Sandy's Sitting Service

Well I am officially up and running. Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9-2. Any one can drop off there kids while you do any number of things work in kids class, temple, lunch, shopping, visiting teaching etc. It is $4.00 per hr / per child. Bring a lunch or snack if needed.

Potty training update

We really are doing good at potty training. We went to panties and never looked back...As you can see it helps to have a good friend to go with you.

We still have an occasional accident but over all we are happy...

18 years...Part 2

So Karly and I started the day off with a surprise visit to Cory's office with some balloons and a jamba juice...What better way to say "I LOVE YOU " that with a 2 year old and balloons...I love you babe and thanks for a great life...

18 years...

Well today Cory & I have been married 18 years. Some days it seems just like yesterday and other days it feels like we have been together forever. I always tell people one advantage to marrying young is you grow up together. I feel like we have grown so much over the years.

So here is just a small look into the past. I was 19 and Cory was 22 when we married.

It did not take long and we knew it was time to start a family. Chad joined our family in September 1991.

In the first 3 years that we knew each other we had married, gone to school and was having our 2nd baby. Shelby was joining us in November 1993.

Before Shelby was 2 we were off on our own with a move to Carlsbad NM. We lived there for 5 years before returning back to mesa, and with our 3rd child Brady in January 1998. As we got settled back in Mesa and close to family we soon realized that we were missing some one, and soon Chase was here in June 2003. And just when we thought we were done some one made it very clear that she was waiting and here we go again!!! Karly completed our family in March 2006. I would be so ungrateful if I did not tell my husband what a wonderful husband and father he is. He does it all, cleans house, takes care of kids, fixes cars and house when needed. I am so grateful for a husband who honors his priesthood and uses it in our home. I look forward to many more years with him

Nothing beats licking the bowl !!!!!

Projects projects....

Well I am starting to find time to start and finish projects that have sat back due to my crazy schedule. Life is slowing down some and it is nice to stay home alot more.

Cool, light and fat free!!!

I was asked to make a pie for our wards enrichment night and this is the kids enjoying the left overs.

I thought I would share this with you:
Frozen Yogurt Pie
2 containers strawberry yogurt
1/2 can frozen strawberries or 1 pt sliced fresh
1 8 oz container of cool whip lite
1 graham cracker pie crust, 9 in. Thaw frozen ingredients in refrigerator. Place cool whip in large mixing bowl. Add yogurt & strawberries & fold in gently until mixed. Pour mixture into pie crust. Smooth out surface. Cover & freeze until set. About 2 hours. Remove from freezer about 20 minutes before serving. Makes 8 servings. Easily doubled for 2 pies.

Well as a parent when you get a call from one of your kids during the day, when you know that they are in school your heart sinks. Chad calls me yesterday and says' mom my car was involved in a hit and run....here the police want to talk to you" What my heart sinks.... The security witnessed a truck hit his car and then take off... Minor damage, but we are hoping that it is a student and they bring the truck back tomorrow (or soon) and security and police can take care of it...

Day 7-8...Slow down, break down & drive home

Well at the end of a great week it is time to start breaking down camp. The kids had a great week playing with new cousins and old. It is always fun to get to know each other again. Even for the adult cousins.

So on our way home we were making good time and were excited to get home in less than 12 hours. So we took a potty stop at the visitor center at Lake Powell. The kids loved looking down on the lake and the dam. So off we went accross the reservation. Only to get 30 miles out of Flagstaff and blow a hose on the suburban. YUCK!!! So we called insurance and they sent out a tow truck but they could not tow in our trailer, so we called another recuse who was Jeff Palmer who came and towed the trailer in. I few hours in town and then on the road again....Then LOTS of rain....that was a slow ride home....Well we made it home in 14 1/2 hours so much for less than 12......

Day 6...Family day

This was really the big day of the reunion. A lot of food, family and friends. Each of my mother in laws siblings planneda cfrat for the kids.

There was so many fun things to do and make. There were wood crafts, face painting, scrape books & Tye dyed shirts etc.


It is always fun to get everyone together. We are planning to do it again in 2 years same place.

I think we ended up having 68 people there. But the worst thing was on the this night I realized that I had some were lost my mothers ring the day before. We never did find it....:(

Day 5...Zions

Grandpa was our hero this trip because he was willing to hike all over wit us. He was able to use his golden age pass to get us in free. that helped since each park was 25.00. We were able to get other families to go with us for this hike(s)

This was The Weeping Wall. It was also kinda fun to see so many different people there. You see people from all over the world. It is kinda sad that they appreciate it more then we do sometimes,and they are in our back yard.

Chad got to carry Karly out of this trail. A much needed break for Cory.

Chase was such a trooper, he hiked EVERYTHING that we did.

At the end the trails the river puddles up and made a great cooling off spot. So we rolled up our pants and stripped down the little kids and let them go play.

Day 4.... Navajo Lake

Well today was a good day to just take it easy. We took everyone to Navajo Lake to play while we were waiting for other families to get into camp.

The waters was really cold, but that did not stop most of them from getting into the water. Chad even swam way out into the lake.

Day 3....Bryce Canyon

How can you not just be in pure amazement when you see these canyons? No matter how many times you go they still just take your breath away.

We took 3 adults and 10 kids and headed out to Bryce Canyon. We really had a good time while were there. The kids all really enjoyed hiking.

Cory once again carried Karly all over the canyon, we let her down when we took a snack break or when the ground was flat. It did not last very long she was a little to slow.

Thanks to Grandma for packing lots of water bottles and snacks.

By the end of the hike I think we were all dragging the little kids up. They were all glad they did the hike, and they sleep really good at the end of the day.

Day 2 .....Part 2 playing in the mud

Sorry about part 2 but I had so many pictures that I had to show you. The kids started digging in the mud, sounds harmless. Well then there was a volcano that needed lava. o you would need water to get that. So the fun began, thought what the heck they were having the time of there life and that's what playing with cousins is all about.

And yes my sweet cute Karly was the worst of them all. Many of you may know she does not stay clean for long. This is her feet at dinner time before they got muddy. I know I am a bad mom for letting her run around in bare feet, but oh well who wants to were shoes all the time, not me. It was so fun to watch these kids playing. They would just laugh and Karly thought it was fun to go wipe her hands on the other kids while she was laughing so hard. Oh the joys of summer.

And yes these are Karly feet after all the fun, we tried to put her flops back on but it did not work very well.
So when all so said and done it was time to start cleaning the kids up. Chase and Karly took turns taking a bath in a rubbermaid that we filled with warm water. It was so much fun that they did not want to get out.

Day 2...Cascade Falls

So we started the afternoon off with a small hike to Cascade Falls. It was a nice easy hike we could do with all the kids.

But did I mention that the "TRAIL IS CLOSED" Well that is what the sign says. That did not stop us. I guess with past rains this trail has washed away a little bit. I know that may sound not so fun but we had been told that it really was not that bad. The sign was more or less telling you you are at your own risk and the trail is not maintained.

Well here is the group we took up 3 adults and 10 kids, we don't do thinks in small numbers.

Cory was the hero of the trip and carried Karly all over Utah in a back pack. She thought it was a lot of fun.

Well here is a look down into the falls, leave it to be Chad to be the first one to hop down closer. All of the kids over the age of 10 got to go down and get there picture taken. We almost had to leave Shelby there she was not able to get back out so with loving help from her brother she made it out.

Day 1....Travel day

I know that I am so so far behind on blogging this summer...So here is a small head start. On Monday July 28th we headed out to a family reunion in Southern Utah. That sounds easy enough. We left bright and early to get out to Cory's sisters house since we would all be driving together. So we were off , well as we get to Forest Lake to get the 2 camp trailers, we had a small problem. As many of you know my father in law he never has to back into the trailer more than once. So he backed in, heard it click, put in the pin and started to pull forward. CRASH!!!! As the 5th Wheel dropped onto the bed of the truck. I think we were all a little sick. Cory and his Dad hurried and jacked it up for try 2. And yes there is a dent on both sides of the truck bed... So we were soon off and running, a little rain here and there but so far so good. Then came the wind and the traffic, did I mention the construction delay before Lake Powell? Ya that was fun with 3 cars. 2 trailers and 11 kids...What should have taken 9 hours ended up taking 12....Yes 12. We pulled into camp with a little rain but we were soon getting tents up and making beds. Could have been a worse 1st day.

Potty training

Good bye sippy cups.... Hello panties. Well we are starting day 3 of potty training, and she is doing pretty good. She really likes to pick a sticker every time she goes potty. So wish me luck, she was even dry after a long night.....

Well we are potty training but for real this time. We are on day 2 and we are doing really good. She only had 2 accidents yesterday 1st one was when she was left with Dad (oops) The other wad a #2 accident but we need to work for on that, but so far today we have stayed dry. She really like the putting a sticker on a paper each time she goes. She has 6 stickers and is 11:45 (yea)

1st Day of school

Well here is Chad bright and early(6:30) Ready to head out to a hour at mountainview. He is so happy to be able to drive himself to school, me too!

I think it is safe to say that Shelby was ready to go back to school but I think it is probally more about friends than school... She is so excited to finally be a freshman.

Well here are the boys who were ready to leave way to early. Chase is so excited to be able to ride his bike to school and be a BIG KID...

Chase waiting by his classroom. It was so hot but he was ready to be in school. I can't wait to see how his day has gone.

Waiting in line to g o into 1st day of school. I can't believe he is big enough to go....

babysitting???Anyone?

So if you are looking for a way to go and work in your children's class, maybe go to lunch with a friend....Well starting next Tuesday I Will be doing open babysitting. Hours will be 9-2 at 4.00 per hour per child... If you are interested in this and you do not know were I live that send me an email at azsmithfamily@hotmail.com and I will be happy to give you address and phone numbers...Bring a sack lunch or snacks....Some of you may have recieved a flyer on your door. I will see some of you soon...

Beers Pottery

I have added to my service list a link to Beers Pottery. His name is Willey Beers and he is Corys cousin. He makes a lot of really neat things. He may be in a show in Fountain Hills in November. I just thought I would spread him around AZ too.