Bardyard Boogie

It was time for Vista Grande's annual father/daughter dance. This year it was a hoedown. The beginning of a new era for us. Amber has moved on to middle school but the first dance for Ava in kindergarden. They looked absolutley adorable. Im lovin the boots. Dad has done a great job keeping me posted with pics from his phone. Ava even won the candy jar. She guessed the right number !! Dad looked like one hot farmer boy with his scruffy beard ( Ava asked him to grow it out just for tonight) And he went with "no tooth"- the perfect hillbilly !!

Parties and Baptisms- Who could ask for anything more

We've had a whole lot of partys going on over here. We had a "wii" tournament for Tyson's family party and enjoyed some yummy skateboard cake ( thanks to Gpa, Gma and Aubrey)and some fierce competition. I think Uncle Josh was the big winner that night but Aunt Janis definetly has the boxing "skills" in the fam.

We then celebrated Tyson's Batptism this past saturday. It was a beautiful day outside and he was so excited. I think he was more excited to get his scriptures than anything else. We are so blessed to have such great family and friends who came out to share this day with us. We were surrounded by great friends from near and far and such wonderful family. Tyson was indeed thankful for all the love and support he recieved. We of course ended the evening with good food, yummy sweets ( thanks Aub) and some more Wii. Big props to Grandpa for winning his first tennis match and to Aubrey for killing us all in bowling. Be warned all family members who attend the next Phillips Wii Night- us Phillips' will have matching headbands !!

I cant wait until I'm eight....

Tyson is eight today !! He is so excited to be eight. We are celebrating his birthday this year in Lake Tahoe. Both the boys are playing in a tournament this weekend so we are making a vacation out of it. We have build a snowman and spent the afternoon "tubing". The kids are lovin just hanging out in the snow.





Besides spending his birthday in Tahoe, Tyson is so excited to be baptized. We are so happy for him and look forward to his baptism day. He is such an awesome kid with an amaing spirit. He may keep us on our toes but he has such a caring spirit and it just beams off of him. He was so excited to open his presents. He got everything on his wish list- Earplugs for his ipod, cool black and white checkered backpack and belt, red jeans and a tux ( suit for church). I thought his birthday list fit him perfectly !



We love you Tyson !! Happy Birthday TyTy

The phone call and metal

Yesterday was the beginning of a LONG process for Amber. The first part of her expander and Herbst bar were place in her mouth. She is a trooper about it but not having a good time eating with all this "metal" in her mouth.


It finally happened. I got a midday "call" from Tyson's teacher. Yes, I know what you guys are thinking, I too assummed that I was getting the "Tyson said... or Tyson did... " call, but I was pleasantly surprised.


When I answered, Tyson's teacher told me that he had advanced a level in reading and was so excited that he had to call me. She then asked me if I was "tearing up" because she was over his excitment. He was soo happy and proud to tell me of his accomplishment. What an awesome kid and what a great teacher to allow him to call me during classtime. I appreciate her doing that and for also sharing in his enthusiasm and mine. That phone call absolutley made my day. By far the best phone call EVER !!

Halloween 2009

Napoleon Dynamite ( he's a natural) Gum on the bottom of a shoe ( what can I say- she is definetly a creative one) Witch ( the cutest witch ever !!) Clone Trooper (his offical last stinkin costume with a mask )

Baby Love, My Baby Love.....

Oh we have got the Baby Love bad. Baby Chase has us all wrapped around his itsy bitsy finger. He's so perfect in every way. We are all in L O V E !! We just get get enough of him. Thank you to Grandma and Grandpa and Unlce JJ Auntie Aub and the boys ( i love it) for coming out to our Sacrament meeting program. It was so nice to have them all there.

I "heart" you, too

I was so happy to see that my Lays potatoe chips feel the same for me as I do them. I do love you Lay's, I always have. More than doritos and cheetos. You are always there for me for when I need some grease and salt.

I heart you, too.

Only Tyson

Who is this kid?? Where did he come from?? He is the coolest kid ever- i'm lovin the preppy school boy look, but what is the other all about ?? We were on Hollywood Blvd in LA but come on..... Only Tyson can pull an outfit like that off !!
( Disclaimer: we had just gotten into LA and stopped to eat and walk the stars. As for the no shirt- he got yogurt on it and I refused to unpack his suitcase for another tshirt. Come on now,we were in Hollyweird anyway)

The Kissing Hand.....enough said

Well I made to day 3 of kindergarden then the flood gates opened. The Kissing Hand is by far one of my favorite books ever ( Skippy jonjones definetly comes in second)!! I recommend it to any and all with school aged children. I thought I made it free and clear since Ava's teacher didnt read the story while the parents were in the classroom ( like with all of my other kids) until Ava brought this home for me today. I will proudly carry on my busy way today with puffy swollen eyes and I will continue to place my "kissing hand" to my cheek everytime my baby hops out of the car.

First day of school- 2009

My empty car ride home...

The day finally came. All 4 of my children are in school. Dman in 7th. Amber new to middle school in 6th. Tyson, the big sibling on campus, in 2nd grade. And my baby started kindergarden. All of them are so excited for this year. They have great teachers and lots of good friends in their classes. I was proud to keep my eyes dry today, but I feel the emotional break down coming on. When I dropped the last one off, I realized that Ava has been my partner, just her, for so long. she is always in the car with me. She does all the drop off and picks up, she keeps me company, sings with me on the drives, and reminds me which way to turn ( backseat driver thing kinda drives me nuts- but im gonna miss it). What am I going to do now? I will continue to sing, probably miss a few turns and be wishing I had a few more years with my baby before she grows up on me. Of course she went to class so excitied, waved goodbye to me and dad, and didnt look back just as the older ones did. The best part is seeing them walk to the car to be picked up. All dying to tell me about their day. Dman is now the "big" 7th grader and will hold that over Ambers head all year. Amber thinks middle school " is the coolest thing EVER" and cant wait to go back. Tyson said his teacher is super awesome because they get to tell jokes at the end of everyday. And Ava gets her very own kindergarden bag tomorrow. Im glad i survived today.... tomorrow will be a different story.

My new Priesthood holder

Wow- 12 already. Dman turned twelve on august 5th and was ordanded on the following sunday. That very next tuesday we were able to go with him to the temple to do baptisms and then watch him pass the sacrament that sunday. He has already had a rafting trip and tonight is the "back to school" dance at the stake center. I feel it is all happening tooo fast. But its more that I dont want to admit that he is 12 than anything else. Onto another church stage: young mens.

I told Drew to watch out. Hes been in primary with me for a while, so Im sure they will put him back into young mens soon.

Thanks for being such an awesome kid Dman. We couldnt be more proud of you. Your relationship with the Lord and your willingness to obey the spirit is an inspiration to your family. We love you

My afternoon

The day was going pretty good. We hung out and cleaned the house. Watched some iCarly, and were just headed out to give the car a much needed bath when this happened:


Amber: "Mommy, there was a baby lizard and Ava killed it"
Tyson: " it was tiny , it was the size of an eyebrow. Now hes dead"



Tyson: " she rand him over and crushed his heart
Amber:" and now he is in pieces"

Ava: " whatever, I did not !!!


Ava: " well they told me to"
Mom: " to what?"
Ava:" Run him over !!!"

Tyson is still in mourning. Its been about an hour. Needless to say- I wont be going out to clean my car since that is the scene of the crime. Dman is "CSI" out there now. Horactio Cane maybe coming to my door soon.

When did she grow up....

Here we are with Jennie at her BRIDAL SHOWER !! I cant believe it. She has been one of my best buddies. She was in our first primary class that we taught. I remember her baptism, I've been her young womens leader, been there through first dates and heartbreaks and now she is all grown up and getting married. Im feeling rather old !We couldnt be happier for her. She has an amazing guy and such a bright future ahead.

We love you, Jennie

A mini pizza for my brave girl

Ava had her physical for kindergarden on monday. She and Tyson are my only brave ones. The older two kick, fight, scream, bite, and run when it comes time for them to have shots. The younger two laugh and pick what arm or thigh they want it in. Ava did great. She had her TB, hemoglobin and her 5 year old immunizations and barley a tear. Of course she ws so excited that if she was a "brave" girl she a got a coupon for a free mini pizza from papa murphys. She couldn't believe that she got her very own pizza. She was so happy about that , she barely paid attention to the shots. I wonder what it would take to distract the older kids.....NOTHING !!

The only concern Ava had about her appointment was when her Dr commented on her wearing her princess "sunday" undies when it was monday. He told her that for kindergarden she needs to have the days of the week right. I thought it was very cute and funny but know shes all freaked out that if he tells the school she wont be able to go to kindergarden.

Summer team 2009- part two

LA for 4th of July tournament. Great parents, awesome players, beautiful Huntington Beach, fireworks, blowing up "Jerry", and a 2nd place trophy.

Which one is real??

Hmmm.... tough call.

P P P Pokerface !!!

The girls keep us entertained one evening with their dance routine to Lady Gaga's pokerface. Im lovin the good use of my new tupperware box that didnt make it out to the recycle.

Summer Team 2009- part one

This is from our trip to Valencia in May. Tons of fun, great kids and parents. And a first place trophy !!

Monte Vista High 2009- 2022

My little baby is all grown up. She graduated from preschool in june and is ready to move on kindergarden. She has attended preschool where she will hopefully graduate high school ( yes, I love it here and hope to never leave). Im to be able to take this same picture of her in 2022 on her graduation day. GO MUSTANGS !!