Zachary and I will be celebrating our 20th wedding anniversary this year and have four biological children, one adoptive daughter, and have fostered 25 children over the years.

Parker (18) will be attending Barrett Honors college at ASU in the fall—studying Mechanical Engineering. Brooksey (16) is a Thespian at Cactus Shadows High School (CSHS) and participates in many local shows. Gwyneth (10) takes dance and enjoyed Lone Mountain Elementary School choir and private piano lessons. Gannon (7) started his first year of club soccer. He enjoys reading and won an accelerated reading award in first grade.

We brought Willow home from the NICU and adopted her when she was a year old (she’s now 7). We have an open adoption and consider her entire biological family part of our extended family. We enjoy keeping her connected to her culture and family traditions. She takes ballet and had two dance recitals this year. Singing and dancing are her favorite hobbies. We are lucky she attends Black Mountain Elementary School which is a fine arts school. 

Our Golden Doodles Koby and Addy finally made it into our family photos this year.

How long have you lived in Cave Creek? Where are you originally from? Seven years. Zach is from Payson, AZ and I am from north Phoenix.

 

What do you like best about living in Cave Creek? We love the close community we have for our family! The small-town feel--close enough to the city. We love the school district and the amazing teachers our kids have been blessed with! We love the local shops and especially the amazing local restaurants like Local Jonny’s, Pizzicata, Blu Burger, Janey’s, and the Creek Patio & Grill.

 

Describe how you’re involved in the community. Zach and I are involved in many Cave Creek Unified School District events and committees. Zach was recently on the Superintendent “Excellence Committee” that helped identify the need for an override to increase the pay to teachers and staff. He then was the treasurer for the political action committee “Action for Students” that led the charge to communicate the importance of the budget override. Zach also participated in the recent school governing board retreat that will lead to more outreach to the community.

 

The WalMac Team is a real estate team within HomeSmart that we manage with our dear friends and local Creekers, the Walkers. I am the Team Lead, Zach is the transaction coordinator. Although we have represented clients all around the valley, our passion is for the local gems and even new builds in and around Cave Creek. I love finding those “forever homes” and welcoming new Creekers to the community! We are also members of the Central Arizona Association of Realtors allowing us to represent clients in Zach’s hometown of Payson, AZ.

 

I am also on the executive board for the Arizona Association of Foster and Adoptive Parents where I help support families all across the state. (See page 15.)

 

What’s your most memorable Cave Creek experience? With five kids it’s hard to choose just one! We have to say the school district leads the charge in memories.

 

Recent cause to celebrate? This past May, Parker shared the honor of Valedictorian with two of his cohorts; this was the first time in CSHS history that three students shared the honor!

What do you like to do for fun? In the cooler months we enjoy the local live music, and hiking at one of our favorite Cave Creek spots: Jewel of the Creek! In the hotter months, we frequent Bartlett Lake, but also escape to Tahoe City in California. For family vacations, we visit Disneyland or share a house rental with family/friends outside Puerto Penasco.

Describe your talents & hobbies. Real Estate is our passion and with that comes the desire to always work on our home. We have been remodeling our home for the past five years and are very close to completing it. We try to do as much work ourselves as we can!

 

A favorite game your family likes to play together: Our favorite is Point Salad card game… just when you think you figured out a strategy, someone wins by chance!

 

Do you have any coveted collections? Original vinyl records that include all the Beatles albums.

 

The song I would sing at karaoke night: We love to sing along with music on Alexa. Our current favorite is “My Church” by Maren Morris.

 

Something you can’t live without? Music!

 

Skills you would like to improve? Desert gardening and water conservation.

 

A life hack you’d like to share with your neighbors: Planting citronella to keep the bugs away so you don’t have to light candles!

 

Vacation destination: Tahoe City, California. Restaurant: Local Jonny’s and Pizzicata. Way to relax: Hang out in the backyard with friends and family. Sports teams: All things ASU Sun Devils! TV show you’re in to right now: Ted Lasso. Music genre and/or artist: We love it all…really! Classics, country, pop, folk… all of it! Quote: “The greatest gifts we can give our children are the roots of responsibility and the wings of independence.” – Dr. Maria Montessori