Our visit to SV

Here's some highlights of our trip to Sierra Vista:

Going to the movies with cousins. . .

Walking over to the golf course to feed the fish. . .

Enjoying some rare Arizona SNOW!!!

Hanging out in our pj's and staying warm by the fire. . .

And of course, a visit to grandma and grandpa's is never complete without a motorcycle ride!

I didn't get any pictures, but we had Christmas Eve a day early: a big family dinner, program, and opening a few gifts!  It was a fun trip and the kids had a great time with their cousins!

Love this!

This video was made in the Antwerp, Belgium Central Train Station. On a Monday morning, with no warning to the passengers passing through the station, a recording of Julie Andrews comes on the public address system singing "Do, Re, Mi." As the bemused passengers watch in amazement, some 200 dancers begin to appear from the crowd and station entrances.

Thanksgiving 2009

We were able to go to Thatcher for Thanksgiving this year and spend some time with my family.  We had a GREAT dinner - I gotta say, my mom knows how to cook!  Seriously.  Especially the rolls, mmmm.  The rest was great too, but the rolls and potatoes are my favs! 

The kids had a great time - they loved playing outside and spent hours in the sandbox.  Kaden got to help papa and Lane on the tractor - not sure what they were doing.  I just know he came in covered in grease.  Ugh - my own fault for letting him wear school pants I guess.

Friday morning I talked  my mom into going to Walmart at the freakin crack of dawn!  Unfortunately that's pretty much the only store there, so it was really crowded and crazy.  But still fun and I got some great deals.  Matt had to go back home Friday morning to go to work - I wish he could have stayed with us.  Later that day I went with my mom, Timilee, and Shayla to see New Moon - it was even better the second time!

Saturday, I got to meet up with some high school friends.  It was fun to get together and visit, and the food was great!  Thanks Luci, Kristen and Jenni - good to see you guys!  Then I had strict instructions to be back in time for tamale making!  I know I'm biased, but my mom makes the BEST tamales!  And they are even better fresh.  All us girls made a bunch of tamales while the boys were out wasting time in the shop, pretending they were building something.  I think we ended up with 10 or 11 dozen!!  And then we ended the night with roasting hotdogs and marshmallows out in the backyard.  It was a GREAT weekend!

Eatin some pie and playing Sorry - one of the hundreds of games we played!

Enjoying some leftovers!

Lex and Neva are good buds.  Lexie is really not attacking her - they were hugging

Lex lovin on Logan and Shayla's new baby, Clancy.

Curlers!

Bailey loved her curly hair so much, she has been begging for me to do curlers again.  So we put them in a couple days before thanksgiving.  When we were done Lexie came and sat in my lap, I asked her if she wanted curlers too - YES!  And she actually sat still while I did it!  Hers didn't turn out so great - she has long hair, but it's still really thin and fine.

It looked a little better after we combed it out and put a bow in it!  Everyone was calling her Annie all day!

Award

November 17th - Kaden got an award for Academic Excellence at the school assembly.  He is a GREAT student, loves school, and loves to learn.  We're proud of you bubba!

Sunday

November 14th - ready for church.  We put curlers in bailey's hair the night before so she'd be dolled up for the primary program.  Her hair was hilarious.  I had several people say they didn't recognize her.

Blog Book

Anyone know of a good place to get a blog book?  I know there's lots of websites that do them - just wanted some input!

Halloween

We had a fun and busy Halloween!

Ready for Kaden's first soccer game of the season!  He's so excited to be in the "big league"

Ready to go to trunk-or-treat at the church.  We had some neighbors come with us and we all had a great time!  Matt is working weekends but was able to get the night off!  We were excited to have Daddy come with us!  After trunk-or-treat, we came home and went trick-or-treating around the neighborhood.  There were TONS of people out and about.  We met lots of our neighbors we haven't met before and planned a block party for next year!  It was a really fun night! (I didn't take the camera, just decided to enjoy and not worry bout pics!)

BEFORE:

AFTER:

Her hair was so funny after I took it all out - had to get a picture of that!

And the all important ritual of sorting all the candy - wierd, I know.  Matt's tradition, not mine! :)

All in all it was a great Halloween!

Pumpkin Patch

We went to a pumpkin patch last week with some friends.  We grabbed subway for dinner, spent a couple hours at the pumpkin patch, had a picnic, and ended with hot chocolate from QT!  If was our first time at this pumpkin patch and it was great - small, simple, and fairly cheap.  Thanks Jen and Emery - we had a great time!

Birthdays

Bailey's birthday - she chose donuts for breakfast and got to blow out candles first thing in the morning!  She loved her new barbies and movie.  We hung out at home most of the day, then grabbed subway and went to the pumpkin patch that evening.

Kaden's birthday - he chose german pancakes for breakfast and got to open presents before going to school.  He loved his checker/chess set, movie, and computer game.  We had a crazy day with the costume parade and halloween party at school.  Then up to town to visit HL and Kim, get some pizza and end the night with ice cream and cake!

We also got to go to Peter Piper a couple weeks ago for a birthday dinner with Oma and Grandpa. (I forgot to take pics).  I am glad october is over - it's crazy with 2 birthdays and halloween all in 4 days!

Bai's Birthday Party

We had Bailey's birthday party a couple weeks ago (had to do it before all the halloween craziness).  It was a super fun and super simple party.  Had a few friends, decorated cupcakes, opened presents, painted nails, did makeup, and call it good!  Short and sweet - just like I like it!

These were my helper girls! My sis-in-law Kim and my mom (she happened to be in town this weekend so it worked out great!) The girls LOVED Kim - she's as wild and crazy as they are! :)

Showin off their new looks!

So happy to get a picture with her friend, not so happy to get a picture with mom.  Are we already starting this?

Even Papa got in on the action!  Lookin good Dad!

In Memory

One of matt's friends, Shane Figueroa, was killed in the line of duty a year ago.  The City of Maricopa dedicated a bridge in his memory.  I think this was a great way to remember him.  But to be honest, I try not to drive that way - I don't like seeing the sign and being reminded of a fallen officer.  That's a risk of Matt's job that's I'd rather not dwell on.