Family Picture with Governor Brewer

Last week, in the middle of our summer vacation, we were privileged to go witness Governor Brewer sign a bill. Brenda, Chad's Mom, is the President of United Families International - Arizona, and she asked us to be one of the families present at the signing of the Parental Rights bill, she was very instrumental in helping to get the bill passed. I was really glad I went because Senator Chuck Gray, the sponsor of the bill, mentioned that when he first tried to pass this bill 4 years ago my Dad stood up and said that it was the most important bill that could ever be passed. I am glad that those who worked to get the bill passed were persistent and parent's rights will be protected.

It was fun to visit with the Governor and her staff. I used to work with Richard Bark, who is the Governor's Chief of Staff over Policy, back when he was working for Speaker Groscost in the AZ House of Representatives. Richard took us up to see his office to show us the picture of my Dad that he keeps in his office. We were pretty much treated like celebrities because they knew I was Jake Flake's daughter. I mentioned that I wish I had my camera out to get a picture of us with the Governor and Richard said he would get the photographer to take one for us. So he escorted us back into the signing room, in between bill signings of course, for a quick photo.

I was kind of embarrassed that we were dressed up better, but when I was packing for our vacation I forgot that we were going to the bill signing and so I didn't pack dressier clothes. At least we were stimulating AZ's economy.

Summer Vacation 2010

We just got home from our summer "stay-cation" at the Squaw Peak Hilton Resort. When we asked the kids what they wanted to do for a vacation this year they turned down Disneyland and opted to stay in Phoenix to go to a resort with a water slide. How lucky is that? I love playing in the water and it is a lot cheaper and closer. (I don't like driving much.) We had a great time, but are glad to be home again.

Rootbeer & peanut M&M's. Life doesn't get much better than that!

So cute! I had to get a picture of this because our kids are getting older and aren't going to be able to share a hide-a-bed much longer.

Karalee was almost glued to her horsey the entire time we were in the water. It was fun to watch her float down the lazy river in it. She had a blast!!

Playing in the Tad Pool

The water slide

Getting ready to slide. The line usually wasn't this long, but they were having timed races. Spencer won! He even got a little prize bag.

The goofy golf course was a big hit. I think the boys golfed it at least 5 times during our 2 night stay.

They don't look like they were having much fun, but maybe that is because it was almost time to go home.

Tomatoes

Today we went to Grandma and Grandpa Sanders to pick tomatoes since Brenda is at girls camp and wouldn't be able to can them. We picked six buckets full. I brought them home, washed them, cooked them, ran them through the squeezo, and bottled them. I got 27 quarts and 1 pint. I am very tired.

Happy Father's Day Daddy

Since I am not able to see my Dad today or get him a gift I decided to write a quick note to celebrate my Father today. I am so thankful that I was born into the Jake and Mary Louise Flake family. I am very grateful that they desired and made possible a large family. (I am the 11th of 13 children.) In a letter my mom wrote to me for a youth conference activity she said she was grateful that my dad was willing to support as many children as she wanted to have. When I was younger I didn't think that was such a big thing, but now I know that it is not common.

I am grateful my Dad taught me what was right and then let me govern myself. Even thought you could say my parents were strict, we were allowed to be on our own a lot and come and go throughout the neighborhood as we wanted. We didn't have a lot of rules growing up. For example, we didn't have a curfew, but we knew we had to get up and help work in the morning.

I am grateful my dad taught me how to work.

I am grateful for my Dad's love of people and his willingness to listen to and help them. My Dad passed away a little over two years ago and he still is getting honored from various groups that he helped.

From time to time I have dreams about my dad. I am thankful for them. They help me remember that even though he is not with us on the Earth at this time, he still exists and because of covenants that he has made I will be able to see him again and I will continue to be his daughter.

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day Chad!! I am so thankful that I married Chad, one of the many reasons is because Chad is such a wonderful father to our children. Chad is patient and kind and loves to play with our children. One of my sister's-in-law reminds me from time to time that when Spencer was very little she noticed that Chad would get on the floor and play for hours with him. She was amazed at that. I am thankful for a husband who desires to have children in our home and treasures them. Here are a few pictures of Chad as he helped welcome each of our children into the world.

Spencer

Joseph

Bryant

Karalee

Marlee

Crazy Morning

Today I had a very crazy morning. My new washer and dryer were delivered. I am so excited for them. I have never had any brand new major appliances until today!!

Very entertaining! I would say cheap entertainment, but it wasn't cheap.

After they were installed and I got the laundry started I looked out my kitchen window a saw lots of water in the back yard. I went out side to find where it was coming from.

One of our valves to the sprinkler system broke and when I pulled off the cover I noticed there was a snake in the wires. It didn't like the water and was trying to keep dry.

I got the water turned off then I decided to catch the snake to get it away from the house. After last years scare of finding a snake in the garage and then catching it in the laundry room I decided catching this snake would be way less scary then worrying about it getting me or the kids in the house. So, I grabbed a pair of tongs and gave the camera to Bryant, after a few unsuccessful, very scary tries I got the snake and started walking to the edge of the yard so I could throw it in the canal behind our house. The snake started wiggling and coming towards my arm because I was holding it too far in the middle and I got scared and I threw it down. It landed by the lemon tree. I got up the courage again and I caught it. This time I caught it right behind the head, with the tongs of course. I told Bryant to hurry and take the picture and then I threw it in the canal. I should have killed it, but I was too scared to let it down because it might get me or get away. Anyway it was quite the adventure and it built a lot of character. Sometimes I get tired of building so much character.

Science Center and Stuff

Last Saturday Amy and David invited us to go to the AZ Science Center with them. The gave us their two extra tickets they got from David's work since their kids got in for free. I am glad they invited us. We had a good time.

Karalee loved the merry go round. She got really dizzy and looked so funny.

mud pies

We were watching a show called Forces of Nature or something like that. It was very cool.

I have two cute girls!!!

Here is an art project the kids and I did last week. I found a cool web site that teaches kids about different styles of art. This art happens to be from Sonia Delaunay. I really like her style and I have been trying to come up with some patterns on my own.