Pics

Ok not to much dialogue on this one just the pics. LOL. Some are from the park and the rest are Halloween. Hope you like them!

Happy Holidays

Happy 2009!
Sorry I have not posted for the last two weeks... time just got away from me this busy holiday season.
We spent Christmas with my folks. It was a lot of fun. The kids had a blast and made out with lots and lots of STUFF! But it was great to see family and being able to catch up with them. My folks were great, and I know that they love the kids... even when Tim and Lex are climbing all over them and getting into everything... LOL.
Ok funny story. In the photo above you will notice that my son has these festive candy cane socks on. He got the socks about a week before Christmas from my MIL. He has worn these sock almost everyday since then. He got upset while we were visiting my folks because we made him take them off because they got wet. LOL. Even as I write this he walked out in his pj's and candy cane socks. It's strange the things kids get attached to. :) Anyway just thought I'd share...
While we were in Yuma, Erika had her two month photo taken with Mr. Bear: She is growing like a weed. She is very smiley and generally a very happy baby. She is reaching out for things now and loves to laugh at her silly brother and sister.
So after all that we come back home and on Sunday celebrated again with Mike's family. Shesh, talk about more stuff. LOL. They love it (of course!) and have made much use of most of the stuff they got.
So we have been very busy, and as we now enter 2009 things are already stacking up... appointments and classes and play dates are already scheduled for this next month alone. So we will once again do our best to keep everyone updated with photos.
So as we start this new year I will post the last photos I took in 2008. Yes, Mike and I spent much of new year's eve playing with our night owl daughter on her mat. I could not think of a much better way to bring in the new year.
Happy Holidays and may God grant you much grace and peace this next year!

A day late and a dollar short...

Ok so I am a little late in my Thanksgiving post. What can I say... I have three kids under 5, a computer geek for a husband who likes playing video games on his days off, and a brother in law who likes to hang out at our house, eat and play video games.
Did I mention that they like video games?
That was how most of yesterday was spent. I was fortunate enough to have some wonderful in laws who graciously took us all out for a nice Thanksgiving dinner. So there was not a whole lot of cooking going on at my house. (I did however make a turkey anyway... what would the Friday after Thanksgiving be with out turkey tacos.)
Anyway, My brother in law was here and between he and Mike, I don't think I managed to get on the computer for longer than about 5 minutes yesterday. Did I mention that they like video games?
LOL
Ok now on to the all important list of things I am thankful for:
Family: Ok I know this is a gimmie... everyone worth a grain of salt has this one on their list. But with our newest addition just barely a month old and all the planning and adjusting for a new baby the last half of the year, I am EXTREMELY thankful for such a wonderful, gracious and just all around great family! Yes that also includes my hubby, who has had to make the most adjustments with not just time (no more napping on his days off), but space (I forgot how much "stuff" a newborn "needs"). He is really a great dad!
To continue on with the family theme I am extremely thankful for my kids. My oldest son has been such a great trooper. With all the changes that have taken place in such a short time, he has managed to adjust wonderfully. Not to mention that he is a great big brother to both his sisters. Then there is our middle child. Adventurous and talkative, she embodies the spirit of every Disney type princess. Combine that with her mini mom tendencies, she has proven to be both a challenge and a blessing at the same time. Last but certainly not least our newest addition. It's still to early to tell to much about her personality, but so far she has proven that she loves her brother and sister (she looks for them when she hears their voices and makes cooing noises when they are around) and that it's only really necessary to cry when you are hungry or need to be changed... everything else seems to take care of itself.
Baby stuff: I am very thankful for all "baby" items out there. I will never understand how previous generations did it all with out all the gadgets to help.
Sleep: I think this year I am most thankful for sleep. With three kids under 5 sleep seems to be a rare commodity here. So I take it when I can get it.
Cooler weather: Ok for those living where it's snowing now this may be a little strange. But when you live in the desert and the average temp most of the year is about 90 degrees, cooler weather is a blessing.
So there you have it, just a few of the things I am thankful for on this beautiful Friday after Thanksgiving.
I hope you all had a wonderful day and did not stuff yourselves to much...
We will be taking it easy today and are looking forward to some yummy turkey tacos later this afternoon! Hope you enjoy your day as much as we will!

Happy Independence Day

I have not forgotten about blogging... things have just been especially busy the last few weeks. I promise I will get one up soon! Just to keep you all drooling for more, I am posting some fire works pictures I took from last year. Have a wonderful Independence Day and a great weekend. Make sure to check back... SOON!

Mothers and Sisters and Brothers oh my!

My kids have been talking about Mother's day over the last week. My daughter pipped in with this idea just yesterday, sister's day and brother's day. I actually thought it was a good idea. We could make it a special day just for each of the kids... their favorite food and a special activity for just them.
My husband was not so convinced... he said we do that for their birthdays anyway. But don't we, as parents, also get that on our birthday. Yet we still get another "special" day during the year to celebrate being mom and dad... Why not give the same attention to being a child? I was told by husband that Mother's and Father's day was just another hallmark holiday, designed to sell more cards and stuff. Ok so I do agree that it is another corporate induced holiday designed to sell more stuff... but, so what? No one says you have to go all out. For me family time, homemade cards, and breakfast in bed are much more important. Just as I think all parents deserve AT LEAST one day to be appreciated (and let's face it, for most of us, if it was not on the calendar we would not take the time to do it properly)I think kids deserve a day to just be kids.
Think about it. A day to just play in the sunshine, eat nothing but chicken nuggets and macaroni and cheese (Ok I know most of us would sneak in a veggie or two but still), and spend the whole day doing nothing but just being a kid. I think in this day and age, we try and get our kids to grow up to quickly. I read a few different parenting blogs, and although I don't agree with everything that they say, it does give me a moment to stop and think. This article was posted on one of the blogs just the other day, and it made me really stop and think about my own daughter, and the things I am teaching her. She is only 3 years old, and yet, I do paint her nails and indulge her in some lipstick every now and then, so she can be like mommy. But where do we draw the line? I know for sure there will be no hair coloring in this house until at least 16, and even then I'd like to think it will take a lot to convince me (especially if my daughter wants her favorite color purple). I just want her to be a kid. To not grow up to fast.
So all in all I think a day to celebrate just being a kid is a great idea. Especially if it allows us a parents to really stop and think about what that means. I know it will mean different things to different people, but if means slowing down and really looking at things from a child's perspective, then I consider that a good thing.

Easter

Ok here are the Easter pics I promised. See I can actaully get things posted in a reasonable time frame. LOL
Anyway, here we are with my parents coloring eggs. The kids are still not sure about the whole coloring eggs thing. The get bored with it pretty quickly... but my mom and I had fun. Heh

Here the kids are Easter morning, all dressed up. I love the star glasses, it just adds so much to the ensemble.
So after Church and after all the good food we had, the kids were ready for some hunting. They had fun finding easter eggs with their cousin. We had a great time for Family and lots and lots of food. Hope you all had a great Easter too. Everyone take care and check back soon. Thanks!

Update (finally)

Ok so it's the end of Jan, and the Christmas thank you notes are still sitting on my desk waiting to go in the mail. It's only January and I am already behind. Oh well, such is life in a house with two tod... er, excuse me, PRESCHOOLERS. With birthdays right around the corner I guess I better get used to the fact the my kids are officially out of the toddler phase.
Anyway, I just wanted to post some pictures from Christmas, and some that were taken this month. (Shesh, I cannot believe it's already the end of Jan... ) I will try and get a more commentated blog up by next week. Although some of you, I know, would prefer just the photos... Deal with it!... (LOL Just kidding) Anyway, here are some of the photos from our family Christmas. We had Christmas at our house this year... and since our house is not very big, it was a little tight... but fun all the same. Of course opening presents was the main event... and then of course the kids just had to play with the biggest ones... LOL.


It seems like we have had a lot of rain in the desert of late. Jan is turning out to be a very wet month here. The kids are loving it and have taken every opportunity to got out with their umbrellas and go puddle jumping.
Not that the umbrellas help much but they have fun anyway.

January was certianly a busy time and we still have another day to go... we spent many days at the park, taking in the beautiful 60 + degree temps, and even managed a trip to the zoo (my camera batteries died or there would be a pic here... LOL). We have also added a new little one to our extended family. Our kids now have a beautiful new cousin Here she is a whole 12 days old. What a CUTIE PIE!!! We are also seriously working on homeschooling the kids, so that has taken up some time, as well. So, we have started off the new year with a bang!
Hope your first month of 2008 was a good one.
I am sure I will be posting more in Feb, as we have lots of events and things already planned... including a birthday party for the kids, and my cousins wedding. So make sure to check back soon! If you want to see more photos make sure to check my other blog too! Thanks!
~Ciao