IT'S A BOY !!!!!

Introducing Van Jacob Papa! The

newest addition to the family.

Do you think that Andrew's smile could

get any bigger?

No matter how many grandchildren we get,

each and every one is special.

Holding a sleeping new baby, having

them hold tight to your finger -

life just doesn't get any better than this.

ROCKOS BAPTISM

We are so proud of our Rocko. He was baptised last Saturday. We are so proud that he is making such good choices. Grandpa felt so honored to be asked to give the talk about the Holy Ghost. Did you know that Grandpa was baptised on Oct.19? Did you know that Grandpa & Grandma Robinson were married on Oct. 19? Did you know that Rocko was born on Oct.19? What a special day!!!

TEMPLE VIEWS

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George was playing with his new lap top that he got from EA last night and came across this really great website. It is www.ldschurchtemples.com/gilavalley/construction. It has great photos of the Temple that is going up here in our little valley.
We drive by it twice a day and it is really exciting to see the progress that is being made. We are looking forward to having one so close.

I love the picture that was taken at night with the workers lights on. Several times when we have been coming home from work late we have seen it with the lights this way, it really is beautiful. I can only imagine what it will look like when it is finished.

P.S. George & I have been asked to talk in church on the 20th of this month. I can't wait to tell how proud I am of my children and talk about how much I have learned from them!!! I have some really great personal stories.

THEY CALL HIM "MR. GEORGE"

A couple of days before we were leaving for Education Week, a gentleman came into the store. He wore and EA shirt and said that he was here to do some recruiting. George told him that he was the only one there, and the gentleman told him,"You are the one I am here to recruit."
Well, that started a whirlwind of activity. He wanted George to teach vocational classes at the state prison at Ft. Grant. They were looking for someone that could teach HVAC and basic electrical to the inmates. George said he needed to think about it and talk it over with his wife (what a guy). It took the wife all of 3 minutes to say yes, yes, yes!!!
This is something that George has wanted to do for a long time. When he lived in Mesa he taught HVAC at RSI, but had to give that up when his full time job demanded more attention. He is happy to have this opportunity.
It has been a busy time since we got back from Utah. He teaches on Tuesdays and Thursdays. He leaves just after 6 am to catch a ride and gets home about 6:30. It makes for a long day for him. He spent the first couple of weeks getting the room set up and going over the materials. Now he is officially having class.
He and his lunch and his brief case get searched every time he goes out to the prison. He has a list of rules a mile long, and for those of you who know him well, rules can be especially hard for him. But he is loving it. He says the hardest thing is that the students don't want to leave after class and they take up all his prep time.
I am so proud of him. He looked so handsome (aka cute) heading out for the first day of class. His students are lucky to have someone that really cares that they learn and wants them to have the skills to succeed in life.

PHANTOM, SPOKEN WORD, & EDUCATION WEEK

We just returned from our trip to Education Week - with side trips to Las Vegas and Salt Lake City. Grandpa & Grandma Robinson went with us and it was great.
We stopped on the way up to see the dam and the new bridge. The bridge looks so high - I don't know if I will be able to cross it and breath at the same time.
We spent a couple of days in Las Vegas. On Friday night we went to see "The Phantom of the Opera." It was fantastic. I couldn't believe all of the special effects that were used inside. George got us seats that were down in the bottom section. We were right under the chandelier. It was great.
Saturday we drove up to Provo. We settled into our "deluxe" dorm accomadations. After we made up our little twin beds (at least George's bed had 4 legs this year)we took out our class schedules and planned our week. This year we were lucky and had rooms on the bottom floor and were just across the street from the campus. We also had about 20 teenagers staying in the same building. I have decided that I am older than I thought, cuz noise after 11:00 is really annoying. Sunday morning we got up early and went into Salt Lake to see and hear the Spoken Word. It was great. I loved the music and the message was about Michelangeo's David. Really inspirational.After the program we went over to Tempe Square. I just love walking around there. When George was about 14 his mother took him to the visitors center. He says he remembers how moved his mother was by the Christus statue. It is amazing to me that some of his first exposer to the Church was by his Catholic mother. We took some classes this week on the Pearl of Great Price. It really puts the setting of this statue in perspective.

We had such a great time and can't wait to go next year. I just wished that the feeling we have would last longer.

MAKING SUSCRINES (I DON'T KNOW HOW TO SPELL THIS WORD - LET ME KNOW IF YOU DO)

A visit home would not be complete without making "suscrines". Dad mixes the dough - after properly making the well (swimming pool) in the center.














Janet helps with the kneading ---

and the tasting

and McKay is in charge of frying - real team work.

Janet tastes her first suscrine -

MASTER PASTRY CHEFS !!!

After all that hard work, a little relaxing is in order.

I think George has the relaxing part perfected.





McKay and Janet left yesterday and the house it already to quiet. Thanks for coming - we had such a good time and are so looking forward to your next visit.

McKay & Janet come for a visit

The weekend after the 24th we had tickets for the Antiques Roadshow. We took some of Grandpa Rocha's disney pictures and shadow box pictures that we had. We waited in line for over two hours to find out that the appraser didn't know what they were. It was fun though, we met some interesting people, saw some really cool stuff, and watched a television show being filmed.

That evening we had a pool party at the hotel to celebrate McKay & Janet coming to visit. This was the first time Janet had met this side of the family. I think she had "how many kids" shock. Everyone was on their best, be impressive behavior, even the grandkids. Sweet Charly even suggested that we draw a heart on the cake,"Because we love each other." Thanks Laura for the cake and everyone for coming. It was great!!!

These are my little water babies. They are so fun. I am without a doubt the richest woman in the world.

24TH OF JULY CELEBRATION

This year for the 24th we had a FULL house!!! It was great we wouldn't have had it any other way. The only two missing were Leslie and Gavin, they were both sick. It was hetic and tiring and loud and the best

This is the whole gang just before we left for the parade.

This was our little section of the trailor - we looked good.

We had such a full house that the kids HAD to sleep in Grandpa & Grandma's room. We stayed up late, watched movies and still woke up early. Life doesn't get any better than this.

COUSIN CAMP - WALKING IN PIONEER FOOTSTEPS - 2009

This year's cousin camp was the best yet. The kids were so good and so fun. We took the 9 greatest kids in the whole world - Katlyn, Becca, Rocko, Charly, Quinn, Carter, Gage, Maverik, & Parker. It was Maverik and Parker's first year and for only being 3 they did really good. Katlyn, Becca, & Rocko were our oldest campers and we couldn't do it without their help.

Everyday was filled with activities and play. Raising and lowering the flag was one of the best times. Even the littlest ones helped and you really should hear them sing "God Bless the U.S.A."

Pioneers kept their spirits up by singing and dancing at the end of each day. Check out the Hokey Pokey of our modern day pioneers - Put you elbow in.



"That's what it's all about!!!"

Arts and Crafts were a part of everyday. We all made our own covered wagons while Grandpa read the directions.

The best time at cousin camp is when the parents come and we show them what we have learned. Here we are doing the Virginia Reel with the parents.

Even though it was cold - everyone was excited to help make ice cream for dessert.

We love Cousin Camp. Yes, it is a lot of work and at the end we are dirty, tired, and sore. Is it worth it? If it was a hundred times more work it would still be worth it. We love how the kids are excited, we love how they laugh and play together, we love how they want to help, we love how the simple things make them so happy, but most of all we love being with them. We love being there when they figure out that they can do something new. We love seeing the sparkle in their eyes when they get recognized for doing a good deed. We love sitting around the campfire and listening to what they are thinking about. We love listening to their wishes as they see the first star. We love how they still want to sit on our laps or next to us and watch the fire.

Thank you for letting us have this time with our grandchildren. You do not know how much it means to us.

Jill wanted to do surprise John on their anniversary - so surprise - the kids came to stay with us. I think we got the better anniversary present. Even Paisley came to stay - I think that must have been John's biggest surprise.

Every day the kids went to visit Grandpa and Grandma Robinson next door. And everyday Grandma had a popcycle for them of course.

Quinn stayed busy helping Grandpa George
put in new water lines.

Parker climbed all the way to the
top of the porch - she is becoming such a little adventurer !!!

Paisley loved the swing - as long as there

as long as there was someone there to give

her attention - typical princess!!!

Grandpa George believes you are never too
young or old to be fascinated by trains.

WHAT A MOTHER'S DAY WEEKEND !!!

MOTHER'S DAY SURPRISE !!!


A few days before Mother's day Lisa called and said, "Let's surprise Mom." We made a plan, Lisa would fly out from New Hampshire and I would pick her up at the airport. Our plan came off without a hitch. Laura had borrowed my car to go to women's conference in Utah and I still had Micah's truck. I told mom that I was going over to Globe to exchange cars (it's not like you can just sneak out of town when you live right next door to your parents). I drove over to the airport to pick Lisa up. I only had to circle the terminal 3 times, and that bus that honked at me didn't know where he was going either. It was so good to see her standing there on the curb. We stopped in Miami on the way home and bought a huge bow (and butterfly nets for cousin camp). We almost got caught when I pulled in the driveway and daddy came walking out the door. I had to practically pull him back in the house while Lisa hid in the front seat. I told them to sit on the couch cuz I had a Mother's day present for both of them, then in walked Lisa. Well, they certainly were surprised.

Having Lisa here was just the beginning of a great weekend. I keep saying that I am the richest woman in the world and I know without a doubt that it is true. Thanks so much to all my kids and grandkids for the cards, flowers, phone calls, and expressions of love. All four of my children called on Sunday and it really made my day. Andrew and Kylie sent me this beautiful crown and told me that I was a queen for the day. I have to admit that George really treated me like royalty. But like he always tells me, "You are so spoiled." and like I say back, "Who's fault is that?" Thank you all, I love you very much.



The only bad part of Lisa coming to visit is when she has to go home. It is good to know, however that she will be coming back in July. We are sure looking forward to that.

ANDREW MAKES AN ANNOUNCEMENT

For all of you who have been waiting for "the" announcement from Andrew and Kylie - we are proud to be the first to have been able to confirm. Andrew and Kylie are proud to announce -----

ANDREW HAS PASSED STATISTICS
Yes, I know that the whole family has been waiting for this important news. (I can't even spell statistics without spell check and it took me two semesters to pass College Algebra) We are so proud that Andrew has passed this important step in his life.

Way to go Son, keep up the good work !!!!!

We can't wait to see what lofty goal this outstanding young man sets for himself next - could it be quantum physics or biogeographic engineering? Only time will tell - the sky is the limit.

Love you son !!!

GAVIN'S BLESSING DAY

What a great looking family !!!

Every new addition is so special to us.

We just love our new little Gavin.

No matter how many grandchildren and great-grandchildren Grandpa & Grandma Robinson get they always have a special love for each one.

I had to fight to get this picture, but I wanted a picture of me with my girls. I know I am going to get kind of sappy here, but it is my blog after all. I just love "my girls". Laura has always been a joy and blessing to me. I am so proud of the wonderful woman she has become. I am so proud of the way that she loves her children and how she is raising them in the gospel. I am also so proud of my sons that they had the good sense to choose such "elect young women" for their eternal companions. I know that I say this too much, but I am the richest woman in the world. I could not ask for better daughters than Leslie, Jill, & Kylie. They have never treated George and I with anything other than kindess and love. They are raising (and I know Kylie will too) their children with such love and care. I think of some of the things that they have been through with their children and I marvel at the inner strength that they have. I love these beautiful young women so much and hope that they know what remarkable women that I think they are.




One of the reasons that I love all these girls so much is this --- what a group. The sweetest words ever spoken, "Grandma can I sit on your lap?" Thanks so much for sharing your children with us. We love each and everyone of them so much.