President Hinkley dies @ 97...

So It's Sunday night @ about 7:30 California time, and we just barely found out about our sweet prophet and his passing. What a great man he was.  I am sure all of you feel the same way that Skyler and I do. You feel so sad inside because the man was so amazing and we have all grown to love him as if he were one of our own grandparents and it will be hard to not see him again in this life, but at the same time it is so wonderful to know that he is with our Father in heaven and his son Jesus Christ. And he is reunited with his sweetheart Majorie. What a special man he was and he will never be forgotten. He has done wonderful things for our church and our hearts go out to his family and loved ones. I will always remember the many times growing up and hearing his voice speak in conference, he was such an easy speaker to listen to as a child, and I loved listening to his stories and his sweet voice. My heart is full of sadness, but yet joy because I know that he is where is supposed to be now. What a great example he has been to all of us, and I am so thankful for him and for the influence that he has been on my behalf. We love you President Hinkley and we know we will all see you again....

THIS WEEK'S ACTIVITIES..1.21-1.26

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY..ANNELISE" Babies, babies, everywhere... Of course our week wouldn't be complete unless we went to the Bulldog basketball game. We played San Jose State and beat them! YEAH! So of course that meant that we ended the night @ Red Robin getting late night grub and Mckenzie's favorite a chocolate shake with papa steve...

THE ZOO..

I know that I post a lot of pictures of us at the zoo, but it's because first of all we have passes so we need to go as much as possible and 2nd, it's great to go for an hour and let the kids run around and have their fun and then to come home and have great naps.. We always go with Mckenzie's buddy spencer, they have so much fun together! "I DON'T THINK YOUR READY FOR THIS JELLY..CAUSE MY BODY IS TO                           "BUMBOLICIOUS"FOR YA BABE"

My Green Giant of a Hubby!

Skyler just took this test after reading that I am Orange. So now we now that he is a true Green..!

What's Your True Color?

My Result: Green

You're green, the color of growth and vigor. Good-hearted and giving, you have a knack for finding and bringing out the best in people. Green is the most down-to-earth color in the spectrum — reliable and trustworthy. People know they can count on you to be around in times of need, since your concern for people is genuine and sincere. You take pride in being a good friend. For you, success is measured in terms of personal achievement and growth, not by status or position. Rare as emeralds, greens are wonderful, natural people. It truly is your color!

Take this test >

Fresno State Bulldogs

Papa Steve or should we say Coach Cleveland Bob & Betty and Mae Mae Mckenzie and Tyson! This past couple of months we have been going to a lot of Bulldog basketball games. The season has quite an  interesting one. We have lost 4 of our starters to different reasons like.. nba, health issues, etc... so needless to say we haven't been as great as we thought. What is amazing to me is the players on the team have really come together and tried to make this team. Some games we win and some we loose, but we really enjoy watching Grandpa Steve coach, and Skyler's cousin Tyson who is also on the team. Mckenzie likes to go out onto the court at one of the times outs they let kids come out on the floor and dance. The same cheerleader always comes to get Mckenzie every game to go and dance on the floor. She likes it as long as the bulldog stays far away from her, she is not too fond of  him.  If you are a Cleveland you better like basketball or you would not fit in very well. We see almost every family member at every game, what a supportive family. We love you papa (that is what Mckenzie calls steve)! And, GO BULLDOGS!

Does This Sound LIke Me?

What's Your True Color?

My Result: Orange

You're a bold, confident orange. A warm, powerful color that indicates a strong, welcoming personality, orange is the mark of people who are social and extroverted by nature. Vibrant, with an upbeat attitude, you have a bright, inviting demeanor. Energetic and fun-loving, you're a real friend-magnet. Your easy charm and unassuming manner make you the sort of person people want to meet and get to know better. Well-rounded and fun to be around, you enjoy helping others, so it's no surprise that orange also symbolizes attraction. Orange is an extraordinary color — for an extraordinary person.

Take this test >

Buchanan Winter Formal..

Our pretty aunt Katie all ready for the dance. I can't believe I didn't snap one with her and her date. But he looked really cute as well! I was supposed to crop Mckenzie out of the picture because she wanted to get in with Grandma Kip, but it's kind of funny seeing her in her Fresno State gear!         Our sweet baby Kaylee Mae...

Getting ready to go to Preschool...

It has been so nice this year that Mckenzie goes to preschool on Tues. & Thurs. mornings. Skyler takes her on his way to work.  I look forward to my mornings with Mae Mae, I can lay low until 11:30 when I have to go and pick her up. She has learned so much and even though she has two more years of preschool after this, it has helped her in her social skills as well. 

God Listens-Logan the angel cowboy

Skyler just sent me this email, and it touched me so much. Click above to hear what this little boy has to say..it will only take a second and it will make your day. I know that God talks to all of  us in different ways. We may not always hear his voice out loud, but we hear it in our hearts and in our minds. I am so grateful for the gospel and for the knowledge that I have of it.

Like Grandfather...Like Grandson

So I am sitting here on a Sunday afternoon blogging because Mckenzie is sick and we didn't go to church today. Skyler is at church today because he is the new Elders Quarum President, and he has meetings after church. I came across this photo that I took last week of Skyler and his Grandpa Bob that I just love. Bob always reminds me of how Skyler will be when he is older. I see so much in the two of them that are alike. I only hope that oneday we can aquire the arrtibutes of Bob & Betty Cleveland. They truly are amazing people, ask anyone who has met them and they will tell you. Skyler and his grandpa also share the same taste in clothing as you can tell in the picture, it was not planned.  And of course it wouldn't be right unless there was a basketball in the picture and of course there is. Bob is constantly inviting everyone out to play ball on Tues. & Thurs. afternoons.

bAbY FoOd

Mae Mae has been sick this past week with a bad cold and now she is starting to feel better. You know when babies are sick they don't feel like eating much at all. But, I have been making Kaylee's food homemade and she can totally tell the difference if I open a can I bought from the store, or from the homemade food I made and froze. It just goes to show that everybody likes food homemade, even babies can tell. It also is so much cheaper to make your own baby food and freeze it. I can't believe that she is 7 1/2 months old!

JoN KyLe...

As many of you know Skyler's cousin Kyle passed away this past July. He has a wonderful wife Ashley and a little baby boy Jon Kyle who is about 7 months now. Ashley and Jon have since moved to Tennessee to be closer to her family. So, it is so fun when she comes out to visit. Skyler just loves baby Jon, and there is no doubt that he reminds us all of Kyle. A big huge smile and a kind heart, the kindest heart you will ever know. A rare picture with Skyler holding a boy, hopefully we can have a boy next for his sake, not for mine!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Me, Emily, Cascia and Jamie Kaylee and Titan they are only a few weeks apart! Maybe one day they could get married! Ring in the New Year! For New Year's Eve we went to our friends, Logan & Jamie Lawrence. There was about 4 other couples their and all of the kids. I think we counted about 17 at one time. It was so much fun to be with friends to ring in the new year. At 9:00 we let the kids watch the ball drop in New York and did the whole count down thing. They got pots and pans and were definately not shy about ringing in the new year. I think we all need hearing aides now to tell you the truth. We had a great 2007 filled with many experiences that we will never forget. We look forward to a new year and becoming better people as we experiences new things this year.

Happy 27th Birthday Skyler!

For Skyler's Birthday we went to dinner at the Cheesecake Factory with his family. We had a fun filled day. I can't believe that we have been married for 5 1/2 years already, time flies! I just want Skyler to know that he is an amazing father and husband. We couldn't ask for anything more. Hope you had a Happy Birthday! We sure Love You!

Christmas Day!

On christmas morning we opened presents at our house first and aunt Katie came over to watch. Then we went over to skyler's parents house to open the rest of the gifts. We had such an enjoyable day. The highlight of the day was the family gift. Guitar Hero and Dance Dance, we were all playing these games like we were little kids. We could not stop it was so much fun. Now we can kind of get a glimpse at how addicting these games are. Later that night we went over to the Parkers house for the annual Cleveland Christmas Party with all of the aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents. We had a little program and steve was the narrarator and we sang christmas songs. It was a nice ending to the evening. It's nice to be around family, even though I missed my family in Utah!

Santa Baby!

This picture is of Kaylee and Mckenzie at her preschool christmas party. Santa came and brought a present to all of the children. It was really fun to watch all of the excitement. Mckenzie put this santa hat on the baby one morning so I had to take a quick pic of course. Isn't she so cute!

So Funny...Santa!

So there is a neighborhood here in Fresno where about 4-5 streets get together and decorate the heck out of their homes. I have never seen anything like it before in my life. There is seriously like a line of cars that drive in and out of the neighborhood all night long. In the past two christmas' that we have been living in Fresno we always do a little drive by when ever we are near. The other night after the Children's with Cancer Christmas Party, we decided to take Mckenzie. One of the homes has their garage made into a little scene with santa, where the kids can get out of the car and run up and see santa and sit on his lap. Mckenzie for as long as I can remember has never like Santa. It makes it easy when we are at the mall because most kids are begging their parents to let them see santa, but Mckenzie just walks right on by and just enjoys waving to him. So anyways, back to my story..Mckenzie decided this time that she wanted to get out of the car and see santa. So i got her out of the car and the second she heard him talk she was mortified. She does not like the voice of santa or his beard is what she told me. So this is what the picture turned out to be. Maybe next year, she won't be afraid of santa. This is one of the houses in the neighborhood that you drive through, this picture does not do it justice. If any

St. George Temple...

Two weekends ago we were able to go to St. George to meet up with my mom and dad. They had a Lone Peak Basketball Tourney there. We packed up the car and drove the two kids. It was a quick drive because we usually drive all the way to Orem. Our friends from Utah Chris & Erin and their little baby Cher came down to visit as well. We got to stay with them one night in their condo. Thanks again, it was so much fun hanging out and remembering old times. Which that is where Erin & I first kind of met and talked with Skyler and Chris. Kind of funny how things work out. -Skyler and I were able to go and do a session in the St. George temple. We had stake temple impact month for Nov. and the Stake President which is Skyler's uncle (Jon Parker) asked all couples to attend 4 times in the month of November. So we tried being faithful and ended our 4th visit in Utah at the St. George temple. What a great blessing it is to be able to have so many temples all around the world that we can go too. I truly am grateful for the lord and his blessings that he gives to me and my family!

Recap: From Thanksgiving..

As I was going through my pictures I realized that I had not blogged any of Thanksgiving. It then became very apparent to me that it is the one day out of the year that causes most stress for women, and the one day out of the year that causes most rest and relaxation for the men. As the women slave away in the kitchen. I know this might not be true for all, but hey you have to admit it's pretty true. Just look at these pictures and you will see what I am talking about. We had a great Thanksgiving we went to Jenny & Jon Parkers (Skyler's aunt and Uncle). She is such a great host and is always making everything look wonderful. I was incharge of bringing two pies. Of course I can always count on my homemade apple pie that my mom taught me to make, thanks mom.. and then I tried a new pumpkin recipe with a gingersnap crust (it didn't turn out quite as I had hoped, so I made a spare pumpkin pie just in case). That I ended up getting to take home and we ate it for the next week. There is nothing like pumpkin pie during the holidays. Relaxing... More Relaxing... Sleeping... Back Rubs... Mckenzie, Camilee, & Kaylee

Two Peas In a Pod...

As much work as it is being a mother, I would never want to be doing anything else at this time in my life. I love to see their smiling faces. Each day they interact more and more with each other because Kaylee is getting bigger, I can tell they are going to be great friends.. They look so cute dressed up, that night we went to a Hawaiian Party. This is Mckenzie and her friend Bella. They love to play dress up and sing "Best Of Both Worlds" from Hannah Montana.