This is going to be a long post! So we just decided that we are going to go back to Glendale and are going to live in San Lagos for the last 2 rotation sites. It's going to be a 25 minute drive for Jonathan, but we decided that we would do that for the kids because they absolutely love it there. Jackson was at the age where he remembers it so well there. It feels like home to the kids. When we came into Glendale on our drive to Safford, Jackson woke up and yelled out "This is the Arizona I remember. I love it here!" We all have so many memories there. So we decided to go where we have great friends, the awesome pool, Cafe Rumba (of course!), and love the area. So I figured I would post a few pictures that are from last year, just for memories, and because I wasn't working on my blog very well then. There's just so many cute ones and fun memories of that year. I can't believe we are coming to an end in 5 months! This has been an incredible journey so far. The hardest and best times of our lives. I don't even know how those two go together, but its the truth. Jonathan has worked so stinkin' hard in school and we have been right next to him enjoying the journey. Madilyn lost her first tooth last year, turned 6, became the best big helper and sister in the world, and went to kindergarten. Jackson turned 3 and 4, learned to ride his bike without training wheels, learned how to swim much better, and became the best brother ever to his sisters. Hadlie had her first whole year there! She was only 3 weeks old when we moved to Arizona! She learned to walk there! So of course we have to let Emersyn experience the fun we had too!
This was our flight down to Arizona in May 2011!
This was one of the first things we did in Glendale. We went golfing in 120 degree weather!! We didn't know about that kind of heat, obviously. The kids had fun though, it was their first time!
This was Hadlie Janers as we watched them play golf.
I wasn't sure if I was going to post this, but this is the event that had so much meaning and changed so many things in our lives. This is the Sea Life Aquarium in Phoenix. We went with my mom, Karli, and Kels. It was pretty fun! But we think this is where Jackson got a very bad virus that caused dehydration and resulted in a very bad Grand Mal seizure. It was the worst day of our lives. We were instilled with fear everyday of our lives after it happened and we are still striving to overcome it. Jonathan still talks to our family about the miracle that our family was so blessed with. Jackson was turning purple and blue and not breathing well. When they put him into the ambulance Jonathan gave him a blessing in the ambulance. Jackson woke up just as he finished the blessing. He had a few more little episodes in the hospital and they weren't doing much for him. (It was a terrible hospital and not a good experience) I kept getting the feeling that they needed to give him an IV with fluids because he was so severely dehydrated. They weren't doing it and I kept telling them to do it! And NOW! As soon as they did he started to improve. I'm so thankful for the miracle of the Priesthood and the Holy Ghost! Kelser was still visiting and was a huge help as I stayed in the hospital with Jackson, and Jana flew out that night to stay with me because Jonathan couldn't miss school. We have incredible family!
Jackson got pneumonia and Hadlie got RSV. So we had to do breathing treatments. They were such troopers!
Of course swimming was one of our most favorite things to do. The pool at San Lagos was so much fun. We went almost everyday to play at the pool. When Jonathan got the kids their snorkel gear, Jackson really started to swim well and wasn't so nervous anymore. They loved their snorkels!
A perfect Mother's Day!
The Phoenix Zoo with grandpa and grandma on a crazy windy day! We saw tons of different animals and they weren't all hiding away like at the Hogle Zoo!
Madilyn's first day of Kindergarten. I cried my little eyes out. How could I have a kindergartener?? She was so excited to go to school. She is such a good student and loves to learn and be with friends!
Jackson went to the dentist for the first time and was so brave! He also got his bike from papa for his 3rd birthday. He can ride with no training wheels now!
Sweet little Hadlie Jane!
The butterflies were definitely a big deal! Madilyn got them from grandpa and grandma for her 6th birthday. We got to watch them come out of their cocoons and become butterflies. It was Madilyn's absolute DREAM to have one on her finger. I am so so happy that I caught it on camera. We only waited for an hour for this to finally happen! ;)She loves butterflies so much! We let them go before Jonathan had to go study. The kids just loved looking at how beautiful they look after being in yucky cocoons!
Birthdays! Madilyn had a Rainbow party with her school friends at the park. Oma, Nana, Kar, and Kels came down and surprised her. It was the best thing in the world! She woke up and they were all there. So much fun! Jackson turned 3! We had a pumpkin pizza and celebrated at home reminiscing on his amazing 3 years! Hadlie turned 1! We got her a car to sit in that we can push her in and she loved it. She always just wanted to sit in it and hang out!
Jonathan and I celebrated our 9th anniversary here! We went to Cheesecake Factory with our 3 babies. We got a scrumptious ice cream cake to eat after our yummy dinner. The best 9 years with the best husband in the world!
Can't wait to celebrate our 10th this year!
Chick-fil-a was the highlight of our weekends! That's what we did for fun! Get out and go to Chick-fil-a, followed by a little Ross shopping!
We went to a butterfly exhibit that Madilyn completely loved. She waited and tried so hard to have one land on her, but it didn't happen. There were tons of cool cactus' too see too. We had a fun day.
Here's a few from Madilyn's school field trips, Q and U wedding, and her graduation. Her teacher, Mrs. Brown, was amazing. Madilyn loved her. Madilyn did so well in kindergarten. She was always sent home with extra because she just soaks everything up and wants to learn more and higher than what was taught. She loves school!Madilyn was chosen to be the letter Q who marries the letter U. It was a big wedding celebration that all the parents got to come watch.
We found out on my birthday that our sweet little surprise was coming! Emersyn Faith Mann! We got a cake and told the kids that they were going to be big sisters and brother, again! Such a fun birthday surprise for me. I couldn't believe the surprise and excitement I felt. I remember feeling an amazing, indescribable feeling, of knowing that she was supposed to be in our family and be there at this time. Love my baby Emers and my little family so much!
Feeding the ducks on our walks home from school was always fun. The kids loved it. There were a few crazy ones that loved to chase us. That's one that is chasing Jackson and he's running as fast as his little legs with take him to get away!
Jon snapped this one for me.
We went on our first hike with Jon's school class. It was hot. But an fun experience for us. I carried Jackson and Hadlie for a lot of the way and then Jon carried Jackson for most of the way back.
This was January in AZ! Amazing weather!!
This is the most amazing husband and dad in the world! He was so so busy with school and studying but still made time to help me, have dinner with us, have family night, family prayer, books, tubs, and bed with me and the kids. He would stay up late studying because he wanted to help me and spend time with us. He's so amazing and I am so blessed that he is mine. I'm so proud of him! He has worked so hard in school and become such a wonderful Anesthetist. I am thankful to have such an amazing example and husband for me and our kids. How did I get so lucky??
I better end this long post. We had an amazing year. So many fun memories with my favorites. It was so fun to go back to do this post and remember it all!!
Here is what we do when Jon is at work... We go on walks, go to the park, go on drives around the temple, and hangout in the hotel.
At least we have each other, right?! It seems hard at times being in a one bedroom apartment or in the hotel room with all of us. I just have to keep reminding my self, a lot, that we are going to look back at this time and tell ourselves that 'it really wasn't THAT bad'. I want to look back and be happy with the way I reacted to the screaming and laughing and legos everywhere on the floor and the messes. Because this has been difficult at times but at least we have each other. At least we are all together. My cute babies aren't ever going to be these ages again. I want to look back and remember the cute things they say and the cute things they do as good memories. Not the crazy stress of living in a one bedroom with 6 people. Because it isn't easy all the time. But our little 'Mann Family" definitely makes it worth it!
