Halloween 2011

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Halloween was a Disney Halloween around our house! No shocker there I guess. Abby was Rosetta (from the Tinkerbell Movies), I was Tink (ahem), Andy was Lightning, and Trav was Mater. It was like we have kids that are 2 and 5 or something... ;)




The Contreras Clan joined us again, and their kids (the Pumpkin Brothers and Rapunzel) were cute as can be - as always!




Also joining us this year was the Ratliff Ladybugs:




After some yummy dinner and more photos, we hit the streets.




Apparently, we weren't the only ones in the neighborhood that went with Disney Themed matching outfits!

We started at the neighbor's house. Doug made the mistake of coming home RIGHT as we were coming up his walk. I think he felt a little bombarded by our crew of EIGHT kids on his door step. He couldn't get the door unlocked fast enough.




The Big Kids had a great time, and Andy and Kayla were adorable! They were genuinely shocked and pleasantly surprised that people were giving them candy! And we were letting them eat it!!!




After they got back to the house, they were still in awe of their mass haul. They shared so cute and nicely. It was really sweet watching them try and figure this all out.

Andy was so cute. I took all his candy and put it in a Target plastic bag and gave it to him to hold. Later in the evening, this is what I found. Apparently, he really wanted his candy in his Lightning bucket.

Bowling Birthday - 35 Years Young!

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So, I turn 35 this year. I decided I needed a little party - I never do that. The summer is FULL of BBQs and Parties for the other three members of my family. But, I never get one. February is boring I guess? That and I don't have a Wife/Mommy to plan one for me I suppose...



This year I decided to get together my best Mommy-friends and have a Mommy's Night Out - on a Saturday Night - woohoo!

Started off with pedicures, then dinner at this quiet little pizza place I LOVE to go to, and then we hit the lanes! We had so much fun!!!










These ladies are truly a blessing in my life and I am thankful for them everyday. Without them I would not be the person, or Mommy, that I am. The love, support, and day-to-day chats are what keep me sane - and my children alive! ;)

Thank you gals - I love you!

Somedays I think I might be crazy...

Some days I think I might be a little bit crazy. In fact, I'm pretty sure of it. But, then I see the happiness on my kids face and how much fun they are having and I know it is okay - or at least it will be after everyone naps!

I figured I would share w/you a day in the life of ME. Not that you will have any sympathy for me afterwards - because I know it is my own fault. But, you might have a better understanding of "what she does all day". I "event plan" and "project manage" on a MUCH smaller scale now - but I still do!

Last Thursday I over scheduled. Way over scheduled. But, in the moment - it is easier, so I do it. The kids are entertained, I'm getting stuff done, everyone is happy. Then, the next a.m. rolls around and everyone is cranky and I pay for it. But, hey - it was fun in the moment!

Someday I will find the balance, and everyone will be happy, well slept, and perfectly perfect in every way. The house will run smooth, we won't run late anywhere, and the kids will be perfect little angels - yeah right. So, until I find that balance, I guess I won't worry about being over scheduled once in awhile, because hey - we lived thru it. And, it WAS fun in the moment!!! :)

Morning started off baby-sitting the Bex kids while April took Laci to an appointment. Byrnn and Andy were so excited to see each other again - it was A-DOR-ABLE. Andy nearly climbed out of his high chair to get to her! But, I'm not sure that is really out of the ordinary these days!!!!

They had a great time playing "Peek-A-Boo" in my curtains...




From there Andy showed Brynn how to open the pantry, get the Puffs container out, and bring it to me w/sad eyes and grunts until I opened them. So, they got a little snack to refuel...

Next they took their babies on a walk - thank goodness we have TWO strollers!

After that, Andy showed Brynn how to step up and hang on the baby gate like a champ (Above).

Next up? Let's see if we can figure out how to turn on the TV...

Andy: "I don't have much luck turning on the TV w/ONE remote, let's see if we BOTH do it at the same time we will have more luck?"

Then, once Laci's appointment was over, April brought her back here and then left again to go to a meeting. Marshall played w/EVERY single toy in the toy room, the babies continued to follow each other around and try to get into trouble - they are like this little "exploring team" it is SO cute to watch, and the big girls played princesses at the island where they knew the babies couldn't get to them.

Now, if the day would have been done there - we would have been golden. Fun day, good kids, good play date - win, win, win. That's a wrap, right? Wrong!

Next up we headed to "Pizza Planet" for lunch to meet up w/Uncle Trevor, Daddy, and a buncha PS friends - kind of an impromptu play date that stemmed from Trevor wanting to hang w/the kids at Pizza Planet. So, frankly... I blame him. But, there are worse things than some one WANTING to see your kids and having lunch cooked for you right? So, we weren't going to give that up - Win, win!

After that, we headed home for Scrapbooking w/Carda and Rachel - something I do EVERY Tuesday. But, this Tuesday Rachel was sick, so we rescheduled for Thursday. This is something I look forward to every week. Carda and I scrapbook while Andy naps and the girls play. I wasn't going to give THAT up. I could get stuff done, visit w/my good friend, and the girls got to play - win, win, win!

About that time it was 3pm. Carda had to head home to meet her older kids' buses, but the girls were playing SO good. So, I told Carda to leave Rachel at my house until Andy woke up. In that hour and 1/2 I finished up the scrapbooking I started, got some chores done, and baked some Zucchini Bread for a friend. They played GREAT. My favorite was them playing "Dress-up". They got all dolled up and got their babies ready to "go to church". Then they went and sat on the love seat - very quietly - and "listened to church". Next they went out for Hot Chocolate and Pedicures. I love them - they are so cute!

Here is a photo Abby and her buddies playing that day...

After all that, we hired a baby-sitter and went off to see HP7, part I because Intel had given us FREE tickets to see an advanced screening that night only - we couldn't not do that!

Next morning I practically fell asleep at PS drop off - I wonder why I do this stuff to myself.

Being a mommy is a HARD job when you don't leave the house, but even more tiring when I do. But, I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world - I'm grateful I have this opportunity and can give my kids these opportunities and memories. Just know that this is why I'm so tired all the time - I do it to myself!!!!

Daddy/Daughter Camp Out

Abby and Trav went on a "Daddy/Daughter" Campout w/our friend Matt and his girls. I actually don't know a lot about it since I wasn't there - hence the name. But, she had a great time as per her. And it looked like she told the truth as per the pictures!

They got to roast marshmallows, watch the new Tinkerbell movie under the stars, play on a trampoline and a big playstructure, swing on swings, and various other things I'm sure I'm forgetting!



They got a pancake breakfast the next a.m. and then came on home after saying good-bye to their new friends...

They had a GREAT time - Thanks to Matt and his Girls!

This past week...

This last week was a busy one for us! Abby started PS and Ballet, visited the Dentist, and had a few playdates! She was overtired, and grouchy most of the week. We will have to see if she adjusts or if we need to eliminate an activity or two. We will see...

We also got more shelves and officially moved Andy into "THE Toyroom" (as opposed to "Abby's toyroom") Which, did nothing but add to the drama of the week. But, hey, it is over now...

Abby went to the Dentist (she is perfect as per her Dentist) and got a new toothbrush and floss (woohoo - exciting!). She also got to have Daddy take her (Cool!) and then visit w/him and Uncle Trevor at work for a few hours (Double Cool!)

Abby's little friend Rachel got to spend the day w/us on Tuesday while her mom had some appointments. They got along SO well that I was ready to keep her by the end of the day! It actually made my day easier to have three kids that day because the two girls kept so busy playing nicely and doing art work together.




Andy didn't change much this week. Still is having G.I. Issues, is walking more and more, teething, and STILL getting into EVERYTHING!!!

We also celebrated Kayla's 4th birthday (although she is insisting that she turned 5). The girls were too distracted for me to get any good photos, but here is what I got...

Andy discovered the joys of a good "Graham Cracker Snack" while hanging w/sister on their new matching stools. They were cute...

Overall, it was a good week - just a really busy one! Here is hoping next week is a little more tame - Haahaa...

Friday Fall Family Fun Festival

Okay, so I made that name up... But, I do think it was called "Family Fun Carnival" or something... :) Our Neighbors, the Morrisons, asked us to join them at their church this last weekend for a Family Fun Night. We were game. After all, we are a family, and we like fun!

Oh, but first... Andy mastered his slide - all on his own - on Friday. He loves it. Walks around to it, climbs up to the top of the little ladder, teeters and rocks and almost falls - but gets his chumby little legs underneath himself, and then flies down the slide and hits his head on the carpet. Repeat. Great fun - you should try it!





Once we got to the Carnival he BEE-LINED it for the ball. Look Mommy - someone left a ball out! Woohoo! Oh, and him and Trav also tried Plinko...

Abby walked into the gym and saw Donuts! Donuts hanging from a string - free for the taking! Right then I think she knew she was going to like this place! Her and Rachel entered the "Donut on a String" eating contest. They were horrible at it, but very cute. And, hey... They got to eat a donut at 7pm at night!

She also tried Plinko and Fished for a prize (A purple pencil!!!!), and attempted a ring toss.

But, the best part of the entire night you ask? THEY HAD A CUPCAKE WALK!!!!!!!!! Now for those of you that know me, and the Bethany Carnival, know that *I* felt at home as soon as I saw that. "Dude, I got this. I have 9 years of practice under my belt on this one".

Imagine my PRIDE when my kids "kicked butt" at it as well. They were in heaven. I was in heaven. We all had cake. It was great! :)

Thanks to the Morrisons for inviting us - we had a great time!

Miss Imagination Land

Abby just makes me smile. Some days she makes me cry, or really, really grumpy. But, for the most part, she just makes me smile. She always has something to say - both good and bad. She always has her "imagination land" mind going as Uncle Austy says. She loves all things "girly" and that just makes me laugh, because I have NO idea where she gets that! It does go to show you how much of that is ingrained!

This last couple of weeks she has started "Disney Princess Ballet" class, had a playdate w/her friend Laci (complete w/Art Project), and the one that really makes me laugh is the picture of her w/one white glove and the microphone. We just found her that way one day... Funny considering it is right around the one year anniversary of MJ's death. Made us laugh at least.

Here is just a random cute picture I took of Abby and our little neighbor girl Rachel. They see each other once a week so her mommy and I can scrapbook and chat. It is something I really, really look forward to every week. 1. I get to catch up on scrapbooking (hopefully), 2. it is a really relaxed and nice quiet day around our house, and 3. Rachel's mommy is just a sweet, sweet lady and I really value her closeness (both in proximity and friendship). Anyways, apparently the girls enjoy it as well. This is a shot from a few weeks ago. They just snuggled in to finish Abby's cartoon before they went off to play. I love both their smiles in this picture - so cute!