These Are A Few Of My Favorite Things...

Thats Elmos World...

2008-10-29T10:41:00.001-07:00

Grandma (Phelps) and I (mom) took TJ to Dodge Theater to see Elmos World Live. We had alot of fun! The show was full of dancing and singing, lots of vibrant colors and the characters really interacted with the children. TJ got a balloon with Elmo on it. After the show we walked around downtown Phoenix to a bakery and had some lunch. It was a really good experience for us to spend the afternoon together with Grandma. TJ always asks if we can go back and see Elmos World. I think this was a day he won't soon forget.

Happy Birthday to the Best Kids in the world!

2008-10-27T22:48:00.001-07:00

We want to give a shout out to Aunt Nancy who allowed us to have Caleb and Ashleys Birthday Bash at her house! We had friends and family, food and lots of fun! This was a special night to remember - it meant alot to us for all of you who came out to celebrate with us... Thanks, we love you all! Well... Caleb is now finally 18 years old, which means he should be moving out of the house any day now... right? Ashley is 16 years old, which means I will be counting down the days until she moves out. Just kidding! I love you guys... I never want either of you to ever move out!!! NOT! Yep... my kids are growing up, actually I don't claim them as my children anymore, because I am not old enough to still be their mom anymore... it's just not possible!

For the love of TJ...

2008-10-27T22:19:00.000-07:00

Here we go again! We decided that because TJ is pretty much like an only child that we should give him a brother or a sister, and since having more children is completely out of the question we decided to get a family pet. We would like you all to welcome our new addition... Black Jack (Black Cat). With that being said we couldn't just stop with Black Jack... Ohhh Noooooo... we had to take it a step further, and get a dog. There is, believe it or not, SOME logic behind this. TJ is total boy, and he really needs someone more like his own size to play with. We discovered this after we caught TJ swinging the cat around by the tail, trying to squeeze Black Jack into small compartments and never putting the poor thing down. Now a dog... TJ can't do any of that with a dog. So... getting him a dog at this point was really the only thing we could do. And, getting rid of the cat was not an option, because of course by now we have all fallen in love with him. Thus, the reason we now stupidly have two animals instead of just one. So without further a do... we would like you all to welcome our second addition to the family... Brodie. Brodie is a Black Lab pup and he is the cuttiest thing every - atleast this is what I keep trying to tell myself. He drives me nuts! Lately it is all I can do... but, to remind myself that we got these animals... For the Love of TJ.

Strawberry Arizona

2008-07-21T19:44:00.000-07:00

Grandpa and TJ

Hiking with our cousins looking for Black Bears.... not!!!

TJ looking for a Pine Cone to bring home to Dad.

Grandpa and TJ out riding on the four wheeler.

Visting the Oldest School House in Arizona.

This School House was designed as a one room log struture in 1885 and was used as a place to educate the children, a place to hold meetings and social gatherings as well as a place to worship. It was closed in 1916 and remained there until it was later purchased by an individual who eventually donated it to the local Chamber of Commerce. By 1961 when it was purchased only the four walls were still standing. It was eventually restored and in 1981 it was designated as a Historical Monument. This School House still stands today and is located directly across the street from my Dads house in Strawberry. It was alot of fun to go and visit a small piece of history.

On the Hammock maxin and relaxin at Grandpas House.

(TJ, Ashley, Carson, Mikey)

This is a Big day!

2008-06-21T15:38:00.001-07:00

He did it!!!! TJ finally went to the bathroom all by himself. I bought him Lightening McQueen underwear and told him the only skid marks on those underwear should be from Lightening McQueen peeling out.

Grandma MaGee with Tyler and TJ

2008-06-21T15:32:00.000-07:00

Do you see any family resemblance here? Three generations. We enjoy going to Great Grandmas, she has such a neat home and her backyard is a childs paradise, but only if your child knows how to swim (No fence around the pool). Anyway, we were hanging out over at Great Grandmas for Sunday Dinner and Aunt Michelle made us some delicious spagehtti. It was fun to visit with them - we only get to see them a couple of times a year - so it is a real treat! We love you Grandma MaGee and Aunt Michelle.

Ashley Duke Photography

2008-06-21T15:05:00.000-07:00

Ashley wants to be a photographer. Every time you see her there is a camera in her hand. She loves to take pictures of her favorite model - Ahsley, Ashley and more Ashley

Out with the old... In with the new!

2008-06-15T23:34:00.000-07:00

Well... hate to say it, but bambi was not who I thought she was. Caleb is now dating someone new. He met Sydney at work - they both work at DQ. How cute is that! Caleb says she is a good girl - "she could be mormon, mom". I told him that she could be his first convert - good practice for our future missionary. Caleb would be a good missionary, ya know. He wants to talk with my mom about going back to church. He thinks he can talk with her and make a difference... I say go for it! I pray he will decide to serve. If not, that is okay too, but I know being a full-time missionary will bring him so many awesome experiences, not to mention the blessings. Anyway, keep the faith and be positive is what I keep telling myself, cause there are some days when I just freak out... teenage boys are somthin else!

Caleb and Julie Winter Formal 2008

2008-05-01T10:01:00.000-07:00

Caleb and his girlfriend Julie went to her Winter Formal this year. I was so excited for them. Things were pretty crazy... getting ready, finding the right suit, shoes, etc. We matched Julies dress with the perfect wrist corsage!!! I was so worried about that. They looked great together!I really like Julie, she is so beautiful and smart. She reminds me of Bambi - her eyes. Anyway... she likes Caleb and thats a good thing for me, because I think she is a good influence on him. I am very proud of Caleb and think he is turning out to be a fine young man. I love you Caleb!

Liz Lemon Swindle

2008-03-07T08:47:00.001-08:00

Be It Unto Me

Hold On Tight

Seeking The One

She Shall Bring Forth A Son

Let The Children Come

I discovered this absolutely wonderful artist, Liz Lemon Swindle not to long ago. I love the way she depicts Christ during his mortal life. She tells a story in each painting of how I personally feel Christ truly lived in addition to the more well known stories we know of him. We always hear of the suffering and sadness he faced and we all know the great stories : The Garden of Gesthemane, The Last Supper, The Crusifiction and then The Resurrection of Christ. Each one of these stories has always burned deep in my heart and I know of there truthfulness. We also hear about Christ walking the dusty roads of Palestine teaching the people and how he healed the sick and was in constant service of his fellow man. We see art all the time of these different events in Christs life, but I have always wondered about the happy moments in his life and why we didn't see more of that. This is one of the many reasons I am so excited about Liz Lemon Swindle's art. I cannot express the love I have for her work and the life like depictions of the Savior living the way I know he must have. Her paintings have strengthened my testimony of Christ and his love for life, little children and the joy he brought to those who really knew him. This is the way I choose to remember the Savior.

I recently purchased one book, in a series of books, called - "Jesus Christ Son of Man, The Early Years". You can find it at Deseret Book. Within this book both the artist and author tell a story of Christ that brings me to tears. Liz Lemon Swindle has several of my favorite pieces of her art in this book - I had to have it! This way I can enjoy all her paintings.

I hope you will take your time and enjoy the details of each painting. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!

Last Christmas in Queen Creek

2008-03-03T21:41:00.001-08:00

My.... Christmas... it came and went so quickly and I am so far behind on my blogging!!!!

We had a really nice christmas this last year, although it would be our last christmas in our home in Queen Creek, Arizona. We moved to Gilbert, Arizona in January 2008 so during the holidays we were packing and getting things in order for our big move. This made things a little uncomfortable for the holidays, not your ideal time to move, but nevertheless something we had to do. The biggest concern I had during the season was having to move under the circumstances and the sadness I felt for not knowing how to prevent our situation. We had to move... there was no changing that, we had to much at stake for our kids, not to mention other issues. I hated that we built a life out in Queen Creek and had to leave. I hated the fact that things didn't work out the way we thought they would. I hated the fact that the area we lived in ended up being nothing like what we wanted. I hated having to leave something we started and having to up root the kids one more time. I wanted the "Leave it to Beaver" life style. Needless to say I had a lot of unresolved issues to get through, and then I had the holidays too. Ya know, a time when your supposed to be happy and thankful. So, thats what I decided to do... be happy and thankful. I didn't want to spend the holidays dealing with all my sadness and frustration, I just wasn't willing to do any of that during a time when I needed to try and see past the hard times in order to see the "bigger picture". Somehow I was able to do it - sometimes when I face challenges that are to big for me to deal with, I just don't deal with them at all. Not a healthy way to deal with most problems, but it got me through this one, and now looking back it was the best thing I could have done for myself. It still saddens me at times when I think about the life we planned for, all the ideas, hopes and dreams we had for our little family out in Queen Creek. But, it's okay now. Our new life in Gilbert is so wonderful - We love it! We live in the cuttiest little neighborhood, with carriage street lights, perfect little houses in perfect little rows. Cute little parks and perfect yards. We live accross the street from Caleb and Ashley's High School. So close they can walk to school.... sooooooo nice! We have an absoulutley beautiful chapel right up the street, within walking distance from our home (someday we are actually going to walk to church), on the corner, at the entrance of our community. On a blue sky, sun shinney kind of day the chapel, with it's big white steaple, looks like we live in heaven. Sometimes it feels like we live in heaven. Our kids have made new freinds. The kind of friends a parent could only hope for. Tyler and I have made new friends, gotten new callings, and love our neighbors - they are so nice. Caleb and Ashley have made a lot of progress, they are happy and doing so much better. I now know we did the right thing for our family.

During these last few months I learned a very valuable lesson along the way.... when we left our home in Queen Creek, I thought somehow that we were leaving a part of us behind. I was wrong. It all depends on how you want to look at it. I choose to believe that everything we had in Queen Creek still lives in our hearts and in our memories. A house is only a house and we can always get another one, even a better one. The reality is - A house becomes a home when a family and love move in and that is what we have ANYWHERE we live.

Thanksgiving

2008-02-17T20:58:00.000-08:00

We had Thanksgiving at my home this last year, it was really nice. I love to have my brothers and sister, my mom and of course Mike and my two wonderful nephews over. We always have lots of fun together, laughing about all the silly things we did as kids. It's really neat to think about how much we have done together and to think about the little personalities we had as kids and how those personalities are still with us today, just older. We still seem to play the same roles too. Meaning, I am the big sister and I still boss everyone around, Carol is the more serious one and always has been, especially when she would get PO'ed if you walked on the carpet where she just vaccumed. Right Guys? Then there is Robert, the informer. He was such a cute little boy. We called him cotton top, because his hair looked like cotton. Where did all the cotton go? William, better known as "Seeks". Short for, well you don't wanna know, besides it wouldn't make sense anyway. We were kids, nothin we did made sense. However, I still call him seeks. Then comes Daniel, the happy baby. He was the chubbiest, jolliest little baby. Now he is so quit and very anilitical. He loves to read - I think Daniel got a new personality when he got older, now that I think about it. I'd like to see that happy kid again! And last, but not least, Joey. Joey did not join us this year. I miss my baby brother. He was a wonderful little boy. I wasn't very close to him as a teenager. I missed out on alot of his growing up, but my memories of him as a little boy are sweet. Our Mother... "You BLANK Damn Son of a BLANK, BLANK". Carol and my brothers know how to fill in the blanks in this sentence... don't we guys? Pretty funny in retrospect. (lol) I love you guys! I love the life we had together and still today, you will always be my favorite family, and I am so glad to be your big sister. Sorry, there is nothing you can do about it!

It's been awhile...

2008-02-17T20:31:00.000-08:00

Wow... time sure does fly! I have some catching up to do, lets see where did I leave off? Oh yes, the holidays! This last season was really great, as always we spent time with family and friends and as always the planning for the actual event takes longer than the event itself. I always realize this when I am cleaning my home after family and friends have gone. It saddens me to think of how fast the best part, being with family, goes and the planning, preparing and cooking is what takes a long time. I think it should be the other way around.

Anyway... I'll start with Halloween.

This last year for Halloween T.J. was a green and purple dinosaur,and no, not Barney! This was the first year I think he got the concept of Ghosts and Gobblins, and candy and that being scary is fun, and not so scary. He is at the age where Halloween is fun for us too, because we get to watch all the cute little things he says and does. He is quit the character!

I married a Fairy Tale Prince!

2007-12-13T20:11:00.000-08:00

My Ty looks like shrek! Even right down to the ears. I love Shrek and I married a prince... see! Everytime I watch the first movie I think of me and Ty. If you follow the love story of Shrek and Fiona it is parallel to our love story. I would have to say Shrek and Shrek 2 are two of my most favorite movies and is truly my favorite love story of all time..

Ty's Celebrity Look Alike

2007-12-13T17:52:00.000-08:00

http://www.myheritage.com/collage

Hmmm... I can think of other celebs that look more like Ty, Like Shrek!

My Celebrity Look Alikes

2007-12-13T10:32:00.000-08:00

http://www.myheritage.com/collage

Wow! Angelina Jolie???? What? She is the last person I would say I look like. I figured I did something wrong, so I tried a couple of different times with the same picture and the same celebs came up. I know this is just for fun... but do you think I might have a chance with Brad Pitt?

Ashley's Celebrity Look Alikes

2007-12-13T10:18:00.000-08:00

http://www.myheritage.com/collage

Ashley's a little hottie! She wants to be famous some day.

Strike A Pose

2007-12-12T23:06:00.000-08:00

Caleb is thinking of taking-up modeling since his career as a beach bum isn't working out so well. Where's the Beach? Anybody know of a good agent?

2007-12-11T20:43:00.000-08:00

You see this cute little boy, yep... thats right, looks can be decieving. He really is a little, well... alot like his dad. For those of you who know his dad you know what I am talking about. Do you wanna know why he is wearing a helmet around the house? He needs to! This kid breaks everything, gets in to everything and can not be left alone for more than 2 seconds. If you don't see him around the house and it has been really quiet... T R O U B L E!!! Yesterday, while I was outside doing yard work ( I know - Ty and I have our jobs mixed up. See previous picture) TJ was running around all over outside and right on over to the neighbors house. Well, I thought our neighbors were gone, come to find out they were at home... ASLEEP on the couch! I swear I let that kid out of my sight for no more than 2 seconds, and in that 2 secounds he invited himself in... Yes, he walked right on in, through our neighbors front door! Unbeknownst to me... I am standing with my rake yelling his name.... TTTT JJJJ.... TTTTTTT JJJJJJJ... no respone of course. He dosn't respond to TTTT JJJJ or even the shorter version of his name TJ. Really annoyed at this point, I mean the only thing he will respond to is, "wanna get a spank". That works! He will come runnin if you say that. Maybe thats what he thinks his name is? So... anyway, I put my rake down, more like chucked it, and angerly marched myself over to get him. As I came around the garage I approached the neighbors front door to find my son strolling right on OUT of their front door! I am thinking... what the heck!? No way did my kid just walk in to their house? And... why isn't their door locked when they are gone? Oh... my gosh! So, I grab TJ and drag him along back to the front door, (thinking maybe I should close it for them), while I am scolding him I reached over to grab the door knob and out of nowhere the man of the house suddenly appears, in the door way, in his underwear, hair standing straight up, major hang-over! Scared the *!@# out of me! Ummmm... what do you say to that? So... I stupidly said the first thing that came to mind, "you might want to think about keeping that door locked", and walked away as fast as I could without looking back! Nice.

This-morning I woke up to TJ half naked with a black marker in hand, and all the time I thought my sweet little boy was being QUIET and watching Sponge Bob Square Pants. Well, needless to say there was black marker all over his face, all over his chest, hands, neck, teeth and the bottom of his socks???? He colored on my white window shutters, all over my walls, and on Uncle Shermans XBOX! I was so mad!! Once again I grab my kid, scolding him all the way to the bathroom were I planned to show him in the mirror just exactly what he had done! So, I stripped him down to his diaper, picked him up and stood him on the sink so he could see what he looked like. He took a good look at himself, then at me, and then back at himself, and then back at me knowing I was mad, forcing a sober look on his face. Then... he just couldn't hold it in any longer, he busted out laughing, then I started laughing and it was just one of those moments where life is good and well... you just can't be mad cause your kid is so dang cute! Fortunately for me, TJ came clean in the shower, the shutters are still white, the walls are clean again and thank goodness Uncle Shermans XBOX dosn't have a single mark. Good thing for dad! Moral of this story - Never buy anything but washable markers! What a way to start my day!

Thanksgiving Dishes

2007-12-02T21:57:00.000-08:00

Yes ladies, thats right - this is how it should be. My husband is doing the dishes on Thanksgiving Day. The rule in our home is, I cook and he does the dishes, he cooks I do the dishes. Sounds fair right? After almost five years of marriage I think I may have finally made some progress. Every once in awhile we have a lapse, but over all it just keeps getting better. It's the little things in life that really do make me happy and nothing puts a smile on my face like this picture does. Advice to all the guys out there... If you want to turn your wife on, help her out with the work around the house. Trust me... a happy wife makes for a happy husband. Maybe thats why Ty does it with a smile on his face. I love you babe!

Gwen Stefani

2007-12-01T22:19:00.000-08:00

My favorite artist - Gwen Stefani. She is so cool... I just love her! Ashley and I went with some friends to see her concert not to long ago and we had a really great time. Gwen was super entertaining and we loved her show! She came out into the crowd, which I thought was pretty brave and she stayed out on stage as long as possible after the show to pick up flowers, and wave, and just connect with her fans.

If there was a famous person I would want to know it would be Gwen. She is from Orange County just like I am (thus the song,"Orange County Girl"). Anyway... she rocks! Props to you Gwen. Check out my Gwen Stefani playlist...

Brothers

2007-11-28T18:40:00.000-08:00

My two boys! I love my boys! Caleb and TJ are so different it is hard to believe they are related. Caleb was such an easy going baby, but didn't like to be loved on a lot. A hug and kiss or two each day was good enough for him and he was off and on his way. As long as I gave Caleb his daily reasurance of my love he was fine. My TJ is a complete handful and gives me a run for my money. He on the other hand is a little lover. He will sit and wrap his arms around my neck and slobber all over me with kisses and won't let go. So much fun they are... they look a lot alike... I just love this picture! Nothing is sweeter than when the two of them are haning out. I feel so lucky to watch them grow up.

Up... Up... Up...

2007-11-28T18:08:00.000-08:00

Tyler and TJ at the pool having sooo much fun! TJ just could'nt get enough of being thrown up in the air, the higher the better. You should have been there to see it. I couldn't stop laughing and neither could he, which made it even more hilarious.

Us Today...

2007-11-28T06:40:00.000-08:00

A couple of years later and a few sizes bigger, some of us are growing up and some of us are growing out. This is our first official family picture with all of us together. I waited way to long to finally do this, but never the less here we are October 2007.

Tyler James Cobb

2007-11-28T06:05:00.001-08:00

Such a wonderful boy! He has the best personality, even right from the beginning. I was so happy to have the opportunity to be a mom again. This time I wanted to be sure to treasure every moment with my baby and never forget all the little things they do that fill your heart with so much love, but just like Caleb and Ashley, TJ grew up so fast and it seems like I can't remember all the details anymore. I did get my first green eyed child though and I love his little "chubbies" (toes)!

The way we were...

2007-11-27T22:33:00.001-08:00

Ty and I were married on May 23, 2003. This was the beginning of our story and so much has changed since then. Got rid of the dog! Caleb and Ashley got bigger and the baby came along...

Baby Boy on the way...

2007-11-27T21:45:00.000-08:00

Ty and I had our first child together on March 14, 2005. We named our baby boy after my husband and my husbands father. We named him Tyler James Cobb...

Making the band

2007-11-27T17:58:00.000-08:00

Okay here it is... Caleb and Ashley have decided to start a band! Caleb is the drummer and Ashley is lead vocalist. The band will be called, "Where there is static you'll find me". Cool name guys! We got the band "look" thing go'in on too! So our album cover looks great and the name is right on, now all we need are some songs to sing and the actual instruments to play. Oh yeah, and maybe a few more people to play other instruments once we get some. Anyway, check us out...