Payton's 14th Birthday!

It's hard to believe another year has gone by. You know life is passing quickly when your baby is 14! This year we had a soccer theme celebration. We surprised her with tickets to go to Phoenix to watch the US Olympic Women's soccer team play Ireland. It was a dream come true for her. A few families from her soccer club also went, so it was lots of fun. Here are a few pictures from the game and the rest of her birthday.

One happy girl!

 The US slaughtered Ireland, so in my book, it wasn't a very good game. I like a good competitive game...(in any sport!).

I could never play soccer....it's too aggressive for me. My favorite sport was volleyball - where girls didn't push, elbow or down right tackle you. No, thank you!

Game over. 

Doesn't Landon look thrilled?  :) 

Part of her gift was a t-shirt of her favorite player - Abby Wambach. 

The day of her birthday we went to the batting cage and miniature golf. (FYI- I got a Groupon for a round of miniature golf, video tokens and time in the batting cage for $20. These daily deals rock!) 

Here's the other slugger...with too large of a helmet. ;)

My baby went through a growth spurt! She's almost 5'6.

I decorated the night before her birthday, and when I got up...it was all on the floor, so I rushed to put it back up before she got up. Until I saw the pictures, I didn't notice I put the "t" before the "r" on the flag...and neither did my family.  :) 

P.S. This year Landon thought the "soccer ball" cake I made looked like a pom-pom! :) 

Here she is checking out the appetizers I renamed - all soccer names of course. :)

Happy Birthday, Shnukums!...(or should I say, Bitrhay! Ha-Ha!) 

You will always be our baby girl, and we all love you very much! May God continue to bless you and may you always bless Him! 

Historical Ball

We were invited to a Ceremony of Blessing. (A Christian version of a bar mitzvah.) It was a beautiful ceremony along with dinner and a historical dance. 

We learned the Virginia Reel and other dances of the same time period. I planned on renting our costumes, but the hefty price tag changed my mind. I went to plan B - thrift stores! Payton and I had lots of fun shopping. There were some really fancy gowns at the dance, but with what we had to work with, I think we (some what) pulled off the Victorian style we intended. 

 My kids claim that everyone in "old" pictures are extremely serious. So this is their impression. :)

 Landon the jokester. :)

Here they are getting dance instructions. 

A Wonderful Thanksgiving

My brother and his family came to spend Thanksgiving with us. We always have a great time together!  We ate a lot, laughed a lot and enjoyed the beautiful Tucson outdoors. 

 We are getting ready to dig in. I love Thanksgiving dinner! My mom sent us some of her delicious homemade buns, pecan, peach and apple pie. So yummy - thanks, mom!

Here we are after a walk in Sabino Canyon. It was a beautiful evening...(over 10 degrees warmer than usual this time of year - low 80's. Fabulous!)

I captured a silhouette of the kids coming down the hill. So cool! 

With a grateful heart to my Lord for all His blessings!

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.
              Psalm 107:1

Election Day!

This is probably the most crutial election in our country's history. We have important freedoms and Biblical values at stake. I've said all along, "All I can do is pray and vote," (in that order!). And I have. And I will continue for the rest of the days I live on this great land. Our country was founded on His truths, has been blessed by His hand. I pray it will turn back to Him.

Landon and I getting ready to wash cars for a graduation fundraiser. Our cups speak for themselves. :)

Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord...

Psalm 33:12

May your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord, even as we put our hope in you.

Psalm 33:22

God bless America!

50th Anniversary Celebration!

We returned from NM after celebrating my parents 50th Wedding Anniversary. I feel so blessed not only to still have my parents, but to be a part of such a wonderful milestone! Instead of a large party we sent them on a trip and gave them a cozy, dinner party with immediate family. It was very special to hear them renew their vows, and feed each other (very politely!) from a small wedding cake.

Their marriage has been a wonderful testimony to my three brother, myself and all their grandchildren. Being together for 50 years was not always easy, but they kept their promise to each other and to God to love each other forever. And they have. 

Happy Anniversary, Mom and Dad,

I'm proud of you and love them very much!

I made the decoration and took to them from Tucson. (I had to get over the wrinkled tablecloths... because for some strange reason the restaurant didn't have an iron.)  :)

Football

You know fall is in the air when football is here. We had a good time at our annual U of A football game. 

The U of A has one of the largest video screens. It's huge!

Is that a partial smile I see?

She doesn't leave home without it - her foam finger that is. It's with her at every sporting event.  :)

Will they one day be U of A students? Hmmm...time will tell.

A Very Busy Weekend!

Last weekend was a crazy, busy weekend. We did survive...(barely!).  Ever have one of those weekends that everything falls on? We did. Our Fridays are typically crazy-busy anyway. The kids have Game Day on Friday mornings. (It's like a PE for our homeschool group.) It's early, but they really enjoy going. Then they have debate from 12-3, we get home, and they do school work until Payton leaves for soccer practice at 6:00. It's a long day. 
Payton had a soccer game on Saturday morning, we grabbed a bite to eat before she had to play her second game of the day. When that was over, we rushed her home so she could shower before heading to a friend's church for their band to play for a charity food drive. That was a late night (but an awesome time!). Church on Sunday morning came early. When church was over we rushed her home (again) to change cloths for her (three hour) piano recital. (There were three young children who sat behind us. They inspired Max. He thought if they could sit through a three hour classical recital, he could, too!!) ;)  
 Here our a few pics of a crazy weekend.

She absolutely loves this sport!

  Romans Road....my favorite band, ever!  :)

Payton looks flushed in this picture. It's not because she's nervous, she got sunburned! Apparently, she didn't use enough sunscreen during her games. Ugh! 

She might look sweet, but she was tired and cranky. :) 

Back in San Diego

We had a scheduled vacation to San Diego when we found out that Payton had a soccer tournament  the same weekend. It was great timing....(which never happens to us!).  :)

I forgot my camera in the hotel room, so I didn't get any pictures of soccer games, but I did get some on the beautiful beach. We love San Diego. It's relatively a short great get-away to get some beach time.

As usual, the weather was perfect. We stay right on the beach at the Navy Lodge on Coronado. It's an inexpensive, wonderful experience!

This isn't the greatest picture, but it shows height of the waves. A little too big for me. 

It is hard to capture a natural smile from Landon....but I did it! :) 

Payton in action. 

Landon having some fun with the moon.... 

......and Payton following what big brother does.  

The Rest of Beautiful Colorado

The Air Force Academy chapel

Landon saluting.....

and Payton posing.

Manitou Cliff Dwellings

Is that a smile I see?

 Garden of the Gods 

 They will always climb....and I will always stress. (I observed other children that day - and they all stayed on the path, except mine. Ugh.) 

Notice the rock balancing above...

.....and the Maxwell kids thought this was a rock they should climb?!  Really? But since they're there...might as well get a picture.  :)

Strike a pose!

This is the only picture I got before we went river rafting.  We had so much fun! (And, my kids were so glad I didn't have a water proof camera.)  :)

Cave of the Winds

The Royal Gorge Bridge is one of the world's highest suspension bridge. It was built in 1929 for $350.000, the cost today would exceed 18 million!

And of course you have to drive up the scenic (very steep and narrow!!) highway to Pikes Peak summit - where everyone was a little light headed and giddy because of the altitude of 1410 ft.  :)

It was a wonderful family vacation. With Landon a senior this year, we are treasuring all the family time we have.