Here's to 30 years

Today my parents are celebrating their 30th wedding anniversary. I am so grateful for their example in overcoming the odds this day & age brings us. I put some pictures together of when they were first together (dating/married) and some of today. The pictures are a little discolored but it was fun for me to see them. There are no wedding pictures since my dad guards those from others. He's not too fond of the baby blue (notice I'm typing with that color) bell bottomed suit that was too short & had frills, nor does he like the curl in his hair that wouldn't stay down...although I think they are priceless.

We all love you both so much & are so thankful for the example & lessons you have taught us all in loving one another, in being faithful to your vows & to sticking it out even when life is hard. Happy 30 years & here is to 30 more!!!

Show and Tell

Today was Zhara's first time to have the Show and Tell bag for school. The teacher gave me the bag on Tuesday and so on Wednesday we went through many things to put in her bag. We finally decided on a baseball Daddy found on our Sunday walk. We made 3 clues for it and then this morning 5 min before we had to leave for school she decided that she wanted to bring something else. When I picked her up today she was so excited that she got to stand up in front of the class & the kids try to guess what she had & then "I let everyone touch it".
Here are the clues that Zhara came up with:

1) It is gray

2) It has big feet

3) It has a trunk

Everyday I pick Zhara up from school they both insist on sitting on the bench & "turning" the pages for the little girl that is reading.

My first video

I finally figured out how to get a video on here so this is a video of Zhara singing to her babies.

Zhara's birthday weekend

Although Zhara's birthday was on Thursday her celebration went on almost the entire weekend. Friday night her & Daddy slept out in the living room and stayed up 2 hours past her bedtime to watch Meet the Robinsons.

Grandma & Grandpa Burney came down on Saturday & we went to the zoo.

They got to ride the carousel for the first time (because it's 2 bucks a kid!!) and then we came home for pizza & cake.

Zhara got a Strawberry Shortcake cake. Then the most awaited part came...opening presents. Presents had come in the mail & had been in my room for days so she was dying to open them, although when it came down to I think she had already gotten into them because she opened a gift with beautiful ballerina stuff in it & she blazed right through it to the bottom & grabbed the balloons....how did she know they were there??? It was so funny I wish I could show you the video.

Sunday was Grandpa's birthday & we had cake again (finished off Strawberry Shortcake). It was a really fun birthday. Thanks to everyone who played a part, through the mail or here in AZ.

p.s. as I'm writing this I am watching the news & the 10 days forecast says that we are going to be under 100 every day!! Whoo hoo!!!

Playing Church

I thought these pictures were too cute not to share. I came in the living room because someone was banging on the piano. I found Alyssa sitting in a chair & Zhara playing the piano. I said what are you guys doing. Zhara said "We are playing church. I am playing the music and Lyssa is singing" Alyssa said "Church!" It was cute.

Happy Birthday Zhara

Zhara then:

Zhara today:

Our sweet Zhara is 4 years old today. I can't believe how fast time flies. Wasn't it just a few months ago that I was laying on the couch as David was telling someone he couldn't write a policy for him because I was 9 months pregnant & he didn't want to leave me alone? Only a few minutes later my water broke. I remember telling David " I think my water broke" David said "How do you know?" I said "Uh it's running down my leg!" 6 hours later at 4:05 am on September 11th Zhara Mckenzie Gould made her appearance into this world. I can remember it as if it were yesterday. She has grown into a beautiful little girl, inside & out. I am so thankful to have been chosen to be her mother. She brings such joy into mine and David's life & everyone who knows her. We went to the dentist yesterday & they were saying they wished that they could bottle her laughter to keep with them all day. We are so blessed to have her in our lives.

Yesterday we made cupcakes for her to take to school with her today. All her friends at school sang her happy birthday & then tonight we took her to Chick Fil A for dinner (she got a free kids meal from the primary presidency) where she got an ice cream cone, then Zhara & Alyssa played at the play place. We are waiting to do cake and presents until Saturday so that Grandma and Grandpa Burney can be here.

Here are some pictures of Zhara when she was a baby. My how time flies!!

Zhara and the Bush twins

Zhara sticking her tongue out at DavidZhara asleep at church

Zhara being silly

Girls Night Out

Friday afternoon the girls & I drove out to Glendale to spend the afternoon/evening with Aunt Aimee. We went out to a place called Westgate & played at the splash park, watched a fountain show & then had pizza. The girls loved being with Aunt Aimee & we enjoyed out "Girls night out".

Labor Day Weekend

For our holiday weekend we took a family camping trip with my parents & sister to the Grand Canyon. We drove up Saturday & arriving late afternoon to the clouds & the beautiful (only to some) cool weather. As we put our tent up the dark clouds were rolling in. As we learned from our last camping trip, our tent leaks, and so we found a nice spot under some trees hoping for a little protecting. David made burger bundles for dinner over the fire & as we started to eat it started to rain. Zhara slept in the camper with Grandma & Grandpa that night and Alyssa slept with us. We went to sleep and were awaken quickly to the sound of rain that continued to get harder & harder. David & I kept watching for the water to leak on us & as the lighting & thunder woke Alyssa up we watched our tent begin to leak. We eventually fell back to sleep only for David to wake in the morning completely soaked. He was so wet that he had to dry off with a towel. After breakfast we went to see the Grand Canyon. It was a little anti-climatic since it was foggy & you could barely see anything. It didn't seem so Grand at the time but we walked around anyway as it started to rain & eventually ended up at the visitor's center & hung out there while it POURED down rain. After it stopped raining the girls got to take their first bus ride back to the car...which they loved & wanted to do again. For lunch 5 adults & 2 kids crammed into the camper and as patience was getting a little thin............the sun came out! After some took a nap & we all felt refreshed we went back to see the Grand Canyon for real and it was, for lack of a better word, GRAND. It was so amazing & beautiful. My sister wants to hike to the bottom next year....it is a long ways down. After spending a few hours just walking & looking we went back & had dinner & a fire. The sky was clear so we were able to spend some time looking at the stars. Every time I go camping & I look up at the sky I feel so small but so in awe of Heavenly Father's beautiful creations. It was so nice to go camping & get away from work & the daily grind & to remember what is important.........our faith & our family. Despite the rain we had a wonderful time. The girls loved playing in the woods & collecting as many acorns as their little pockets could carry. They were able to see what Daddy goes hunting for...there were 5 elk just sitting at the campground entrance. We loved being in the cool weather even if it was wet!!

Daddy/Daughter Dates

"Any man can be a father. It takes someone special to be a dad"

Daddy time in our family has always been special & something to look forward to. Zhara used to get to go to the grocery store with Daddy & Alyssa would stay at home with me because she was too little. Then they both grew into big enough girls to take turns going with dad & now anytime they get to go anywhere with Dad, without mom, is so very exciting, but nothing as exciting as our new monthly adventure....Daddy/Daughter dates. Each girl gets a night with Dad. Zhara got to go to Cold Stone where she picked out blueberry muffin mix ice cream, mixed with chocolate shavings, sprinkles & gummy bears in a waffle bowl & being a good Dad & a good sport, he shared it with her & spent the rest of the money on take home ice cream for mom (no gummy bears in mine...thank goodness)

Alyssa got to go to McDonalds with Daddy & they shared a meal & then she got a bobble head stars wars toy.

So even though they have always had alone time with Dad it is now officially "Daddy/daughter dates" and although Alyssa doesn't really get it, Zhara does & it is her highlight for the month. She has been talking about her next turn since the day after she went on her date. I am very grateful for the love that David has for his daughters & that he has a desire for them to know how very special they are to him.