The Oates Family

UTAH

2010-08-19T13:19:00.000-07:00

We went to UT for my grandmothers funeral. It was a wonderful time for all our family to come together. We stayed at the Grand American hotel in SLC. The cousins LOVED being with one another. We were also able to go to Temple Square and "This Is The Place Monument"

Weekends in Tucson

2010-08-19T13:11:00.000-07:00

We have so much fun with my parents at their home in Tucson! Now that school has started we can only go down for weekends! Here are some pics of swimming in their pool.

First day of School

2010-08-19T13:04:00.000-07:00

Hunter Graduated from Preschool

2010-05-18T19:17:00.000-07:00

I was so emotional as I watched my five year old son receive his diploma from preschool. I just am amazed that he will start kindergarten next year. How did this happen? He was so proud of himself that night, it was fun to watch him be so happy with all his friends!

The Summer Palace

2010-04-12T20:37:00.000-07:00

The Summer Palace is the largest imperial garden in the world! It was first built in 1750 when the Emperor Qianlong gave it to his mother as a gift for her birthday. (Nice) It has been renovated due to buildings being destroyed by foreign troops, In 1880 the Empress Cixi came and lived there and restored the history so we can enjoy it today. I would not mind spending my summers here either. It was truly magnificent in its beauty!

Brad is playing an ancient chinese instrument. He played with this man until they were able to play a song together.

Summer Palce

2010-04-12T20:30:00.000-07:00

China -The Summer Palce

2010-04-12T20:21:00.000-07:00

We decided to be the Emperor and Empress, Brad got way into character as he felt the power of the throne.. We were told not to smile, but I was cracking up the whole time.

2010-04-12T20:01:00.000-07:00

The Forbidden city was built in 1406-1420. It was the imperial place from the Ming Dynasty till Qing Dynasty. It is literally in the center of Beijing. It is huge, 980 buildings and over 8,000 rooms. It was breathtaking with its beautiful traditional chinese art painted on the structures. Brad and I spent the day wandering the halls and feeling as if we had just stepped back into a different world.

I do not know this girl but she wanted me to take a picture with her..Let's just say there are not a lot of blonde hair blue eye girls in China! It was pretty funny, this happened quite a bit that day. Can you tell by my face that I wanted to go!!

CHINA

2010-04-12T19:30:00.000-07:00

I have been so terrible with this blog thing! I missed birthdays and and other very important family stuff but I had to post my one week trip to Beijing China. I flew over and met Brad for seven days of pure exploration and FUN! Some times I felt as I was there that I could be on that t.v show "man vs. wild" The City is absolutely Crazy! I LOVED it and Brad being at business school had such an unique perspective on the culture and how China and India are truly taking over the Global world.

First Stop: The Forbidden City

Trains Trains and Throw up!

2010-01-27T19:51:00.000-08:00

Well Hunter and McRae were very excited to go see this Train park in Scotsdale with their good friends Izak and Landon. It started out perfect, a beautiful day, a nice little train ride through the park and two playgrounds to play on. Then all of sudden I am sitting down talking to my friend Kate when McRae comes over and begins throwing up. It was a loud disgusting sound which made all the mom's close by turn to look at the little girl throwing up. A mom I didn't know asks if she could go get paper towels for me. Another older woman was eating a sandwich in which she discreetly put away, I guess she lost her appetite. Anyways, we quickly called it a day.

Field Trip to the Zoo

2010-01-27T19:34:00.000-08:00

Christmas Morning

2010-01-27T19:23:00.000-08:00

This is a bit late but I had to post some pics of Christmas morning. We had a blast watching Hunter and McRae open their gifts. Hunter got all his army tanks and McRae got every Disney Princess. I got a beautiful Gustto Purse and Brad went to Egypt. We feel so blessed to be a family and be able to share these fun moments of life together!

Egypt Anyone?

2009-12-21T19:35:00.000-08:00

Brad has been in Egypt for the last three weeks. He is perfecting his Arabic skills. We miss him and can't wait to see him on Christmas Eve.

The Christmas Miracle

2009-12-21T19:20:00.000-08:00

I am so proud of this little girl. In just two days she is completely potty trained. She tells me each time when she needs to use the bathroom. I think that this is my miracle for Christmas as I was dreading potty training! Thank you McRae for being the best little girl, Mommy loves you and am so proud!

Hunter's school Christmas party

2009-12-16T12:19:00.000-08:00

Hunter had his class party today. We made gingerbread houses and decorated them, sang Happy Birthday to Jesus and ate cake, (he is at a religious preschool) opened one present that each of the kids brought in, open a surprise in each of their stockings that they had made and to top it off sang Christmas carols. It was soo much fun, McRae got her first taste of school and she just loved it. She was so proud of herself as she decorated her cookies and was allowed to sit with Hunter.

Happy Thanksgiving

2009-12-06T06:47:00.001-08:00

We traveled to Dallas this Thanksgiving. I went first for a week and Brad joined us just for the following weekend. The family went to the country club where they had a huge buffet of food. We had fun with Grandma and papa, and afterwards they watched the kids so Brad and I could go see the new 2012 movie. We had a very fun and relaxing time!

VT Workshop

2009-11-06T13:53:00.001-08:00

Here are the pictures of last night's workshop on the "Fruits of the Spirit" We had a fun and spiritual evening as ward sisters.

Trick or Treat or Swine Flu?

2009-11-01T18:54:00.000-08:00

Hunter got the H1N1 virus and has been sick all week. We missed all our parties. Hunter was a bit sad to say the least! So on Halloween night after he was no longer contagious to the general public we took him to only a few houses, he was so happy to finally show to the world his Buzz light year costume. McRae was the prettiest fairy, I sprayed pink in her hair as she wanted to be a Pink Fairy! I was really nervous about it hence there is no pink by her forehead as i was scared it would get in her eyes. What can I say my mother the nurse has made me paranoid! (love you mom)

Happy Halloween 2009!

2009-11-01T18:42:00.000-08:00

This is what Pumpkin carving looks like in our house. Brad does all the work and we watch or in this case ate pumpkin cookies. Then we went to the kids closet and told spooky stories in the dark before bedtime! Boo, did I scare you? (that's for Aunt Kara)

Don't kill the Kitty

2009-10-20T12:11:00.000-07:00

McRae loved this Kitten. Almost a little to much!

Toy Story 3D Experience

2009-10-15T12:22:00.000-07:00

Hunter has decided to be Buzz Lightyear for Halloween. He was very excited to go to the movies and see the cool 3D version. Hunter wanted to wear part of his costume and McRae wore her Alice and Wonderland costume. McRae got a bit nervous at first as she has never gone to a movie theater before, Hunter held her hand the hold time until she started eating candy and loved it

Papa & Grandma surprise visit!

2009-10-13T20:19:00.000-07:00

We were so happy when papa and grandma surprised us on Sunday night. They drove from CA to Phoenix, and stayed until Tuesday. They bought the kids toys, halloween outfits, and clothes. Thank Heavens for grandparents! We miss you already!

Surprise, it's Hunter

2009-10-01T18:47:00.000-07:00

Hunter got all dressed up in daddy's clothes and pretended to be Brad. He walked around the apt. getting ready to go to school. He pretended he was daddy for awhile and I had to call him Brad until all of a sudden he said "surprise , it's Hunter" It was adorable!

2009-10-01T18:40:00.000-07:00

I was at target the other day and Hunter & McRae were begging me for a toy. I told them no toys today. Hunter became really quiet and said well why don't we pick a toy out and then take a picture of it to show Papa and Grandma and Mimi and Buddha. Then maybe they would want to buy it for us! It was so funny that I just had to show you how excited they were to show everyone what they wanted.

The Beach

2009-09-22T12:58:00.000-07:00

Brad's family has gone to Carlsbad, CA since he was a little boy. This year we grabbed our chance to go before Brad started MBA school. We had a blast! Although we missed Kara, Bryan and Marissa! Hunter and McRae still ask when are we going to the beach again. Thank you Grandma and Papa Oates for wonderful memories.

2009-08-24T14:17:00.000-07:00

Hunter is four years old. He is my little stand up comedian. He loves to swim, play golf and ride his bike. He will start pre-school this year.

2009-08-24T13:52:00.000-07:00

McRae is two years old. She is such a sweet girl. She loves pink, purses and lipstick. But she can still tackle her big brother to the ground.

2009-08-24T13:41:00.000-07:00

2009-08-24T13:22:00.000-07:00

2009-08-24T13:19:00.000-07:00

2009-08-24T13:03:00.000-07:00

2009-08-24T12:55:00.000-07:00