Brian is staying busy

When we first moved into this house more than a year ago there were a couple screens on the windows.  As time passed our dog Raven decided she would eat them while we left her at home.  Served us right!  Right?  I mean after all, she didn't want to stay home alone.
The seasons are starting to change her in Phoenix.  Yes, when I say that I mean from COLD to HOT. In an instant.  It's crazy.  This we have been blessed with some in between weather.  Brian is in HEAVEN.  We have not had the heater on for quite some time now.  For the rest of us it means we wear sweatshirts and our slippers all the time.  That darn heat is such a trigger for Brian's MS and Sarcoidosis. 
We have been blessed to be paying off some bills these past few months and doing a little better it seems.  So, With that Brian has been a busy bee around the house.  This weeks project, weather inflicted was the screens.  He has been making the frames and then placing the screen material in them.  We chose a screen that is suppose to be dog durable and shade the sun.  (sigh) I have to admit that it is money well spent.  And even though it is time consuming and my kitchen table is scratched (due to Brian needing his own work shed now) I LUV the feeling and sound of having my windows open during the day.  (hopefully it helps with the darn dog smell :( )
He has done a couple and now working on the other side of the house.... Boy, I am so grateful for a husband that can do these things.... The quote from the Screen Mobile was outrageous. 

Before: We had two old screens

on the two small outside windows.

After: I can not believe what a difference

it makes in our front room... And... it

sure does look better. Kuddos to Brian.

Playdate Luncheon

Some of you might remember my post about Taco Tuesday at Rubio's???? That is the reason behind this post. 

A couple of us ladies were gathered in the foyer on Sunday during 3rd hour of church and chatting it up.  It ended up that we were discussing we all should hang out.  What makes hanging out with your friends even better???  FOOD... And cheap food.  We were all excited that we had planned lunch on Tuesday and we were all going to invite even more people.  It was set!
Until I got home and Brian so eagerly announced that Taco Tuesday doesn't start until after 2:00.  WHAT A BUMMER :(  I secretly think that he just didn't want me going with out him since it is his FAV.  After looking into it myself and realizing that he was right (I wasn't going to tell him) I was rather bummed, again :( 
So, Tuesday morning I decided we would just have lunch and play date here at our house.  I threw on some chicken to boil, cleaned up the land mines that were so nicely left by our Rex and Raven, made sure there was toilet paper in the bathroom and that Vincent had not left his morning mess in there :)  We were ready to go. 
It was a lot of fun getting to together with so many different woman.  The kids all played together nicely. I think?  Except for Amanda, Bless her heart. She is still too rough and pretty much gouged Malina's eye out.  Overall, for being last minute, I think the food was great and the company was even better!
So Thank you to everyone whom made it and I look forward to seeing those that didn't next time.  I think I will be doing this more often!!!!!  :)

Deer Valley Stake Youth Olympics

The Deer Valley Stake YW/YM Presidency holds an annual Youth Olympics.  I have to say..... I don't know how they pull it off every year.  I can't imagine organizing a two week long event. 
I should start off by saying that last year Vincent took 1st place overall in the Stake. (I'm not proud or competitive what so ever)
This year rolled around and I must say.... I think that Brian and I were more excited than Vincent.  First of all Brian was able to attend all of the competitions AND...... of course we wanted Vincent to keep his 1st Place status.
After the first of three nights of Volleyball Vincent was HOOKED..... The juices were flowing and the thought of doing it all over again was within his view.  Or at least he thought. 
The Stake Youth Olympics ran Wed-Sat for two weeks.  The Youth were given participation points and I believe points for placing.... But don't quote me on that.  I really don't know.  Vincent did as many competitions as he could.  (you are able to enter any event that you would like)
Overall, I'm glad it is over just so I can get Amanda to bed on time.  I'm sure the Stake Presidency is more happy than I am.  But boy...... it is so much fun cheering our Youth on.  I have to admit.  We have some pretty talented, Athletic, and funny Youth.  Even though I am glad I will probably be bored at night without all of these events. It was sure a lot of fun.

First night of Youth Olympics

Volleyball

Vincent serving

Amanda having fun. Our little girl

is so strong... pushing the chair along

the gym floor.

Wii Bowling :)

I had to add this pic... Savannah & Del

Performing Arts night showing us how

the Napolean Dynamite Dance

Bike Race...

Vincent and Chris helping Savannah

get the bike ready.

Kuddos to Chris... What a friend.  Waking

up so early and cheer on his friends.

Amanda cheering on her Brother

It was sooo cold

Two girls from another ward.... They are so darn fun. 

They wore their Softball helmets for the bike race.

Savannah taking 1st Place

Vincent was the last to start..... he sure

made up for it. 1st place :)

The only time we will all be court side

seating for a basketball game.

That's not Chris fouling Vincent.  Really?

Misty Singleton= 1st Place Overall young Woman Deer Valley Stake

Vincent Sweeney=1st Place Overall Young Men Deer Valley Stake

Savannah Farley= 2nd Place Overall Young Woman Deer Valley Stake

Vincent is such a fun big brother.

Placed for=

6th Place 1600 Meter

3rd Place Wii Bowling

2nd Place Quilting

1st Place Bike Race

Amanda wore all of his Medals all night long. They were great chew toys. 

CONGRATS TO ALL OF THE YOUNG WOMAN AND YOUNG MEN WHO PARTICIPATED IN THE DEER VALLEY YOUTH OLYMPICS.

CONGRATULATIONS TO VINCENT FOR REMAINING IN 1ST PLACE OVERALL TWO YEARS IN A ROW.  :)

Our little Reader

I luv this picture of Amanda.... It is so fun to listen to her tell the story of the pictures. 

LDS Prom

Here in AZ they have an LDS Prom.  You must be 16 and abide by the church standards.  Not bad at all for a fun night with all of your friends. 
BUT.... The whole thing is asking in a clever way.  You can't just ask someone.  It has to be clever and good....
Unfortunately I did not get pictures of Vincent asking a young lady in our Stake.  He baked a cake, placed a message in the middle:
Roses are Red
Violets are Blue
Shania my Friend, I would like to go to Prom with you.
With chocolate frosting on top of the lemon cake we delivered it to her house.  It was a lot of fun. 

A couple days later Vincent and I were getting ready to head off for a bike ride and Shania and her mom pulled up.  It was the best "Special Delivery" ever.  A peperoni pizza with the peperoni spelling out YES. 
Needless to say, there will be another post with pictures of Prom night. 

Taco Tuesday

During my Mother in law's first visit she took us to a place called Rubio's.  I had never been there.  Of course Brian had.  They could not get enough of their Fish Taco's.  Well..... I decided to pass.  I just had a burrito (I was still nursing anyhow)

Brian and I decided to visit Rubio's a little while back and since I am no longer breast feeding I decided to try these so called "beyond amazing Fish Tacos"...... OOPS!  I myself am hooked now. 
Being on such a tight bugdet we don't eat out much..... Until, TACO TUESDAY..... That's right. for all of you that luv Rubio's Taco's.... On Tuesday they are only $1.50.  So, our whole family can eat for $15.00.  Now that is a bargain.....
yes, we luv Rubio's enough for me to make a blog posting. 

I have no idea why Vincent isn't smiling?

Maybe it's the new thing?  But Brian

is sure showing his excitement.

What is an Eagle Scout Project? Service?

On Febraury 4th we had to opportunity to help with a large service project.  Vincent and I headed out about 10 miles with our wheel barrow, rakes, shovel and gloves.  A friend of ours was completing his Eagle Scout Project.
It made me think while there shoveling rock, "Wow, this is a large amount of service to the City." So, really what does and Boy Scout have to do before earning the rank of Eagle? First, they must complete the rankings of Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, all with at least 12 requirements some taking as long as 6 months to complete.  Then..... You must complete the ranking of Star with holding the rank for 4 months and earning at least 6 required Eagle Merit Badges.  Next is Life Scout at least 6 months with an additional 5 Merit Badges earned.  Then you have 7 long requirements for the Eagle Rank.  Not to mention that all 21 Eagle Required Merit badges must be earned. With number 5 being a leader in a service project in your community that is approved by the Scoutmaster, Organization receiving the service and District. 
So needless to say, Eagle Rank is not something that you acheive overnight or with little effort at all.
I am so excited that Vincent will be completing his in the next couple months!!!
Not only did he complete service for the City of Peoria, he also brought his whole service committee to our house and helped Vincent and myself level out our rock in our back yard. (Brian still can not lift more than 8-10 pounds)
We were so happy to be part of this amazing project. 
CONGRATULATIONS PATRICK!!!!!! YOU ARE ONE AMAZING YOUNG MAN...... THANK YOU FOR A WONDERFUL DAY!

Leader Patrick

Getting to work

Always have to fun!

OOPS! this should be right under Patrick's

picture.... Always start with a word of prayer.

Okay, who knew that there really is a

rock dolly(sp).. But really there is.

Then you have people that look good

no matter what they are doing.... :)

Patrick had them all come to our house.

That's a lot of people raking rocks!

GO PATRICK'S EAGLE SCOUT
PROJECT!!!!!

Look at that view from my kitchen window...

How can I not luv that?

Unexpected Trip

I mentioned in my last post that Brian had spent a couple of days in the hospital. 
We decided that the best medicine for him would to be with family.  And what a better time, since everyone was going to be celebrating Katie's birthday.
So, the afternoon after he was discharge we headed out for a road trip.  We are so blessed with good little travelers.  It was a long eight hours but so incredibly worth the drive. 
It was such good therapy to spend time with family. 
Of course our main reason for going was to celebrate our neice, Katie's 1st Birthday.  I mean really...... We all know the 1st one is the best one.
Thank you to the Arroyo's for letting us stay with them.  The guest house was far beyond our expectations.  (Good Luck Chris...... Not sure you are going to be able to have use of it while camping)
Thank you to my siblings for our BBQ (Trina and Kevin hosting) and breakfast at our normal spot Sunday morning...(Holland Family... You are too kind)
Warning you..... There are A LOT of pictures. 

Amanda ready to go!

All Nelson Grand daughters

Amanda, Isabel, Katie & Jamie

Morning tea, with 3 generations

Auntie Tina & Unkie Chris playing not

so nice with Daddy...... :)

Unkie Brian and Birthday girl Katie

AAAAHHHHH.... Grandma Linda making

Crepes :)

Time for Pedi's

Luv these chairs....

Lisa, Linda, Tina and the girls

Of course after pedi's we HAVE to

do lunch at CPK.

Gavin & Gabe Garcia with Bri

Uncle Chris giving the

rules of the game.

Trina and Kevin

Auntie Angela, Quentin, Auntie Erin

and Auntie Erica

My nephew will only take pictures if I pay him

All cousins, and Jon E.

That's a lot of people

Father and Son

Diaz Siblings :)

Thank you Unlce Chris for Smiling,

Holland family. (I got Erin mid sentence)

Diaz & Lamkin

Vincent trying to beat up

on cousin Zack

Birthday girl Katie

Mommy and Katie

Some of the Nelson family.  This is the only pic

that I have that turned out.  :(  We are missing the

Arroyo's.....

Thank you to everyone.  It was a wonderful trip to see our families.  We enjoyed every minute of it.  Can't wait until May :)