The Chambers Connection

Tiffani has her First Fender Bender!

2009-08-14T15:04:00.001-07:00

The last day of school, Tiffani and a few of her friends were going to lunch when a guy ran into her. It made me so happy that she was driving the suburban. ( not happy that she was hit) Happy that she was in this big, sturdy, strong car! When she called me she said, "Everything is okay I have exchanged insurance information and I am driving over to the tire store right here to have the tire looked at." I tell her that I will be right there, she says no need mom I am good. I'll see you when I get home. Why do they have to grown up and not need us any more?

She also informs me that his car looks bad!! Once again I am so happy that she was driving the bus (as we call it). I know that she wasn't happy when the Honda died and we told her that her new car would be the suburban.....but I am so happy that she was driving the suburban. Happy that she was safe and that no one was hurt.

Here area some pictures of the damage that was done to the suburban.

Courtney gets her Braces off and goes to Girl's Camp!

2009-08-07T13:00:00.000-07:00

Courtney was super excited to get her braces off, she was hoping that it would happen before school got out but it happened five days later. She had a beautiful smile before now it is a gorgeous smile.

Girl's Camp:
Courtney didn't want to go again and then decides that she would give camp one more try as it was going to be in a new place.

The theme: B.O.O.T Camp: Building Our Own Testimonies.
(Some of this text comes from one of the leader that went up with the girls...I figured since she was there her words were better then mine and Courtney wouldn't help me.)

They went to a ranch this year out in East Texas. They stayed in cabins, which Courtney tells me they were old, worn, and disgusting! They were little wood shacks with about 8 bunk beds along the outside walls, with mattresses that were so old they were falling apart. Some of them even had bugs inside them!

Courtney was calling me about every hour asking me to come and get her....I said, "You will be okay...it is good for you. Try and make the most of it, have a happy attitude and then finally don't be a spoiled brat. Oh and stop calling me, weren't you supposed to leave your cell phone at home?" I guess I was starting to get a little frustrated with her.

There was lots of things they could do such as: archery, going on hikes, playing in the lake, canoeing, eating, and R&R (reading & reflection). She got to serve a meal, help prepare the food, had there was even a shaving cream fight!

She also had many testimony building experiences that she will never forget! One of these was about a very powerful night. A tornado warning had been issued, the girls all had to ran to the 'shelter' (a huge steel framed cabin on the lake...with JUST steel frames...not sturdy walls). All the girls huddled together in 2 big rooms crying, hugging close together and singing. At one point the Sheriff told them that this was very serious and that the tornado was coming right for them.....ALL the girls started singing "I know that my Redeemer Lives' very quietly, but very powerful! The stake President just stood, along with the leaders and sang quietly, we then sang "I am a child of God".....Then Pres Dotter offered a prayer and the storm HIT....for about 20 min the walls shook, the lights swung, the thunder and lightening crashed so loud and it rained in sheets!.....then, it was gone! All were OK! Later that night they learned that the storm that had them in it's direct path had parted and gone all around them, but not through. All were safe due to the power of the amazing priesthood, the power of prayer, and the righteous young women who were where they were supposed to be serving their Heavenly Father!

So, despite the stifling heat and bugs and cabins and toilets, she had amazing food, fun and crazy leaders that made camp awesome! I asked her if she would go back again...she said she is done with camp...I asked if she would go one more year so Ashley would have a big sister there like Tiffani was there for her for her first year. She said she would think about it.

Courtney has an end of the school party!

2009-08-05T17:59:00.000-07:00

Courtney invited a few friends over for a night of pizza, games, swimming and watching a scary movie. Courtney has always hated scary movies until now...I wonder what it is with girls, scary movies and boys. (uhmmmmm?!)

Here are some pictures of the group swimming, funny how all the girls stay together. I wish I would have gotten pictures of the girls screaming during the movie.

The cute little girls having fun!

End of the Year School Parties!

2009-08-05T17:26:00.000-07:00

Kylie class had a game day. First they signed each others visors then they played with this huge beach ball. They would hit it back and forth over a volleyball net. They had a water ball fight, ate some snacks, then it was time to go home...until August 24, 2009.

Getting autographs on their visors.

Kylie and her good friend Caroline.

Kylie all wet.

Kylie with her teacher: Ms. Rosa:

This was Ashley's last year of school parties. She will start middle school in the fall, I can't believe it they grow up so fast. For their 5th grade graduation party they went to a party place that had bouncy things, laser tag, video games, a dance area and pizza. They had a great time.

Going through the bounce things.

Ashley and some of her friends.

Ashley with her teacher, Ms. Milner:

Memorial Day Weekend

2009-08-03T20:45:00.000-07:00

I can't believe how behind I am.....story of my life!!

We had a such a great time hanging out with friends at their pool, eating hamburgers and playing with babies. The girls were in heaven! Here are a few pictures of the day, not too many of us swimming as the girls just wanted to hold those adorable babies.

Courtney holding Kyle.

Nate jumping into the water.

Cutie Carli!!!

Cute Hallie!

Liz and Josh with Hallie

Later that day we went over to our friends that live in Aubrey, we went swimming and had a BBQ it was a great day with friends.

A New Trampoline!

2009-08-03T08:28:00.000-07:00

The old trampoline was falling apart...the girls really love it so we decided to replace it. It is a lot of work as we have a sloped yard and the dirt here is like clay. The dirt is very hard to work with. It took Mike most of the day to get the trampoline even. He was very appreciative of his little helpers.

After they got done it started to rain.....

Working in the Flower Garden and bunnies

2009-06-30T16:00:00.000-07:00

I am so thankful for Mike and his love of taking care of our yard! He loves to make our yard look beautiful and he even has a few daughters that want to help him. Thanks Mike for all you do and girls for helping your dad.

A couple of days later Mike and Ashley are working in the backyard, planting a few more trees and flowers when Mike hit something with the rake, first he thought it was a baby mouse but then realized it was a baby bunny and that their was a nest of baby bunnies. The girls thought they were cute and have loved watching them change every day...then they got big enough to leave and haven't come back...sad for them, yea for us as they like to eat the flowers.

The trees that Mike planted all along the fence.
Most of these trees will bloom flowers in the summer months.
Mike has really wanted a palm tree so he got one hopefully it wont die.

Look at those baby bunnies.
Why do we think that baby animals are so cute...
even when some of them can grow up to be a nuisance?!

A couple of days later:

End of the Year School Projects and Awards

2009-06-29T09:41:00.000-07:00

Kylie was in a school musical,"Pirates!" She had to tryout to get a part and was so excited to get one. She is my little performer. Not only did she have her parts memorized but also many of the other people in the play.

She was a one-eyed Pirate.

Here she is as she is getting ready to speak her part.

Ashley had to do a report on Abraham Lincoln and make a poster about what she learned.

Ashley getting awards for having awesome grades and for having a life skill of respect.

Courtney had a great choir concert just forgot the camera, but it was so fun! She helped choreograph the dance moves. It was awesome!

Here are a couple of pictures of Courtney and Julia dancing on the trampoline.

Then she was awarded: The Best Spanish Student Award and the President Award (that means she got all A's and was commended on the taks test all through Middle School.) What a hard worker she is :) Mike went to this award banquet as I went to Tiffani's the same night..So Courtney missed out of pictures again....but are a couple of cute pictures...what a cutie.

Tiffani had to make a video for an English Project.

I had to do research on a STD..we got syphilis.
(May have to censor this picture from little eyes as it does have graphic pictures.)

Tiffani choir concert and awards banquet:

Hanging with friends before the presentation and awards:

Tiffani and Lauren

Tiffani and Amanda

Singing....

We love how Ryan gets into it!

Fighting over a boy...part of the performance.

Tiffani last photo journalism project...taking pictures with dolls and making them real...

Then for Math she had to find circular shapes, there is another name she used but I can't remember what it is right now.

I'm Back!!!

2009-06-26T09:02:00.000-07:00

This could be a very long post but I think I'll just break it down into a couple....Please be patient as I get myself caught up.... as this is the way that I record what the Chambers have been up to. Here is what we have been up to for the last few months!

The last post was Tiffani going to Prom....then it was her birthday! A few of her friends came and decorated her room....it was a little crazy, but she was glad that they did as they have been having some issues between them.

One of Tiffani's friend asked her if she would take her senior pictures for her...I think she did an awesome job. I asked her if she wanted to take pictures of her sisters for me...she said she would think about it. Here are just a couple of pictures that she took that day...she took a ton and they all turned out so great!

Courtney...has been busy with tennis!

Serving( I think)Getting some advice from the coach.
Running up to hit the ball.
Winning her match...she was so happy!

Courtney then had her birthday...she had a couple of her friends over to watch a movie and to just hang out.

Her friends at school had decided to stuff her locker with her favorite candy and pop...but they got in trouble for stuffing her locker ( I guess it is a rule you cant stuff your friend's locker with candy) and the stuff got confiscated and held in the office until after school.
What fun friends Courtney has!

My Courtney she is just a happy kid...I love her smile and her laugh...She makes our home a happy place!!
Her gifts.
Courtney, Lexi, MaCall, Julia, and Alexis
Watching a scary movie...why do they like these scary movies?

Dancing and Singing...oh what fun!

Ashley had her birthday...she wanted to go clothes shopping...she got some birthday money from her grandma and grandpa Christensen and from us. So Ashley and I went to lunch and shopping it was a fun day hanging out together!

Outfit #1
Outfit #2
Outfit #3

New Swimming Suit!

Easter!

Coloring Easter Eggs...it not quite the same as your children get older....Tiffani is either off with friends or working...and Courtney is just to busy to be with us...It makes me sad that my children are getting older but I love seeing them developed into these great young adults. I am just glad that Ashley and Kylie still love coloring Easter Eggs!

Mike coloring eggs...I tell the girls you are never too old to color Easter Eggs.
Ashley and Kylie coloring eggs.
Ashley and Kylie counting the eggs they found...and dividing them up since Courtney and Tiffani didn't want to go on an Eater Egg Hunt with them.
New Easter Dresses.

Making Jam!

I love freezer jam, its my favorite...we had just opened our last container... Costco had their big things of strawberries ...so Mike grabbed me a few containers and I made jam....It is so yummy!

All done and now we are stocked for another year!

2009-04-25T11:59:00.000-07:00

Just a quick update;

The Chambers are all doing well and still alive.
I am unable to keep up with everyone's stuff and school and post. So I will not be posting till after May 14. Which is the last day of school for me.

Also, I did not make it into the Hygiene Program this year. Many of you have asked and I just wanted to let you know. I am okay, I know that everything works out for a reason and its just not my time right now.

Here is my favorite song right now, I love it, it is keeping me motivated.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NG2zyeVRcbs

I know its a Miley Cyrus song, but that's what happens when you have tweens that love her and you listen to her music a lot in your house.

Prom

2009-03-21T18:50:00.000-07:00

Leading up to Prom there was much drama. I convinced Tiffani that she still needed to go and have fun even if some of her friends weren't going and were making her feel bad for going. She asked a guy that she had gone out with before if he would like to go with her. We thought the drama would be over with but it seemed to just keep growing. Those who had said they wouldn't go were now going and Tiffani was a little hurt that they made such a big deal about her going. In the end she had an okay time but is glad that THAT NIGHT IS OVER.

Even though the night wasn't all that she thought it would be she looked very pretty. I am so proud of her and all of her accomplishments and standing up for what she believes in.

Getting ready, she was mad at me for taking this picture, I need to work on my stealth skills.

Tiffani and her date Shawn.

Shawn,Tiffani, Amanda and Sean.

Tiffani and her friend Amanda.

The girls that went.
The Limo that they rented. It was so sweet.
Driving away.

Courtney Gets Inducted into the NHS

2009-03-21T18:23:00.000-07:00

Last year Courtney was asked to be a part of the NHS but she didn't want to. I told her it was a good thing and she should be glad that she had great grades and was asked to be in it. Needless to say she didn't listen to her mother and passed on the idea.

This year, they didn't ask they just told her that she was being inducted into the the National Junior Honor Society. On March 10, 2009, Courtney was inducted into the National Jr. Honor Society.

Being sworn in: in the pledge it says that you will be a loyal member that you will give your time and energy toward the promotion of all school activities. That you will strive to be a model student. To uphold the purposes of the NHS by striving to maintain a high scholastic standing to have an untarnished character, to strive to be a good citizen of my school, community, state and country. To be a leader and to give freely in service to others.

Courtney's friend Julia talking about Scholarships.

Courtney signing her name in the NHS Book.

Courtney with Julia

Courtney with her friends that were all inducted into the NHS.

School Projects!

2009-03-21T17:47:00.000-07:00

I was wondering if anyone else wonders if school projects are really parent projects? Sometimes I think the projects are great and help our children learn, although some times I wonder if its just to see which parent can be smarter or out do the other parents. I just know that I am glad that Mike can help Tiffani with her projects as they would really frustrate me.

Kylie's project was to do research on a person that she had been assigned to, her person was Betsy Ross. On the day that it was due they had to dress up and present what information they had found on that person. We made a flag for Kylie to have as a prop for her presentation. It was a group effort as Ashley helped me sew some of it together.

For physics Tiffani had to create a Rube Goldberg. Here is the definition just in case you don't know what it is: a comically involved, complicated invention, laboriously contrived to perform a simple operation. One of those projects that are very time consuming.

It had to have a least 10 key elements to it and the longer it took the better your grade would be. One girl had ice melting, where the water would then trigger the next sequence, it still hadn't melted enough to work the first day. Tiffani was really excited that her's worked the first time through and it crushed the can the required measurement. She said a lot of people couldn't even get theirs to work.

Tiffani's Rube Goldberg invention

The can that had to be crushed.

Our trip to San Antonio

2009-03-21T15:18:00.000-07:00

I have gotten a little behind, on February 13, Ashley had her TMEA concert. This is held in San Antonio. We made it a family vacation other then Tiffani, had a huge test on Friday and was unable to go with us. We were sad not to have her there with us.

In order for us to be on time for Ashley's choir performance we had to get up at 2:00 in the morning. We needed to be on the road by 3:30 to meet the choir at 10:00 in the Convention Center. We all tried to sleep on the way there, except for Mike who drove. Here we are at the Convention Center waiting for the rest of the group to get there.
The Concert:

This song is the, "The Dog ate My Homework." I love this song it is so fun.

This song is called, "Can You Hear".
This was another song that I really enjoyed it has drums and
you can tell the kids really like the song.

This is Ms. Ringel, (the blond) she is being honored for being picked to return to the TMEA conference. We think she is pretty awesome music teacher and we love that she teaches at Boals.

After we finished with the concert around 2:00 we decided to head to the hotel and get checked in. We were all a little tired from being up since 2:00 that morning. We decided to take a little siesta so that we would be refreshed for the evening fun.

Pretty much anywhere you go in San Antonio you have to pay to park so we decided that we are all healthy and that walking would be great exercise for us.

Our first stop was to go to Tower of the Americas. It took us about thirty minutes from our hotel to get there.

Tower of the Americas from a distance.

Some statue along the way that we took a picture of.

There were lots of little water exhibits along the way that we would stop and look at.

We made it to the Tower of the Americas, so we decided to go up and check it out. Your ticket included going up and down as much as you wanted and a 4-D movie about Texas.

Looking out over the city of San Antonio.

San Antonio

Kylie found this horse and was having fun playing on it.

Another water exhibit.

We left the Tower of the Americas as we were meeting some friends for dinner. We were unable to watch the movie as it was closed to a private party. So we decided that we would try and come back as your ticket is good for the whole day. What a deal.

To meet up with our friends we walked about half way back the way we had just come and then to go to the restaurant that they had heard was really good, took us back past our hotel on the other side of town. Pretty much we walked about an hour to get to the restaurant. Then the wait to get seated, we were told 30 minutes but it ended up being an hour wait. The food was good and we all enjoyed visting with one another.

Even though it was getting late the girls really wanted to go back to the Tower of the Americas so that they could see the 4-D movie. We walked back and this time we went along the Riverwalk. So sad that we didn't get any pictures. What a beautiful place.
We made it back to the Tower of the Americas in enough time to see the movie and take one more trip up the elevator to see San Antonio at night. The girls loved the movie as it was one of those that you feel like you are right there in it, you get sprayed with water, air blowen on you, your seat moves, I am sure you are getting the picture.

San Antonio at night.
Getting ready for a walk back to the hotel. We are starting to get a little tired about half way back my feet starting killing me and the girls were being such good sports and not even complaining about their feet. We had such a buzy day and a lot of fun.
We made it back to the hotel just after 12:00.

THE NEXT DAY!!!

Ashley and Kylie woke up at their normal time, so Mike took them down to breakfast as Courtney and I kept sleeping.
Here is Ashley and Kylie trying to be patient till Courtney and I get moving.
After we get all ready we decide to go and check out the Alamo. We were so lucky as there was a renactement of what happened at the Alamo. This only happens once a year. We enjoyed the renactement other then you couldn't hear very well and the girls and Mike thought there would be some shooting.

We enjoyed walking around the Alamo and reading all the history that happened there.

The girls with one of the ladies in the renactment.

Thats it for our fun trip to San Antonio.

My Day!!

2009-02-24T17:23:00.000-08:00

Tiffani for her photojournalism class had to do a day in the life of someone. She decided to pick me, her mother, I felt honored as she was thinking of one of our friends and her cute kids. (It may have been that I was the most convenient, but I am thinking it was cuz she thinks I am a great subject to photograph.) I do realize that I am not that photogenic and many of these pictures do not flatter me.

Here are some of the pictures that she took in the day of my life:

Fixing the girl's lunches and getting everyone ready for school. I was also on a great workout schedule has school hadn't started yet.

This was a project, I had started before Christmas, a friend of mine had made these cute bags and I really wanted to make one for each of the girls. I got three of them done with the help of my friend, Brooke. I still had one left to finish plus I wanted to make one for my sister and me. I got them all done the day that Tiffani was taking pictures. I'll have to post a picture of these adorable bags that I made.

The never ending chore, laundry.

Teaching a piano student.

Getting dinner ready.

Going to pick up the girls or run them some where.
Tucking my wonderful girls into bed. My favorite part of the day winding down and spending some one on one with them.
Back to work, cleaning up after dinner. Now that the semester has started I usually head into the den and study till bed. I love being a mom and I have been so happy that I have been able to stay at home and raise our daughters, thanks Mike for providing for our family so that I could stay home and be with the girls. Thanks Tiffani for wanting to take pictures of me and spotlighting what I do in my day. I love my day.

Kylie's Special Day!!

2009-02-24T16:28:00.000-08:00

What a great and special day Kylie had on February 7th. It was the day she was baptized and became a member of The Church of Jesus Christ. It was so nice having both of her grandparents here to spend that special day with her. She had many of her friends that came to support her. Her sisters and some friends sang a beautiful song, " What Heaven Sees in You." This song has been sung at all of the girls baptisms except for Tiffani's (has I had never heard of it until Courtney's baptisms.) I love this song!! Her Grandma Christensen gave a great talk about the Holy Ghost. It was a great day that she shared with a boy in our ward, Bryce.

Kylie, had another special thing that happened to her on the day of her baptism, she woke up not feeling to good. (This isn't the special thing.) Her friend, Maddie, who she had been play with two days earlier had come down with the flu the day after their play date. Kylie was burning up with a fever, I gave her some Tylenol, she then laid down and feel asleep. She then asked her dad if she could have a blessing because she wasn't feeling any better. Mike and my dad gave Kylie a blessing so that she would feel better for her baptism. She was able to get ready and felt a little better, by evening she said that she was feeling great. What a great experience for her to remember, on how a priesthood blessing can help us.

Here are some pictures of her day:

Kylie and Bryce with their Dads.

The Girls.

Grandpa and Grandma Christensen

Grandma and Grandpa Chambers

Kylie right after she was baptized.

Kylie, Mike and My Dad's Birthday!!!!

2009-02-22T14:14:00.001-08:00

Kylie snuggling up to her Grandpa.

Kylie thinks its pretty great to share her birthday with her Grandpa Christensen. She was glad that he was able to come and be here with her on her 8th birthday. She was glad that both her grandparents were her to share her birthday and her baptism. What a fun birthday party to remember.

That day she woke up she opened her presents, she got new earrings, and a new Nintendo ds game. Grandpa and Grandma Chambers came with me to have lunch with Kylie and bring her class doughnuts. When she got home from school she came with me to go and pick up Grandpa and Grandma Christensen from the airport. We got home ate yummy tacos as that was what Kylie picked for her birthday dinner. Then we sang Happy Birthday to Kylie, Grandpa Christensen and Mike since his birthday was on Sunday. We played Hokie 6, our favorite family game.The cake for the three of them.

Playing Hokie 6.

To my Dad: Here's a poem for you.
You Da Man!Ever since my life began,
I realized that "You da man!"
I saw your wisdom, your courage too,
And I learned I could rely on you.Your tolerant nature was really great;
Nevertheless, you'd not hesitate
To let me know when I'd been bad
It must have been hard, but that's being a dad.You're strong and smart and filled with love--
A gift to me from up above.
So here's a greeting from your biggest fan:
Happy Birthday, Dad, cause "You da man!"By Karl Fuchs

Thanks Dad for being such a great father! What an example you are to me.
To my Kylie: Happy Birthday. I love this song, it makes me think you.

I hope you never lose your sense of wonder
You get your fill to eat
But always keep that hunger
May you never take one single breath for granted
God forbid love ever leave you empty handed
I hope you still feel small
When you stand by the ocean
Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens
Promise me you'll give faith a fighting chance

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
I hope you dance
I hope you dance

I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance
Never settle for the path of least resistance
Living might mean taking chances
But they're worth taking
Lovin' might be a mistake
But it's worth making
Don't let some hell bent heart
Leave you bitter
When you come close to selling out
Reconsider
Give the heavens above
More than just a passing glance

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
I hope you dance
(Time is a real and constant motion always)
I hope you dance
(Rolling us along)
I hope you dance
(Tell me who)
I hope you dance
(Wants to look back on their youth and wonder)
(Where those years have gone)

To Mike: I love you!!! Happy Birthday

What a wonderful husband you are!

I love you in every way.

Just look how we've gotten this far,
and getting better every day.

You mean the world to me
and yet so much more.

Here's hoping your birthday
will be one you'll adore..

Another ICE STORM and A DAY OFF FROM SCHOOL!!!

2009-01-31T19:52:00.000-08:00

Tuesday we started to get some freezing rain, my afternoon class at the college got canceled and then the school district canceled all the after school programs too. The weather was predicted to get worse as the night went on. Tuesday night as we went to bed they announced that school would be delayed, but when we woke up that morning school had be canceled for the whole day. We had about an 1/8 of an inch of ice. So what do you do on your bad weather day off?

1st you go and check out how much ice you have to see if you can slide around.

Then realize that it is only 19 degrees and its a little to0 cold to be outside and decide to go in and wait till it warms up a bit. ( I know we have become a little sensitive to the cold weather.)

Some of us play or work on the computer.

Some of us color or draw.

Some of us decided to cook.

Then some of us decided that it had warmed up enough to go outside and play. The gate was frozen shut we couldn't get it opened.

Sliding down the driveway is the best place for sliding.

Courtney wanted to go visit a friend, I told her if she would scrap the ice off the windows so that I could see when I drove I would take her. It took her about an hour to get enough off so that I could see. That was even with the defrost running for about 20 minutes. She was pretty determined to go and visit her friend.

Eight is Great and so is Kylie!!

2009-01-31T17:49:00.000-08:00

I can't believe that my baby is turning eight next Friday. What a great and special birthday.
We are glad that Kylie has chosen to get baptized the day after her birthday. She is happy that both of her grandparents are going to be able to be here, for her birthday and for her baptism.

Here is the announcement we sent out, if you didn't get one, it may be because I don't have your correct e-mail address. Just know that any of our family and friends that would like to share this special day with Kylie are welcome to come.

(Sorry, the picture didn't fit as the blog place is making it fit funny. It says: Your invited to join us for the baptism of Kylie Chambers, February 7, 2009, at 3:00 p.m. at the Frisco West Building)

Here are just a few (okay, a lot, I was having a hard time only picking a few) pictures of Kylie in the years before turning 8. Kylie, we feel so blessed to have you in our family. You bring us much joy and happiness. You were a happy baby and have been such a delightful child. Through all of your phases, the baby stage, riding your pink big wheel, the happy toddler stage, your friend Michael, your love of horses, Dora, Preschool with your friends, swimming, and just your happy face, we love you Kylie.

Quotes

2009-01-12T16:30:00.000-08:00

Here are a couple of quotes that I found and thought I would share them with you.
In Primary this year we are focusing on the families. We as a Primary Presidency decided to spotlight the families in our ward. One of the questions that we asked on the spotlight questionnaire was, "What is your family quote or motto?" I left that one blank for now and I am trying to find a family quote that we could use. I think I really like this first one. I figure I have a little while that I can keep looking then maybe we well have a family vote on which one they would like to have as are family quote or motto.

We would love to have you share with us your family quote or motto.

New Years Eve!!

2009-01-12T15:51:00.000-08:00

Tiffani and Courtney where out with their friends. Therefore Mike, Ashley, Kylie, and I had a game night. We played Jenga and Yahtzee. We had snacks, watched a movie and watched the ball come down New York Time.
Kylie's take on the evening," Is that all that happens? I thought the ball would explode or something really cool would happen." She decided that it wasn't worth staying up late to ring in the New Year.

Just as we got Ashley and Kylie in bed, Tiffani showed up with her friends at 12:05 to watch a movie. Crazy kids think they can stay up all night.

Look how high we got our Jenga tower.

Our normal New Years tradition is to go bowling then out for Chinese Food. This year when we went to eat at the Chinese restaurant, it wasn't open, so we opted for Mexican food. Then we went to go bowling and there was a huge line, so we played laser tag instead.
So we tried some new things for the New Year. We hope that you all have a great year ahead of you.

Christmas Day

2009-01-09T20:26:00.000-08:00

Waiting to open presents. The girls woke up around 6:00 a.m.

Ashley and Kylie with their Nintendo DS.

Courtney with her new pillow that goes with her new bedspread.
Tiffani with her new clothes and boots.

Our yummy breakfast.

Ashley at Merry Main Street

2009-01-09T12:41:00.000-08:00

What is Merry Main Street? Here is a write up: The sights and sounds of the Christmas season will fill Simpson Plaza. The Frisco family favorite features the official tree lighting ceremony and music from Frisco elementary school choirs. Activities include the Holiday Store, Santa's Workshop with arts and crafts, and holiday train rides just to name a few. You can also expect to see a special visitor from the North Pole. This actually happened before Christmas.

The choir that Ashley is in sang at Merry Main then we just had a fun time walking around and enjoying the sights.

Ms. Ringel warming up the kiddos.

There were people caroling around.

This is Simpson Plaza they have the lights blinking to music.

We went and saw the gingerbread houses of the gingerbread house contest.
There were some really neat ones.

Christmas Eve

2009-01-09T09:53:00.000-08:00

We spent Christmas Eve with some friends in our Ward.

We had a nice dinner, a gingerbread house contest (okay, we made graham cracker houses) with the kids, played the white elephant game and acted out the Christmas Story.
It was a nice evening spent with friends.

We divided the kids into four main groups to work on a graham cracker house, there were a few that worked on their own.

1 group

Aidan and Sarita
Nadine and Courtney
A second group.
Some of the third group.
Julie making the frosting.

The Fourth group.

They make not look very fancy but the kids had a great time working on them.
Here are the end results.
The outhouse on the 4 boys graham cracker house.
The judges of the graham cracker houses.

The Shepards
Mary and Joseph
The angel
Our Narrator for the story
Kylie and Maddie good friends.
The girls in their new PJs from Grandma and Grandpa.

An Ice Day!!!

2009-01-09T09:21:00.001-08:00

I know that I am little behind maybe I will get caught up before I head back to school.

I was so excited, I had just finished finals and had a week to get ready for Christmas while the girls were still in school. It was December 15, Courtney had a piano recital that evening as we came out it was raining and that rain was starting to freeze. We had been invited to go to a friend's house for FHE after the recital. As we are getting ready to leave our friends house none of the kids wanted to leave and were saying I wish it was Friday so we could have a sleep over. I said well they probably are going to delay school tomorrow with this freezing rain. We the parents decided to let the kids have a sleep over. Much to my prediction school wasn't just delayed it was canceled.

Here are some pictures of our fun evening and the girls spending the day together. Needless to say I didn't get too much done that day but we had fun.

Getting ready for bed.

This is our snow and ice that canceled school.

Even though these pictures don't look like it was that bad, there where some areas where it was worse.

Tiffani the photographer

2008-12-23T13:35:00.000-08:00

Tiffani has been taking a photojournalism class at school and is becoming a great photographer. She really enjoys the class but doesn't always like the class assignments as she feels they are a lot of busy work. Here are a few of the pictures that she has taken the last few months.

A Visit with Santa Clause

2008-12-23T13:21:00.000-08:00

At our Ward Christmas Party we had a special visitor, Santa. He was an awesome Santa, he might have even been the real one.

I am starting to see RED!!!

2008-12-23T13:11:00.000-08:00

The leaves on our tree have finally starting to turn red. This is one thing since moving to Texas that I have really missed is the leaves turning colors. This is the first year since being here that our tree in the backyard turned colors. It is so pretty. So instead of the leaves turning in Sept/Oct I get the leaves turning in December.

Getting Ready for Christmas!!

2008-12-23T12:50:00.000-08:00

I love decorating my house and bringing in that Christmas Mood. The girls helped me get the house ready. They are so good in helping and remembering where everything goes.

The only thing that I miss is that smell of a fresh cut tree and snow. I found a candle that fills the fresh cut tree smell and maybe we will get a little lucky and get some of that white stuff.

The Next Tennis Pro?

2008-12-22T16:48:00.000-08:00

The girls have all taken tennis lesson, I wonder if any of them will become the next Tennis Pro? Probably not be they sure enjoy playing and that is all that really matters.

I can't find the pictures of Courtney playing.
I'll have to do a post of her and her Tennis stuff later.

Here is Tiffani, even though she doesn't play for the High School she still likes to go play with her friends and sisters.

Courtney and Friends

2008-12-22T13:38:00.000-08:00

Courtney, brings a lot of joy to our home. We are glad for her happiness and sweetness that she brings to our family. Courtney is very social and loves to be around people, definitely a people person. She has two really good friends that she loves hanging out with. We only hope as she continues to grow into a teenager that she tries and keeps her sweetness about her.

Julia, Courtney and McKall

Truly great friends are hard to find, difficult to leave, and impossible to forget.
G. Randolfa

"What is a friend? I will tell you it is someone with whom you dare to be yourself." Frank Crane True friendship is like sound health, the value of it is seldom known until it be lost.
Charles Caleb Colton

True friendship is seen through the heart not through the eyes.

Kylie and the Tooth Fairy

2008-12-03T20:54:00.001-08:00

Kylie gets so excited when one of her teeth gets loose, I guess that's what happens when you are one of the last people to loose your teeth. Her front tooth was getting very loose and she wanted Mike to help her get it out. This way the Tooth Fairy could come and visit her. Mike decided not to use the pliers this time and instead went with the dental floss trick. He thought this would be good to let Kylie pull her own tooth out.

Here's how it went.

Placing the dental floss over the tooth. This actually happened a couple of times before it worked.

Pulling the tooth out, she said," it hurt a little bit."

After the shock that she really did pull her tooth out she realized that her tooth had flipped off the dental floss and we couldn't find it for a little while. Kylie was quite relieved when we did find it so that the Tooth Fairy would be able to come and visit her.Then we had to take care of the blood.

" Yea my tooth is out and now the Tooth Fairy can come and visit me".
Here is the letter that Kylie wrote to the Tooth Fairy.

The Tooth Fairy left a response on her letter and placed the pixie dust in this pitcher. The Tooth Fairy then instructed Kylie to place water over the pixie dust and it would make a Happy Drink and to share it with others. Kylie was so excited and she wanted to share with everyone. Including her friend Maddie who was having a sad day.
The Pixie drink made Maddie and Kylie VERY HAPPY.

My List of Things that I am Thankful For....

2008-12-03T20:06:00.000-08:00

I have been a little crazy with life and school and haven't been able to find a lot of time for blogging but I just wanted share a few things that I am thankful for:

1. My Family (they mean the world to me can't even imagine my life without them and the joy that they bring into it.)
2. The Gospel ( this brings me so much joy and peace, I would be sad and not in a good place if I didn't have it in my life.)
3. My Parents and siblings (what great people, they have taught me wonderful things in my life and I admire all of them for where they are in their lives.)
4. Mike's Family ( I love that they are a part of my life and the life of my family and how they make my children feel loved.)
5. Friends ( I love being around people and my friends help to make my world feel complete.)
6. That we have a home, food,clothes and cars (Mike found a car to replace the Honda)

7. That Mike loves to make our yard look so nice.

8. That it only takes us 5-8 minutes to get to church now that our new building is done.
9. That gas is down to $1.63/gallon.
10. School. ( I am glad that I have the opportunity to fulfill my dream of completing my college education. I am glad that my kids go to school in a great school district and that they are receiving an awesome education.)
11. I am thankful that I really could make this list longer.

I truly do feel blessed in my life and I feel very grateful for the blessings that I do have.

Another Thought on being Thankful

2008-11-04T17:36:00.000-08:00

I am thankful for the friends that we have in our lives. For the friends that are many miles away, the ones that are close by, and even the future ones that we haven't met yet.

Remember, the greatest gift is not found in a store nor under a tree, but in the hearts of true friends. -- Cindy Lew

Halloween Night!!

2008-11-04T16:27:00.000-08:00

I took the girls trick or treating with my friend Katie and her kids.

Katie had a pumpkin pepperoni pizza for us to eat before we left to go trick or treating.

This house was decorated so cool. Maybe some year I will decorate my house like that. After about 15 houses the kids said they were done and wanted to go back home. We left and went back to Katie's for a fun night of games and conversation.

Tiffani, Conner and Caden arriving back from work.

Murder, Mystery Party!!

2008-11-04T15:05:00.000-08:00

The girls wanted to have a Halloween party, I told them they could if they had their parties together. They both had ideas on who they wanted to invite and their lists were huge. I told them that I didn't think we could comfortably have more than about 15 people. They came up with a combined list, and then we came up with the idea of a Murder, Mystery Party.

I told the girls that I would write the script since I had seen some ideas online. If only I had thought through the idea. After I had done a lot of the work I realized that I could have just bought one online for $30. It turned out to be way more time consuming than I thought it would be, especially since I am not a writer. My friend Staci, helped me out.

In the end the kids had a good time. They dressed up for their parts, played the murder mystery game, watched a scary movie (Prom Night) and then played Rock Band on the PS3.

The Characters for the night:
Lady Victoria - Tiffani
Watson Sherlock - Conner
Jane Meadowbrook - Courtney
Dr. Drake - Caden
Lady Lavender - Melanie
The eccentric billionaire-(King Tut) -Cole
Miss Scarlet - Brooke
Dr. Green -Mike
Mrs. Marmson -Michelle
Sergeant Gray - Jared
Dr. Newton - Julia
Colonel Mustard - Spencer (Nickname was Colonel Mutard due to a mis-read line)
Ima Gudsweeper -Madison
Butler Hemsley - Chase
Ms. Peach -Macall
Tracy Fibers - Krista

The victim of the murder was Sergeant Gray, his murder was done by Ima Gudsweeper with the help of Butler Hemsley.

Being Thankful Quotes

2008-11-02T18:34:00.001-08:00

I just wanted to share with you some quotes I found on prayer, having gratitude and being thankful. I love this time of year that we are reminded of being thankful for our blessings. I am so thankful for my blessings and how blessed I am.

Rough Week at the Chambers House

2008-10-31T11:29:00.000-07:00

They say that when it rains it pours. We have definitely been feeling the pouring rain here. Hopefully it will stay dry for awhile at the Chambers house.

1. Two weeks ago the garage door broke. It was the torsion spring which counters the weight of the door making it so the garage can actually go up. Mike said it was something that he couldn't fix. We had to get it fixed since we couldn't get into the garage at all. Cost: $150.00.

2. The car that Tiffani has been driving died on Monday the 20th (the very first car that Mike and I bought together.) It was going to cost somewhere between $700 and $3000 to be fixed. We decided that it wasn't worth putting that much money into a 19 year old car. Now we have three drivers and just two cars. It's hard to adjust to the loss of something when you have become so accustomed to it. I have loved that Tiffani can drive herself to where she needs to go. She also helps me get the girls where they need to be and runs errands for me. Now Tiffani and I are trying to work out the car thing and I'm definitely feeling the loss of the Honda. We are trying to convince Mike to get another car. He told Tiffani that she needs to save her money and that he would 'help' her get another car. Cost: A car for Tiffani $$$$

3. Thursday as we were all trying to leave, Tiffani came home from Seminary with a flat tire on the Suburban. It had a screw in it. So now we have three drivers and only one car that is working with all three of us trying to get out the door. Not happy people at the Chambers house. The tire was too worn out to justify fixing it, so Mike decided it was time to replace all 4 tires on the Suburban (the tires were near the end of their lifetime.) Mike put air in the tire and drove it to work hoping that it would last until he could get to COSTCO for a full tire lobotomy. Tiffani and I left in the other car and I dropped her off at school, then I went to school. After I got out of class I went to meet up with Mike to take the Suburban to COSTCO for new tires. It took 3 hours.
Cost: 4 new tires $900.00

4. Monday morning my cell phone breaks. Not just a little break but completely broken in half and unusable. Mike and I have been talking about switching cell phone companies but Courtney is still under contract until March. Luckily a guy that works with Mike had the same phone we do but had recently changed wireless provider, and hence had a new phone leaving the old one out of service. He kindly gave me his old phone. I was so happy! Who would have thought that one could be so happy about a phone. Cost: None except the $2.50 for a new ring tone.

I know that it could be worse and I am grateful for the many blessings we have; family, good friends, a job, food, and a nice roof over our heads.

The Ward Trunk or Treat

2008-10-31T09:54:00.001-07:00

Last Saturday our Ward had a Trunk or Treat. The girls had a good time. Here are some pictures of those in our Ward that got into the night and some that didn't.

Kylie is a ladybug and Ashley is a fairy.

Kylie and Maddie.

Ashley and Megan.

This is Averi. The girls babysit her and her brother. She is just a cutie. She wasn't scared of the dancing witch statue she was just mesmerized by it.

The dancing witch, I need one of these.
Courtney the angel and her group of friends.

The Lloyd Family

The sister missionaries.

Our friend Tom.

Here I am in no costume.

Ashley at Camp Jolt

2008-10-31T09:03:00.000-07:00

The week of October 15-17 Ashley went on a school camp. Unfortunately I was unable to make it as I had a test that week. I was happy that one of Ashley's friends mom was going and knew that she would watch over my little girl. She had a lot of fun and we all missed her terribly. We were happy to have her home with us on Friday. I bought Ashley a disposable camera for her to take pictures so that she could tell us all about her three days away from home.
Here are the pictures that she took. What priceless pictures of what she saw on her trip.

These picture Michelle, Ashley friends mom took of Ashley doing the Zip-line.

This is Ashley and McKenzie.

I love this picture of Ashley I don't know how to turn it the right way, sorry that you have to look at it sideways, but I love that she is so happy and having a good time.
In her bag I packed a letter for her to read every day and a treat, each letter I asked her to write down something that she enjoyed about that day or what was her favorite part.
Here is what she wrote:
Day 1
1. Going on the night hike.
2. Finding rocks and then we got to smash some.
Day 2
1. Going on the Zip Line
2. Going in the water trying to catch fish and stuff.
3. Doing the GPS Scavenger Hunt.
Day 3
I asked her what her favorite part of her trip had been:
The Zip line!!!!
And I think she would also say coming home to better food and my mom.

A Special Family Home Evening!!!

2008-10-17T15:18:00.000-07:00

A couple of weeks ago, Ashley gave us a family home evening lesson about the value of work and how it takes everyone in the family to make the house function.

We talked about how a family will be strengthened by working together. Also how we as individual members can gain a self-esteem by realizing that we can make a worthwhile contribution to the family.

I helped in reminding that I know we are all busy but that I can't do it all alone. We talked about how we all need to pitch in and help out more. We then discussed what life would be like if no one did any work around our home--what would our house look like. Ashley then had everyone list their favorite chore and their worst chore and how we could help each other with the worst chore. Here is everyone's answers:

Kylie:
Favorite: Vacuum the stairs
Worst: Kitchen and cleaning the bathroom sink

Ashley:
Favorite: Making my bed
Worst: Kitchen

Courtney:
Favorite: Making my bed
Worst: Cleaning the bathroom and Kitchen

Tiffani:
Favorite: Vacuuming the stairs
Worst: Unloading the dishwasher and cleaning the bathroom

Lisa:
Favorite: Cleaning the bathrooms ( Cant stand a messy bathroom)and vacuuming (it just makes your house feel clean)
Worst: Laundry (it is just never ending)

Mike:
Favorite: Fixing things that are broken
Worst: Cleaning windows

We realized that not many of us liked cleaning the kitchen but that pretty much everyone liked to vacuum the stairs. I think its because it is the fastest job in the house to do.

When then talked about trying to have fun when we do chores. Like when cleaning the kitchen or the bathroom (which seemed to be the ones that no one likes to do) we could sing songs, dance (which is my favorite thing to do), listen to music and laugh.

And the end she read this quote:

"Thank God every morning when you get up that you have something to do that day which must be done, whether you like it or not. Being forced to work, and forced to do you best will breed in you temperance and self-control, diligence and strength of will, cheerfulness and content, and a hundred virtues which the idle will never know." Charles Kingsley

I loved this lesson on how we can work together as a family and keep our home a clean place. And-- our home has been a lot less cluttered!

Let us know what your favorite and worst chore is to do?

More Halloween Fun!!

2008-10-11T13:40:00.000-07:00

Okay, I found the cutest recipe ideas for kids at Halloween Time. We had these cute little mummy dogs for lunch today. The girls thought it was fun. Here is the recipe along with a few other recipes that I found on one of my favorite food blogs, Picky Palate.

Breadstick Mummy Dogs

1 roll/pkg Pillsbury Breadstick dough (12 count)

12 hot dogs

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Unroll all 12 breadsticks from package. Cut each into 3 equal strips. Take 3 strips, one at a time and wrap around 1 hot dog starting from the top of the hot dog. (Each hot dog has 3 thin breadstick strips around it). Leave a small space towards the top of the hotdog to make mustard eyes. Continue wrapping all dogs then place on a lightly greased baking sheet. Bake for 10-15 minutes or until lightly golden brown.

2. Remove and let cool for 5 minutes. Use mustard or ketchup for the eyes.

Ooozing Monster Apple Mouths

1 large Apple of choice

Peanut Butter

Mini Marshmallows

1. Core then cut the apple into fourths. Cut out a small wedge on the skin side of the apple. Blot inside with a paper towel then spread lightly with creamy peanut butter. Cut mini marshmallows in half and place over peanut butter to make the teeth.

Pumpkin Spice Blossoms

1 Spice Cake Mix 18.25 oz

14 oz can Libby’s Pumkin

½ Cup sanding sugar

1 bag Hershey’s Pumpkin Spice Kisses

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a stand or electric mixer beat the cake mix and pumpkin until well combined, about 45 seconds. With a cookie scoop, scoop dough and roll top half in sanding sugar (dough is sticky) then place onto a parchment or silpat lined baking sheet. Bake for 11-13 minutes, or until cooked through. Quickly transfer to a cooling rack and immediately press kisses into the center of each cookie. I immediately place cooling rack into the fridge for 15 minutes so the kisses don’t melt. I tried both ways and it melts down if just left at room temperature. Enjoy!

About 36 cookies

Halloween Time!!!

2008-09-30T15:20:00.000-07:00

It's Halloween Time!!!!

Beware of ghost, witches and spiders.

I love this time of year, my favorite season is fall. I love the crisp air, the cool nights, the leaves falling from the trees and sweatshirt weather. Although we don't have much of this here in Texas, I still love fall. Kylie was dying to get the Halloween decorations out, not only so that we could decorate the house also so she could get into the costume box and try on costumes to see what she could be for Halloween this year. You'll have to wait and see what she decided on.

Here we are having fun with a few of our favorite decorations.

Tiffani had been gone most of the day doing things for school and getting ready for Homecoming, when she walked into the house and saw the house decorated she said, "I love the house when it is all decorated for Halloween. I love this time of year." I put in this scented candle the other day and the kids were all saying it smells like Fall/Halloween time. I think I may be passing on my love for this time of the year to my kids.

Homecoming

2008-09-29T16:37:00.000-07:00

Tiffani had a hard time deciding if she even wanted to go to Homecoming this year, but in the end I think she had a great time and was glad that she went.

Getting ready!!

Tiffani got this dress, Thursday night, two days before Homecoming.
Doesn't she look so beautiful.

Tiffani and Amanda being funny.

The group that Tiffani went with.

Tiffani had a hard time deciding if she even wanted to go to Homecoming this year. She kept going back and forth. Then she asked if she and I could just go out to dinner and a movie that night. I was excited that she wanted to hang with me instead of going to homecoming. Then she decided she was going to go. I think it might have had to do with the fact that the group she was going with all had dates except her. Then she was told that some other people were coming that didn't have dates either. So I think that's why she decided to go. She came home that evening saying she was glad she went and had a great time even though the dance was lame.

Quote For the Day

2008-09-18T09:56:00.001-07:00

President Monson wisely said, "It is necessary to prepare, to plan, so that we don’t fritter away our lives. Without a goal, there can be no real success. The best definition of success I have ever found goes something like this: Success is the progressive realization of a worthy ideal. Someone has said the trouble with not having a goal is that you can spend your life running up and down the field and never crossing the goal line...Make certain as you prepare that you do not procrastinate. Someone has said that procrastination is the thief of time. Actually, procrastination is much more. It is the thief of our self-respect. It nags at us and spoils our fun. It deprives us of the fullest realization of our ambitions and hopes." Thomas S. Monson, “Three Gates Only You Can Open,” New Era, Aug 2008, 2–6

I love quotes and this one really hit home for me today. I have a big test on Tuesday and I am being a bit of a procrastinator, because here I am blogging when I really should be studying while my kids are at school, so that I can spend more time with them in the evening. Now I am going to go study while I have two hours left before the girls get home. Everyone have a great day.

Tiffani's First Job!!

2008-09-18T09:56:00.000-07:00

My friend Kara and I decided to SURPRISE Tiffani and Ryan (her son) while they were at work by showing up and taking some pictures of them working. I had been telling Tiffani that I was going to come in a get some pictures of her, I don't think she thought I would really do it. (She should really know her mother better than that by now.) When we first walked in they weren't too happy to see us. Once the customers left and I started to take pictures they started to WARM up to us.

TIFFANI, not to happy that I am there.
RYAN starting to warm up to us a little bit.

The group of workers that would let me take a picture of them, three of them hid in the back.

We couldn't see Tiffani behind the line so Ryan picked her up so that we could get the two of them and the Papa Murphy's sign.

WORKING HARD on making my dinner.

What SERVICE we got, they even helped take our purchases out to the car.
They'll do this for anyone just in case you wanted to know!!

Tiffani has been working at Papa Murphy's since June. She is working about 8-10 hours a week.
I guess if you count babysitting then this would be her second job.

Girls Against Boys

2008-09-09T15:24:00.000-07:00

Whose doesn't love a good water fight but I think this one was a little one sided. Those poor boys didn't know what hit them when they showed up for the water fight, 2 boys against 8 girls.

The girls had come earlier to fill the water balloons and to hid buckets of water in different places to get the guys. They also had control of the hose.

I don't think the boys were expecting this to be a boys against girls water fight, I think they thought it would be everyone against everyone.
Surprise!!!

The boys running to get away from being totally soaked.

The boys then get in control of the hose, some water balloons and buckets.(Thanks to the help of Tiffani who was feeling a little sorry for them:)

The girls start to get wet.

This will probably be the last water fight for the year. I think all the kids had a great time as they were wanting to do it again.

Kylie and her friend Maddie. They play so well together.

Ashley and Mike's Shoe Rack Project

2008-09-02T17:49:00.000-07:00

Now why would the Chambers household need a shoe rack you ask? This started about three weeks ago the conversation went like this:

Tiffani: Dad I really need a shoe rack for my shoes. Can you take me shopping for one?
(we all know if we need something dad is the one to take shopping.)
Mike: Well, how about this lets build one. You help me build it and I'll buy the supplies for your shoe rack.
Ashley: Okay, I would like to help you do that. I would like a shoe rack too.
Tiffani: Do we really have to.
Mike: Ashley will get the first shoe rack, since she was the first to say she would help.
(Disclaimer: I may not have all the words, word for word but I am sure I am close.)

Mike had Friday off and that night he and Ashley started their project.

Ashley with the power tool. She is such a great helper.

What a fun father/daughter project!

The finished product. Doesn't it look so nice.

Mike and Ashley did an awesome job. Ashley was the only that helped her dad finish the shoe racks. When I saw what they were doing I asked if I could replace my shoe rack and get one of these fancy ones, and they had already made me one. I was so excited !!!!Here is my shoe rack. I think I may need to get some more shoes to put on my new shoe rack.

Courtney and the Bike Crew!!

2008-09-02T11:44:00.000-07:00

I know that Courtney says she doesn't like riding her bike to school, but how can you not enjoy the exercise and the comradery with riding with a group of friends. Courtney even got a new bike. I think she was a little relieved when she had a two flat tires, that couldn't be fixed so, Mike said it would be better to put the money to a new bike then to two new tires. I guess she didn't want to ride the bike that she got when she was 8. ( I don't know why.)hehe
Courtney's friend, Julia ended up getting the same bike too. I think the girls will really enjoy riding when the weather cools just a bit. I am really enjoying not having to fight the traffic to pick her up from the school.

First Day of School

2008-08-27T17:08:00.001-07:00

Here are the girls in their new clothes and ready to start their first day of school. Everyone was excited and couldn't wait to get to school and start learning. Okay, maybe not to start learning but to get the new school year going.

Kylie's favorite part of the first day of school: Seeing my friend Katie in my class and meeting a new friend Grace. I really like my teacher Ms. Roosa.

Ashley's favorite part of the first day of school: Meeting my teachers, (she has 3) especially my homeroom teacher Mrs. Milner, and wearing new clothes.

Courtney's favorite part of the first day of school: I got to have M&Ms in class(which is awesome!) I also got to spend half of the day in a Stafford warrior group and we got to talk and go over rules(but it was fun). Then we got to go through our schedules and meet all of our teachers and all of mine are cool! And I had to ride my bike to school and it was NOT cool!!!!

Tiffani's favorite part of the first day of school: I now get early release every other day this year and therefore get to leave at 2:18 instead of 3:55! I'm now the first one home! No longer will I be the one carrying the towels upstairs. WHOOOHOO! And I get to spend some one on one with my mom!

My Crazy girls. I miss you when you are away from me.

Tiffani

2008-08-27T16:46:00.000-07:00

On Sunday August 24, 2008, in Sacrament Tiffani was recognized for completing all the requirements to earn her Young Woman's Medallion.

I am so proud of Tiffani and all the things that she is accomplishing in her life. She is growing up way to fast for me and I wish that I could make her stop or freeze time so that she could just stay this age for a while longer. Here are some things that I love about her: she thinks before she does things, she just doesn't do something just spur of the moment or because everyone else is doing it, if she doesn't feel good about something she won't follow along, she doesn't let others sway her decisions. She stands up for what she believes in and has a good heart and is nice to others. She loves to have fun and hang out with her friends and family. Tiffani, thank you for being a such a great example to your younger sisters and thanks for making our family fun.

(Just a side note Tiffani finished her Personal Progress in May)

Ward/Primary Activity

2008-08-27T14:22:00.000-07:00

Being in the Primary Presidency one of my responsibilities is planning the Primary Activities. We decided it would be fun to have a water themed activity, and with the Olympics going on we decided it would be cool to have The Primary Water Olympics. Due to the fact that we don't have a ward activities person right now the Bishop asked if we could make it a Ward Activity. I said, "Sure why not". So on August 23 we had the Ward/Primary Water Olympics. I think it turned out really well. We had a good turn out and everyone enjoyed getting wet to cool off from the hot summer sun. Here are some fun pictures of the day.

Kylie, Courtney, and Julia decided it would be fun to try and get Mike wet...but when Courtney attempted to throw the water on him it back fired and the water was on her instead.

At the end of the activity Mike decided to dump a big bucket of water on Brother Lloyd, who had earlier dumped a cup of ice down is back. Brother Lloyd wasn't expecting it and was quiet surprised and soaking wet.

Then it was Bishop Martin's turn to get a nice cold bucket of water. Due to the fact that he made it through the activity getting other people wet and staying dry himself Mike and many of the youth felt the need to include him in on the water fun as well. We love our Bishop!

School Starts Tomorrow

2008-08-24T20:56:00.000-07:00

Should I be Happy or Sad that school starts tomorrow? Some of my friends are super happy that school is starting and others are really sad. I am having mixed emotions about the girls going off to school tomorrow. Here are some of my happy and sad feelings:
1. I am getting tired of hearing I am bored, what can I do,(besides clean mom!!)
2. I love hanging out with my girls, we have so much fun together, making each other laugh, cooking,watching the home decorating shows and talking about stuff. So I will miss them terribly.
3. The cooking though has added about 10 lbs to me, so I am glad that wont be happening as much, although I will miss those chocolate chip cookies.
4. When they start school, it means that I will start school too. (Not sure if this is a happy or sad thought. I love learning but don't love the test.)
5. I worry about them as they are away from me. Like will the other kids being nice to them, will they like their teachers, and will they eat all their lunch and like it. (Hopefully they wont get tired of PBJ sandwiches. I may have to get a little creative with lunch.) (Any good ideas?)
I am happy that they are starting school, so that they can continue to learn and grow socially, and I am sad that they will be gone all day from me and I wont be their to protect them from the world. I guess that's why I am really glad that we have summer vacations and the breaks throughout the year so that we can appreciate each other and enjoy the times that we do have together.

Using My New Mixer

2008-08-23T20:01:00.000-07:00

My mixer that I am really loving.

I have been very excited to use my mixer and try making bread and other fun things. My first attempt at using my mixer I decided was going to be baking cinnamon rolls. I have only made these a couple of times, and that was a long time ago, (at least 11 years or so). The girls and I had fun, although Kylie thought that they took to long to make.
Okay, so I got a little confused on the instructions for the butter, sugar, cinnamon mix in the middle and we ended up making a butter, sugar and cinnamon paste, but it stilled worked and the cinnamon rolls tasted great.

Don't they just look yummy??!!!!

Then my good friend, Katie, and I attempted to make some whole wheat bread. That didn't work at so well. It seems when ever I try to make bread or rolls it just doesn't work. The problem or problems could have been that the wheat flour wasn't fresh, the recipe we were using was a little weird, and I just don't know how to make bread. The bread really didn't rise and it was hard and yucky tasting.

Katie found a better recipe for me and so I decided to try it. Here is the reward for my labor. Doesn't this bread look so delicious? Let me tell you it was pretty darn good. My family tells me that I did a great job. I might even get my Kylie to start eating whole wheat bread. With my mixer it has an auto knead which is so nice and it was all done in less then two hours. I love it!! I can't wait to try and make rolls and some more bread. Oh, and I used fresh ground whole wheat this time maybe that was the secret to my bread success, or was it the recipe? Maybe I'll have to try one without their other and see which one makes the best bread.

Our 18th Wedding Anniversary

2008-08-17T17:21:00.000-07:00

Today is our wedding anniversary. I can't believe that we have been married 18 years. I love being married and especially I love being married to Mike, he is my best friend. He brings great joy into my life and into our daughters. He is an awesome dad and husband. Mike thank you for making these last 18 years the best years of my life. I love you.

2008 Summer Olympics

2008-08-12T17:00:00.000-07:00

The 2008 Summer Olympics!!!
We have loved watching the Summer Olympic games. We even had an Beijing Bash with some friends to watch the Opening Ceremony and had Pei Wei for dinner. Our favorites have been the volleyball,beach volleyball, swimming, and of course gymnastics.
Here is the official website of the Olympic games if you are interested in the Medal counts and other neat stuff.

http://en.beijing2008.cn/

Quote For the Day

2008-08-08T12:21:00.000-07:00

I found this quote from Marjorie Pay Hinkley. I really liked it and wanted to share this with you all.

"As you create a home, don't get distracted with a lot of things that have no meaning for you or your family. Don't dwell on your failures, but think about your successes. Have joy in your home. Have joy in your children. Have joy in your husband. Be grateful for the journey."

Girls Gone Wild!!!

2008-08-07T08:26:00.000-07:00

The girls had a sleep over with some friends and they came down and wanted to do a fashion show for Mike and I. They were wearing some funky get-ups and having a great time.

The Actress.

The Drama Queen

The Model.

Kylie and her friend Maddie.
Ashley and her friend Melissa.
Courtney with the girls.
Here's Tiffani all dressed up! (JK)

The end of our Trip and a Trip story.

2008-08-06T17:24:00.000-07:00

Okay, the other day I was talking to a friend and realized that I hadn't shared our flat tire adventure with you all. As we begin our second day of driving, leaving Denver, CO (we had been on the road maybe about an hour or so.) We came to some road construction, and needed to merge over and went over those bumps in the road. (you know those things in the road that try to keep you awake.) I went over some and realized that noise wasn't going away. Then the low tire light came on and I realized that we had a flat tire. So has I am driving in this construction zone, I realize that I can't pull off anywhere as there are concrete walls on both sides. After a few minutes I finally see a place to pull off. Now I was really excited as I was prepared for this trip I had triple A and a GPS for this trip. Triple A was for the emergencies and the GPS was for helping with directions as many of you know that is not my forte. So when I called Triple A to come and change my tire, they want to know where I am. This was a problem as I was just driving till the GPS told me to turn or do something. So I wasn't really paying attention to where I was and was just watching for the next place to turn which was like 50 miles ahead. I had to give them a guesstimate of where I was and what was around me and they told me it would be anywhere from a 1/2 hour to an hour before they could get to me. Thank heavens for the nice highway patrolman that stopped and helped us. Then he told me that I needed to go and get my tire fixed so he started to give me instructions and then basically he ended up just showing me where the place was. I really liked that Colorado Highway patrolman, he was very friendly and helpful. Then after unloading the car the 2nd time the guy at the tire place tells me he doesn't have the tire size I need and that all my tires are bald and need to be replaced but that I will have to go somewhere else to get them as they didn't have the right size tires. Then I am not happy and shocked that my wonderful husband would let me and his four daughters drive on a road trip to Idaho/Utah on bald tires. So I call Mike to talk to him because now I am supposed to go and get all my tires change and unload my car for the third time that day. He tells me that I am okay and to keep going to Utah and I can get the tires fixed there. So the girls and I say a prayer that we can get to Utah safely and without any more incidents. We do arrive to Utah safely and no other flat tires. So the next day we drive to COSTCO and get new tires and new books to read as we wait for the tires to get done.

Here are our last pictures of our trip. This was on our way back home staying in Provo with Julie and Jeff. It was so good to see everyone. One thing that Tiffani really wanted was a lime freeze from Ripples. So we went and got lunch from Ripples and ate in Chris and Allie's backyard while Alan was cleaning up the paint stuff. It was a really nice day hanging out with family. Believe it or not Tiffani was starting to feel back to normal. We were glad that she was being her happy self.

The Open House for the Twin Falls Temple

2008-07-31T09:35:00.000-07:00

I was so excited to hear that the Twin Falls Temple would be having their open house while we were there. It started Friday, July 11. The girls were excited to go and see the temple as they have never been to an open house before. Tiffani and Courtney have been in the temple for baptisms but were excited to see the whole temple. It was a great experience and I am so glad that we took the time to drive there. The girls thought it was very pretty and they loved all the rooms and had so many questions. It was great to talk about it with them inside the temple, so that they could feel the peace that you can feel in the temple. The loved the sealing room with all the mirrors and where you can see forever in them.

I hope for all four my daughters to have the joy of marrying in the temple and having that forever family. We talked about how we need to keep ourselves worthy so that they could all go into the temple.

My sister and three of her four daughters.

Afterwards we went to Carino's for lunch. The girl's loved the food and we had a great time. As we were driving out there is the bridge that you cross over to get into and out of Twin Falls. So we stopped and took a look at the lookout. The older girls didn't want to get out of the car, they missed out on the beautiful overview.

Those girls think they were too cool to get out and look at the great view of the valley.

2008-07-30T19:51:00.000-07:00

I'm a Ferrari 360 Modena!

You've got it all. Power, passion, precision, and style. You're sensuous, exotic, and temperamental. Sure, you're expensive and high-maintenance, but you're worth it.

"Take the Which Sports Car Are You? quiz.

More Pictures and Other Fun Activities We Did!!!

2008-07-30T18:23:00.000-07:00

We went and visited Great Grandpa Christensen.

My brother and I.

Brad and Dad.

Jim doing the low rider.

Ashley and Breallie jumping.

Grandpa getting into the water fight.

I don't think either of you have big muscles.

Not too many pictures of Tiffani on this trip as she wasn't feeling so hot. I took her to the doctor a few days before leaving to make sure she didn't have strip throat. Come to find out that she had mono. No wonder she kept sleeping so much.

The older girls loved going shopping.

Reading Stories.

The slide at Jenifer's house. The kids had a blast on this.

Kylie.

Ashley.

We made mini pizza's at Jenifer' s house the kids had fun and then they made the adults this yummy Chopped Salad and really yummy dessert.

Jen and Lori.

Tiffani roaring. (or maybe she is yawing because she has mono and we wore her out.)

We went bowling and Kylie had the highest score of anyone. Way to go Kylie!!!!
Her score was 135.

Our Friends the Underwoods.

Tiffani and Makenna.

Kim and I.

The Fourth of July Activites

2008-07-30T16:49:00.000-07:00

We started off the day with a parade that Lori took the kids to, as my feet were really hurting from the barefoot walk the day before. Then we filled up water balloons and had a water fight. It was lots of fun and helped everyone to cool off. The we had a BBQ, played cards and croquet as we waited for the skies to get dark for fireworks. What a fun day hanging out with the family.

Grandpa's rock wall was a huge hit for all of the grandkids. They loved walking across it and climbing on it.

Teaching Tiffani how to play hearts.

Visting With Old Friends

2008-07-29T20:18:00.000-07:00

This is my really good friend Kim, who threw us a little party and invited some of our friends over for a BBQ. It was really nice to visit with everyone.

The girls.

Kim's husband grilling the hamburgers.

This is all the kids from the neighborhood, except Makenna who was at work. Tiffani, was the only girl that would get in the picture with all of the guys. I couldn't believe how the boys had grown into young men. And they were all taller then Tiffani and I.

Everyone chatting.

Idaho/Family Pictures

2008-07-29T18:49:00.000-07:00

We had family pictures then came back to mom and dad's for lunch. We took pictures of all the kids. Then we went to Lava to go floating down the river. We had a great time.

My sister I love her she is such a great example to me and I love to hang out with her. I wish that we lived closer so that we could do more things together. Lori, thanks for being the best sister in the world.
I was glad that my mom, sister and I had a day to go and hang out. We went had a manicure/Pedicure and then went to lunch. I really miss having these two closer to me. They make me happy and I love the way that they live their lives. They are great examples in my life. Mom, thanks for being so great, and for all the things that you have taught me.
Floating Down the River:

Getting the Tubes and the life jackets for the little girls.

Carrying the tubes to the top of the river. Just in case you ever are in the area and decided to go floating down the river make sure to wear water shoes or some sort of shoe as we deiced to do this hike in our bare feet and it was a little hot walking on the pavement, sidewalk, and the dirt. Needless to say some of us had some pretty good size blisters on the bottom of our feet.

Getting into the river.

Floating down the river it has some pretty fun little rapids.

The getting out spot.

All done we had a great time and couldn't believe that we never did this when we lived in Idaho. Some of the things that you can take for granted when you live around it.

Park City and the Alpine Slide

2008-07-29T17:55:00.000-07:00

We thought it would be really fun to go up to Park City and ride the Alpine Slide. The girls had a blast. They thought the tram ride was great and we even got stuck for a few minutes. Then going down the slide was really fun and fast. Ashley was able to go by herself and was nervous but was glad that she did it.

Walking around Park City. We went and ate pizza then went and got some Rocky Mountain Chocolate. It was a fun day. Now Tiffani wasn't feeling well and didn't go with us, she stayed at Leslie's and slept and read her new book. We really missed having her a round. We did bring her back some pizza and chocolate.

All the cousins except Ethan, he wasn't feeling the picture mood. This was the day that I took the girls to meet my dad , while I waited for Mike to fly in on Tues.Ashley and Ashley.

On Monday Leslie and I had a girls day. We went shopping, had a makeover, went to a movie and then to dinner. It was a fun day. It's probably a good thing we don't live to close to each other as we might go into the poor house. Leslie I had a great day with you, thanks for making it so fun.

Our Trip: Water Balloons

2008-07-28T09:33:00.000-07:00

On our way to Idaho we stayed a few days with Aunt Leslie. Aunt Julie and her girls came from Provo to visit us and stayed while we were there. We had so much fun. As we were there I asked Leslie why she had so many water balloons around her house. She told us that she and the boys love to have water balloon fights and she didn't want to run out. So we decided that we needed to have a water balloon fight. We had so much fun.

The kids starting to fill up balloons.

Leslie and the boys.

Julie fell and hurt her foot. She was in a little bit of pain.

Kylie and the Dishwasher

2008-07-25T10:20:00.000-07:00

On Kylie's dishwasher day, this is how the dishes look. She loves to stack the dishes on top of each other, but just not on top of each other. The dishes all has a special way that they have to go together. I am always surprised with her design each time she unloads the dishwasher. What a creative mind she has.

Deep Cleaning!!!

2008-07-23T17:12:00.000-07:00

I decided that once everyone was out of school and done with camp that we were going to do some major cleaning. This meant cleaning out drawers, closet, toys, books, shelves, dusting, blinds,and base boards. Needless to say when all was done we had quite a haul to Frisco Family Services. I wish I would have taking a picture of all that we took to FFS, it filled up the suburban. I don't know if I should be happy or embarrassed that we had so much stuff needing to be cleaned out. I think that I will be excited that I got rid of all the things that were cluttering up our home.

Here is a few bags of things that we cleaned out.

Ashley and Kylie cleaning out their school box. (this is the stuff that they keep from school and that they don't want to throw away.)Even though we were cleaning we had a good time.

Courtney didn't know what to do with this pillow that she made in Preschool. So I told her that I would take a picture of her with it and then she could throw it away. And then she will have a picture of it forever.

What an organize shelf of games.

Did I mention that we have lots of toilet paper. I think we have our year supply.

This is the girl's bathroom closet , you should have seen it before we cleaned it.Tiffani relaxing after a long day of cleaning or is she just texting her friends to come up with some way to get out of cleaning.

Ashley and Kylie in their nice clean room. They said, "It feels like we're in a new room."
We almost got the whole house done, but had to stop so we could get ready for our trip to Idaho and Utah.

My new Mixer/Blender

2008-07-23T17:06:00.000-07:00

I am really excited I just got this mixer/blender. (Okay since I am behind I really got it in June.) It's a blendtec and it is awesome. I can't wait to start making some bread and smoothies maybe not at the same time though.

Mike at High Adventure/Me and the Younger Girls

2008-07-23T16:11:00.000-07:00

Mike went with the Young Men to Broken Bow, OK. They had a great time water skiing, 4 wheelin', shooting guns, and eating great food. Mike was really in his element.

All the boys and the leaders, this was both wards the Frisco 2nd and 6th.

Tim (the second counselor in our Bishopric) was the chef. I think Tim is cooking ribs here in this picture. Mike said the food was awesome.

While Tiffani and Courtney were at Girls Camp, Mike at High Adventure, Kylie, Ashley and I had a great week of our own. We hung out with our friends the Dickson. We made pretzels one day, then went to the Bounce House. The next day we went to Kung Fo Panda and then went out for Chinese Food. The next day we went swimming. What a fun week for all.

Making pretzels.

Katie and the kids looking at their beautiful pretzels.

The Bounce House.

Girls Camp

2008-07-23T15:35:00.000-07:00

Tiffani all ready to go. She wasn't very excited to go this year, but when she got home she said it was the best year of camp that she has been to. She was also a YCL. (YOUTH CAMP LEADER she got to help with the camp activities. This could be a reason that camp was great this year.)

Tiffani and my good friend Tammi, she drove up the YCLs. She was over the YCL. She is a lot of fun and that could have been another reason that helped make camp fun for Tiffani this year.

Tiffani and her Friend Amanda.

Courtney and Julia decided to have a sleep over the night before leaving to go to girl's camp. They went up the day after the YCL's go up.

Courtney ready to go to Camp. Courtney also wasn't excited to go to camp
this year. But when she got home she too said that this was the best year of camp.

Tiffani Gets Her Drivers License!!!

2008-07-23T15:13:00.001-07:00

Everyone watch out Tiffani is now driving on her own. All kidding aside Tiffani really is a great driver and we trust her completely.

Yea I have my license!!! I am so cool.

End of the School Year ( I know I am behind)

2008-07-23T14:07:00.000-07:00

I am hopeful that by the time school starts that I may be caught up on my blog and all the other little things I was wanting to do before school Starts. (or maybe not)
Here is Ashley's and Kylie's last two weeks of School. The school has a field day were the children and the teachers go out and have fun with field events. They do things with water, running and see who can throw things the furthest. The kids have a lot fun and some of the teachers really get into,to see if there class can win the other classes. Then the last day of school the classes have their end of the year parties. Kylie's class had a water event outside and then came in for ice cream sundaes. Ashley's class had a fiesta party with chips and salsa and then add a water fight outside.

Ashley in the sack race.

Ashley and her teacher Mrs. Ragland.

Ashley getting wet,during the balloon toss. This was for their last day party.

Ashley in the obstacle bounce thing.

Ashley with her class waiting for the next event.

Ashley's teacher soaking the kids with the water soaker gun.

Kylie in the obstacle bounce thing.

Kylie's teacher doing the limbo.

Kylie and her friend Korinne.

Kylie having a great time.

Kylie and her teacher Mrs. Youngblood.

The Young Men Invade the Chambers House

2008-06-17T20:33:00.000-07:00

The Young Men leaders (I think it was mainly Mike's idea) decided that it would be a lot of fun for the young men to have a Rock Band night. So all of the Young Men came over to play Rock Band. They had a great time and I think they will have great memories of the night. Tiffani and Courtney went to Young Womens to work on camp certifications and Kylie, Ashley and I went over to a friend's house and they went swimming. So it was a fun night for all.

Bishop Martin and Brother Dickson

The Young Men

Mike's Job and other Fun Stuff

2008-06-02T18:45:00.001-07:00

Starting in April AMI is now ON. As for now the change of the company will not effect us. We are really glad that Mike's job is safe for a while.

Tornadoes: After living in Texas for almost four years now, we had our first real tornado warning with sirens going off. There were actually two times this happened. The first one happened on a Monday afternoon the girls had just gotten home from school that is (Ashley and Kylie) and I had just started teaching piano lessons. Now mind you it is raining pretty crazy and hail starts coming down next the sirens goes off. I get the kids in the closest and then go and look out the window wondering if we are really in danger and maybe I should be in the closet too. One of my student tells me he is wondering if they are safe in my closest with my shoes and hopes one doesn't hit him in the head. I call my piano students mom and she tells me that there has been a tornado sighted and to get in the closest, so we wait about 20 minutes later the sirens stop and we proceed with lessons. When I call Mike and ask him to look at the weather for me he tells me I will be okay and its not that big of deal. Later, we did find out that there really had been a tornado it never touched down but it was very close to us. As this is going on I am worried about Tiffani and Courtney, it was my friends day to pick them up hoping that they are okay. They where fine the schools hold the kids in the school till it is safe. The girls thought it was a little scary but exciting too.

The second tornado warning with the sirens going off was a week later on a Wednesday night more like a Thurs. morning around 4:00 a.m.. The rain was coming down and it was thundering like crazy. Mike gets up and is listening to his ham radio to hear all the stuff that is going on, Tiffani comes down and says she can't sleep the rain is keep her up, then Courtney wakes up, I tell them to leave me alone cause I am trying to sleep, about 10 minutes later the sirens go off and we are graping Ashley and Kylie, and the 72 hour kits and heading for the closet. This time it was very short and by 5:30 we were all back in bed. Although Ashley and Kylie just wanted to stay in my closet. Eventually they headed back up to their beds.

Courtney received an award from her teachers for "The Most Responsible Student". Courtney is a very responsible and hardworking student. She wants to do her best and puts forth her best work. I am so proud of her accomplishments and know that she can achieve anything that she puts her mind to. Courtney is a hard worker and is so full of life.

I don't know if any of you are Stephenie Meyer fans? Here in the Chambers house, us girls are huge fans. We just love Edward and Bella and can't wait to see what will happen. There was an opportunity to go to a Stephenie Meyer book signing of the "Host" her new book. (Which is very good if you are looking for a book to read.) Put on by Barnes and Nobles which was held at one of the High Schools. She would also sign any of her Twilight series books too. So all of our books have been signed by the author. The girls were excited to meet her but didn't want to wait in the line to have her sign the books. They wanted to leave after she was done talking to the everyone. I told them that I was staying and wanted to have her sign my books, but I guess if they wanted to leave they could. Because now Tiffani, has her real drivers license and doesn't need to have an Adult in the car with her anymore. What freedom. I think they were glad that they stayed and got to have Stephenie Meyer sign our books. Here are some pictures of that great day.

Stephenie Meyer signing books

Waiting in Line

We made it, Stephenie Meyer signing our books.