Leaves of Fun Fall 09"

The kids found a new way to use the sleds! I love it because they don't get cold and you don't have all the wet clothes when they come in! They played all day on that hill and would go really fast , and as you can see completly got covered up! I love it when my kids find fun things to do outside!

Gage and his broken arm Aug. 2009

Gage with his new BLUE cast
So we have had this donkey JASPER for ever and my dad finally decided to take him to the auction and befor the 2nd day of school we went down to the pasture to catch him. I led Gracie back on the pony and Austin led Gage back on Jasper. We get all the way to our house when the other horses run up spook Jasper (who you litterally have to drag) and Gage falls off to the side.
He landed just right and ended up with a hairline fracture. On the way home Gage wanted to go to school for the last hour! (and I was worried about him not liking school!)

Going to get it cut off

Boy was it dirty and stinky

We love you Gage!

Bacon Bits @ the County Fair

We got Bacon Bits the end of May and he weighed 25 lbs, when we checked in @ the fair he weighed 220 lbs. He was such a fun pig and the whole family enjoyed him.
Our boots for the week long stay @ the County Fair!

Me and Austin enjoying some rides!

Gage and Gracie on the rides!

Me and Owen on the Ferris Wheel

Austin, Gracie and Gage on the other side of the Ferris Wheel

Gracie Jo practicing her model poses

Gracie Jo and Austin

Can you tell we let Gracie take some pics?

Me, my mom and Gage

Me and my Sister -N- Law Colleen

Gracie putting on lipstick during the auction!

Owen showing Bacon Bits in the Ultra Fly Weight Class

He did so well and placed 3rd in the Market Class!

We thought Bacon Bits was a gorgeous Hampshire pig.

Giving the judge a good look

Owen getting ready to go in the show pen.

This was quite the learning experience for not only Owen but us as well. He was the one who feed and watered all day every day. Gave him a bath at least once a week and then rubbed him down with lotion and sunscreen so he wouldn't get burned and walked him almost every day. Towards the end he didn't think he wanted to do another one until we got to the fair and he had a ball. Now we are planning on getting two pigs next year. Any one thinking of letting their kids raise a pig I say let them. He learned so much, had to keep a record book and also profited quite a bit in the end (which went to savings to pay for next year). Thanks to my brother RH and his partner Terri for buying our pig. We appreciate it so much! And as for Bacon Bits, we think of you every time we eat Bacon!! RIP

June trip to California 09"

Hotrod Austin

Riverside Ca.

Gracie Jo and I about to pass Mom and Gage

Dad on the slick tack!

Owen in the BIG lifguard chair

Gage and Gracie

Santa Monica lifeguards

Gage Gracie and Owen aboout to get chewed up

by a dragon.

On this trip my mom and I went to some of our favorite places to shop while Austin and my Dad took the kids to the beach. They had fun but Gracie got so mad when the waves knocked her down, as you can see we all had alot of fun in Riverside at the race track. Good memories.

Back Yard Calf Riding July 09'

Me and Gracie enjoying the backyard show!
Best buds!

Grandma Nina and Gracie Jo

Ta da Gage!

Gracie Jo

Hold on Owen!

The first jump out!

Getting ready!!

Looking good!

The highlight of our summer for the past two years is visiting Stacey (dale),Jolene, Kaylen and Jayden in Arkansas. We never get to stay long and they are always @ the last minute but Stacey and Jolene sure do know how to show us a good time. This year they had just purchased their new houseboat so we got to tube, knee board, go down the slide a MILLION times and just relax in the warm clean lake water. When the days were done we fixed a yummy dinner on the boat and watched a movie and played cards. Here are some pics of our vacation, ok it's actually alot of pics but we had such a good time. So, till next year..........We love driving to Arkansas and seeing all the green, we swear on the way home if there was anyway we could move out east we would. Here is a beautiful waterfall off of Greers Ferry Lake.
Gage and Austin giving a thumbs up on the tube.

This is as close as Gracie got to knee boarding.

Owen and Kaylen getting crazy on the tube.

Owen and Austin sliding

Austin and Dale

(they didn't plan on wearing the same shorts)

Yoo-Hoo... Gracie and Jayden

Gage loving his boat ride but wanting his turn on the tube

Owen knee boarding

Jayden, Kaylen, and Owen

Owen swimming

Owen getting ready to go down the slide

Kaylen and Gracie

(best buds when they are together)

Austin and Gage

(the fear in Gage is Austin getting ready to go down the slide)

Gracie in the water

Me and Austin enjoying the water

Me and Gager

Gager

The three beautiful Perkins girls

All of us enjoying a movie on the houseboat

Me and Jolene

Owen Gracie and Gage getting ready to jump in

Gracie Jo

Gracie, Jayden, Kaylen, Gage and Owen

Austin catching some air

and again...

Me hoping not to wreck

Me, Gracie and Jolene

Gracie Jo

On our way home we also got to stop by and visit my Uncle Keith and Aunt Myrna. It's always good to get to visit them..... only wish we could more often and for a longer period of time..

Class of 99'

L to R.. Erika, Lindsey, Sarah, me, Kira, Lindsay, Cami, Jamie,

Mary, Molly, and Beth
Erika, Mary, Sarah, me and Lindsey

Has it seriously been 10 years already? I have to say that even though I didn't actually graduate from Show Low I was glad I went to the reunion, and I am really glad that Sarah is still a good friend of mine and went with me. It seems like yesterday that you got dressed up to go to school and see that special guy, that the pretty girls were just that, pretty and no matter what they did or wore the looked amazing, there were the brain's, the jocks, and those who weren't sure were they fit in. I think this is what High School is all about, finding yourself.... After 10 years I have realized that I am this same girl, not sure were she fits in but would like to think that I had friends in every category above, I guess I am still finding myself. After 10 years not much has changed but it was so neat to see everyone. I am hoping I get another invite to the 20 year reunion and that maybe just maybe I have found myself.

Still Catching Up!!

My Oldest Niece Graduated!!

Me, Jodi, and Trina
Jodi, Mom,Trina, Dad, Me and RH
Brittney and Me

I am so proud of my niece Brittney. In May all but two of my siblings went and watched her Graduate from Queen Creek High School. It was fun hanging with my family and really neat watching Britt, I can't believe she is allready out of school, scince this is a catch up, ahe has allready started culinary school in Scottsdale and is turning out to be an amazing cook, even though she could allready cook. So way to go Britt, we are all so proud of you.

"A TIME TO DANCE"

For 10 months from 3:30-4, every Thursday I took Gracie to dance class. She enjoyed dancing and loved having Natalee in her class. Here are some pictures from picture day and the recital " A time to dance "!!

While away I turned the big 28!!

I can't believe I turned 28 this year!! Boy does time fly. It was a good day though, Austin took me to breakfast, while @ work I got a gorgeous bouquet of flowers from my sis Jodi which I was able to enjoy for weeks, they got prettier and prettier. I got new scrapbook albums from me mom and dad which got me wanting to get busy on me books! They also got me the coolest flip flops which say Amy Jo on them! I got a visit from my friend Sarah and she made me the cutest mother/daughter aprons with a cook book which got me in the mood to bake! I swear everytime I am around her I learn of a new talent she has! To end the day Austin took me to dinner in my new Dodge Nitro! So I know I am now almost 28 and a half but I wanted to say thank you again for the e-mails, texts and special gifts on my birthday! You all made it special!

While away Owen turned 10!!

I can't believe on May 12th one of my best friends turned 10. He is always willing to go horse riding with me or help me clean the house. He can wear my shoes now even though they are a little tight. He enjoys riding, roping, 4H, skateboarding, scouts, basketball, friends, shooting, fishing, and basically anything outside. I can't believe how fast time flies. I hope he will always want me around and want to go riding with me!! I love you Owen!!

Land of the Free Because of the Brave

I absolutly love the phrase: Land of the Free because of the Brave. In memory of September 11th, I would love to thank all of the soldiers who continue to fight for our freedom. My hearts go out to those who have loved ones overseas or who lost a loved one on September 11th. May we never forget!!

I also want to say Happy Birthday to my big brother Rh.

HaPpY BiRtHdAy JoDi

So today is Jodi's Birthday. She is absolutly one of the most TALENTED people I have ever known! She has more ENERGY than most kids I know! She can see one of the ugliest pieces of furniture or clothing and make it BEAUTIFUL! When you get to hang out with her you are sure to have a FUN time! She NEVER STOPS and her kids look up to their MOM sooo much and worry about her when she is away! If you haven't had a chance to hang out with JODI or see her AWESOME creations you are truly missing out! HaPpY BiRtHdAy JODI!! I am so glad you are my sister and love when I get to hang out with you you are amazing!! Hope you have a great day!!

We are still here!

I know its been a while, summer
has come and gone, and we are
getting back on schedule, a little.
Here are a few pictures of what has
happened over the last three months
but I will try to catch up as soon as I can!
Thank you all for your posts. I
love getting to read your blogs and
try to better myself as I learn so
much from all of you!