Araya Lee Stanley

Tammy and James Stanley have chosen the name Araya Lee for their beautiful new daughter born at Benefis Healthcare.
Araya
Name's origin: Arabic Name's original meaning: "Opinionated"
Weight: 5 pounds, 4 ounces Length: 19 inches Time: 1:01 p.m. Date: Tuesday, July 29, 2008




I am so excited for my older brother James and his wife Tammy. For as long as I can remember, James has wanted kids. I know they'll make excellent parents. My kids are sooooo excited that they had a girl and not a boy. I'm sad they moved away, now we won't get to see Araya as much as we would have liked to. Hopefully they'll send tons of pictures. We love you James and Tammy. Araya is so beautiful, give her loves from us!

Summer reading program week 9

Yesterday was the final day of the Summer Reading Program. We had so much fun reading and learning this summer. Having this program sure made the summer fly by. We had a pool party to celebrate the last day. We went swimming from 6:00pm to 8:00pm. The pool closed at 6:00pm, so only those in the reading program were at the pool. It was great fun. We had pizza and soda and lots of swimming.
We celebrated with a cake. The cake was a big hit with all the kids.
The water was a bit chilly but not bad at all. If you notice Alex's eyes are looking right at the camera. Her surgery was a definite success. I have an appointment with the eye doctor on Aug. 12Th to discuss having surgery on my eyes done. If you notice, my eye goes outward when looking up. It's been a long time coming and I would like to have the surgery. We'll see what the surgeon says!
This picture isn't the greatest but this is the group that showed up for the pool party. This isn't everyone who attended the reading program but it was a great turn out. I"m so glad they offered this program over the summer and I can't wait to see what we do next summer!

Movie Night!

Last night we invited a few friends over to watch a movie. It was the last movie party before school starts. The girls got in their pajamas and got the floor ready for their friends! I popped popcorn and got drinks ready for everyone. We always let our friends pick what movie we watch. We've seen all ours a million times. This time they picked Ghost Busters. A fun movie. You have to be careful though, it is rated PG but that was by 80's standards. Just like Sixteen Candles, it is also rated PG and has nudity. We found that out the hard way as a family! While we waited for our friends to come over we listened to music. Aunt Chalice has the funniest youtube clip posted on her blog. We watched that then tried to recreate some of the moves. The girls were so funny. I should have videoed it and put it on youtube!
Alex makes the funniest faces sometimes, especially when she dances. We had a ton of fun dancing, and watching our movie. We had popcorn during the movie and some cake after the movie. Then the kids played for a few minutes and went home. It was a fun evening. The last late night before we start on our school sleeping schedule!

Tag......I'm it!

Yes, I too have been tagged (thanks Chalice)! I've never done this before so here goes!

I Am: a happy wife, a good mom ( I like to think so), a fun sister, an awesome friend to many.
I Know: my calling in life is to be a mother.
I Want: my husband to come to church.
I Have: a hair appointment next week, yay!
I Wish: Summer vacation was a lot longer!
I Hate: stepping in gum or dog poop.
I Miss: High School and all my friends.
I Fear: I haven't taught my kids ALL they need to know to survive this wicked world.
I Feel: very blessed to have all that I do.
I Hear: the girls playing playstation and laughing.
I Smell: Taquitos in the oven, yummy!
I Crave: Olive Garden salad and bread sticks.
I Search: the Sunday ads for good sales on school clothes.
I Wonder: if I should mow the lawn
I Regret: buying an expensive front loading wash machine (so I took it back!)
I LOVE: Clayton and all he is.
I care: about my kids future.
I Always: get to emotionally involved.
I Am Not: able to have as many kids as I would like to.
I Believe: with all my heart, families can be together forever.
I Dance: more often than I should!
I Sing: the loudest in the car.
I don't always: remember what I went into a certain room for.
I fight: big red ants in the backyard every summer.
I write: love notes and put them in Clay's lunchbox.
I lose: my keys or shoes pretty much on a daily basis.
I Win: at Triopoly ( not playing anymore because Colin knows my secret now!)
I never: will get a tattoo but have always wanted one.
I listen: to the still small voice as much as I can.
I am scared of: crickets, wasps, bees.
I need: to be nicer to those I don't know.
I am happy about: James and Tammy having their first baby.
I tag: anyone that reads his and all who want to play!

Only in Bisbee!

This is a pretty normal sighting around town in Bisbee. This was hilarious. From the plastic fruit on the rear view mirrors to the Ronald McDonald lined dashboard. I think I even saw Gumby! This has got to be the craziest little city ever! You think this one is cool, you should see the little car that drives around with the big huge gold lion on top of it. Only in the artist colony of Bisbee is this considered normal!

Summer Reading Program Week 8

Today was the final day of the reading program. Next week is the pool/pizza party. All the kids that participated received a certificate for all their reading. Today was a pretty laid back day at the library. We read a book, made a bug craft, picked out our free book and it was time to go.
After the library we went to the city pool. We packed a lunch and had a little picnic in the park that's by the pool with some friends of ours. The gnats were so bad, poor Alex has little red bites all over her face. You can tell by her face she is not having much fun!
This is in the pool's locker room. The kids wanted a picture by the mermaid.
Sydney and Alex and a friend from our ward. I thought for sure we would get rained out today. The clouds were very threatening but it never did rain. The water was even nice. I thought since there hasn't been much sun it would've been cold. Alex was a little grumpy when we first got there. Getting 6 shots yesterday just so she could go to Kindergarten made her really not want to do anything today because she was a little sore. When it came time to leave the pool she was whining she wanted to stay.It turned out to be a great day!

Daddy's Girls

The girls are so excited about going to school. Last night they wanted to sleep with their backpacks on. Alex told Sydney, if they didn't sleep with them on they might miss the bus. As if my kids ever ride the bus! I usually try to buy a good sturdy backpack. One that will last all year. Jansport brand is awesome for wear and tear and now they make the CUTEST zippered tote bags. I found the perfect bags. One was pink and brown polka dots and the other was black and white polka dots. I loved them. The kids on the other hand, hated them. After 20 minutes of looking for backpacks I gave up and went to look for clothes while Daddy helped them decide. They must have flashed they're pretty blue eyes at Daddy just right because they got backpacks mom had said No to. We'll see how they stand up to 2ND grade and Kindergarten.

All Mommy wants for school picture day is.........

my two front teeth. Yes folks, Sydney has finally lost her second front tooth. This is my least favorite stage that kids go through. I hope her teeth come back in before picture day. I doubt they will, we usually have pictures in September. She was so excited to tell me about the Toad Daddy brought home from work that when she said Toad she spit it right out! It was too funny. We had to sweep the bathroom floor to find it!

Memories of Me

I saw this on a friends blog. It brought back a pretty funny memory so I thought I would try it.

Here's how you play:

1. As a comment on my blog, leave a memory that you and I had together. I doesn't matter how long you've known me, anything you remember.

2. next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory of you. It's pretty funny to see some of the things that people remember about you. If you leave a memory about me, I'll know you're playing and come to your blog (or e-mail those non-bloggers) and leave one about you.

10 years and loving it!!

Our story began July 17, 1998. We have added many chapters to our book of life. Children, homes, pets, cars, and jobs just name a few. We're looking forward to many more years of happiness spent with one another as a family. I love being "Wife" and a mother to our two beautiful girls. I am so blessed to have a friend and husband like Clayton. Our marriage may not be perfect, but I can honestly say it is fun. We are constantly laughing at and with one another.

Clay and I first met in early morning seminary. He had just returned home from his mission to Argentina, and was substituting our class. I, of course, was the class clown and was very disruptive. He got the best of me though, by turning the tables on me. By the end of class everyone was making fun of me instead of him. I remember telling his sister I wouldn't be caught dead dating him. Little did I know what was in store for me!

After graduating High School we began dating. We dated for almost exactly one year before he asked me to marry him. It was May 10Th (he thought it was my birthday which is May 12Th), and we had plans to go out to dinner. I ran home from work, changed clothes and got all dolled up for a romantic evening. Clay calls, "How about we go hiking instead?" Talk about getting a girl angry. It took me two hours to get pretty!! I threw my hair in a ponytail, swallowed my anger, and we were off to the mountains. The whole way out to the hiking spot I was upset. I didn't talk much, drove to fast, and was not in the mood for having fun. After jumping some railroad tracks and almost breaking the car and almost getting stuck in a running wash, we parked the car and started hiking. I was not a happy hiker at this point. We found a little stream and decided to hike along it. Clay went one way, I went the other. After stumbling for a while I decided to sit on a rock and pout. Clay yelled" Roxy, come look at the rock I found." No thanks! I reluctantly went and looked. It looked like every other rock by the stream just with a little more moss on it. I went back to sitting on my pout rock. Clay yelled again" Roxy, you gotta see this rock, it's beautiful." NO WAY! I didn't budge. He came to my rock, "Roxy, please turn around and look at my rock." I turn around and there he is on one knee holding a ring. "Will you marry me?" I couldn't believe it. I was so angry at him! All I could say was Clayton!!! Once again he turned the tables on me. Of course I said yes, and instantly turned my frown upside down. We were married for time and all eternity in the Mesa Arizona temple 2 months and 1 week later. The rest is history!

Summer Reading Program Week 7

Today's activity was music! Ted (the man in the photos) played a variety of instruments. We learned some really fun songs mostly about bugs. Ted and his five string banjo. This guy was a hoot. He knew lots of kids songs and managed to keep most of their attention for the majority of the time.
Ted had a wonderful voice. I could have listened to his songs all day. He came from Tucson today to share his music talents with us.
He also played an auto harp. He was very skilled at the many different instruments.
The flute was my favorite. It was so calming and relaxing. It was beautiful. He didn't play it to long. I'd love to have a CD of his flute music, it was very good! One thing I did learn today: Cockroaches can live without their head for 12 days or more. We sang so many fun songs, I wish now that I had taken my video camera. Sydney's favorite song from today was The Ants Go Marching On. It was great fun, by the end of the song all the kids had joined in and they were all stomping their feet and clapping their hands. Alex's favorite song was very long. It was a song like I knew an old lady who swallowed a fly, you built on one thing and repeated. As the song got longer and longer it got faster and faster. It was so fun!
After library we went to the city pool and went swimming for a little while. It was great, not a lot of people and the water was fairly warm. Today is only the second day of sunshine in about two weeks so we had to enjoy it while we could. I can't wait to see what we do next week at library. The only drawback is that it will be one week closer to the end of summer vacation :(

Alex's Fashion Sense

While I am at work the kids get to hang out with Daddy all day long. I always have a long day on Monday's. The kids get to have breakfast and lunch with dad and I'm usually home in time for dinner. This past Monday was no exception. Clay ran errands, checked the mail, did some grocery shopping, and found time to watch a movie with the kids. When I got home this is what I found Alex wearing. Sydney was in a Green skirt and a blue shirt. I asked Clay if Alex had worn that hat all day. He said yep, and everyone in the grocery store liked Sydney's gloves too. I see we need to have a little lesson on what to wear when leaving the house! Clay said, well at least their hair was brushed. The things little girls can get away with when they have their Daddy wrapped around their finger!!

Rain Rain Go Away......

....So the kids can go outside and play (or swim). We haven't been able to swim for some time now because of the wonderful Monsoon we've been having. Today the girls and the neighbor girl Charlotte, played inside most of the day. They built a fort with the bunk beds, and I hung Christmas lights inside. That kept them busy for a little while. When they got bored of playing school in their fort, we played games. Our games cupboard looks like a ToysRUs game isle so we had plenty to choose from. We played 6 different games, then cleaned up and went to Burger King for lunch.
After lunch we played outside in the rain. It's been drizzling most of the day. I love summer rains. It's not cold out so the kids can get wet and not get sick.
The girls love to play in the rain. They played for a few hours, then got in their swimsuits and took a warm bath. My little water bugs. When ever there is water, you'll be sure my kids are near. They even have rain boots for school because I KNOW they will splash in every puddle, no matter how big or how small.
These are the kind of summer days I like. It's a kids choice day. They pick what we do from sun up until sun down. I'm great at planning activities when the sun is out and you can do almost anything you want, but when it clouds up and rains my creative brain wants to go back to bed. I'm anxious to see what we get to do the second half of the day!

Summer Reading Program Week 6

I can't believe we only have 27 more days of summer freedom. This summer has gone by way too fast for me. The older and more fun the kids get the shorter the summers seem to get. We have a list a mile long still of things we wanted to do this summer. Guess it will have to wait until next year, or a ditch day from school!
Today at the Library, a man named Harry Walters came and taught us all about bees. I learned a few things I didn't know before. Harry is a long time bee keeper from Bisbee. Castle Rock Honey is the name of his company and he sells the honey his bees make.

He read the kids a short book. The book taught them many things about bees. Sydney's favorite part was being taught about the queen and everything she's about. Alex liked the part where Harry told us the girl bees kick the boy bees out in the winter because they don't work and they eat too much.
Harry also demonstrated a few of the tools he uses when taking care of his hives. The netted hat and the smoker were interesting. He also has a special tool for opening the hive, kinda like a crow bar.
He brought a piece of his hive that had honey on it. It doesn't look very tasty but the kids seemed to enjoy it. He told us how everything is pretty much recycled by the bees. We learned about the life cycle of a bee, how they turn a regular bee into a queen, and why they swarm. I also found it interesting that no human has ever been able to man make beeswax or Royal Jelly.
The kids got to taste some of the honey. Sydney didn't want to. Alex did and as soon as she put it in her mouth she started crying. She didn't like it at all. Ever since we've been home shes been complaining she doesn't feel good. Hopefully she's not allergic. Today was very interesting and informative. The kids were very excited to tell their Papa all about bees!

Happy Independence Day 2008!!

Coaster Races, Parade, Swimming, and Fireworks!

Yes, I survived Strep. Can I just start by saying, I absolutely HATE strep. It puts me on my death bed every time. After an ER visit, antibiotics, and lots of TLC from the family, I have once again rejoined the living. Now for the fun Fourth of July details! I couldn't fit as many pictures as I wanted so I may add a slide show at a later time. Our day started early. We were up and at it at about 6:00am. The Coaster races started at 8:30am but we wanted to get a good spot. By 7:00am we had our chairs set up, sunscreen on, and plenty of water to drink. This was one of our favorite cars. Mainly because it was driven by a girl but also because of the pretty colors. Later this girl and her car and her younger brother and his car were in the parade. The winners of the coaster races were also in the parade with their cars and their trophy's.
After the coaster races it was on to the parade. We didn't want to go home after the races so we went straight to our usual spot. We sat with a big crowd this year, all from our ward. It was great fun!
The parade was very exciting. My kids got way to much candy, as usual. They always pick up a ton, then we get home and it just sits there. We're always throwing out candy. Halloween we just hand it out, they go trick or treating and mom ends up eating everything!
Alex found this blue bow on the ground. It must have come off one of the floats. She just had to wear it! The face paintings were awesome, thanks Sara! After the parade we headed to my moms. We went swimming (the face paintings stayed on) until the fireworks. If you haven't been to the Benson fireworks in awhile.....you should go. The music was awesome, the fireworks were amazing, and the kids had a blast! After fireworks we went back to moms to have cake and ice cream for my dad's birthday! Happy 58 Dad! After cake is when my throat started hurting and it was all down hill from there.
This is video of the girls dancing to the music at the fireworks! They had so much fun. This was after the fireworks that's why the lights are on.

Strep Strikes Again

This time, it's Mommy's turn to be sick. Good thing I have two excellent nurses to take care of me. Everyone will have to wait to see our Fourth of July pictures. I'm off to my bed!

Playmates

Sydney and Alex are the best playmates. There is hardly ever any fighting or arguing. I have never seen two siblings get along so well. For the most part, they enjoy doing anything and everything together. There are those rare times when one or the other will need a break, that's when it's my turn to play! Sydney is so different from Alex. It's just amazing that two people, totally different likes and dislikes, can play for hours with each other. This is one phase in their life (the perfect playmate phase) I hope they never out grow. You've seen pictures of Littlest Pet Shop. The only other toys we have besides books are Weebles. Weebles are made by Playskool and are made for the infant toddler age. Now my kids are a bit older than the required ages but they absolutely love these toys. We haven't bought any new ones for quite some time. All the Weebles we have are from when they were younger. A few of the big play houses are in the closet, and they always ask me to get them down for them. I tried to pack them away once in the attic, you know, for all the many grandkids I'll one day have. Bad idea, you would have thought I was taking them to the dump. They cried and carried on so much we decided to leave them out.
You should see the house when the Pet Shops and the Weebles play together. Holy toy tornado Batman! I am so thankful my kids are friends with each other. I remember playing with my brothers growing up, wasn't much fun. We always had to play Muscle Men or G.I. Joe's, or shoot BB guns, even build forts. No girlie stuff. We had our fun times once in a while, but not everyday like my girls. Maybe it's a sister thing. I am so thankful for my children and the best friends they have become. I hope it will be a life long friendship (hopefully, they outgrow their toys but not each other).

Summer Reading Program Week 5

Today was a very exciting and informative day at the library. We learned many things about our country. We learned about the Revolutionary War, George Washington, Betsy Ross, the American flag, and the Statue of Liberty. Betsy Ross was our guest speaker. She told us about the time George Washington asked her to make a flag for our new country. She taught us the words to The Grand Ole Flag, and lead us around the library waving our flags and singing our new patriotic song.
Betsy Ross also told us how George Washington had wanted the stars on the flag to have six points because a six pointed star was easier to make. Betsy pulled out her scissors and showed George it was just as easy to make a five point star. Betsy then taught us how to make a perfect five point star. It was pretty easy. That's one lesson I won't forget. I never have been able to make a nice looking five point star. It's always a little off some how.
The kids had such a great time. Our house is now ready for the Fourth. We must have at least fifty stars hanging around the house. This Summer Reading Program has been such a blast this summer. It's going to make it even harder to say goodbye to summer vacation.