Halloween...................

Ok so I have pics loaded finally from Halloween so I will finally update a bit. This year we stayed in Queen Creek and Trick or treated our neighborhood instead of going to Mesa like last year. The kids had fun and like usual they only wanted to do our street and then they were done and thought they had plenty of candy! YEA!!! So that took us maybe 30 minutes. Tanner wander around for awhile with his friends and then they came back and played Rock Band/Guitar Hero. Wow the NOISE coming from the living room!!!!!!!! Rob and I handed out candy from outside where it was much more quiet and enjoyed the weather and each other's company. All in all it was a nice evening for everyone.


Cooper was a SWAT officer. He wanted a gun so that was the reason he chose the costume.

Carter was a Cowboy. He also wanted a gun so he chose this costume.

Walker was a clone trooper. He plays the video game as often as he can so he was THRILLED to find the costume!!

Kenna was Snow White. She loved the shoes!!

What a variety!!

Canyon Lake Ward Campout!!

The weekend before Halloween was our Skyline Ward campout. Our ward had reserved the whole Canyon Lake Campground. Everything about the trip was so wonderful. We rented a motorhome for it and went up on Thursday evening. On Friday morning at 5:30Rob went in to town (we brought our van) and he went into work. The rest of us started our morning at 7:00. The kids played and goofed around in the motorhome while I made breakfast. We had one of our family favorites homemade breakfast burritos. Then while I cleaned up Tanner watched the kids. He was a major help to me with Rob not being there. The water was so close that we had to keep an extra eye on the babies. After that we took our chairs down to the shoreline and the kids just explored all of the beauty the Lord has given us to enjoy. This is pretty much what they did the whole day. They played in the water, sand, mud and climbed trees.

WALKER

Kenna smiling cuz she drank every Sunny D she got her hands on!

The boys checking out the shoreline.

Sissy followed her brothers everywhere and they didn't mind that.


Cooper looking and collecting shells.

Walker climbing the tree.

Tanner riding Cooper's bike anytime Coop was not on it.

Carter climbing the tree.

Cooper drying off on a nice warm rock!

Kenna had to do it too!!!!!!

CARTER

It was nice seeing the boys play together and they didn't fight that much!!

Cooper found this Tarantula while he was out exploring!! He thought it was COOL!!

All I thought was.............YUCKY!!!!!!!
Rob got back about 10:00 a.m. to enjoy the rest of the day with us. Different members from church started rolling in around noonish and we were able to chit chat and visit the afternoon away and by the time night came we had an awesome turn out!! We enjoyed the evening with good food and laughter by all. They had a Talent Show and as always ward talent shows never disappoint! Afterwards we spent the evening making Smores with our camping neighbors!! Thanks Millers and Ballinghams! Rob then left at 9ish to go home and check the faxes and get routes together for our employees for Saturday morning. He got that done dropped them off at an employees house so he didn't have to work on Sat. morning too. So he got back at midnight.While he was gone I enjoyed the nice campfire,conversation(thanks Sam), and hot coco while my children slept(except for Coop he was with me). The next morning we got up and ate and pretty much it was the same as the day before.

Here is my pyro team at work getting the campfire going in the morning!!

These are our sweet camping neighbors!! Normandee and Laurie we love you!

This was Tanner's happy morning face!!

Then my children got the chance to do something they had never done before even though they live in Arizona. They had their first boat ride. A couple of families had brought their boat's up and were being so generous and giving rides to all. Tanner went with Bro. Morris and some of the other youth. We were lucky enough that our friends the Evangelesta's had offered rides to us. I went with Cooper and Carter first. They loved it and I had forgotten how much fun it is too!! Then I went with Walker and Kenna. They were smiling the whole time. For days afterwards when they were asked what they liked about camping Kenna would say "Boat" and Walker would agree! Thank you Carrie and Ron!!!!!!!

The Evangelesta's boat.

A fun time was had by all I think and we have our wonderful activities committee and our Bishop to thank!! So thanks guys! We can't wait to see where next years campout will be. Also I need to thank my sweet husband who was willing to go even though he had to leave several times to work. Thanks Hun the kids and I love and appreciate all you do for us!!

Tanner is growing up!

Tanner and Amanda Homecoming 2008!
Well it has happened I am getting older and it is more evident every day! Tanner went to the homecoming dance a few weeks ago and he looked so handsome and so much older! He came in our room one night a few days before the dance and was talking to us and when he left the room here is the conversation:
Me: It sounds like he plans on going without even asking us!
Rob: Uhh I told him last week he could go.
Me: You told him he could go to the Homecoming dance even though he isn't 16 yet?
Rob: No I told him he could go to Homecoming.. you know the football game.
Me: Wait what was your conversation with him? What did he ask you Rob.
Rob: He asked if he could go to Homecoming and I said yes.
Me: He meant the dance not the game Hun or he would of said the game!
Rob: No that is not what he meant.....
Me: TANNER COME HERE
So after talking to Tanner who was laughing that his Dad was so clueless and had been surprised when he had said sure you can go to Homecoming he went and asked the girl and she said yes and had already got her dress so we let him go. So Rob now has to clear things a lil better with me first before saying "YES"!!

Better late than never.....Right?

Well I finally downloaded the pictures I took of the boys on their first day of school this year so I thought I would put them up.

The boys are at their old school in Mesa this year. Carter's teacher is the same one Cooper had for 1st grade and Cooper's teacher is the same one Tanner had for 4th grade. We are pleased with their teachers and glad they are showing such patience with our boys. Carter was having some problems the first month with behavior but after 1 trip to the principal he straightened right up! Carter said at the Meet the teacher night "Ah...it's good to be home"! I agree even though the gas is costing us a fortune and the time and energy put out to get them there and home each day and attend the after school sponsored functions is hard too I think it is worth it to have them at a place they are happy, comfortable and feel safe. My parents are wonderful in helping out with this also. The boys get dropped off there in the morning on Rob's way to work and my dad takes them to school when it is time. We couldn't do this with out their help plus the boys enjoy being at grammy and grumpy's house. Thanks Mom and Dad.

The babies were excited to go to school that morning too. there were some tears shed as we left the school that morning but not from me....sadly the babies thought we were staying longer than to just drop the boys off and see them to class. After asking them who wanted to go to McDonald's for breakfast it was all good!

Lions and Tigers and Bears .....OH MY!!!

Awhile back we went to the Phoenix Zoo.
Our Phoenix Zoo is such a wonderful place to enjoy as a family especially when you have children in such a variety of ages and interest. We have a yearly family Zoo pass and that is the way to do it so that at the drop of a hat you can go anytime. With a family of our size it pays for itself after 2 uses. I cannot say enough good things about the Phoenix Zoo. Of course I didn't take a lot of pics. I need to get better at that. So here is what we have.




Coop was a bit disappointed that there was not alot of hands on animal interaction. So this was his "happy" face all morning long!


I will try to get better pics next time. We can't wait to go again!

Kenna Loo says BOO!!

Here is Kennedy in her Halloween outfit this year! A fun black shirt that has "Candy Corns" to spell BOO, a black tulle skirt, orange and black tights, orange shoes (her daddy bought her) and a candy corn bracelet I made for her. She is so much fun to dress up and she enjoys it too!

Walker's 4th Birthday!!!

Well time to catch up on a few items. Walker had his 4th birthday at the end of September. We decided for his birthday this year we would go to the Arizona Museum of Natural History. Here is how their website describes the museum "The Arizona Museum of Natural History is your place for dinosaurs that roar and much more. The valley’s only natural history museum has the best dinosaurs in town, a history courtyard where visitors pan for gold, a native peoples’ gallery includes a replica village and pottery. Where else can you enjoy a cool indoor waterfall? Three changing exhibition galleries offer a variety of interesting subjects." Walker is a total nut about dinosaurs especially the T-Rex so this was a perfect fit for him. Grammie and Grumpy met us there and we started exploring! We didn't get alot of pics because we were busy chasing wild animals....oh I mean our children!

There was alot of fun things to do and see. They had an exhibit on "POOP"! Here's what they say about it "Visit the museum and become a Poop Scene Investigator (PSI) and figure out which animal did the odoriferous deed! PSI: Poop Scene Investigation!It has many names: scat, droppings, feces, dung, stool, road apples, number two, pellets, caca, and manure but poop is poop any way you say it. Explore poop’s fascinating journey – from its beginnings to the variety of ways both animals and humans use it. Of course the boys found this to be SOOOO funny! Not really my favorite part but hey boys are easily entertained!

They also have the panning for gold outside and Cooper was in heaven! He could of stayed there for hours. Coop and Papa Fred were really going at it looking for "GOLD". They have pyrite flakes in the sandy water so you really can find something. I told him about when I was younger my dad actually often took us out in the Superstition Mountains and we really panned for gold. He was intrigued by this. I told him he should get Grumpy to take him sometime and he was thrilled with the thought of it but sadly Grumpy was not to thrilled!LOL


After the Museum fun we all went to dinner and of course where does Walker want to eat but at his favorite restaurant...Barros! So we enjoyed a fun afternoon and evening with learning new things,see exciting stuff and good company. We had a nice surprise when ordering our pizza one of Rob's really good friends (he only has two) that we hadn't seen in ages happened to come in for pizza so Rob and Devin were able to visit and catch up some. So it was really an evening we all enjoyed. We had cupcakes and ice cream and presents at home and of course no pics were taken then. I need to fire our personal photographers they suck!! Happy Birthday Walker! So we must end this post with a pic of Kenna just because I want too!

I've Been Tagged........................

THE FIVE....

10 years ago I:
1. Was younger!
2. Was preparing to have my second child.
3. Bought our first "New" car.
4. Had my first child start Kindergarten!
5. Was clueless that 10 years later I would have 5 children.

5 things on today's "to do" list:
1. Work on Sharing Time for next Sunday.
2. Go to the grocery store.
3. Pick up the boys from school.
4. Get some stuff around the house done.
5. Make some Primary birthday deliveries.

5 Snacks I enjoy:
1. Really good HOMEMADE Rice Krispy treats!!! (mmmmmmmmmm)
2. Tricia's Almond Crunch! (Yummy)
3. Krispy Kreme donuts!!!
4. Haagen Dazs Zesty Lemon Sorbet
5. D.Q. Chocolate Covered Strawberry Blizzard

5 things I would do if I were a millionaire:
1. Pay off our house's.
2. Vacation, Vacation, Vacation!!!
3. Help out others.
4. Put money in a "rainy day fund" (savings)
5. Get whatever car I WANT not whatever is practical and efficient!!

5 places I have lived:
1. Mesa AZ.
2. Safford AZ.
3. Mesa AZ. (with my parents and without)
4. Mesa AZ. (with Rob)
5. Queen Creek AZ.
(P.S. All 4 of the different Mesa houses I lived in were in the general area of each other like 5 minutes away from each other)

5 jobs I have had:
1. Stocker- American Greetings
2. Sales Associate- Fashion Gal
3. Sales Associate- Millers Outpost
4. Caregiver at a nursing home
5. Mother ( the longest and hardest one) also very rewarding!

Seriously so stressed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This picture has nothing to do with this post. I just liked it.

****WARNING SUPER LONG RAMBLING POST AHEAD****
Ok so it has been awhile since I last posted but I have been so stressed that I just couldn't think!! Ok so to make a SUPER LONG story short we are not getting the house we have been working on getting for a year now!!!! There are so many details that go back for a few months but in a lil nutshell the home builder is pulling out of this subdivision and sold out all the empty lots awhile back. So we quickly went to work on getting a spec home of the same model but 7 days before we were to close they pulled our last three months of bank deposits and because business has been slow and because our company is one of the types of fields that the economy has hit pretty hard it made us a risky canidate so they said we would need 20% down instead of the 10% we had. Are you kidding me there was no way we could come up with another 32K in 7 days!!! They just are not taking the gamble anymore like they use too of people getting into one house and dumping the other house they have so our Mesa house not selling didn't help in all of this either. So I was quite sad for a few days. I have been stressing about the whole thing for several weeks. This has made me learn somethings about myself. I found out that panic attacks are scary, that I throw up when I am so totally overwhelmed that my body just can't function or even think straight! I got the flu from the two little kids who each kicked it in one day only throwing up 3 times between the two of them. I on the other hand threw up for a straight 7 hours every half hour and couldn't kick the bug entirely for almost 4 days! Even with all this we know the Lord has another plan for us. He will take care of us as He always has. I am just having a very hard time with the waiting to see what his plan is and WHEN???? I am not a patient person. Let me give you the defination of patience:
pa·tient [ páysh'nt ]
adjective
Definition:
1. capable of waiting: able to endure waiting, delay, or provocation without becoming annoyed or upset
2. capable of persevering: able to persevere calmly, especially when faced with difficulties
Does this sound like me?? Uh......... no! Now I really don't want to hear that I need to learn to be patient(Rob) because if it has not happened yet then I am not gonna hold my breathe waiting!! I am the type that likes to know what I am getting for Christmas or my Birthday(hint-hint Rob). I have always been that way. Like the year my mom got me the Bionic Women Barbie doll for my birthday. It was in the top of the closet wrapped in a bag "secretly" waiting for my birthday. I climbed up there and peeked because I could not wait. I got caught!!! So that kinda sucked cuz I didn't get it for my birthday I had to wait 4 months till Christmas came. Did I learn anything then.... NOPE still no patience!

So we have been looking at other homes and we put 2 offers on homes and the first one the bank came back and said oh yeah we have that listed wrong the price is 15K more. So we said no thanks! The other was on the market for 4 days and we were the first offer and when they turned in all the offers we were out bidded. So we shall see.
So today we had a scary 15-20 minutes!! My little brother Cody came over for a lil while and he was teasing Kenna cuz she is scared of him and he is just a butt and thinks it is funny to tease her. So I had to leave and go to Costco. I get a call from Rob 15 minutes after I left asking if I took Kenna with me. I said no look for her and he is saying I am. So I turn around and head home. I call back 2 times and they are still looking for her. I am sick and crying. I get 5 minutes from home before he calls back that they had just found her! She had went in our room and locked the door and hid in the back corner by our tv unit and pulled a blanket on top of her. She was hiding from Uncle Cody!! After putting stuff away from Costco quite a bit later I go to the garage cuz I felt I should and yeah one of the freezers wasn't closed all the way!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! No this couldn't have happened before I went and restocked it!! This is just another day in the Milius household lately.

Carter's Kindergarten Graduation!!

Well today Carter had Kindergarten Graduation!! The school had a little program where they introduced the teachers and had the children sing three songs. The songs they sung were really cute and the children were so excited of course! It was cute.

Then they went back to the classroom and got their certificate. Rob and I have not figured out yet why they didn't give them out then in the gym during the little ceremony. It didn't make sense but most things don't at this school. Anywho here is Carter's class.


This is Carter and his AWESOME teacher Miss Olson.

Of course Carter wanted pictures with his parents. It won't be often you see my photo on here!!



We are so proud of Carter. He received all A's the whole year and was on the Principal's honor roll. We are also proud of Tanner who of course was on honor roll and had a GPA of 3.5 or higher all year long too. Cooper has done a 180 turn around since returning to Taft. He had all A's in the behavior category on his report card and his grades were almost all A's and B's. He is academically almost back to where he was before his short time out here at the Florence school. Him and Carter are both going to be going to the Mesa school again in the Fall. It is just "home" to them and us too.