TIA'S ENGAGED!!!!

Is it really any surprise to you who have been following her blog this past year? Yes, it has finally happened... Ben popped the question!

They surprised us with the news last night and we are thrilled! Tia was floating around on a cloud (probably still is :) )

Ahhhhh.... love is so grand!

We will let you know when the date is (hopefully not Christmas weekend, hahahaha)

{ I'm serious Tia... not Christmas weekend}

Love to all the family!!!

No more injuries...

I know it's back to school time, because all of my kids are back to sports too!!!

Naomi is sporting a beauty of a bruise on her hip from playing volleyball. (We've since determined that she is most likely diving wrong) She broke some blood vessels and it looked... colorful!

Presten started in with football pads and had to ice some swollen and sore shoulders.

Austen was going for the goal, slipped and landed on a previously injured elbow.

Isn't Larson sweet? Tying big brother's shoes?

I am hoping that we'll get all the injuries taken off right off the bat and we'll be good for a while!!

Post script.... Since this was written Austen has jammed his thumb a real good one and sprained his Achilles Tendon. Oh joy... it continues!

First Day of School!!

I am really not happy that school is already starting. The summer just went by way too fast. I didn't play enough. It might be because of the fact that my kids aren't little anymore. They were working, working, and working, plus scout camps, swimming lessons, volleyball camps, football and basketball clinics, etc.

It's a good thing that we didn't try to schedule a real family vacation, because I seriously don't know when it would've been "squeezed" in.

Nevertheless....

First day of school is always such a bummer for me, but the kids are mostly excited to get back!

Cutie pies... I miss them!

Presten's new wheels

I know some mothers out there would freak out, but I am actually really excited for Presten to have his new wheels.

He has been waiting for a long time and has gone through a lot of garbage just to get to drive his motorcyle, but finally everything is all in place and he has a new sense of freedom and independence.... and I get my car back!!

She's leaving me.....

Tia hates to pack!!! I hate it too!! It just means that there will be one less person at my table, one less person to wait up for at night ("there's a double meaning in that:)", one less radiant, fun, laughing, child home.

She is so happy to be getting back to college and with friends, late nights, music classes, etc. etc. but I will miss her terribly.

Good thing she is only 1 hour away, and I can talk her into coming home pretty easily!!

For not liking to pack she sure has a lot of stuff!!

Panic to Beauty

Tia came running into the house shouting "Mom...., Mom..., Everybody...turn off the video, hurry up!"

My heart fell to my shoes, I instantly went into worry mode. Was she hurt??? Did she crash??? Did someone give her a ring???? (sorry, can't help myself)

Her excitement was over this amazing sunset in our very own backyard. I am so glad that she is a lover of beauty. She sees it everywhere and wants to share it with everyone.

We were talking about it later and Presten told us that during "heck week" for football, when they were practicing in the evening... Coach Pearson would halt practice and have all the players turn and look at the sunset while commenting that we have the best sunsets in our part of the country.

Being an Arizona girl I would almost disagree, but this particular one was out of this world!

Like Father... like son

Anyone who knows Rick, knows the many stories of head and mouth traumas that have occured in his lifetime. Our oldest son is following in his footsteps by having his own series of head and mouth traumas. Can you remember the post about Presten breaking his tooth at basketball practice? Well, Dr. Hatch miraculously repaired the tooth and all was well. Then....

Presten was celebrating one of the few times he wasn't working this summer and actually had time to hang out with friends. They were swimming and having a great time. Presten has recently learned to do a "gainer" and was demonstrating it when the board that he jumped off of came up and whacked him in the head mid flip. This caused a jar to the head (obviously) which slammed his mouth shut and broke off the tooth that Dr. Hatch had so marvelously replaced.

When I got the call from Presten, I told him to walk next door to Dr. Hatch's and ask if he could help. Once again it was after hours, once again Dr. Hatch had company and plans for the evening, once again Dr. Hatch's assistants were unavailable, and once again he came to our rescue.

There was no finding the broken tooth this time so that we could put it back on, so he "built" a new one for Presten. Boy, did he do a great job. Amazing! You can't even tell. He will have to get something more permanent in the future, but we are going to wait until football season is over!!

Before.....

After....

By the way... Presten had this huge gash in the top of his head... I wanted to go get stitches, but he said "No Way". I think the tooth trauma was enough for one evening! Besides boys like scars right?

Pioneer Day Part 3

Can't let the day go by without recognizing the most adorable pioneer day birthday boy ever!!

(for some strange reason my pictures won't upload... cute photo coming later!!)

Larson gets the whole town out to celebrate his birthday!! We had lunch with G'ma B. and aunts, uncles and cousins, then did a little birthday shopping and later lit off fireworks! What a great way to spend the day!

Pioneer Day Part 2

Foot races are always part of the fun tradition of Pioneer Day. Naomi was working so it was just Austen and Larson having the fun.

Notice Larson has his lucky feather in his hand. (it's actually from his headband from the parade) :)

Austen had a slippery start, but still made a good showing!!

Pioneer Day Celebration!

Larson (aka "birthday boy") is the only one left in this family that can ride in the primary children's July 24th parade. The leaders told them to dress up like their ancestors that crossed the plains.

We have been having many discussions about Dad's indian heritage (Cherokee) so Larson decided that he would dress up as one of his ancestors... the indians.

That lead to a great story about how the Toquer indians really did help many of our other ancestors in settling our little valley.

Larson loved being different and I think many of the parade watchers enjoyed the variety as well.

The Johnson Reunion

This year's reunion was held at Crytal Springs. It is a natural hot spring with pools, jacuzzi's, and water slides. We camped, ate, swam and had a blast! Here are a few of the highlights. Thanks to Kristi and Paul for fun fun time! The family videos were especially entertaining!

Cut... then Promoted!

This week was volleyball tryouts for the highschool volleyball team. Naomi was a little bit nervous, but felt fairly confident that she would at least make the freshman team. There were a lot of girls trying out and that always means nothing is for sure. She worked hard and hustled. She anxiously waited all afternoon until the list was posted at 5:00 p.m. Holding her breath, she walked up to the door then turned and smiled. She had made it through the first round.

She headed back for the second day of tryouts with renewed confidence. She knew that she could make this team. She served, she passed, she hit, she hustled, she sweat, and then she had to wait.

Later that afternoon Mom gets a call from Coach. He wants to move Naomi up to the Varsity gym so that she can progress and learn faster, but is she ready for it? Can she handle it? After consulting with her big sister Tia, we decide to encourage her to take on the challenge and give it her very best shot.

In the mean time, big brother was at the highschool doing senior stuff and ran into Coach. He had the final list in his hand and was talking about Naomi to Presten, saying that he just didn't know if she was ready for the challenge, then crossed Naomi's name off the list in his hand. Presten started to feel bad and concerned for his little sis, until he realized that by crossing her name off the list it meant that Coach was promoting her to the Varsity gym. Whew!!!!!

So we went down to "the door" to see the list. On a list of seventeen girls Naomi's was the ONLY one crossed off. It almost looks like they changed their mind and cut her after all.

Good thing that we knew she was promoted!! That could've been a whole box of kleenex and several chocolate bars just to repair the self image. :)

Tia's Dream House

Earlier this spring I was on a volleyball trip up north with Tia. We stopped in on 4th South at the CNG gas station and next door was this amazing house. Tia fell in love with it. She and grandma J. went over to explore and got "caught" by the security guard. He told them that they have homeless people and vandals trying to get in all the time. He told her that she could go ahead and take pictures though. We love the style. We have fun making up stories about how our lives would be if we lived in that house.

This past summer Tia found herself once again at the Fisher Mansion. She wandered over to dream and take photos. Low and behold someone was inside and the door was open. She carefully walked up the steps and nervously called out if anyone was there. A friendly face greeted her and told her that there was an architectural class that was studying it and they were going to refurbish it and put it to good use! Tia was surprised and delighted when the friendly face invited her to look around and take photos! Who knows someday, Tia might be found sipping lemonade on the porch of her very own Fisher Mansion!

My Bow tie Boys!

For the past year or so, Larson has taken to wearing this hideous bow tie that actually came from the dress up box. He is cute and adorable and can totally get away with wearing it. Everyone just smiles. You know that they are thinking.... "Clearly he dressed himself today, what mother would let her son wear that awful looking bow tie to church?"

I actually love it. Mostly because he has the biggest grin on his face and feels so handsome when he is all dressed up.

A few weeks ago, Bro. Thompson brought over a bag filled with the skinny bow ties that he used to wear in his younger days! Needless to say Larson was thrilled beyond comprehension. Bro. Thompson jokingly told him that he expected to see all the Beatty boys wearing them on Sunday.

Can you believe it? We actually convinced all of them to wear one to church on Sunday... even Presten!!! It was actually really fun to see them sorting through the bag to find just the right one to go with their outfit. (Even if the outfit was black pants and a white shirt. :))

Bro. Thompson was delighted!

We had a priest and a deacon that day wearing bow ties as well as a dad and best of all....

an 8 year old beaming from ear to ear!

Things are settling down... a bit!!!

Since the last post... much has happened! I will try to catch you up!

Ashli got married to a great guy.. Josh! Isn't it crazy how life is so backwards and inside out sometimes. The last few years I have been struggling to deal with the fact that my kids are growing up and leaving our home. The home is different and the table is smaller. Now I turn around and my family is growing and the table needs the leaf put back in!!! Isn't family wonderful!

Presten had an amazing track year! He was the region champ in the 100 meter, long jump, medley relay race, and 2nd in the 200 meter. The team also won the region championship. We went to the state meet at BYU and he did well there also. State champ in the long jump, medley relay team, and..... the team took the STATE TITLE!!!! He was so happy to be a part of that!

Naomi won all kinds of awards for academics including top ten in the national testing in 7 areas. Plus she was inducted into the Junior National Honor Society. She finished up volleyball by placing second in the intermountain volleyball tourney with her team in May.

Austen is still going like gang busters. He is currently preparing to participate in the Utah Summer Games with his soccer team. He is also preparing for toe surgery in July. If he ever grows into his feet he will be towering above us all (he has already passed me and he's only 12).

Larson is non stop energy. He wants to swim EVERYDAY!! Right now he likes spending time on his new bike, playing baseball, and this week his dad taught him how to pan for gold. He was so excited to see those little gold flecks in his pan. What a thrill!

Rick is getting stronger and better every day and I am so grateful for the technology and knowledge we have in this day and age. He has such a great attitude and just keeps on moving on and smiling along the way. The garden has been great therapy too.

Tia is working part time in Springdale, and really likes working with the many different types of people who come to visit (except the grumpy, cranky ones :)) She spends nearly every free minute with the singles ward and friends. She is also taking more and more photos and getting really really good at it!

My life is crazy!

As you can see from the table... wedding plans are in full swing. Naomi and I went to the Spendlove last weekend and spent over 20 man (and woman :)hours making the invitations. The Spendlove family were such troopers to give up time and sleeping quarters so that we could accomplish the great task. Thank you!

Now on to addressing, stamping and sending!

Loni was down right amazing in her skills of helping me find a dress.

She was just short of "faster than a speeding bullet and leaping tall buildings!!"

We are busy, but so blessed to have such awesome family and friends helping us out!

A big thanks to all!!!

Hurry and Catch Up!

So I know it's been awhile since I posted. Thought that I would bring you up to speed! I have not been sitting around being idol... no pun intended! I have been busy with the preparations and putting on of the Annual Hurricane Idol Fundraiser. It is a ton of work, but so worth it. We were able to raise just over $4,000 for the HHS Grad Night committee to use for the seniors. My family is so incredibly supportive... especially Rick. They have to endure wimpy or no dinners, dirty laundry and house as well as a mom who is psycho and on edge for several weeks. But it's all good and.... it's all over!!!!

Meanwhile stay tuned to the real American Idol and cheer on our own Hurricane girl--

Taylor Viafanua!

Also wanted to thank all of you who contributed to Naomi's temple can. They finally got to seal them up this week. She was so excited to put something in from so many of her loved ones. They had to have one of the leaders help her get it all in because she had so much. (If you happened to miss getting your letter to Naomi, please still send it!!! We are putting together a supplement can of the things that just couldn't get in. Lucky girl! She'll have two cans to open!

My days are spent being a wife, mom, piano teacher, volunteer, book keeper and maid. That's enough for now!!! But life is good and I am so happy!

Here are a few photos of past weeks! Enjoy!

Naomi got a rag quilt from g'ma for her birthday!

Presten played this amazing sax solo by ear for the sweethearts dinner show!

Naomi turned 14 and went to her first stake dance.

She said it was soooo fun!

Air "Soft"???

School is out for the day and Austen called a bunch of friends to head up the canyon and have a little air soft capture the flag game. They started to arrive and the house was a buzz with boys in camo and protective gear.

(Naomi and I stood snickering outside the door at the way they were all trying to get each others attention and everyone talking at the same time:))

They left here marching down the street and heading to the trail head that leads up the wash by our house. They were energetic and spirited and excited to have some fun.

Three hours later they show up at the house thirsty, thirsty, thirsty, tired and talking about the "war wounds".

The more I heard I started wondering.... just how soft is air soft?

They didn't care... the more welts, bruises, burns, etc. the better.

The bonus was... I told them to aim at tummys and bums when they left and when they returned they were talking about getting shot in the bum too many times!!!!!!

(I didn't want to see those war wounds!! :)

They are already planning the next get together. They just need time for the wounds to heal and round up some more ammo.

Boys!!!!!!

If it isn't broken...

I pride myself on being a very independent girl (get it from my mom)! I am not afraid to delve into fixing things by myself. I have been overwelmed as of lately, with broken things and all of them are way over my head in the repair category! I should probably knock on wood as I post this... so as to ward off any future breakages!

To start the year off right, my sink got majorly plugged and my handy dandy repair man (a.k.a. "Honey") finally ended up on the roof with the hose. Happily the sink was unplugged fairly quickly! Unhappily the nozzle thing on the end of the hose "broke" off in the outlet pipe and we now have to pay someone to come and take care of it.

Right before Christmas I get a call from the Sports trainer at the highschool. I immediately thought... "great! Presten has pulled his muscle again or sprained his ankle". I was surprised when he told me that Presten had broken off one of his front teeth at basketball practice. It was cracked right across the middle and looked terrible. Happily... we have a "magical, miracle worker" dentist who did an amazing job putting the tooth back on and you can't even tell where it was broken. (Also happily... the trainer had this little jar called "save a tooth" and it sure did!!!)

The first week back to school, Presten agreed to drive Naomi up to the Middle School to save me one more morning trip across town. He called me from 2 blocks away saying that his car would no longer go forward. (That would be a problem!) So I ended up making that extra morning trip, then and now every morning. Happily... we were able to get the car home so it can sit in the driveway and annoy me!

It's a new year and I am ready to get in and get Christmas put away and do some heavy duty cleaning out and organizing. The vacuum chose to give out. Normally this is something I am not afraid to jump into and figure out, but a broken latch and lack of electronically things has hindered me. I had to send that to a repair shop 3 hours away. Sadly... the cleaning bug has been replaced by other things. Happily... I still have my good ol reliable Rainbow vacuum to get by with.

Then yesterday I decide to really get after some laundry. I went to change it around, and the dryer is still running at it's same time on the timer and the clothes are wet! AAGGHH! My poor handy dandy repair man (a.k.a. "Honey") doesn't even know about this one yet. Happily... I can take the clothes over to Mom's to dry and he won't have to know for a while! :)

Gotta hurry and post this before something else breaks!

Happily... Life is still good!

Stepping into the New Year!

We had a spontaneous get together for New Years! The McCoy family joined some of the Beatty family for chili, cornbread and games! It was a fun and silly time. The kids enjoyed themselves and the adults got in a game or two of their own.

(We didn't do too well with "Totally 80's Trivial Pursuit")

Papa McCoy was especially happy with the idea of celebrating a New York New Year at 10 p.m.

Turns out we like each other so much that most of us stayed up until midnight anyway!

My favorite part was getting this photo of all the shoes piled at my back door. I am so blessed to have such awesome family all around me.

For those of you who were not here... let's work toward getting together in this coming year and celebrating the gift of family and friends!