Merry Chirstmas!

We wish everyone a very Merry Christmas!


Cheers!

Happy Thanksgiving!

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving Day with our family and friends. It was nice to visit and eat yummy food.

What is it about the fall semester. It just flies past. Whereas in January, the spring semester just creeps along. Why is that?

The banini boys are happy, healthy and keeping me busy.

We send our love to all who read this post. We are truly grateful for God, Family and Friends.

A Mommy Moment

I had a first two days ago with my oldest son. Banini #1 is a webelos cubscout. He is working on obtaining his webelos rank. One of the requirements for an activity badge states, send an email to a friend. This is a very easy thing to do, right. I e-mail everyday and have been doing so for more than a decade. However, my son was really reluctant. I asked, "why???" "Well, mom," he finally admits, "I don't have an e-mail address and I am not sure I really want to be "electronic" yet."

We have discussed the dangers of the internet to him several times. He has surfed the internet and plays games online, always showing responsibility with these privileges. I was really surprised and pleased at his hesitancy. It shows more maturity and understanding on his part about internet usage and the moral dangers it can bring into a home. With this in mind, together we set him up an e-mail account.

I promptly logged onto my e-mail account and sent him a welcoming message. After I wrote the letter, including all the stuff mothers are apt to include, I closed it with the signature- Mom. In all my e-mailing over the last decade, I have never closed a letter as Mom. It was a moment.

My boy is growing up and I pray we are teaching him everything he needs in this world to remain physically, emotionally, and spiritually strong. So that the next time I pause at my Mom signature is the first letter I write to him, while he is serving the Lord on his mission.

Ironwood Photography's 365 Project

I finally created a slide show, without any help from Blogger. Please enjoy the photographs, many of them are priceless.

The photographer is available to capture your family's special moments and the yearly family photo. Contact him directly or call me and we can get you set up.

Please mention the shout out from Baniniboys to receive 10% off your photo session.

Fablehaven...

Okay....I admit I have ignored my responsibilities the past two weeks now and have dug into another fun youth book series.

I have really enjoyed reading the first three book of the Fablehaven Series, written by Brandon Mull. Thanks Debbie for the suggestion.

It is a fun story with a TON of imaginary creatures and a good plot. Look it up and you may get hooked too.

New novice of KOTD,

Happy Reading - ME

Leven Thumps..

Foo....enough said!

I am currently reading the series. I am enjoying the story more with each book. Not as detailed as some fantasy I enjoy, but still very creative and a fun read.

Enough about books, I have ignored my family for the last week and now need to return to housekeeping.... I wonder if my boys will recognize me.

August Rush...

Have you seen the movie, August Rush? I really enjoyed the music in the movie. I believe each of us orchestrates a song within.



However, the end of July and all of August was a rush of a different sort at our home. Many of you participated in very similar activities. We finished traveling (went to Flagstaff to camp), prepared for school (switched schools for one boy), started school (had three different "first days"), celebrated our 11th anniversary, Grandma returned from SLC, and we managed to work out some sort of routine for our busy weeks ahead.


Dad and I, decided to have Banini#2 attend an online school at home. It is tough to balance being an educator and being the mom of two little boys. I am learning so much each day about balance. Any suggestions?

The summer went by too fast and I miss my two boys who are now back in school. I really enjoy them being home. We did many activities this summer; and I will always remember playing together in the summertime. But alas, all things end and another year of learning is to be gained. For me too...
Enjoy the pictures. The boys have grown bigger and Mom and Dad have become smaller...It was a good summer!

My new favorite of the Wee Banini. We were camping by Flagstaff. We enjoyed every warm moment....(it was Flagstaff's hottest week for the summer...95 everyday!)

We send our love and happiness to all.

July - is it already July??? almost midway too!!!

The phrase, "We have been busy!," is an understatement. Since the last post, we have completed Cub Scout Day camp...I have to attend all three days, a two week camping trip in Yellowstone N.P. and Grand Teton N.P., a dear friend visiting our home, and an emergency trip to Utah (which lasted a week)! Our youngest Banini, after 60+ hours of traveling (not including daily trips), now HATES his car seat. With the above mentioned, WE HAD SO MUCH FUN!!!

The older two boys loved Cub Scout Day Camp. They were able to shoot arrows, fire pellet guns, run around like crazy pirates lobbing water balloons, make treasure chests, and get as dirty as they wanted. I was even banned from washing the camp shirt between day sessions. Aye, Aye Captain! The younger boys survived and have visions of their turn to attend forthcoming in the future.

Shortly after Day Camp, we ALL journeyed in varying ways to Yellowstone N.P. Dad flew to Cody, WY for a business trip. The Baninis, Grandma and I (we even stopped and picked up an Uncle) drove to Yellowstone N.P. and set up camp. The boys and I snatched Dad from Cody WY and all the fun began. We had a wonderful time camping in both parks. We saw almost all the wildlife we wanted and even enjoyed two brief snow flurries. The best morning in Yellowstone was waking up to our tent covered in real ICE!!! We stayed dry and warm.

The following week we moved camp to Grand Teton N.P. It was dry and warm and absolutely beautiful. We hiked each day and Dad took pictures. The boys enjoy the outdoors and love the freedom camping allows them in exploration and rowdy play.


We arrived at home in time for our friend from Texas to arrive at our home....30 minutes is more than enough time to unload the car from a two week trip, sort the stuff to their various areas and check the house for any damage..... We enjoyed our friend's visit very much and are excited for the family in our ward who was sealed to their newest children. It was a beautiful sealing, 8 of their 10 children were able to be present at the sealing. The entire weekend was spent with their family and we enjoyed celebrating with them this special occasion.

I thought with July 1st, life would calm down at our home.... BIG MISTAKE. My brother had surgery June 30th. All went well with the surgery, but some complications arose and extra help was sorely needed. SO I was blessed to be able to go to Utah with only a couple of hours notice. Thankfully, I had just put everything away from our previous trip, so I had the Baninis and myself packed and out the door within two hours. We stayed a week at my brother's home and we are grateful we came to help. While there, I purchased fireworks and the boys were able to enjoy sparklers and home fireworks for the first time. They had so much fun watching and swishing sparklers.
He is now doing much better and we are HOME!

We send a our Love to our family and friends.

Summer Vacation!!! AT LAST...

The older boys are finally out of school.....I even went and picked them up early the last two days of school. The other schools around the valley were out two weeks ago..... SO as nice as it is to have two extra weeks to get prepared for our summer activities, I REALLY MISSED THEM! I love summer breaks, when my boys time is my time. Our fourth Banini is so excited to have his brothers home to play with him. Usually he is ready to go play at a friend's home when his brothers leave for school....but not the last couple of days. He has not asked once to go play anywhere....he is usually dressed up as a knight slaying a dinosaur with a big brother next to him defeating an army and taking over the world. (No damsel in distress saving tactics yet....) I guess I need to read more fairy tales to them....

We have many neat opportunities this summer and look forward to exploring some of the National Parks in the United States. Camping with our boys is a rewarding experience. They love the outdoors and just being free to roam...with limitations of course. I am not willing to let them go just wherever, but with a defined exploration area, we hardly have them in camp with nothing to do. I am fairly sure we have pictures of all the stick friends they have had to leave behind. The Banini's also hike fairly well......some monumentally slower than the rest of us, but they will complete a 5 mile hike...not to bad at the tender age of 5, so now at 6 hopefully we can hike slightly faster. We average about a mile an hour, very slow I know; but at least, we see our surrounding areas thoroughly as our parade marches past.

Day Camp for the Cub Scouts is approaching and as Cub Master I get to go for THREE DAYS in the HEAT, and be the TARGET of every boys water arsenal - the WATER GRENADE! I do enjoy cub scouts and will have fun at day camp.....hopefully!

The past month saw Banini #3 graduate from Kindergarten. Banini #4 figured out how to pedel his two wheel bicycle. Banini#1 recieved a hoop from our neighbor for his birthday and Dad fixed the old hoop we had for the little boys. Banini #5 conquered an Alligator at the local zoo.




All the boys had fun at Legoland. We got free tickets for all the boys and was able to spend two days at the park for the price of two adult tickets and $60.00. I thought it was a great deal for seven people to enjoy two fun filled days. The park was not busy and we were able to ride the attractions quickly and participate in the workshops without hassle. They especially liked driving the cars!! Banini #2 did this several times.


On a sad note, our sweet Thunder Jane Slow Tug passed away. He was our Tortoise. We miss him. Hopefully, in Heaven, he is eating all the delectable greens and enjoying a flat warm stone to sunbathe upon.

Well I have kept your eyes long enough. We send our love to all our family and friends and pray for your safety and eternal happiness.

Aunt Florence

1907 - 2009

We bid farewell to our dear Aunt Florence this past week. She was a faith-filled, determined, consistent, considerate, intelligent, talented and over all extraordinary women. I grew up going to her home, writing her letters and chatting on the phone. She was always patience with me and never failed to share with me her Faith in our Savior. She was not LDS, but she was filled with Christ like attributes. I will miss her and look forward to seeing her again.

May Flowers Bring Busy Boys!

Sorry for the long time between posts, but as you already experience....the end of the school year is so busy with everything. Since I shared last, we have enjoyed two birthdays at our home. Dad and Banini #1 are each a year older. The last is now in the double digits, very scary I know.... We are all healthy and happy. The boys are spending as much time outside as possible before the 110's hit. The bikes are out and the speed is on.
Banini #1 had for the Robinson record, perfect attendance at school this year. Way to go!!!!!! His parents, impressed by this because they always missed some school, decided a reward was needed. He choose out a nice, new red bike. Photo's to come.
Banini #3 was a chicken for his school performance. I was asked to make a chicken costume. I did not want to ruin a shirt by adhering feathers to it, so I decided to tie dye the shirt yellow. It turned out really nice. Thanks Misha for dyeing the shirts!

Banini #2 and #3 went to the Library and acquired Library cards....Yeah!!!!!

We have enjoyed the zoo this month. The animals have been out in full force. Even the Lions, Tigers and Cheetahs have cooperated enough for the boys to really see them. We took our hands measurement at the farm and I hope you like how each of us measure up. I think we will return to the hand section on a yearly basis....so I can keep better record of how they grow.

Banini #2 received his Bobcat badge this month!

I have also read many books this month. I finally discovered Shannon Hale and Frank Herbert. Literature. Good Literature....need I say more.

Enjoy the pictures and check out Dad's 365 project. Also, if you need portraits of you, your family, senior pictures, new baby photos, or pet pics....Remember IRONWOOD PHOTOGRAPHY! Great Photographer and super PHOTOS!

For Dad's 365 project, click link below and then select personal projects, the select 365

www.ironwoodphotos.com

For Ironwood Photography's business site:
www.ironwoodphoto.com


We love you all!

Merry April Days!

We are enjoying the beautiful days of April. The weather is enjoyable, the last until mid October. The children are outside everday, the flowers have and are blooming. The Cacti around us are getting ready to bloom.

We went to the Easter pageant last Thursday. Thanks to many friends who helped make the night a great experience. The boys enjoyed watching the pageant. Even the smaller boys sat fairly quiet and listened to the message. I felt the Spirit, enhanced with gratitude to be surround by my children - watching their hearts be touched as well.

Dad is busy with underwriting conference, so we have not seen him as much as usual. However, he has managed to capture some great photos of the boys. Here is a new favorite. The Wee Banini has finally found his sea legs. He was so excited to "jump" on the trampoline. Oh - The small joys of life.

Spring Break 3!

You may need to go to Spring Break 1 posting to read in order.

Thursday, Friday and Saturday...

Family shoot at the temple Thursday..... See Family Picture Post...

Friday was busy with the Desert Botanical Garden, a play date at the park and a downtown Mesa photo shoot.








Saturday,(no photos of pinewood derby:() Dad did a photo shoot....this is one of my favorites from the shoot. She is a new beehive, with a changing body and very sensitive. I love her dearly.

Sunday was Flat Nathan day and busy with church and other meetings...

Spring Break 2!

On Monday we continued to work around the house. The wee banini had fun in front of a mirror as we cleaned bedrooms. He also loved the paint chips leftover from scrapping, - hopefully he didn't eat any.


Tuesday - The luck of the Irish was with us as we celebrated with a friend across the street.

Wedensday - back to work outside. We planted three fruit trees in our backyard. A Peach and two Apricot trees, along with boysenberry bushes...Yummy! The banini's helped dig the tree holes. The ground was soft, due to the fact I planted them in the boys mud hole area. I thought the boys could play in the water and water the trees at the same time. We hope it works.

Spring Break 1!

I promised photos of our Spring Break. SO here they are......(if you know my Husband, you know I had many more wonderful photos to share, but you do not have all night so I limited myself.)

Our oldest Banini enjoyed beginning Spring Break with a friend staying the night. #1 is doing really well in school and so, we as parents, thought he would enjoy a reward for turning his attitude around at school. The young man with him is a good kid, we enjoy having him over to our home.

Our major project for Spring Break was to paint the trim of our home. We began with a power washer. I really enjoyed spraying the house and wish we had one to use to clean the boys. The boys helped with outside projects and the Little Banini's enjoyed playing outside.


A sunday afternoon nap and Dad playing with the Boys - capturing as Dad calls it - "The Finger of Doom!"

Family Picture

Dad took us out and shot a family photo of us at the Mesa Temple. He also snapped a shot of the boys in downtown Mesa. It is difficult to get small children to look at the camera when no one is at the camera. Dad used his remote, needless to say we struggled to get everyone looking at the same time. The Temple was busy and the children loved watching the people, birds, and airplanes pass by. Oh well, I still like the picture and will happily hang it on my wall.

Spring Break!

We are on spring break this upcoming week!!! No school, no afterschool, no stress about where we have to be by what time or else... Yeah! I love having my boys home on my timetable. I look forward to all school breaks and summer vacation. It is nice to go to the zoo at 9:30, leave when we want to and not have to rush. I like making breakfast late, because I started a project and want to finish before I go to another task. I like making lunches for everyone at lunch time and not half the family at 5:30 am. Dad is staying home this week with us and we are following the primary scripture for the month, and bringing order to our home once again.
Yesterday, we began with our spring cleaning. It is so nice to lay in bed at night and know you accomplished many tasks. We washed and scraped the trim of our house, we dug out the flower bed, planted flower seeds, we planted our 30+ vegetable plants we seeded about 3 weeks ago, we purchased 3 fruit trees (YEAH!!!!), trimmed the bushes in front of the house, fertilized almost everything (the outside is so fragrant now) and I of course had to go shopping. We found orange and red wheels for our pinewood derby cars.
Both Banini#1 and Banini#2 are racing in the derby this year. A very terrific den leader cut out the cars for the boys at den meeting this week, so all the boys have to do now is sand, paint and precision weight. Our pinewood derby is on this upcoming Saturday. I am grateful for Den Leaders who have skills I do not have. As Cub Master, it is nice to see others helping the cub scouts, especially with areas I could not have been much help. In primary, we are learning the song, My Eternal Family. I have been preparing how to teach this song to the children. It is a fun, upbeat tune which emphasize how we must work to build our eternal family. I like the song.
I will post pictures Dad takes as the week goes on. We send our love to all and hope you have fun this week too! Cheers.
I

Baptism!

Banini Boy #2 was baptized yesterday! He had a wonderfully attended baptism. Thank you to all the family and friends who came and supported our second son and his choice to be baptized. We enjoyed visiting with you and sharing this special event.

Enjoy the photos, taken by our talented resident photographer!