Welcome Vanilla Jean, Niki, Gurvey Giever & Firefighterbear!

Thank you Brendan, Ally & Skyler! We LOVE our new Build a Bears. Here's how it went down. Bennon decided first which animal he wanted and handed the bear over to be stuffed.

All the kids looked and thought hard to choose just the right animal.

Fletcher with his floppy unstuffed dog waiting patiently.

Bennon making a wish on his heart before it goes in.

Rubbing the little cloth heart to warm it up before putting it inside.

Brighton and Fletcher amazed by the stuffing machine.

All the boys watching as Ellis dresses his bear in fire fighter clothes.

Tessa helping Brighton type up her birth certificate.

Ben chose video gaming pajamas for his bear.

Bennon is showing his bear how he looks in the dressing room mirror.

Brighton chose pink pajamas for her bear.

The lovely finished products. Brighton with Vanilla Jean, Bennon with Gurvey Giever, Fletcher wtih Niki and Ellis with (say it as one word really fast) Firefighterbear.

Thank you Fletchers. They had SO MUCH fun making their build a bears. We went on F & B's birthday as a special family fun trip and they just loved all of it! I think this was definitely their favorite Christmas present. The bears now go with us everywhere. Ellis has a spot on the armrest next to his car seat that he calls FFBear's car seat. We hope you get to come out and meet the 4 newest members of the family soon. We love you.

Merry Christmas!

PS We were so excited to get out the door we forgot the real camera but the Iphone came to the rescue. They're not super quality but we wanted you to see the awesome experience as it happened.

Are you Smarter than a 3rd Grader?

Arnon asked if the scorpion had scared me away from my own blog and updating. No, but I am still having camera issues and a non-stop fun December. So, for Auntie Arnon here is an update.

I volunteer over at the school in the 3rd grade and kindergarten classrooms. This week when I walked into Brighton's class her teacher said, "Oh great you can go over to the math center and help the kids with the activity. The wording can be a little tricky." Red flags went up in my head, tricky and math? We were off to a bad start. What else to do though? I jumped in and did pretty well until question number 4. Using the table above see if you can answer this question.

4. Color squares in your multiplication table. Color 1 in the first and last row of products and 2 in every other row to form diagonal pairs of equal products. Write the factors of each product you color. What pattern do you notice?

What...? I didn't even know where to start. I asked the teacher. I'm not so sure she understood it either and after she finished "explaining" it to the kids and left I asked them if they got it now. They (the advanced math group) looked at me quizzically and said, "Nope!" We skipped #4 on the remaining groups.

So, any math genius' that read this blog want to leave me a comment with some insight? Apparently, I have reached the threshold of my math skills and topped out in 3rd grade:) Oh and I should add that Brighton's teacher is excellent and generally good at explaining things so I think it was a poorly worded question. What say you?

I thought about waiting...

I thought about posting this after our guests have come and gone after Thanksgiving, but it might be something to which they can look forward.

We have found several dead scorpions in our pool. We know they are around. Outside, the other day, I saw a pretty big one (like maybe the biggest I have ever seen - couldn't catch it - it was too fast - and I won't tell you where it ran away to).

Well, last night I found the first scorpion inside the house. He was at the base of the stairs by the front door. Good thing I didn't step on him. Here he is in all his glory. I will have to start placing a ruler in the pictures of all the critters we photograph. Coincidentally, it is the same jar we had Tessa's centipede in.

Happy Birthday Grandma!

Here is a little song from Skyler ... Sorry it is a little late :)



We love Grandma and we are sorry we couldn't spend the special day with you! We can't wait to see you in December and celebrate (with a special treat we will have waiting here for you)!

Side Note: To get Skyler to say happy birthday to Grandma was a challenge because he has been running around the house singing Happy Birthday to himself for the last couple of weeks. He is so excited about his birthday and keeps asking every day : "is it my birthday Mommy?"

He talks about having a party and apparently he is inviting everyone we meet because he keeps saying, " ____ is coming to my birthday party."

Happy Birthday Mama!

Happy Birthday to my Mama that I love sooo much! Thank you for listening to me and always being so excited for my life! Being able to chat with you sure makes my commutes back and forth from work most enjoyable. Hope you have a special day! Love you Mama:)

I heard a shriek and...

Tessa and I had been sitting outside talking and hanging out. We moved into the kitchen, where I was eating the kids halloween candy. Across the kitchen Tessa screamed and jumped. This little guy (5 inches long) was crawling up the inside of her pant leg. Here is what he looked like before the poor visitor had to go away... far away. Make sure to click for a bigger picture ;) You can find out more about centipedes here.

Eric's Halloween Costume w roommates too!

Hey - I still love to see what my kids create each year for their Halloween costumes.

Don't you just love Eric's Buzz Light Year ensemble complete with snowboard for props?

(Eric - remember how much you liked your Buzz Lightyear figure/doll when Toy Story I came out?)

Thanks Eric for sending pix my way and once again thanks to Watsons too for their wonderful family Halloween pix too!

For Grandma!

Here are the requested pictures, Grandma. Glad you asked for them. We were so busy chasing kids (brought our neighbors too) that we wouldn't have remembered if you hadn't asked.

The kids decorated the trunk all by themselves for the trunk or treat. You can kind of see it in the background as Ellis is doing his best to climb in there and get some more candy.

Also, lest you think my costume boring, I did have striped tights. You just can't see them in the other picture. And here is Ellis trying to climb again. He tucked his duck costume in to bed with him tonight. He LOVES it.

My Letter to Station #49

To the Firefighter Heroes at Station #49,

This morning I buckled my 2 year old in his car seat and then inadvertently locked my only car keys in with him. I so much appreciate your kind and prompt attention to the matter.

What was initially a VERY stressful situation for us was handled so quickly, efficiently and patiently. We are all recovered now thanks to your expertise. It makes us feel safe and sound knowing you are just a phone call away in our community. Keep up the great work and thank you so very much!

Sincerely,

Tessa & Ellis

Great way to start your Monday morning, eh? Once we had been rescued I took the single key and drove to the Honda dealership and happily dropped $236 on 2 spares.

He Likes to Help with the Decorating

At breakfast this morning I reminded Brighton she is having a new friend over after school to play. She had forgotten and was concerned her room wasn't clean enough. She looked so worried I said I'd help her out. As I was upstairs (with a shovel:) cleaning I thought well, I might as well do all the rooms while I'm up here. I could hear Ellis downstairs puttering around but didn't check on him since he was happy. A little time went by and I carried a basket of stuff down to put away. This is what I found. He decided that it would be a great idea to TP all around the kitchen table and chairs, the living room, shred a roll for good measure then scatter the pieces. He left no room untouched and used every roll for underneath the guest bath sink. After that he moved onto scattering wipes one by one, stripping the couch and tossing the basket of markers. He is thorough when he helps out with the decorating. And he is very proud of himself. Can you hear him saying cheese for the camera?

PS That's why the lack of posts. My camera is broken but I got out one of Steve's 500 lb ones, switched it on to auto and got a shot. Aren't posts more fun with pics?

Notice anything different about Eric?

Can you pinpoint the diff?
It is a $4000.00 difference and Eric is most pleased & even paid for it himself!
Hint! Hint! Ya just gotta luv that smile!
(For a cute story, ask Eric why it didn't happen when he was a teenager.)

Old Eric pix

Gotta love these perks working in the hair industry!

Gotta love those perks working in the hair industry!
I can do fun things like this because I work for Aveda and one of the requirements of my job is a hair appointment every 6 weeks. It never gets expensive for me cuz Aveda covers all my hair costs. Now how fun is that!

Tiffany

What's your favorite - blonde or brunette? Ideas for the next apppointment?

Move Day for Skyler Fletcher!

It was soo cute this summer when Bren and Ally moved. They had Skyler well prepared for the relocation- drove him over to their new place a few times before they moved, talked alot about the move and on the day of the move, one of the first things to be moved over was Skyler's little kitchen set along with their adult kitchen stuff. As Ally and her mom were unpacking things for the "big people" kitchen , Skyler was setting up his kitchen in his new playroom. Such smart parents - won't be a traumatic adjustment for Mr. Skyler at all! Their new home is absolutely beautiful!

SOS, Tiffany!

Tiffany,

We need help. This kid's hair is out of control but I don't know how to cut it. I want you to do it again. I know his crazy curls grow fast but will you please come back for a visit and trim it up? You're so good at making him look like a boy but leaving some curls on. He's a hot sweaty mess and has taken to asking for ponytails. I think it's a sign; it's time for a Tiffany haircut!

Love, Tessa and Ellis

Heard in the van today...

Brighton: "Fletcher, stop kicking the back of my seat!"

Fletcher (very innocently and calmly): "I'm not kicking the back of your seat, I'm punching it."

How do you argue with that? There was just a hint of laughter in our voices as we told him to cut it out:) He is quite the little character. I hope his kindergarten teacher is ready for him Monday.

The Latest from Los Mochis, Mexico

The latest pix from Elder Fletcher:
What's your guess on the animal that rubbed up against Taylor's leg? Last week it was a turtle, this week it was a ...................................................................................?

1. Elder Tovar and I were hitch hiking again and got in the back of a truck and realized we had a friend with us, haha. ( Like last week when we were in back of the truck when something touched my leg and scared me and i found out it was a turtle, haha.)

2. Here we are Friday night because Elder Luna had his Birthday so we bought him ice cream and stuff.

3. We ate at Carls Jr after we played soccer and that was good today.

4. A neat thing about Los Mochis is that we can drink tap water in this city - the first city so far on my mission. Pretty cool eh?

Skyler swimming age 2

Here are the amazing video clips of Skyler's 2 year old swimming expertise.

Great Visit with the Forida Fletchers!

We had such a great visit last week in Florida with Brendan, Ally, Skyler and Patty Mitchell. We were able to witness first hand the TRULY AMAZING SKYLER swimming so well at only 2 years of age, see their beautiful new rental, take a quick trip to the Orlando Temple and just enjoy hanging out and visiting with them and Ally's family too. (Ally's whole family treats us sooo well - some great Patty and Priscilla recipes that we were able to glut ourselves on. Yummy!)
It was a great visit and when I can get it figured out I will load some more amazing swim videos of Skyler on the blogsite. In the mean time enjoy these pix of our fun visit.

FINALIST!

I would like to take this opportunity to brag on my husband. He decided to enter his first photography competition at the Cave Creek Film & Arts Festival. The old pro, Aunt Arnon, and he were both selected as semi-finalists which was very exciting. Today we went up to see their work and the exhibition and it was announced that he was one of three finalists! First of all that is quite an honor and second of all there is a very handsome prize :) What do you think? Does he have a chance at 1st prize? If you ask me, his lovely wife, he should win, hands down.

Happy Birthday Eric Fletcher! July 7, 1984

Eric Fletcher is having his 26th Birthday today. As well as being a HANDSOME DUDE ERIC IS:

A Loving Grandson!

An attentive Uncle!

Ellis and ERIC

ERIC, Brendan & Skyler

A super sibling!

ERIC, Tiff and Tess

Taylor, Brendan & ERIC

A Commited Missionary!

An awesome soccer player!

A wonderful Son!

An attentive host - go visit him in Las Vegas!

A diligent Sunday School President!

A dedicated Law Student!

A crazy brother in law!

Ally, Tiff & ERIC

Steve & ERIC

May your 26th year be the best year yet! U R SO LOVED!! Happy Birthday Eric!