Our 21st Anniversary-So Many Surprises

On Friday April 13th Ike and I celebrated our 21st anniversary. It is hard to believe it has been that long.  I started the day off by giving Ike my present. For 20 years Ike has had a liking of a life coach by the name of Tony Robbins. He has always loved listening and watching his DVD's and CD's. He has always dreamed of going to one of his seminars. I surprised Ike with a 4-day trip in July with me to go to "Unleash the Power Within" by Tony Robbins in San Jose, California. Ike was so excited he could hardly believe it. I also gave him a really neat book I made of our Adventure to Asia.

The day was awesome and only got better into the evening. Ike and I went and got massages early in the afternoon. Ike then told me that I needed to pack an overnight bag and that we would be leaving from Cameron's basketball game that evening. Ike surprised me and took me to the most beautiful resort I think we have ever been too. The Montelucia Spa & Resort in Paradise Valley behind Camelback Mountain. It was the most incredible resort ever.  

We first checked into our room. The rooms were very nice. We then headed down to their premiere restaurant called the Prado. It was a very elegant italian restaurant. Our waiter Joshua made the evening very special. We sat on the patio right by the fireplace. The ambiance was wonderful. We ate a delicious dinner and had a great dessert. Ike had another surpass up his sleeve. He gave me a beautiful pair of diamond earrings that matched my wedding ring. When we arrived back to our room there were rose pedals all over the room with a rose pedal heart on the covers of the bed. The night was perfect.  

The next day we worked out in the Joya Spa. Our view of the camelback mountains was what we enjoyed at as we rode the exercise bikes. Then we went and ate a delicious buffet breakfast at the Prado. We hung out by the pool for the remainder of our stay. What an amazing get-a-way we had. Ike outdid himself on this one. He definitely made this anniversary a special one!

A Trip to the Elite 8 Game

Many of you know my son Cameron is a huge basketball fan. He eats, drinks and sleeps basketball. Well we heard that one of the NCAA Elite 8 games was going to be right here at our very own US Airways Center. The two teams were Louisville -vs- Florida. Ike and I surprised Cameron and got 4 tickets to the game and told him he could invite a friend.

The game was on Saturday March 24th. They were not the greatest seats but after the first quarter we moved to some better ones and had a great time watching the game. Florida was ahead the whole game.  Sometimes by 10 points. It was not looking good for Louisville. I turned to the boys and I said the under dog of the game seems to always come back at the very end and win the game.  

Sure enough that was the case. In the last 50 seconds of the game Louisville pulled ahead and kept their lead the remaining seconds of the game. The score was 72-68.  It was so exciting. Did I mention we were hoping Louisville would win?  Well they did and it was such a fun and exciting game. I am so glad we took Cameron and Nick. They had a blast! We all had a great time!

A Trip to General Conference

We had the wonderful opportunity to attend General Conference this year. We had never gone as a family so we thought we better do it this year. With Spencer graduating and leaving for college we wanted to make sure we did this with him still home.

We flew up on Friday afternoon and took a shuttle to our hotel, which was the City Creek Marriott, right across the street from Temple Square. It was so convenient to be that close. We were able to walk everywhere we needed to go. We arrived and checked into our hotel. We then set out to see the new much hyped City Creek Shopping Mall the church had just finished building to enhance the whole Temple Square experience. It is a beautiful mall with many shops and restaurants. We walked over to the Joseph Smith Building and went and ate at the The Garden restaurant up on the very top floor. It has the most beautiful view of the temple. At night with the temple all lite up it is just a breath taking view.

The next day was Saturday. We did not have tickets to the morning session but Spencer & Ike decided they were going to try and get in at the standby line. They both left very early. The kids and I went and watched it in the tabernacle. Ike & Spencer unfortunately did not make it in to the conference center so they watched it in the tabernacle too. We did have tickets to the afternoon session so we headed over and had a wonderful experience. It was so neat to be able to sustain President Monson and all the General Authorities in person. The MTC choir sang during this session. It was so awesome to see all of them sing together. Including in the group was David Archuletta who was in the MTC on his way to a mission in Chile.

That night Ike & the boys had tickets to the Priesthood session so Taylor and I went and had a fun evening. We went to Ladies night at Deseret Book Store. There were a lot of activities going on there. We then went up to The Garden restaurant again and had a wonderful dinner.  It was so nice to spend time with just Taylor. She just seems to get more beautiful everyday. How I got so lucky to have her for my daughter I will never know. Love this girl!

On Sunday we again did not have tickets to the morning session but that did not stop Spencer and I from trying once again to get in through the standby line. Sunday morning was freezing. There was even snow forecasted for the day which it did end up snowing later that day. We had to stand outside for 2 hours before they brought us into the tabernacle to wait out the rest of the time. Unfortunately we did not make it into the conference center this time either. No one did. So once again we all watched the morning session in the tabernacle. After the morning session was over we all headed back to the hotel quickly because we had to checkout and store our luggage at the front desk. We did have tickets to the final session of conference. It was a wonderful way to end our weekend in Salt Lake City. After the final session ended we hurried back to our hotel to eat dinner and then we were off to the airport for our flight home to Phoenix. What a wonderful weekend we had at conference. The gospel affords us so many opportunities and conference is definitely one of those experiences you must do if you ever get the chance. I am so grateful we could go as a family to see General Conference live. By the way as Spencer always says, "The Church is True!"

"Hanging in Hawaii" Springbreak 2012

This is just a teaser of our incredible week in Hawaii.  We have had so much fun and done so many things.  I will have a lot to blog later but for now here are a few teasers:

A Splendid Spencer & Me Day!

I just couldn't go to bed tonight until I jotted a quick post about my day today. Both Spencer and I had doctor appointments in Scottsdale today. I picked him up from school and we headed to Scottsdale. We ate Subway on the way. Spencer's doctor visit was first with the ENT. Spencer was given the news that he needs a Septal Deviation Septoplasty, Sub Mucous Resection Turbinates and he needs to have his Maxillary Sinuses Opened. It sounds much more complicated then it really is. Spencer has had sinus issues for years so we are hoping this is the fix-all for them. This procedure will be done sometime in April. I had it done in December and it was a piece of cake, well sorta.

From the ENT we had time to waste so we decided to go shopping at Scottsdale Fashion Square.  Spencer thought he died and went to heaven as we were driving through the parking lot. His eyes kept popping out at all the awesome cars he saw. Spencer loves nice cars and knows all the ins and outs of them.  He continued to name each and every sweet car and tell me why it was so great. We went to his favorite store which is Pac Sun and got him a few t-shirts and then found a few other things at another store. It was a good shopping day for Spencer. He got some very needed clothes. He keeps growing out of the ones he has.

Still needing to waste time we decided we needed a treat. What better than an ice cream cone from the famous Sugar Bowl in downtown Scottsdale. What a fun little ice cream shop. Reminds me of the 1950's little ice cream shops I saw on Happy Days. We both enjoyed a scoop of ice cream and then headed to my doctor's appointment around the corner.

My appointment was quick and then we were on our way back home.  It was a really fun afternoon with Spencer. He will be graduating this May so it made me think that my times with him are going to soon be coming to an end when he leaves for college this fall. Then after his year at college he will be off on his mission. I sure hope I can get a few more of these kind of days with him before he leaves. I love spending time with my kids.  Sometimes it is nice to just spent time with them one on one. Today was that day with Spencer and me. To top off a great day I saw a post that Spencer put on Facebook and thought to myself, "I think Spencer enjoyed the afternoon too!"

Spencer Tippetts

50 minutes ago near Gilbert via Facebook for iPhone

Amidst all the political turmoil, I firmly believe that a vote for moms is still the best way to secure a better future! I'm Spencer Tippetts and I approve this message! — with Tonya Thieme Tippetts.

Here are few senior pictures of Spencer!

Such a handsome young man if I say so myself! But then I am his Mother. For that I am so grateful!! And yes, I too approve this message!

The Stress of Family Vacations

Our family has had the opportunity to go on some really great vacations throughout our lives.  I am always amazed how stressful things get just before we are to go on a family vacation.  Aren't vacations meant for relaxing, having fun and making memories?  Why then is it so stressful getting ready for it?

A few days before we are to leave we get all the suitcases down from the closets and start the packing process.  Thank goodness my kids are old enough now that they can pack for themselves. I do always have to go over all the necessities that they need to pack.  Do you have your swim suit?  Did you pack your church clothes?  Did you remember your sandals?  Don't forget your headphones.  Remember your toothbrush. Pack enough underwear. The list goes on and on. 

It is a lot of work to get a family ready to leave on vacation. Don't get me wrong I am so grateful we get to go on vacation. But seriously does it have to be so stressful? You have to make sure the dogs are cared for. You have to have the mail and the newspaper stopped. You inform the neighbors to watch your house.  You have to get people to cover for you at church. You have to confirm flights.  Arrange transportation. Send in a vacation watch request to the police. Unplug all the appliances. Throw out perishables in the fridge. Empty the garbage. Turn some lights on. Turn the heat down. Make sure the dogs have enough dog food and water. Turn some music on in the house. I am sure I have left a few things out but I think you get the just of what I am saying. 

Vacations are the best and I would not trade the time I am going to get to spend with my family for anything.  I just wish it could be a little easier the few days before we leave.  So here is to family vacations: 

"A family vacation is one where you arrive with five bags, three 

kids and seven I-thought-you-packed-its."

By the way did I happen to mention where we are going?  We are heading to Hawaii for eight days.  We are going to the island of Oahu. We are staying at a beach house on Hukilau Beach in Laie. 

So get me through this week of stress so I can actually relax and enjoy the fun we as a family are going to have.  And if we forget something then oh well we must have not needed it anyway!  Aloha!

"Yes we are going to a Hukilau, a Huki Huki Huki Huki Hukilau!"

Spencer's Senior Morp 2012

It's hard to believe that Spencer is really graduating this year. We are talking in less than three months. I guess it had not set in till I started thinking of all these last things he will be doing while in high school.  This activity falls into that category. Morp 2012. Spencer had the opportunity to go with Maddie Riggs.  They were in a very large group with lots of friends. It was a great group of kids that all had so much fun together. For their day date they went to Octane Speedway and drove real race cars around a super fun track. Spencer was in heaven because he loves cars. Then they went and had Crepe's.  The actual day of the date they went to Lolo's Chicken & Waffles for dinner. Then they were off to the dance.  The theme of the dance was Super Hero's.  Spencer & Maddie went as Captain America.  They had a great time.

The Modern Wonders of Medicine

I am feeling grateful today and thought I would share just why I feel so grateful. I have been meaning to write about this but kept putting it off. So today I am going to write about it.  The modern wonders of medicine will never cease to amaze me. About 6 weeks ago I had a nasal procedure done by my doctor who is an ENT/Plastic Surgeon. I had had some moderate nasal issues and was having it corrected.  

Well prior to this I had a little skin tag that was growing under my eye. Over the last few months it seemed as if it was growing and becoming more of a nuisance. I had had them before on my neck and they were easily removed with no issue. So just before I went in for my nasal procedure I asked my doctor since he was also a plastic surgeon if he could shave it off.  He said no problem. When I returned for my follow-up on my sinus procedure he immediately told me I had another problem and that was I had basal cell carcinoma. That little skin tag he took off was skin cancer. My heart sunk and I immediately became worried. I know it is the most treatable cancer but any cancer is too much cancer to me. 

So my next procedure was having this skin cancer removed. I had to wait three weeks. It seemed like an eternity. Because it was so close to my eye I had to have a dermatologist surgeon do the Mohs Procedure and then my plastic surgeon stitch it up. Mohs surgery is the most effective treatment for most types of skin cancer. So on February 7th I had the procedure done in the morning and then went and had it stitched up in the afternoon. Both doctors did an amazing job.  Dr. Linder did the Mohs Procedure and had to do it 3 times. Then when I went to Dr. Hobgood to have it stitched up he put in 22 stitches as tiny of a stitch as possible. It was awesome. I shared some of the gruesome pictures but am so grateful for what it is shaping up to look like.

I am grateful for the wonders of medicine.  That we can take care of something that can have such a terrible ending if not properly treated.  I am grateful that something prompted me that day to ask the doctor to take that little skin tag off.  I will be forever grateful that I listened!

A Mitt Romney Rally!

You can say that we are a very political minded family.  Most all of us enjoy keeping up to date on anything in the political world.  With the big GOP election coming up and all the debates the candidates are having we have been glued to our TV.  We are constantly talking about each of the candidates, our likes and are many dislikes.

There is one candidate though that we are partial to and that is Mitt Romney. Well this past Monday evening our dream of seeing him in person became a reality.  Mitt Romney was having a real live rally right here in Mesa, Arizona at the Mesa Amphitheater.  We were so excited we could hardly stand it.  Ike, Spencer, Cameron & I headed down to the rally nice and early to make sure we made it into the venue he was going to be at. The kids also brought two friends.  The doors opened and we hurried inside and went directly to the front.  We got positioned in the very front row right next to the stage.

A band played for about an hour before Mitt Romney came to the stage.  He gave a wonderful speech and got everyone so excited.  There was at least 5000 people in attendance.  We were so close to the stage that we got the best pictures ever.  The best part of the whole night though was after he finished his speech he made his way down to the front row where we were and we all got to shake his hand.  Yes, I shook hands with possibly the next President of the United States.  It was so cool.  Here are a few pictures from the rally.

http://www.mittromney.com/

Happy "100" Years Arizona w/ the MoTab

Tonight we had the wonderful opportunity to attend the concert of "The Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra" at the US Airways.  The choir is made up of over a 300 member choir and about 60 member orchestra. It was absolutely fabulous.  We sat in in Section 212, Row 14.  Right in the center of the stage. Oh did I mention in was the very last row in the place.  We are talking as nosebleed seats as you can get.  It actually was not that bad.

We thoroughly enjoyed it. Me, Ike, Taylor, Cameron, Tom (AKA Dad), Tamye & Zack all went.  It was a concert to celebrate 100 years of statehood for Arizona.  Governor Brewer invited the Mormon Tabernacle Choir to come to Arizona for this special concert. It had been 46 years since the last time that had come to Arizona.  They performed a wonderful selection of songs.  Mostly secular music with a few hymns and a few patriotic ones.  a highlight was when Alex Boye sang a solo which was absolutely superb.

The best part of the concert  for me was at the very end when they invited a special guest from the audience to come up and conduct the final song.  Up came Ex-Superior Court Judge Sandra Day O'Connor.  She did such a great job.  It was so cute seeing her up there conducting.  They did an encore of 5 songs.  What an awesome evening it was.  So glad we went.