Cherise's Swim/Slumber Party in January

We all know how stressful it can be during the holiday season for everyone so we usually hold Cherise's birthday parties in January. (But if we're lucky we sometimes can sneak it in in early November) We heat up the pool and light the fire pits and invite all and I mean ALL of Cherise's friends.

They always tell us how much they look forward to her parties and they ALL show up. There is usually from 16 to 25 girls. They swim into the wee hours and then get up and swim in the early morning.

This year we added a new activity...Dance Factory by Playstation 2...and it was a HUGE HIT! They loved the fact that they could use their own music CD's. Even the big brother's got into the swing of things....

This year was the best by far...no furniture, doors, or anything else was broken this time... maybe a few spots on the carpet...but nothing big. Long story... Anyways, you can tell by my smile...fun was had by all...even me...tiring but fun.

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The best part of these get togethers is that we get spend time with these 7 kids...they have known each other since preschool. We were all transplates to the Central Valley and somehow ended up at the same Parent Coop Preschool if you can believe that! And we are still good friends...even though one of us got out and moved to Monterey...by the beach...BRATS....we still love them. The brothers are behind the sisters...only one older sister is missing...that's why there is a blank spot.

Happy 14th B-day to my Beautiful Daughter...

I can't believe that my beautiful daughter is already 14! How crazy is that? Where have all the years gone?

What will happen next? She'll be graduated, a college girl, married, what? This is all going way to fast! Let's slow it down a bit.

Cherise, on this special day we just want to let you know that we are so proud of you and can't wait to see what the future will bring. Love ya bunches!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Today the Curls are Cut Off....

So later today Devin will be cutting all of these curls off for his part in his high school play.... I decided to take a few pictures so we can all say our last goodbye at least for a few months. ;)

Central California Regional Choir

Devin and his friend Katie were the only two from their school this year that were selected after rigorous tryouts to perform with the Central California Regional Choir. It was a great opportunity and they had such a great time! :) We’re so proud of them both!

Twilight Premiere

Now if you have a teenage girl in your house I'm sure you've heard of the Twilight book series. And if not, you will. Cherise read all 4 books this summer in about a month! So when the movie came out we just had to go to the premiere. Cherise, her friends Kate and Alana, and I braved the midnight premiere. We enjoyed some ice cream before the show and then we were ready for the adventure. Then the girls came to our house, discussed the differences of the book and movie, spent the night and got up and went to school if you can believe it! They were tired but happy. :)

Halloween!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Even though the kids are way past the trick or treating stage in life it is still fun decorating the front yard for Halloween! The spiders are my favorite! It takes a bit of time, but at least I have help now. I especially love to see all the neighborhood and ward kids all dressed up on this night of ghouls and goblins.

2008 Reyburn Water Polo Season

This was a bitter-sweet water polo season for Cherise. It was a great season and a ton of fun with friends, but it was also her last season. She is starting high school next year and would like to continue with choir, drama, voice lessons, piano lessons and achieving straight A's. At our high school it is extremely hard to keep up your grades while you’re in anything other than the water polo program. It was a tough season and we're happy/sad it is all over. At the end of the season Cherise and a few of her fellow 8th grade friends took it upon themselves to give out their own awards at the award ceremony. They gave out an award to every teammate that represented their personal style and personality. Then they challenged the 7th graders to keep up the tradition. Everyone seemed to enjoy their awards and it gave the outgoing 8th graders a chance to say goodbye.