PV/PC FIREFIGHTER ACADEMY

Family Night 

05/04/13

Hunter graduated from the PV/PC FIREFIGHTER ACADEMY on Saturday and we couldn't be prouder of him.  He has spent an incredible amount of time pursuing his passion which is to be a firefighter.  Here are a few of the many pictures we took that day.

PLANT SHELVES

Okay my plant shelves have no plants.  They have little chef guys and bottles and pictures and books ( used underneath the chef guys ).  I don't know the last time I have cleaned up there but it was definitely in need of a good scrub down.  I didn't take any before pictures because quit honestly it was embarrassing.  I had layers of dust up there and somehow what seems to be food was on some of the walls.  I can only assume that was when the kids lived at home because Mike doesn't cook and I cant recall the last time I flung food up at the ceiling.  Any how I removed everything and gave it all a good vacuuming and cleaning with a mixture of vinegar and water.  Replaced two light bulbs that were out and cleaned the air duct.  One more thing checked off the list. 

OVEN/STOVE

 So on the list was to pull out the oven and clean behind it.  Mine involved behind, on the top, the sides and everything else I could get my washcloth and cleaner. 

 BEFORE

 AFTER

 Spring Cleaning Continues on.........

Is it really suppose to take this long to spring clean the house.  I figure at the
rate I am moving it will be a good month before I have completed everything.
I first tackled the Pantry because for some reason I thought it wouldn't take
that long.  Wrong!  This was before I removed EVERYTHING and wiped down EVERYTHING.




A slow process to read labels and
make sure there were no expired items and then dust cans and clean inside and out all glass containers.

Finally it was completed and looks so pretty.  I now have a shopping list of items I need to restock and I am ready to go.  Feels good when it is done. 

                                     

Can you believe it is already that time of year again.  Spring cleaning and I have a love/hate relationship.  Love it when it is all done but hate doing it.  This year will be a little different because of the wonderful addition of Pinterest to my life.  I want everything to look simple, pretty and cheap and Pinterest has it covered.  I found this great spring cleaning checklist at www.firsthomelovelife.com that I plan on using to tackle the house.

I am starting with the kitchen which I am sure will take a huge amount of time to complete.  Remember my beautiful pantry ( compliments of Pinterest ) not so pretty anymore but it will be once again.

Not only will I be busy with cleaning this month but also preparing for a few exciting graduations in May!  

Our sweet angel Taylor will be graduation from Northern Arizona University with a Bachelor of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice and Religious Studies Minor.  We are so incredibly proud of her and looking forward to her moving back home for awhile.  Our amazing boy Hunter completes his Associate in Applied Science in Emergency Response and Operations.  He is very excited to begin his career as a firefighter and we couldn't be happier for him and his accomplishments.  Also graduating is our very sweet niece Mackenzie who is graduating from high school.  Mike and I remember waiting at the hospital for her to be born and now we are excited to watch and see where her life takes her.

Me, Taylor, Hunter and April ran a half marathon in Henderson, NV over the 

weekend.  The event was moved to Lake Mead two weeks prior to the event

which allowed little time to train for the extremely hilly course we

ended up running on.  Mike's knee is still causing him some pain for

the Half Ironman a few weeks ago so he decided to pass this time around.  This 

was Taylor's first half and she did fantastic.  Hunter and April improved their time

from the PF Chang half earlier this year.

Since the race was only 30 minutes from the Vegas strip we were able to spend

the rest of the weekend having fun.  Taylor is now 21 so Vegas was a whole

new experience for her.  Mike ended up finding a kareokee bar and 

sang " Save a horse, ride a cowboy". 

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

          10/21/2012 
TEMPE TOWN LAKE

 Michael competed in his first Ironman 70.3.  For those of you who do not know it is 1/2 the distance of a full Ironman.  70.3 miles total which breaks down to swimming 1.2 miles, cycling 56 miles and finishing off with a 13.1 mile run.  He completed it in 6 hours and 40 minutes.

The time displayed was from the race start.  He was in the 4th wave of swimmers so the official time was 13 minutes less.

 Here is part of his awesome support crew who proudly wore their Team Hill shirts.

(not shown: me and my parents)

Even with his knee issues on the run he finished with a smile on his face.  He felt great the whole time and said if the knee will allow then Ironman 2013 is next!