Monday, December 20, 2010

The Blounts


We are the Blounts. Randy, Brittney, Kendal (2 1/2 years), Carver (7 months). Randy and I have been married for 4 years and in the ward for about 3 1/2 years. Randy and I are both from Mesa and both went to Mountain View High School. Randy graduated in 2003. I graduated in 2004. We dated off and on in High School and even went to Prom together. Our prom picture is still on our fridge. Randy served a mission in Brazil for 8 months and got sick while there. He finished his mission in the Tallahassee Florida Mission. I stayed in mesa to go to school and play volleyball at Chandler Gilbert Community College. I finished my degree at ASU. Randy got home from his mission in September and we were married in January. Randy works for Blount Contracting and attends ASU. Kendal was born July 5, 2008. She has a lot of energy packed in her little body. She never stops entertaining us. She loves to dance, play with her friends and cousins, and watch Yo Gabba Gabba. Carver was born May 19, 2010. He is an angel baby. He is always happy and he LOVES Kendal. She loves to make him laugh. It is fun to watch. Carver is growing so fast. He is now scooting all over our house. We love Kendal and Carver. We definetly have our hands full but they are 100% worth it!
We love being in the Ellsworth Ward. We have enjoyed the friendships we have made and look forward to getting to know more of you.

Sunday, November 7, 2010

The Rogers Family


Our family has been in the Ellsworth Ward since October 2005. We moved here shortly after Jason and I got married earlier that year. We met at a family ward where we were both serving as primary teachers. Jason said it took him a long time to build up the courage to ask me out. It's a good thing he finally did too, because I had plans to move out of the ward soon (change is good, right? I might meet the man of my dreams in my new ward!!) Well, luckily Jason made himself known before that happened. (Oops, I just realized how funny that sounds! Well, you know what I mean.) ANYWAY, our first date was at the Easter pageant and the rest is history. We have four kids--Brandon, 18 (from Katrina's previous marriage), Brooke, 12 (from Jason's previous marriage), Zacary, 2, and Alissa, 3 months.


For good times and enjoyment we love to rent 4-seater bikes at the zoo, spend time with our extended families, fly kites, go on walks, put together puzzles, play video games, and go to Disneyland.

Monday, October 11, 2010

Kyle and Atley Jacobs


Kyle and I met last October in a recording studio. Kyle and his band Fat Tree, composing of his two brothers and childhood friend, were recording for their firstt cd. I had a crush on the guy that was recording them but Kyle ended up stealing my attention. It has been nothing but fun since that day.

Kyle grew up in New Mexico with his parents and 3 brothers. He was in band constantly while in school. He started playing the piano when he was 7 years old. He is now a piano genius ( he didn't pay me to say that) and writes a majority of his bands songs. He then served a full time mission in the Nevada Las Vegas West Mission. Once he returned home he attended college to further his knowledge and love of music by specializing in music production and engineering. He now currently works at Wells Fargo as a Fraud Specialist, but in the evenings he practices with the band. They play all over the valley and are about to release their first cd. If you'd like to hear the music, which is a rock mixed with jazz sound, then check them out on Facebook.

I was born and raised in Mesa with my parents and brother and sister. I graduated from Mt. View high school and was constantly involved with music, including choir and particapating in the musicals. Being on the stage was one of my favorite things. I then attended ASU. I originally thought to major in photography but got there and aquired a love for all different art forms. So I ended up majoring in Art Studies, which is a little bit of photography, ceramics, drawing, music, theater and art history. I gradutated this past May with my Bachlors in Art. I now currently work at the Disney Store at San Tan Village Mall as part of the management team. The Disney life works with my bubbly personality and love of allowing my inner child out. Plus, one of my favorite places to visit is Disneyland. As a child we would visit at least once a year.

Kyle and I were engaged in January. He actually proposed to me on stage at one of his concerts after singing a song that he had written about me. I had no idea it was coming! We then got married in May. Our wedding day is definatly the happiest of both our lives. We both feel so grateful to have found each other. We now enjoy spending time together, watching movies, watching football, and going to concerts and plays.

We are the Arnow's!


Both Brandon and Brittani were born and raised in Mesa AZ. Brittani attended Mesa High and Brandon, Mountain View. We were set up on a blind date and a short time later were married in September 2003. Brandon finished his under grad our first two years of marriage while Brittani worked. Then we were off to Cleveland Ohio for four years where Brandon finished school. We had Shealee 3 months after moving to Cleveland on October 14, 2005. Paige was born 21 months later on July 19, 2007. We've lived back in AZ for 1 1/2 years and have loved being in the Ellsworth ward and enjoy being closer to family! We're excited to get to know more of you!

Shealee (almost 5) and Paige(3) are best friends. They love to do everything together! This year they even get to be in preschool together. They love to swim, play "house", sing, dance, and anything that has to do with princesses.

Monday, October 4, 2010

The Swans

This photo was taken 2 years ago at the Grand Canyon. Currently, the three oldest tower over poor Mom. It won't be long till she's the shortest in the family. And before you ask, Tim is 6'8", Rachel and Talen are about 6'3", and Sharlene has to be over 5'11".

Our Family consists of Tim and Michelle (40), Rachel (turning 17), Talen (turning 15), Sharlene (13), Hannah (turning 11), Graden (8), and Nathen (7). Tim works for Drivetime in Customer Service and Michelle works for Stevenson Elementary as an Instructional Assistant.

Talen is a freshman at Skyline High School. He plays the cello, and is in the process of turning in his Eagle Scout application. He is very active with service learning and is in a creative writing club.
Graden was baptized in January and loves being a Wolf Cub Scout. He is in 3rd grade and is a very good student. He has always been very inquisitive and loves helping Dad with any handyman tasks.

Nathen is a second grader at Stevenson. He loves video games, Pokemon, and Star Wars. He likes to play Lego's and has quite an active imagination. He beats Mom at Wii Bowling and Golf all the time.

Rachel will be graduating this year and is faced with the decision of which college to apply for. She is very talented; has played the violin for 6 years, sings in 2 choirs, and enjoys drawing and writing in her limited free time. She is currently involved in Key club, Choir council, NHS and Skylights at school.

Sharlene is in 8th grade at Fremont Jr. High. She plays the viola. She was in last year's school play "The Music Man Junior". She is the Vice President of the Anime club, enjoys Art club, and is on the National Academic League this year.

Hannah is excited to go to 5th grade Science Camp this year. This is her second year playing the violin. Since she was young, she would act as the teacher of her preschool consisting of her two younger brothers (Mom got to be the lunch lady and bus driver for field trips). She can't wait to be 12 so she can babysit and finally get paid.

Tim and Michelle met at a Saturday Night Youth Dance at age 14. Tim was 6'7" at that time and it was hard not to notice him in the crowd. They graduated from rival schools (Tim - Mt. View and Michelle - Mesa High), attending all the proms and home coming dances. Tim served a mission in South Dakota while Michelle attended MCC as a Vocal Music Major. Tim loves being involved with scouting and teaching the youth. Michelle enjoys serving others and singing in the choir.
Activities our family enjoy include playing with cousins, camping, cooking together, putting on theatrical shows, and family outings to the beach as well as playing in the snow. We've lived in the same home since February of '93. Although we've outgrown the size of our home, we don't see moving anytime soon. We love being apart of this ward and are grateful for the friendships we've made.