Memorial Day Memories!

A day to honor our fallen soldiers. A time to reflect the past and enjoy our freedom. I am proud to be an American and live in this country despite the problems we may have had or are currently resolving. We have our freedom and I thank those soldiers that died for our freedom....for our country! I am proud to have a husband who served our country and would proudly return to defend our freedom. I love you Sonny! We decided to attend the Payson memorial at the Payson cemetary that is held every year. The program was definitly a wonderful way to show our appreciation for these soldiers. The American Legion dressed and armed with thier rifles. They did a 21 gun salute, Miss Payson sang the National Anthem, a retired officer led us in the pledge of alligience, the Payson High school dance team perform a piece titled...Fallen Soldiers.


The Maloy monkey's were with us one last day so we all tagged along and enjoyed the program. When we got their the gentleman that sat beside us stated we had beautiful girls. He reached into his pocket and pulled out 5 silver $1.00 coins. He handed one to each child. The look on thier faces was breathtaking.. a simple act of kindness they will never forget. Then a lady walks by selling red paper poppies. Well, leaving our wallets at home was not a problem. The same kind hearted gentleman reached into his pocket and pulled out a dollar and bought one for each child! What a day to remember and follow. Simple kindness that can change a life forever. Isabelle said later, "He called us beautiful!"


After the program the kids were able to walk through the cemetary. They looked at the decorated graves and noticed that some said mom, dad, grandma, grandpa and with surprise baby!



Next on our list was our traditional BBQ! We ate juicy(well one burnt) hamburgers and hotdogs, steaks and all the sides and desserts. The kids enjoyed the slip 'n' slide while we just sat and enjoyed how the weather turned out perfect. Sonny, Frank and the kids enjoyed a game of hacky sack, while Ivanna tried to catch up on some sleep from her previous graveyard shift...oh and thier eagerly awaited night to see No Doubt in concert!







It was a great weekend full of meaning and memories!

Memorial Day Prep!

In honor of Memorial day the Maloy monkey's have been preparing for our BBQ! Look at what we've been doing!

On our calendar of activites we decided to do a hair and nail day. So we just added some red, white and blue!


We also made some necklaces that I think turned out really cute!




The pool opens Memorial Day weekend...well we couldn't wait...so they jumped in our bath and had a blast! Chris...see how Sonny and I share our tub?


Until next time!

Caitlyn's Graduation

Today Caitlyn ended her 2nd year of preschool! Just one more year in order to enter Kindergarten. Her cousins, Grandma, daddy and mommy were there to cheer her on!


Cousin Becca was in her class and luckily this was her one and only preschool graduation. She's leaving her cousin to enjoy the wonders of Kindergarten!


Her supportive cousins and DUKE the preschool mascot!


Mrs. Jana!

The Maloy Clan!

So these are just a few pictures to update Mom and Dad on what their children might be up to these days.

Day 1: School Carnival & hanging out!


Isabelle say's...."My mom would be prowd of me!"


Just hanging out watching T.V or at least Abby was into in! Zach wanted to sit on other side and there was no compromising


Day 2: Claire Preschool Graduation


The Graduate!


Claire and her BFF kate!


Caitlyn supporting her Cousin!


Brother Zach gives a big hug!


Miss Amy!

Until Monday.....were off to Aunt Nicole's for a fun weekend!

The Shack

I've read the Shack and despite the controversy I really enjoyed it. It may be because I have a firm foundation of my faith and what I believe that I can accept the author's intrepretation of the trinity. I thought it was actually quite interesting and a great analogy of the characters in this book. A different perfective that is not the norm. Isn't that what our world is all about. If your different, unordinary...it's just not so easy to accept. Without giving the book away, I have chosen some quotes that I took delight in.

"Relationships are not about power, and one way to avoid the will to power is to choose to limit oneself, and serve"(Sarayu)

"Most birds were created to fly. Being grounded for them is a limitation within their ability to fly, not the other way around. You, on the other hand, were created to be loved. So for you to live as if you were unloved is a limitation, not the other way around."(Papa)

Judgement.......if they only knew what was inside!

Beautiful Folklorico!

My trip to Tucson Arizona for a dance conference was awesome! I am so glad I had the opportunity to return. This was the 27th annual conference held. I attended one about 10 years ago so I was ready, excited and prepared for what I remembered the last time I attended. My mind was racing, however my body was a little in shock the first day until the 8 hours of dancing a day settled in. I survived along with the others, so I didn't feel out of place. I was able to learn a new region with a total of 5 dances to bring back to my students! I caught up with old friends and made new ones that I hope to see next year! What an awesome experience it was and a wonderful feeling to see so many others enjoying Danza Folklorica. Our Maestro(instructor)is a renowned folklorico dance instructor with his own dance company in Mexico and also the Fine Arts director for the University of Colima. Rafael Zamarripa is not only limited to dance instructor. He is also a well known sculptor and artist. His sense of humor and kindness was exceptional. Folkloristas consider him one of the best. I was fortunate to spend almost everyday with him and hear about some of his amazing accomplishment. This man has traveled to more places than I can imagine with his group and was soon on his way to return to Europe. The best lesson I learned from him was not dance, though very well taught, but as a teacher on how to treat and train your young and aspiring students. He stated a great dancer is also a great person, and that personality should be carried on and off stage. He was an exceptional example of that lesson. Teaching my students on how to repsect each other, respect others of other cultures and respecting themselves will in turn produce great dancers! Unfortunaelty I was not able to take pictures of the dance rehearsals but I was able to catch a few before the performance.

Yes, this is me and Maestro Zamarripa...I actually fit in to my first Jalisco dress! The 8 hours a day dancing really helped!


This is Juan Carlos, assistant director to Maestro Zamarripa. A gentleman and amazing dancer!


My instructor and friend Juanita Lopez, who taught me from the age of 4yrs old!


This is just a shot of probably a little less than half that attended. They stated there were a total of 800 students(dancers and musicians combined) that attended this years conference!


This is a video I was able to take during our rehearsal for the show. These are the music mariachi students playing a beautiful song they learned at the conference! I thought they were amazing. If you notice these muscians ranged from the very young to the very experienced. It was taught by Mariachi Los Camperos de Nati Cano, recent Grammy Winners!



I'm ready to return next year with my students!