"Spring Training"

Yes, those SF Giants are ready for Opening Day! We made the trip out to hot Arizona to watch our beloved Giants prepare for the baseball season. Our family loves Spring Training, but not only for the baseball. We love relaxing and soaking up the sun at the pool. The kids would spend all day swimming if you let them. Another spot we like to frequent is a restaurant called "Don & Charlie's", the place is filled with wall to wall sports memorabilia. My boys could spend all night looking at all the signed balls, bats and jerseys. But, they are most famous for their Bar-B-Q Ribs. And they did not disappoint. We also made a trip to my favorite Sprinkles. We had our fill of cupcakes right before we hit the game. We were also very lucky to have Grandpa Hazen join us on the trip. It is because of him that Rob and now R.J. love baseball so much. When Rob was young he made the Spring Training Trip with his family and of course we have to carry on that family tradition! The Clifford's also made the trip, but they are Padre Fans (BOO!) We had a great family rivalry going. The kid's favorite part of the game is being able to see the Players up close and personal. They were even able to get a few of their balls signed! Now that we got a little taste of baseball, we can't wait for the season to begin!

"Twelve"

On Sunday, March 8, R.J. got the greatest gift for his birthday.  He received the Aaronic Priesthood and was ordained to the office of Deacon.  R.J. had been looking forward and preparing for this day for a while now.  He

 was more excited to receive the Priesthood, than actually having his 12th birthday.  For his big day we went 

shopping to get him a brand new white shirt, tie and

 dress slacks.  He looked so handsome and 

old in his new outfit.  It was so comforting to have so many of our family members at church to witness his 

ordination.  

It brought tears to my eyes when they called my baby up to the pulpit

 to receive his primary graduation certificate and the certificate for completing his "Faith in God".  Then during the third hour

 of church, they welcomed him to Priesthood and we went to the Bishop's office to have him set apart.  Words can not describe how it feels seeing your son surrounded by the important men in his life.

  Both Grandpas, uncles, cousins and Young Men Leaders were able stand in the circle as Rob blessed R.J.  After the blessing, R.J. rose to give his dad a hug and I saw 

tears streaming down his cheeks.  No one could deny the spirit that was felt.  I hope R.J. will remember these feelings and that this will be another stone used to build and strengthen his testimony.  

We then ended the day with a big birthday dinner party for R.J. Grandma and Grandpa Hazen cooked up a feast to feed the whole family.  It was so great to have friends and family supporting R.J. on his big day.  I know this day will not be a day that he soon  forgets!

"Kiss Me, I'm Irish!"

Leprechauns visited our home this morning!  Our kids had the "Luck of the Irish" and were left with some treats.  They woke

 up finding a trail of clovers that lead from their beds to a Pot of Gold.  The kids loved the Chocolate Gold Coins and their new St. Patty's Day T-shirts.  And of course this St. Patrick's morning 

would not have been complete without "Lucky Charms" for breakfast.  The Little Green Men did good once again, my kids will definitely not get "Pinched" this year! 

"Opening Day"

It is one of my favorite times of the year, Baseball Season! We can't wait to hear those two little words... "PLAY BALL". We eat, drink and sleep baseball in this house. Rob is once again R.J.'s coach for his Bronco baseball team. Talk about father/son bonding, in their minds there is nothing better than a bat and a ball. Opening Day for the season was on Saturday and the Sports Complex was turned into a "Baseball Heaven". The day started off with the National Anthem. Each team was introduced and a boy threw out the "First Pitch". R.J. also participated in the Home Run Derby, he hit two off the wall! But, the big event was the "Dunk Your Coach" Dunk Tank. Our whole family could not pass up a chance to dunk Daddy! He was a great sport. He was very lucky it was a beautiful, hot day, he didn't mind being dunked in the water. The girls even got into it and sat near the tank so they could be splashed by the water every time someone hit the target perfectly! I am proud to say I did hit the target, but sometimes we cheated and hit the target with our hand (we couldn't help it, it was just too tempting!) We are excited to see what this season holds, R.J. can't wait to show off his pitching arm!

"A Dozen"

Happy Birthday R.J. On March 8, 1997 at 11:23 PM the doctor put this big, beautiful 9 pounds 1 ounce boy into my arms and my life was changed forever. In

honor of your 12th birthday, I have a "dozen" reasons why you are so special to us, and why we are so glad to have you born into our family.

12- Your

Deep Blue Eyes: They are just

like your daddy's! It's so hard to say no when I look into those baby blues.

11-Your enthusiasm for Scouts: You are so proud when you are dressed in full uniform. You have such a desire to work for

and pass of merit badges,

and you have FUN in the process.

10- You are a Fabulous Big Brother: Since the day of Madison's birth 18 months after you, you have not stopped being her protector. And you do the same for Payton. You love your sisters and make sure the are taken care of. You always put

them first!

9- You have a passion for everything SPORTS: You are happiest when

you are in the middle of a game. I love watching you play baseball, basketball,

soccer and cross-country. I love seeing you turn around on the pitcher's mound to hide your smile

from the

batter because you struck him out.

8- Education is a big priority to you: You work and study very hard to get into all

honors classes. It is your goal every semester to be on the Principal's Honor Roll. And you are looking towards the

future, you want to attend BYU!

7- You are a Leader, not a follower: Since pre-school every one of

your teachers has told me your classmates look

up to you and follow your example. You are a natural leader and always strive to do your best in all kinds of situations. We hope you always use this attribute

for leading those to good,

uplifting things.

6- You have a strong love for the Gospel: You bear your testimony

every Sunday by

your own choice. You read the scriptures all on your own. You have such a strong desire

to receive the Priesthood and to magnify it. Completing your "Faith in God" was easy, it was not something you HAD to do but,

what you WANTED to do. You are great missionary and share your beliefs with many friends.

5- You give the best Hugs and Kisses: Standing at 5 feet 6 inches, I receive "Man-Hugs" now. Sometimes I feel like you are going to crush my bones and I love it. You are never

embarrassed to give me a kiss and tell me you love me in front of

your friends. Please don't ever stop.

4- You love and Respect your grandparents: You listen and take heed to what they say and what advice they

give you. You make sure they are taken care of, you open doors for them, you assist them when they need help walking up and down stairs. You love to hear their stories of their pasts. And you love finding the things you

have in common with them.

3-

You are sensitive and let your feelings show: You wear your heart

on your sleeve! We always know what you are feeling. I am glad you let your emotions show. You have such a tenderness that people call you the

"Gentle Giant". I love the long talks we have and how you are not shy or scared to open up and share things.

I am very grateful you are not

afraid to to cry when you are touched by a movie, book or the spirit.

2- You have a love for music: It doesn't matter from what era the music is from if you like it, you like! And I am thrilled that you like MY music too. You are always listening to your ipod and always make sure none

of your music has bad words in it. I love seeing you and hearing you in the ward choir. And I am so proud that you are s

tretching yourself and learning to play the trumpet and piano.

1-You are the best Son: Dad and I could not have hand picked a

better boy to be

our first born. You make us smile everyday and make us want to be

the parents you deserve. You have a special relationship with each one of your family members and show your love for us in many different kinds of ways. You make us so proud when we see you strive to your fullest potential.

We love you R.J. Happy Birthday Sweet Boy!

"Date Night"

It was San Elijo's Annual Daddy Daughter Dance last weekend.  This gave us a perfect opportunity for "Date Night" with the kids.  Rob took out the girls and I took out the boy.  We have been doing these kind of date nights for a while now.  The kids love the special attention they receive when they go out with just Mom or Dad.  It was Payton's first time being able to go to the school's Dance.  She has done nothing but, talk about it for the last month.  Madison was a great big sister for sharing her dance partner for half the night.  While the Daddy and girls danced the night away R.J. and I spent some much needed time together.  We did the usual Dinner and a Movie.  He is way more talkative and goes into a lot more detail when we are in this kind of environment.  We talked school, sports, religion, morality, Word of Wisdom, girls and Priesthood.  After going on these dates with the kids we have come to a conclusion of what is in store for their dating future:

-Payton is going to be a "Jealous" a girlfriend. 

-Madison is going to be a "Low Maintenance" girlfriend.

-R.J. is going to need to talk about more than sports but, will be the perfect gentlemen.

We Only about 4 more years of "Dating" practice till our first child dives into the real dating pool.   I think we will have the kids ready by then and have some fun preparing them in the process.