....six years. It's a good way to go through your stuff and get rid of alot of it because the less you have to pack up, the better.
Alot of the stuff in the picture is my Sister-in-law's stuff who's living with us until we move out and turn the house over to her. So, maybe this will be the last move we ever make. But, if you know us very well, you know it won't be.
Anyone have some extra boxes lying around?

Wedding Cupcakes

For the last month my favorite (only) sister and I have talked about, stressed about, thought about, cupcakes. Wedding cupcakes for my niece Shaleice's reception. What kind to make? How to decorate them? How many to make? She wanted cupcakes instead of regular cake and she wanted her bright wedding colors to be a part of them. We only made about 150 too many, but we had fun and I think the bride liked them. That's all that matters.

We went with chocolate and vanilla and we decorated them about seven different ways. Thanks to Brady for his degree in decorating with an emphasis on Wedding design. Haha. Good times!

The happy couple

Elder Evensen

Our other favorite Elder is being transferred. Elder Evensen has been a Monday night regular around our house for a long time. Trying to beat Phillip at golf pig on the putting green was his favorite thing. Trying to beat me at basketball horse was not meant to be for poor Elder Evensen. But he brought a great spirit into our home and gave us great messages and challenges.

Always smiling

Somehow he got Phillip to take a ride on his tandem bike. It took ALOT of pleading, but he got him to do it.

A great Missionary and a great guy!

Nap Time

When they were little and FULL OF ENERGY, I really needed them to take naps.  They didn't want to.  They didn't want any part of anything that resembled a nap.

Now they're older.

After working, staying up late with friends watching movies or playing video games, they can't be stopped from taking a nap.  It's 5:25 pm and right now three of my four kids are napping.  The life of an adolesent.  It's rough!

Hallelujah!! Logan graduated!!

Looking pretty cool.

Yeah, it was sunny. Or maybe I'm overcome with emotion.

Grandma and Grandpa Boren

Congratulations Logan, we're proud of you!

Thanks to Kason and whoever else for catching all these candid shots. And thanks to Jared for his camera!
Love the pictures of Bev and Grandma!! Bahahaha. Click on collage to enlarge.

Borens know how to partay!

Another great Boren get together! It was good to have Jace's kids in on the game night.

Last day to play dress up

Like all good things, Thespian week has come to an end. Rose from Titanic makes her final voyage in the halls of High School today. It's been fun, but I need some sleep!

Thespian #4

She's Alive! She's Allliiiiiiiivvvvvve!!!!!
Yes, It's the Bride of Frankenstein. This girl deserves an award, maybe not an academy award, but an award. Along with all her thespian chracters, she was also in charge of the YMYW standards night last night. She helped plan the dinner and decorations, organized a fashion show, gave a short talk(which wasn't very short because the girl isn't afraid to talk in front of people and can go on and on) and was the master of ceremonies for the evening. Good Job Emily!

Thespian #3

Miss Clara Bow in all her 1920's silent movie era glory. I had no idea who this person was. Emily looked up pictures of her and most of them were very risque. We don't do risque, so this is Emily's interpretation of Clara Bow. Since she's a silent movie actress, Emily can't talk all day. It might be the most difficult day of her life!

Thespian #2: Grease Lightning

Here she is, Rizzo from Grease. If anyone asks her who she is today, she has to break out in song and sing one of Rizzo's songs. If any of you know Rizzo very well, you know she's not a very nice character. But I think Emily can pull it off.

More to come................

Thespian in the making

This is Thespian week at school for Emily.  I'm not sure what it all means but I know it's right up her alley.  Only a select group participates in this. (theater kids).  The characters were chosen for her and every day she has to be that person.  Dress like them, act like them, talk like them.  All. Day. Long.  Today she is that chick from Matrix.  I don't even know her name, I've never seen the movies.  But I know Emily can look like her pretty easily.  The hard part will be for her not to smile all day.

 Tune in tomorrow for another installment of Thespian Week.  Who will she be????

Don't hate me....

just because I went to Paradise (Maui) for ten days. And walked the golden sand beaches at sunset, hand in hand with my love. And drove the most beautiful drive in the world. And snorkeled in the clear blue ocean and saw a Mama whale and her calf. And enjoyed a beautiful resort with exotic wildlife and mouth watering food. And relaxed and rejuvinated and had the most wonderful time.

Don't hate me for all of this. I needed it. Because I am the Mother of three teenagers.

Our Favorite Elders

It's rare to come across a set of Elders that bonds with every member of our family.  These two are the exception.  Elder Kavanaugh and Elder Evensen.

They first hit it off with Phillip during Sunday morning meetings.  Lots of joking going on.

The three of them came up with a business plan called Tripod Industries.  The Elders even had a book made and did a presentation to us on the concept.  Funny!!

It didn't take long for the rest of the family to see what extrordinary young men they are.  Logan has been going to the Nursing home every Friday with them to sing along with other Missionaries. He has really grown to love them which is quite surprising for Logan.  Amanda, Emily and Isabelle think they're about as funny as they get.  And I just love them to pieces! 

We have a great time when they're here and bring such a great spirit with them.

But after eight months in our ward, Elder Kavanaugh is being transferred today.  And he only has six weeks left of his mission here.  We're so sad to see him go, but look forward to staying in touch and seeing what marvelous things he does with his life.  I don't know how many times I've asked them to marry a couple of my daughters so they can be a part of our family.

Thanks Elders for being a part of our family for a little while at least.

Beautiful Hymn

I sat and watched along with the congregation today.
It was amazing.
Those were MY kids up there singing so beautifully! 
Amanda and Emily looking and sounding like angels.
Logan so handsome in his suit. 
Elder Kavanaugh, love him like one of my own kids.
I wish I could have stopped time, rewinded and played it over and over.
How Great Thou Art sung acapella and in four part harmony.
So Powerful and so beautiful.
My favorite hymn.
Tears.
I wish all my family could have been there to see it. 
I hope to see it again someday.

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday to a great Dad who takes his family to Disneyland and Camping and Movies and Out to Dinner.....and on and on.

To a Husband who thinks it's very important to take his Wife on trips just the two of us.

To a Man who works hard at everything he does and makes sure he takes good care of himself for his family.

Happy Birthday Phillip!!

We Love you