To Halloween....And Beyond!

So, we've got Buzz Lightyear, Green Army Guy, Jesse, Bo Peep & her little sheep and my personal fave, Tour Guide Barbie. This year's highlight: seeing Rosie push her sleeping sheep in the school parade, so fun. Trick-or-Treat Champ: Buzz. Best selection of quality candy: Lizzy. Best tasting Costume: The sheep (according to Drew). As for next year, Rosie is requesting something fancy....stay tuned.

Snow or Shine

With snow on the ground and Conference to watch, Easter was a little different. Thankfully there was still all the necessity's for success: "Twirly" Dresses, Chocolate, Big Meals, Chocolate, Easter Egg Hunts (where Max gave me all of his good chocolate) and time to relax. The Easter Bunny brought swim essentials among other things in the Easter Baskets this year; I think he was hoping the goggles and swim toys would last at least through June. That bunny seems to really enjoy thinking of the year's Easter Theme and shopping accordingly....my kind of bunny; and how did he know I had been craving Dove Chocolate eggs? Amazing.

Rewind

Is July really over? Truly? It was so fun. I felt busy. But, it was a good kind of busy. The kind of busy out having fun. July is so Grand, for many reasons:

Reason #1- Growing.

Lizzy is getting bigger, older, and a little braver.

Reason #2- Facepainting.

Reason #3- "Fire WERKS" in the Mountains.
("That go BOOM BOOM then CHHHHHHHH, like that") Max


Reason #4-Children's Bike Parades.
(FOR FREEEEEEE)


Reason 5- Swimsuits.

Reason #6- Family Bonding.
(anything will unite a family if it involves swimming suits and a cooler)

Reason 7- The 4th Of July Festivities.

Reason 8- SHOPPING & COORDINATING.

Shopping for the perfect summer outfit.

Shopping At The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale.

Shopping on Vacation.

Ahhhhhhh, retail therapy!

Made for You and Me

One Saturday afternoon in late May:

Lizzy- Rosie, I can give you bike riding lessons today!

Rosie- OK, what level am I on?

Lizzy- I think level 2.

Rosie- Really?!? I've got to go tell Mommy!

Lizzy- But, before I can teach you, we have to start the lessons with the Pledge.

Rosie- Lizzy, I only know the pledge of alli-chance, not the bike pledge!?!

Lizzy- ROSIE, it's the SAME THING.

Rosie- OK! I should say it with my Helmet on.....right Lizzy....??

Happy 4th of July!

Firsts

This Easter marked a few firsts:

1- Rub ons! I'm talking about vinyl lettering people! Anyone who has been to my nest knows there's a lack of vinyl. I'm not saying I don't like it, I just have never used it before now. Let me just say personalizing the children's sand buckets (make-shift Easter baskets) brought me more joy than I ever anticipated. I now own a whole stack of monogram rub on letters, so, what will be next?

2- MAX! Never before in the history of raising our son, has he out-shined his beautiful older sisters when it came to Sunday finery. This year though, he did. And I mean he really did. His suit was more than I could handle, complete with a straw hat of course. I fell in love with our 'southern gent', he seemed completely confident in his attire and the attention it generated. A favorite Aunt & Uncle proudly predicted that Max will be voted best dressed someday, I mean, is there anything more important than that title in High School? Shoot for the stars Max, and hopefully K-mart will continue to provide stylish yet affordable clothing in the year 2024. Now, where's the kid's Easter candy?

Party Time!

So, I was looking for something for Lizzy and I to do while she was off track, and came up with this:

Let's Learn How to Plan A Party!

We first needed a THEME (I just don't know how to plan a successful party without one!)

We all agreed that "Cele-bake" Valentines Day would be the most fun.

Next, we learned how to create a guest list & make invitations.

This was hard because Lizzy wanted to invite EVERYONE.

So, to make it easier on her, I limited it to those who went to her school,

and who were also out for Valentines Day.

Then there was Decorations to be made and
APRONS to sew,

(thanks to my neighborhood apron exchange,

I already had the perfect apron for the occasion).....

And fun to be had!

Was this an educational experience for Lizzy? Maybe a little bit.

Was it fun and memorable? Definitely!

Would I do it again? Yep. In a heart-beat!

Merry & Bright

We all loved it for different reasons, each understanding the reason for the season on different levels. But, all in all, it was Merry with: lots of parties, cookies, dresses, shopping, wrapping, un-wrapping, cooking and decorating. Yet, our favorite part of Christmas 08' were the moments that were Bright with: a better understanding of Christmas Hymns by Lizzy who began to feel the warmth of the spirit through song, A greater appreciation for Mary on Sarah's part, The complete JOY of giving learned by Rosie, reaping the blessings of simplification for Kelly (in that he had a less stressed wife, who took his advice) and the feeling of being completely satisfied with one Toy on Christmas Morning by Max.

Off to Never NeverLand!

Presenting: Peter Pan, Tinkerbell & Tigerlily!

Halloween Highlight #1- Max totally understood the idea of trick-or-treating!

Halloween Highlight #2- Lizzy experienced the joy in wearing a wig!

Halloween Highlight #3- ROSIE!! I mean really, can you think of a better 'tink'?

Got Sweat?

Richard Simmons himself and his success story in the making were seen partying at a local hot spot Saturday Night. Richard delighted party goers with his enthusiasm for work-out clothing trends by displaying his new line called "GOT SWEAT?". Both Richard and his protege were sporting tank tops and other appreal from the highly anticipated fitness line (sold at fine work out apparel stores everywhere).

All kidding aside, I must thank my good sport husband for wearing an entire large bag of batting, sweats, shorts, tee-shirt, tank-top, wrist bands, a sweat band; and in so doing, making my Halloween Dreams come true!

This is the Life!

I {HEART} July, and here's Why:

A) I'm still Queen on The Slide!

B) Our Kids are Happiest in the Pool

C) Educational Opportunities

ex: How to Build a Dam

D) The Enjoyment of some well deserved time off

E) Bonding time with my brothers, sister & sister-in-laws

and playing with our baby nephews!

F) Watching the parade, a 30+ year tradition

I look forward to this time every year and am never disappointed!

Two Cool Peeps & One Very Sick Baby Bunny!

Easter was not as I had hoped this year. Our baby Max was and still is SO So sick. No Easter parties, not matching outfits, just cuddle time with a sick Max. True Confesstions: It actually was kind of nice staying home that evening, we had such a busy week the R&R was very appreciated by Mommy.

Lizzy being an experienced egg hunter felt it important to truly appreciate EVERY egg one at a time....

Rosie didn't want anything to do with that kind of time wasting! She had eggs to find,

Candy to eat...

And eat, and eat!

She loved Easter this year and thought it to be so thrilling.

Yes, the girls had a great time on Easter (and the three Egg Hunts before that). Lizzy gave an Easter talk in primary and read it all by herself!

Unfortunately there will be no Family Picture on this Easter since Max is so very sick! But, I am hoping for next week, so stay tuned! Now I need to run since I am suppose to be writing FHE lessons for our R.S. group....due tomorrow! Happy Easter!

There's No Place Like Home

This year marked the first year we stayed home for Halloween. In years past, we have traveled around the valley seeing family members and friends. Finally this year we said: IF YOU WANT TO SEE US, COME TO US. It worked beautifully. Our kids had a blast trick-or-treating in our own neighborhood and we had equally as much fun decorating our house and passing out candy. I felt a sense of belonging that I have only felt when we have stayed home and started our own traditions. We love our family and are so happy they came and saw us (and had a yummy dinner as a bonus), but for this one time, we felt like we had it all! It was only fitting that our costumes were themed around the Wizard of Oz because....there is NO PLACE LIKE HOME!