Skyler is 16!!!

It happened...like it or not my baby boy grew up and turned sixteen last month. Of course it is an exciting birthday for him, bringing lots of new experiences...driving, dating, and being ordained a priest. It was thrilling to see him bless the sacrament last week with his dad being able to bless with him as well. It is a nice tradition that our ward has to let the fathers bless the sacrament with their sons for the first time.

I can honestly say that there isn't a day that goes by that I am not grateful to be Skyler's mother. I am so proud of him. We have always been close. Skyler has always been so obedient and kind. He isn't ashamed to show and tell me that he loves me in front of other people. I know that I can trust him. I can't wait to see what the next few years bring for him. He is a courageous young man that is always willing to stand up for what is right.

Where to begin?

Well, how embarrassing that it has been more than a year and a half since I have posted on my blog. That is pretty darn sad!!! I guess it's because I feel like I am writing to myself most of the time...which isn't all bad, but I do like to see some comments from time to time...so bring it on! I am catching the blog fever again through the example of others and by following many blogs that inspire me. So here goes! I will try to do better!

General Conference Sunday

While Scott was "listening" to the Sunday afternoon session of General Conference, Skyler enjoyed painting his toenails various colors with markers. We had to laugh as he slept through the process. So Scotty...What did you get out of conference? Painted toenails!!!!

This is how Scott and Starlee listened to conference. I'm going to have to start giving a test at the end of each session, I guess!!!

Week in Review...

Fall is a busy time for our family. I thought it would be fun to do a little weekly synopsis of the family activities to keep everyone in the loop (especially the kids grandparents). First of all, last week Starlee played in 3 tennis matches during the week with her high school team. I think they won 2 and lost 1 (but I can't remember exactly!). She also got asked to Homecoming which will be on October 10. She was asked by Jacob Harper who she got to know on the Church History Tour. She is beyond excited :)!!!! He asked her using a "star light, star bright..." theme and put his name in glow in the dark stars. It was very cute.

This is a picture of Starlee congratulating Skyler on winning his freshman election. He ran for Freshman Representative and won. Now he and Starlee have one class period together (student council). They are so excited to do student council stuff together. I appreciate these two for how they love and take care of each other. Skyler is going to be one lonely boy next year when big sis goes off to college!!! Their relationship is so cute!

Skyler (aka "Big Country", "Big Sky" and "Baby Jacobs") is number 64 on the Centennial Freshman football team. He is the starting center. Last week he was chosen to be team captain. He was honored by that. His team won by making a touchdown in the last seconds to bring the score to 15-8 over Shadow Ridge!!! That was exciting. He also had one of his best buddies get hurt in the game. He went and helped take care of his friend since his mom is a single mom and it was hard for her to move him and dress him etc. It turns out that his injury was a pinched nerve in the neck (very painful) and swelling. We are so glad that he will be okay in a few weeks!

Not a very good picture, but Aspen cheers for Scott's middle school football team. She is on the front row to the left on this picture. She is doing such a great job this year! She is excited to be taking gymnastics and tumbling with her team so that they can improve their skills. She continues to be our little art project girl and is doing really well in school. She cheered Scott's team on to victory 48-7. What fun!

This is Brighton first year playing tackle football. He loves it! He gets up early on game day and starts getting dressed. I had to tell him last week that he might not want to sit around the house for 1 1/2 hours before leaving for the game in his full gear! He thought I was crazy. He wanted to be ready. He plays on the defense and loves trying to tackle the other players. It is so cute to watch. His team pulled out a victory this week as well (14-12). He was thrilled. It would have been a perfect week if BYU could have pulled off a victory as well. Come on Cougs!!!!

Well...those are a few of the highlights from last week! We are so busy, but it is so fun. The years go by so quickly that we are just trying to soak it all in while we can. Love to all! More to come next week!!!

Back to School We Go!!!

Awww...such cuties! 5:45 a.m. and off to seminary they went. They were so excited to start their Senior and Freshman year together. I think it is adorable that Skyler towers over his older sister. He takes a lot of pride in that as well!

Starlee is determined to enjoy every experience possible during her Senior year. So far she is involved in the Senior Play "Death by Fatal Murder" which will be performed Sept 10-12, the Centennial girls tennis team, Seminary council, and studentbody officer. I think she is off to a good start:) She never has been one to sit back and watch the world go by!

Skyler is so excited to take on the world of high school as a Freshman. He is the center on the Centennial freshman football team, and loving it. He enjoys the coaches, and his friends on the team. We are biased, but we think they are going to have a very successful footbal season. He is enjoying the new world of early morning seminary (except he can't wait to sleep in this weekend)!!

Aspen is entering 5th grade (her final year of elementary school here in Vegas), and Brighton is entering 3rd grade. They both have incredible teachers, and are excited about having friends in their classes. Aspen is doing cheer again this year for Scott's middle school football team that he coaches. She enjoys doing that, and all her little "projects" around the house. She just got her hair cut again, and is enjoying being able to do it herself (and so am I).

Brighton gets the "Poser award". He cracks me up. I can't believe that my baby is in 3rd Grade. He is loving it. He is also in his first year of tackle football. So far the coach has him playinig middle linebacker. He loves to hit, and he is fast. It will be a blast to watch him play, and I pray he doesn't get hurt. He is also enjoying cut scouts! Needless to say, he is sleeping well at night:)

Sena Baby blessing

This is my whole Starley Family...minus our dear parents that are currently serving a mission in the Philippines. We gathered for Sena's baby blessing a few weeks ago in St. George. Even though we were only together for a few hours, it sure was nice to see each other. My older brother (to my left) and his wife Heather currently live just north of Salt Lake City. The four adorable redheads are theirs. My younger brother Matt (to the right of Skyler) and his wife Jill have two adorable children. They are such cute parents. They live in St. George right now. Then there is my younger sister, Jeni (pink sweater). She lives in Vegas and is in search for her Mr. Right. Matt gave Sena a beautiful blessing. He has a gift for words. One of the things that I remember him blessing her with is "to always be a lady".

The Rocking Chair

When we drive from Vegas to Provo or when we return, we have a tradition of stopping at a certain Chevron in Beaver. It is fun to take a picture in the big rocking chair outside the store. We took this on our return from the Jacobs Family Reunion.

Cousins

Starlee's cousins are getting a kick out of the fact that they are all passing her up in height and they are just turning 11! She is good to let them have their fun!! We love out "short stuff!"

Great Grandma Lucy

This is Scott's Grandma Lucy. She is 92 years old and simply amazing. She is a beautiful tiny little hispanic woman. She is all of 4'11'', and the kids each get a kick when they pass her up in height. She is so cute and kids with them when they do. Aspen has reached that point, and Starlee thinks its nice to be taller than someone!!! We love Grandma Lucy. She is such a good example to all of us! It was good to see her.

Happy 17th Birthday Starlee!!

Some of the gang! Thanks for helping us surprise her!

After a long busy day of tennis, play practice and lifeguarding, Starlee came home totally unaware that her house was full of some of her friends. We threw together a last minute surprise party for her 17th birthday. It was fun to surprise her, and it was a nice casual party. Afterwards we stayed up late and watched the conclusion of "So you Think You Can Dance!". I love my Star! What a treasure she is, and we feel so blessed to have her be a part of our family. How can it be 17 years since she was born? It makes me sad to see time fly so quickly, but it sure is fun watching her grow!

No More Brace Face!!!

Can you tell which two teeth are fake? Unfortunately, 3 of our 4 children inherited missing teeth from me! They are all missing their laterals. "Back in the day", they just pulled my teeth all the way forward. Now, they line up all the teeth and create a space to insert the fake teeth attached to a retainer. When Skyler is done growing, he can have teeth implants put in. Anway, we think our Orthodonist is awesome. He did a great job, and Skyler is more handsome than ever!

Eagle Project

Skyler completed his Eagle Project last weekend! Thanks to all those that came to help! It was HOT, and with everyone's help we painted 108 fire hydrants in a couple of hours! I am proud of Skyler for doing a good job at organizing the whole project.

My missionaries

This is a picture of my dad working in his office of the Cauayan City Mission. He works long hours and has tremendous responsibilities to help keep the mission running smoothly. I am proud of him. It isn't easy to keep the power running, the bills paid, all the books balanced, and all the housing managed for the missionaries, among other things. He truly has become a "Jack of all trades"!

This is a picture of my parents (far left) with some of the other mission leaders. Their mission president is the fourth man from the right and his wife is next to him. My parents LOVE and ADMIRE the Villanuevas so much. They are incredible people. My mom says that the mission presidents laugh can brighten even the darkest day, and that the mission president enjoys my Dad.

This is a picture of my mom with some of the sister missionaries that were serving in the Alicia Branch. They were having a lunch together. They are so LUCKY to have my parents serving with them. My parents love the missionaries and want the best for them!

I absolutely LOVE this picture of my dad with the Philippino people! It is a great missionary picture! I guess my dad was cracking everyone up because there was a pig in the yard and my dad was speaking in his Donald Duck voice to the pig. They thought it was the funniest thing they had heard. You can see the tickled look on my Dad's face! I LOVE YOU MOM AND DAD!!! I am so grateful for your example to me and your grandkids!!!

Winston snuggles

I think the dog has more pics these days than the kids, but who can resist?! He loves to find someone to curl up next to and take a snooze. Since Starlee can be found falling asleep in the middle of the house the most lately, we find Winston usually curled up next to her legs.

Summertime FHE

This summer we have only had all of our kids under the same roof a handful of times! It felt so good on Monday night to all be together...even the dog! Jeni joined us (enjoying some macaroni salad!!!) and she made our new favorite treat--coconut fro yo with fresh lime juice, raspberries and toasted coconut on top! She makes it with greek yogurt! Not only is it yummy, but it is healthy too. We pretty much staged this picture. The lesson really took place in the house later, but we had fun joking about it. I love summer!

Sena

My brother Matt and his wife Jill have provided us with another beautiful niece and cousin. We are so excited that she is here and healthy! They have named her Sena Starley. As you can tell, Aspen didn't want to share her with anyone. Aspen really should have been the oldest child since she is a "little mother" and loves babies. It is nice that Scott and I have brothers and sisters that are still having babies so that Aspen can get her fill of little ones since we won't be helping in that area any more.

Leavin on a Jet Plane

" She's leavin on a jetplane..." Starlee is having the experience of a lifetime right now. We sent her on a 2 week church history/us history tour. She is going with our former bishop and his wife and their teenage tour groups that they take out each year. My mom and I actually got to go as chaperones a few years ago, so my heart is with her as she travels and experiences incredible things. She is lucky because she is going with 7 of her friends from our ward. It is nice to have them all together. They started the tour in Independence, MO and made their way back east. So far she has been to Liberty Jail, Far West, Independence, Nauvoo, Carthage, Warsaw, Washington DC, Gettysberg, Philadelphia, and NYC. In the next few days she will be in Palmyra and visit the Sacred Grove, Hill Cumorah, etc before heading up to Niagara Falls and ending her tour in Kirtland Ohio. She is absolutely loving life, and I can't wait for a full report from her and more pictures. She returns on Saturday June 20th. Yea!!! We miss our ray of sunshine!

Spring Football

This picture was taken last week after the championship game. The boys aren't smiling because they took 2nd place. They deserved 1st place, but the refs found a way to take away every single touchdown that they made (which was 4 touchdowns). The other team won 12-0. It was a total ripoff, and the kids had the momentum sucked right out of them. Oh well...it was a great little team with great coaches and players, and it got Skyler in shape for high school football which started this week for him. Centennial Bulldogs here he comes!!! He is really excited.

School's Out!!!

It's official...School is out!!! Yea!! This year just went by way too fast. I am so proud of all the kids for completing this year with fantastic grades and awards for good citizenship!!! It will be nice to have a fun and relaxing summer.

A Favorite New Find

I recently discovered a really great way to save money on groceries. At www.dealstomeals.com they search through all the local grocery ads and come up with a weekly list of the best buys at each store. They also tell you how much of certain items that you need for a year supply. If you get really into it, they have a weekly menu and grocery list where they focus on using mostly items that are on sale that week. It costs only $4.95 a month, and saves me tons of time and money. I have stocked up my pantry with things that are on sale. Very rarely do I pay full price for my groceries now. It is fun! I look forward to receiving my email each week. So far they offer this service for those of us living in Utah, Nevada and California! Log on and give it a try...I think you get a free trial month. Let the savings begin!!!