I can't WAIT...

... for PARK WEATHER!!!
Yesterday we took a QUICK trip to Snowflake with my cousin Belinda:)
She was driving up & back for a funeral & Parker and I decided to tag along, so she wouldn't have to drive alone.
She dropped us off at this PARK & headed off to the funeral...
and Parker & I were in HEAVEN!!!
As soon as we pulled into the Parking Lot...he spotted the Basketball Hoops & started saying "Shooby! Shooby! Shooby!" Which translates to "Shoot It" which is what he says for Basketball.
As soon as I got him out of the car, he took off RUNNING to the court, never even looking back to see if I was coming. He is OBSESSED with Basketball AND had just been in the car for 3 hours...so was READY to PLAY!!!

The weather was ABSOLUTELY PERFECT! Not hot, not cold...with a little breeze!

Thank goodness I grabbed this ball at the last second...because he PLAYED & PLAYED & PLAYED with it! He especially enjoyed rolling it up the slides & watching it roll back down into his hands:)

He didn't know what to think about the rocking Dinosaur:)

I hung out in the grass in the shade most of the time & he would stop by every now and then for a snack:)

Yes...that is his blanky (or "baby" as he calls it) that he is dragging in the sand. Good thing we have 2, so we can rotate washing them:)

THANKS BELINDA for letting us spend the day with you!!!

It made me SOOOOOOOOOO EXCITED for it to COOL OFF, so we can go to the park EVERY DAY!!!

Brooke White Concert

We went to the BROOKE WHITE CONCERT Saturday night
& had so much fun!
She put on a FREE CONCERT @ the Mesa Ampitheatre & accepted donations for a charity. I went to the Relief Society Broadcast with my mom & sister-in-law Julie before the concert. If you didn't get a chance to go...LISTEN TO Elder Uchtdorf's talk...because it was AMAZING. Loved every second of it! Ok...so after the broadcast, a bunch of my cousins decided to meet up at the concert & sit together & while from this picture you may think it was a GIRLS NIGHT OUT...there WERE some hubbies that came too!

My dad (well his work) was one of the 3 sponsors of the concert(the other 2 were City of Mesa & Milanos Music) so here he is...presenting a gift from the MESA CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU & saying a few words...
I cheered loud for him! :)

Parker stayed up for the FUN & had a lot of fun hanging out on the blankets, listening to music...and EATING of course!

Brooke did a GREAT JOB...even though the opening act was longer than her time on stage. I think she was pretty exhausted(she just finished the American Idol tour last week), but she sang some great songs & we had a lot of FUN!
Here are some of my cousins & FRIEND Amy after the show:)

After the show, my dad took us all backstage to "meet" Brooke & get our picture taken with her.
I think Parker thought she was HOT...he couldn't take his eyes off of her:)

Matt's sister Aimee getting Brooke's autograph & Matt's brother Tanner & wife Chaya waiting in line for a picture:)

Sidenote: Many of you know that I knew Brooke from ELEMENTARY school, but I haven't seen her in YEARS. Before the show, my dad took me backstage to see her & it was so fun to talk to her & catch up a bit. She said she is SO READY to go home(this concert was her last hoorah after the Idol Tour) but said she did have a lot of fun on the tour. She is going back to CA to write & record music & says within a year she will have a new album out. She didn't know that I married Matt, so that was fun to tell her & watch her mouth hang open...which is usually what happens when people find out we got married :) I'm so happy for her & the success that she has achieved...I just hope she is able to get some rest & ENJOY some time with her husband for awhile after being on the road for so long!

We love you Gavin!

Gavin's funeral was this past Saturday & while it was a tough day, everything was beautiful. Bethany's friend made the CUTEST sign in sheets, my brother Rob framed some GORGEOUS pictures, my sis Kylie made DARLING programs(above pic was the front of program) & all of the talks/music were PERFECT. I still can't quite comprehend what my cousin & her husband are going through right now, but I hope & PRAY that they might find some peace and comfort at this time. I appreciate all of the phone calls, comments & offers of support at this time...very thoughtful to think of me & PLEASE continue praying for Bethany & Andre and their children during this time. I'm SO GRATEFUL to know that Gavin will be reunited with his family again someday. I can't even IMAGINE dealing with this trial, without the knowledge of
FOREVER FAMILIES!

Like Father...Like Son

The other day Matt said,
"Parker is OBSESSED with Basketball. It is getting kind of extreme..."Hmmm....
I wonder WHERE IN THE WORLD he gets it from???

Gavin Charles Sprague
October 6th, 2007-September 22, 2008

It is with great heartache that I tell you that Gavin's life here on earth has ended. Please, Please continue your prayers for their family. What a blessing that Bethany just recently took all of these adorable pictures of Gavin. Please pray that they might find comfort at this very difficult time. I'm at a loss of words right now & just sick to my stomach & only find comfort in the knowledge that this isn't the end.

I'm sure my Grandma & Grandpa Brinton are SMOTHERING him with kisses right now...

Looking for Something to do....

Remember BROOKE WHITE from this last season of American Idol!?!

She is coming HOME to MESA & putting on a concert on Saturday, Sept. 27th @ 8pm @ the Mesa Ampitheatre!

It is FREE!!!
Make it a date night or a Girls Night Out...

...and support a LOCAL STAR!!!

Split Second Decision

I decided to leave my husband...
for 24 hours :)

I ran some errands Friday morning & we got home & I was thinking about what to fix Matt for lunch & I decided to check my email...
My mom had written a quick email to say they were leaving to drive to the Ranch & coming back in the morning...

I picked up the phone & called Matt.
I told him I REALLY REALLY REALLY wanted to go.
I LOVE the ranch & we weren't able to go up over Labor Day weekend & I wanted to take Parker up once more before it was too cold.
Matt is AMAZING & he agreed that it would be fun for Parker & I to go...even though he would miss us:)

I called my mom.
I think the phone call went something like this:

Me: Ummm...so you are still home?
Mom: Yes, dad is on his way home from work to get me.
Me: Well...I was just wondering if...well...are you still going to the Ranch?
Mom: Yes...do you want to come?
Me: YES! Is that ok?
Mom: Of course. That would be fun.
Me: Are you sure? We aren't crashing yours & dad's romantic get-a-way?
Mom: {laughter} we would love for you to come.
Me: Ok!!!
Mom: We will come by & get you.

And so we left...

Nothing better than a McD's icecream cone while driving to Flagstaff :)
The minute we got there, Parker was climbing ALL OVER the place! He was in HEAVEN!

Helping give Grandpa the eggs for breakfast Saturday morning

Eating...more like destroying his breakfast.

Heaven for a Boy=As many sticks & rocks as you could ever want, all in one place!

He was SO HAPPY to be OUTSIDE & not sweating & covered with mosquitoes!

My WONDERFUL mom & dad were SUCH GOOD SPORTS to let us crash their road trip!
They really are SO AMAZING & I was so glad they were willing to let us tag along!
THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

Parker couldn't get enough of Grandpa & Grandma!

Running down the cinder pit with Grandma:) Over & over & over again...

Wheelbarrow fun with Grandma!

It was a fast trip & Parker was a good sport to drive in the car for so long, but it was WELL WORTH IT! It was SO NICE to feel COLD WEATHER for once & Parker didn't have to be cooped up inside all day!

...but we sure missed "Daddy"!!!

Asking for your prayers...

Meet my cousin Bethany & her

amazingly cute family!Her youngest son, Gavin, has been through battle after battle over the past year & has been waiting for a liver transplant for months. {Many of you were able to help support him in an icecream social fundraiser a few months back} He has recently taken a turn for the worse & is currently in the PICU. I know the amazing POWER OF PRAYER is real, so I'm asking for your prayers for this family. Most of all I think Bethany & Andre need to feel comfort at this time & I know they can feel our prayers. Whether or not you know this family...please keep them in your prayers...it will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

For updates on Gavin, go HERE

Called to Serve

We get together every month with my mom's side & dad's side(different weeks) and have FHE together with all of our cousins. I love this tradition...it is so much fun to see our relatives every month & watch our family grow & grow & grow!

This month for PHELPS FHE...we had MISSIONARY NIGHT!
It was a lot of fun. Every Returned Missionary in the family set up a table with mission pictures & souveneirs & food for everyone to taste. We had SO many tables & there was a LOT of good food to try!

Matt's table didn't get as much attention as the "

Here is what we brought "from Chile"...

COMPLETOS
Basically a HOT DOG...with tomatoes, guacamole, ketsup & mayonnaise!
Matt said this is VERY popular in Chile!

Then some of the RM's told a FUN STORY & BORE THEIR TESTIMONY about their mission experience. We TRIED to get the kids to hold still for this...they did a pretty good job(even those hiding under the stage) :)
And just because they are SO CUTE...my adorable nieces, Gemma & Hallie...trying some of the mission food!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

Have you noticed the
cooler weather recently???
Me neither.
BUT...it is the middle of September, so Christmas REALLY will be here before we know it...whether or not the WEATHER shows it!

Since my {still un-named} child is joining us early December, I REALLY want to get my Christmas Clock Orders done BEFORE the baby arrives!

If you would like to order a clock for Christmas...for YOURSELF or a FAMILY MEMBER or FRIEND or BUSINESS PARTNER...or...well, you get the point...
email me @ clocksbystaci@gmail.com
For ideas on your custom order, check out my clocks HERE

THANKS!

Laughing Out Loud

I was unloading the pictures off of my camera today & these 2 CUTE videos of Parker made me laugh:)

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The 1st one is at my parents house & Parker was in HEAVEN with the makeshift slide that Grandma made him (I think my mom got a good work out at the same time!)
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The 2nd video is at Matt's parents house last week...we were DYING laughing because Parker was afraid of this squishy ball that was at their house & we were laughing tears at his expense:)

And a VERY HAPPY 4th BIRTHDAY to my CUTE nephew Powell!
We had SO MUCH FUN celebrating with you yesterday!

Armpit Hair

There are some things in life that just don't seem
to have a REASON to be here?
Armpit hair is at the top of my list.
Mosquitos are right up at the top as well...

I LOVE THIS BOY!!!

...apparently...SO do Mosquitos!

Date Night

Labor Day & Chinese Purchase

We mostly LABORED all weekend, but I suppose that is pretty fitting for this Holiday Weekend. We got a LOT accomplished & we finally feel like we have room for this BABY in my tummy! We are getting more excited every day & can't wait to meet him!
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Of course we DID make PLENTY of time for PLAY this weekend too!

Here is Parker playing catch with Grandpa Allen. The fireman hat blocked his vision a bit, but he refused to take it off:)

We went and watched the fireworks Saturday Night (The Central Christian Church put on a GREAT display, since they didn't do them for 4th of July) & while I always seemed to miss the actual fireworks in the picture...I thought this was a cute one of my boys watching the show together:)

Sunday was such a FUN day:) We headed out to Laveen for Brogan's Baby Blessing. Matt's brother Craig gave him such a sweet blessing & after church we headed over to their house for a DELICIOUS lunch...thanks to my amazing sister-in-law Heidi's cooking skills!
We had so much fun spending the day with them & had to get a picture of the 3 Allen Grandkids--even if Parker looks like he has something sour in his diaper:)

We LOVED having Matt home from work on Monday & headed to Peter Piper for lunch. As soon as we pulled into the parking lot...Parker said "Shoobit" -which if you have forgotten, translates to "Shoot It" which is what he says when he wants to play Basketball.
He could have played for HOURS on end...and I must say he is getting pretty good. That hoop we got him at home, must be good practice!

Parker was in heaven...

Matt was in heaven...

Monday night we went over to my family's for a BBQ & swimming and had so much fun playing with all of the cousins.

Now I guess it is back to REAL LIFE of no hubby home all day:( But it was such a FUN weekend as a family!

AND if you didn't already know, I have decided NOT to teach preschool this year and I can't say that I'm not glad that I'm not having my 1st day of school today! Instead I can relax & get things done around the house & play with Parker. I LOVED teaching & hope to do it again in the future, but with being pregnant & everything...I decided it would be better not to teach this year & I feel so good about that decision.
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On another note...
Matt & I have decided to sell a car & see how we handle things with ONE car!
I will admit I was really nervous at 1st.
I did NOT want to be STUCK at home ALL DAY LONG.
But then I thought about it.
I don't really plan to leave the house much when I have 2 kids at home, juggling naps, meals,etc. SO it makes perfect sense, since we have NO need for 2 cars right now.
We will save HUNDREDS of dollars on Insurance & Gas each month & we won't have to worry about maintenance(oil changes, tune-ups) expenses on 2 cars.

...BUT WHAT IF I NEED THE CAR???

Easy. I can take Matt to work whenever I need the car that day OR he will ride his bike! Problem solved.

But who wants to show up to work all SWEATY in this 100+ degree heat?
NOT Matt...and I'm pretty sure Matt's co-workers would put in a complaint if Matt started filling the bank with a stinky B.O. smell.

...so we found this SWEET CHINESE BIKE...and HAD TO GET IT!!!
(Note...this is what I WANTED Matt to blog about...you know...that LARGE THING that has been sitting in the middle of MY kitchen...but it wasn't happening, so I decided to go ahead & do it. By the way. I stopped Matt at the front door Friday after work to take this picture & he would NOT cooperate...but I bribed him & he finally let me take one. Thank you for being a good sport! )
So...anyways...
If you are wondering WHAT IN THE HECK Matt is riding on...
It is called an E-Bike (Electric Bike)...shipped straight from China:)
You can peddle it just like a normal bike if you feel the need to exercise OR you can push a button & it goes on its own(no sweating involved)! You still ride it in the bike lane/sidewalk like a NORMAL bike, so... NO Insurance...NO Registration...and most important...NO GAS! I'm SURE we have already started SAVING! He rode it to work a couple times last week, rides it to Physical Therapy at night & has even rode over to the Grocery Store to pick some things up for me! And I feel like it is safer than a motorcycle or a scooter, since you don't ride on the road...but please don't HIT HIM!

We are excited for the money we will save with getting rid of a car & with Matt riding this E-bike to work.
So...if you see Matt riding down the road on this Strange Chinese Contraption...don't forget to HONK!!! :)