"Alvin and the Chipmunks"

On Friday Kim and I had planned on taking Joseph and Ben to see "Alvin and the Chipmunks" for Ben's birthday. Joseph has been waiting for this movie since the trailers started showing up on T.V. He can do a pretty good chipmunk imitation and knows all of the key lines from the movie. Kim called me a couple of hours before the movie and said Brian was at Urgent Care and couldn't drive himself home so she had to go pick him up. This left me to take Joe and Ben by myself or wait for another day. I don't think Joe would have liked that idea so I said I would take the boys anyway without Kim. Max wanted to see the movie too since he loves to do whatever Ben does, so it's me with 3 boys. Joseph loved the movie, one of his very favorites ever. Simon is his favorite chipmunk because he feels a kinship with him: They are both tall, they wear glasses and Simon is the smartest. The best part of the movie for me was when we were getting ready to leave and Max says: "Grandma, will you hold my hand so I don't run off?"
We were entertained by Joe's one liners from the movie in his chipmunk voice all the way home.

I Never Was Very Good At Tag

Well here goes six things you probably already know about me:

1. Because my last name was Maxwell growing up one of my favorite nicknames was Max. Maybe that's why I'm so happy to have a grandson named Max.

2. Once I was walking across main street in Show Low carrying all my school books when I fell in the middle of the street right in front of a semi-truck who honked his horn. All my friends were laughing so hard they couldn't come to help. I never pass that spot in Show Low without thinking of that most embarrassing day.

3. James and I are actually quite closely related. My grandpa and his Dad are first cousins. My Granma Maxwell was very upset when she heard we were planning on getting married. She was heard to say: "They can't get married, they'll have idiots for children." Luckily we proved her wrong.

4. I am a fan of Preacher Joel, Joel Osteen. I just find him very positive and uplifting.

5. I taught school and there were 83 kids in my classroom. There were two teachers and two aids. We had a team of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd graders. It was one of the busiest years of my life but also one of the most enjoyable and rewarding.

6. When I was in college at ASU I lived in two of the older dorms, the Quad and Gammage. I don't think either one of them exists today. We had no beds in our room but all of us on the same floor slept together in a large room with lots of beds. Back in those days I could wake up without having to set my alarm. I would just think about what time I needed to get up before going to bed and I would automatically wake up at that time. As people began to realize I had this talent I was asked to wake them up so they would not have to set their alarms. I should have charged for this service. I could have made a little extra lunch money.

THANKSGIVING 2007

Thanksgiving has come and gone and I realize how truly blessed I really am. I am so grateful to have all my children and grandchildren close by so we can spend so many fun times together. Thanks to Jared and Tricia for hosting our "feast" day this year. The turkey was delicious and the weather perfect for an outdoor picnic. I asked each of the grandchildren to tell one thing they were thankful for and then one thing they wanted for Christmas from Grampa & Gramma. Here are the responses.

Thankful List:

Adam - Music & Books

Jared - I'm thankful for my friends

Dallin - I'm thankful for bandaids (Dallin cut his lip playing ball)

Joseph - I am thankful for my family, Disneyland, and lots of other things.

Michael - I'm thankful for freedom and football

Alexander - I am thankful for sports to give me some free time, and they keep me active.

Ben - Family

James Hayden - I am thankful for my family and play fol dogs and soft fre(furry) cats.

Anna - I am thankful for Gramma and Grampa

Max - I am thankful for a book. The Book of Mormon.

Adalyn - I am thankful for Rowan.

Emma Lee - I am thankful for my Mom & Dad, and baby Mickey Mouse.

Rowan - I am thankful for Addy.

Joshua - I am thankful for my brother, for Grover, and for music that I can dance to.

Evan - I am thankful for my mom and dad and brothers.

Now here's the Christmas List:

Adam - Uh, if obtainable, an X-Box 360. If not, then I don't really care. (I didn't anyways)

Jared - An Ipod video 160GB

Dallin - I don't know what I want yet.

Joe - I want stuff. Book, toys, stuff.

Michael - a Nintendo DS

Alexander - I want a Santana Moss for the Redskins jersey. (You can get it at the mall). He is not Randy Moss for the Patriots.

Ben - DS

James Hayden - Drum Set (I loved the picture he drew)

Anna - I want crafts

Max - For Christmas I want a Spiderman computer.

Addy - For Christmas I would like a camera.

Emma Lee - A Big Wheel or baby stroller

Rowan - I would like a book

Joshua - For Christmas I want my own room. (Come and live in Grampa & Gramma's guestroom.)

Evan - For Christmas I want a years supply of diapers. (Actually should be on Sheri's list)

THIS IS HALLOWEEN !!

Pictures of my grandchildren and the one group of trick or treaters we got that weren't grandchildren were the Jiminez girls from our ward.

Something is wrong with my computer. More pictures to come as soon as I take care of the problem. This is Joshua in his Winnie-the-Pooh costume. He watches "Pooh" everyday on T.V.

Michael

We have 15 wonderful grandchildren. Once in awhile we like to spend some one-on-one time with each one of them. This month it was Michael's turn for a Grampa & Gramma date. On Wednesday we decided to go goofy golfing. I love going on the freeway rather than the surface streets so we headed north on the 101 about 3:45 in the afternoon for Golfland in Mesa. James was driving. Just as we were approaching the Baseline exit James slows down, and it's a good thing. The pickup truck in front of us slammed on his brakes and they locked up on him. He spun around backwards and hit a light post by the side of the freeway. I looked up and saw the post falling and yelled "look out." James stopped the car just as the post fell in front of us. A close call for Lexy (my Lexus). We got out and tried to move the pole but it was too heavy. Not to worry, help was on the way. Four guys jumped out of an SUV and the pole was moved. It was blocking three lanes of traffic. The guy in the pickup was okay and was making a call on his cell phone so we continued on our way to Golfland, a little shook up but okay.

It was a great day for golfing. No waiting and beautiful weather. It was Michael's first time. His score was pretty good considering. He got a 72, I got a 65 and James impressed us with his 3 or 4 hole in ones and a final score of 44. And he says he doesn't like to golf.

We came back home and Michael ate dinner with us. We had BBQ country ribs which were very tender and delicious. Sheri and I got the "receipe" from Tiffany's friend Holly. Thanks Holly.

While I am on the subject of Michael, let me just say I was very proud of him yesterday. He bore his testimony during the Primary Children's Sacrament meeting and did a wonderful job. We love you Michael!

Eli's Family is Movng

Our friend's Eli and Sumar Housein are moving. We are really sad to see them go. They have been wonderful neighbors and friends. Eli does all the irrigating and mowing for our neighborhood. He and Sumar were two of the first ones at the hospital when James broke his back. Eli has been our mechanic for several years now. He is quick, fair, and does a good job. We love you Eli and Sumar and wish you all the very best at you new home in California.

So You Think You Can Dance

Jared and Tricia were so inspired by the TV show "So You Think You Can Dance" that they enrolled all of their kids in dance lessons. James is learning to break dance and Anna is taking hiphop. James loves to dance with Zac Efron and sing along with him in "High School Musical 2". Anna performed on stage at Grandmother's 80th birthday party. Emmy is enrolled in tap dance. Here she is "striking a pose" for me.

Girls Tea Party at Fairy Cakes

Gramma, Kimmy, Anna, Addy, and Emmy had a great time at Fairy Cakes one Friday morning in August. The girls ate cupcakes and then picked a souvenir from the cute little shop. Since a cupcake isn't a very nutricious lunch we went to McDonald's afterwards. It was great fun. Anna wins the prize for eating her cupcake the fastest.

Tea Party at Gramma's House

Lunch at Peter Piper Pizza

OUR NIGHT AT "AMAZING JAKE'S"

Every first Sunday of the month our entire family gets together for a combined Family Home Evening. There are 27 of us so it gets pretty crazy until it's time for the opening song and prayer. Each month we have a lesson, an activity, refreshments and a spotlight person. We tell a little bit about the spotlight person and then tell things we like about them. For July our spotlight guy was Max. Part of the fun is he gets to go on a date with Grampa and Gramma. We told Max he could take a friend with him on the date and he chose his best friend and brother Ben. The four of us headed for Amazing Jake's where we ate dinner and then had lots of fun!

Goofy Golfing with goofy kids

THE FROG HOPPER

Ben and Max had to ride the Frog Hopper twice because it was so much fun the first time. I don't know if you can see the look on Max's face but it's one of sheer delight.

THE RACE IS ON

Car #9 with Ben and Grandma, (Grandma is not seen in this picture as she is taking the photo),

was clearly in first place for most of the race until they were rudely bumped aside by some green car and Max and Grandpa in car#10 won the race. It's okay because this is supposed to be Max's special night.

I've Been Tagged by Laura

Here are the questions I have to answer:

1. Four jobs I have had.
- Grocery store clerk
- School teacher
- Mom
- Chief cook and bottle washer

2. Four movies I can watch any time.
- Phantom of the Opera
- Pride & Prejudice
- Funny Farm
- Somewhere in Time

3. Four places I have lived:
- Phoenix, Az.
- Show Low, Az.
- Tempe, Az.
- Chandler, Az. (and that's all the places I've ever lived)

4. Four T.V. shows I like/watch:
- American Idol
- So You Think You Can Dance
- Super Nanny
- Suns/D-backs Games

5. Favorite Foods
- Chicken salad croissants
- Chicken tacos
- Pei Wei's hot & spicy chicken salad
- Chili's grilled chicken carribean salad

6. Websites I visit daily:
- Sheri's blog

7. Places I'd rather be:
-Sitting on the beach in California or Hawaii.
- Disneyland

8. People I want to tag:
- Sheri
- Kim
- Tricia
- Cathi (why don't you have a blog?)

A Donut A Day

Everyday of this trip the boys had a donut. This is in front of the Safeway in Pinetop as they eat their Long Johns.

Bear Poop

Alex and Michael thought this sign was so funny. It's a store called Surprise Closet that sells Bear Poop.

Righteous Warriors

When I look at these boys I am reminded that they will need to be "Righteous Warriors".

Little Colorado River in Greer, Arizona

A beautiful day to be in Greer and play in the water.

Alex and Michael climbing the tower at Green's Peak. The top was closed so the boys came back down and tried to catch a squirrel that they had seen under the tower.

No Trespassing

This road leads to the "Chocolate River". Yes, those are no trespassing signs. I told them to be careful and not to destroy any property. Another one of Michael's "cabin" experiences is a trip to the Chocolate River.

Michael chauffered Alex around on the Ranger. For the longer trips Grampa or Gramma drove.

After a hard day of fishing and playing Michael and Alex are watching a movie from the best seats in the house.

Here are Grampa and Alex having their fried fish dinner. Michael took one bite but said it didn't taste like anything. Michael is an interesting boy.

Michael says that one of his "cabin experiences" includes a bonfire.

Last night the boys were on a Ranger ride with Grampa looking for wildlife. The Ranger was low on gas. Both boys said a prayer they would make it back safely before running out of gas, and they did.