Thanksgiving 2014 - PreK

So, I've been doing a preschool co-op for Rylee and her friends.  Its been fun, and I can't believe the year is almost over.  She has class twice a week and we all go on field-trips about twice a month. We've done a lot of fun things.  I think teaching around Thanksgiving was my favorite. The story, turkey/pilgrim/indian crafts and snacks and songs.  4 girls (Kelsey only attends at our house) and 1 boy and the only one that would wear the pilgrim bonnet was the boy.  I laughed and laughed that day. These kiddos are so cute.  Its great to have good friends.

For Thanksgiving we had some friends over and it was perfect. Food followed up with a little midnight shopping.

Halloween 2014

 I really am wanting to get back into blogging.  I've used the blog as a resource too many times to just give it up.  And I can't just skip a year. So, I'm going to try to quickly catch up and hit the major holiday's:
First on the agenda: Halloween!
The girls both wanted to be Rapunzel (I joked in case one fell off the tower, we'd have a back-up. . . . which is funny until the children start to repeat what you've said and its sounds quite morbid coming from toddlers), but it worked out great since we already had to Rapunzel dresses. They wanted to do a theme again and I couldn't resist:

I was Mother Gothel, and Michael was Flynn Rider.  It was so fun to wear a long dark wig! Lots of people didn't recognize me :)

Halloween is so fun. I get such a kick out of it, and I love putting together little details: I made little stuffed Pascal the Chameleon to put on the girls dresses, the braid was essential, but I kept having to re-do it because it wasn't working like I wanted it to.  Michael carried around a frying pan and I had a flower.  I was often heard singing "flower gleam and glow" and "Mother Knows Best"

 I couldn't help but put something together for the trunk: the tower and floating lanterns.

 Another pic of the whole Tangled crew:

I love Halloween!

Happy Birthday America!!

I love Independence Day. Seriously, its one of my favorite holiday's (I've tried to list Holiday's in order of which I like most, and I just can't do it)

Anyhow, we heard there was a big breakfast, games and patriotic fireside at the church (put on by the missionaries for all three ward units that attend at our building). They order in which items are listed is extremely important. It was a very long fireside (which isn't bad when its expected) and a few snacks - like one watermelon one meat/cheese tray and two pastry packs. Not enough food to even consider waiting in line for. We were bamboozled.

We sang the star spangled banner and busted out of there ASAP: we had a parade to get to.

So, we headed to Castroville and hit up McDonalds (with the rest of the ward/city) for the old-time parade.

 Surprise! My children didn't want to have their picture taken.

 yea, they are covering their ears from the noise of the fire trucks. . . . that's it.

 Of course we had to make a few patriotic foods:

 And drop a few dollars on fireworks: This was almost half of what we set off. We hosted again this year and it was AWESOME! I love being surrounded with friends, laughing, eating and celebrating

 Miss Kelsey enjoying the show:

 Just one corner of the counter, about a 1/4 of the cups we cleaned up.

Happy Birthday America! We love our freedom!

Michael's Weekend Part III

Father's Day

Father's day was a pretty chill day. More present opening and family time.

The girlies have a great Daddy we love him so much!

 We made one of these car shirts- the shirt has a city on it and they drive their cars on it like a mini back-massage. Sort of. I traced the pattern (and added a church, you know, a building we (thankfully) attend more regularly than the hospital/fire station). Rylee wanted to draw. I'm not exactly sure why I hesitated to let her. It was after all her gift.  She drew the family playing at the playground and then used each of the markers to draw flowers. Kelsey is kind of blocking it in the picture but it was very sweet.

We're so happy we get to parent these crazy cute kids.

Mother's Day 2014

I had a lovely Mother's Day.

I woke up to Rylee announcing "We're making you a special breakfast!"

and quickly ran out of my room.

She quickly came back jumped on the bed and gave me a huge hug and a kiss and a "Happy Mother's Day!"

Kelsey attempted to do the same and ended up just head-butting me. She meant well.

I was thrilled that the youth were taking over primary classes including nursery so I was actually able to make it to an adult meeting! YAY!

 

The girls were so sweet and gave me lots of extra hugs and special gifts.

Rylee has been really into art, drawing, and letter writing lately so I received an abundance of those wonderful things!

 Michael was very sweet and took over for the day. I was very relaxed. Border-line bored. I attempted to help clear the table after dinner and Michael objected.  As he was busy loading the dishwasher he asked Rylee to come get me, have me sit on the couch or play a game.  Kelsey ran right up to me grabbed me by the hand and led me to the couch she turned me around and pushed my legs so I'd sit down.  lol. She was so proud! Maybe you just had to be there but we laughed and laughed. Due to the reaction, we then had to repeat the activity several times.

This was from Easter, I just forgot it in that post.  Our lovely set up: I busted out the china with my new glitter chargers (they're so pretty!! :)) I even chilled the salad plates. The nice thing about big holiday dinners is the leftovers. I almost didn't get a big enough ham (since it was just us this year, I just got a small deli one).

Back to today. . . I was quite spoiled Sunday I'm still working off a Mother's Day 'hangover' - back to waking up, cooking, laundry, setting time-outs and contemplating potty training. ::sigh:: In all seriousness, I'm very grateful for all the wonderful women in my life: My own Mother, Mother-in-law, Grandmothers, Sisters, in-laws, Friends I see amazing qualities in each of you that I admire and inspire me so thank you. You are incredible.

McKinney Falls {Valentine's Day}

This Valentine's Day we decided to spend on a little camping trip.

 

We had a great time. We tried to be a little festive and decorated a little bit.

 The girls were really excited to pull out their "flower beds" as Rylee calls them. The given term is a nap mat. This was the first time we camped without a pack n play (that what they were invented for. really) which was nice, and disastrous at the same time.

 Michael lovingly cooked our hot dogs while I relaxed and took selfies with the kids.

 We packed a few other Valentine specialties: sparkling cider, chocolate covered strawberries, heart shaped strawberry fudge.....

 It was a little chilly at night (not too bad as Michael forgot his jacket and didn't die) and we did bring a small space heater (electric site) so we'd be more comfortable and I wouldn't be to worried about packing enough blankets.

 My heart melted when after smores Rylee climbed up on the chair with me to snuggle and lo and behold she fell asleep.  That hasn't happened in 3 years.  I savored every second.

 We went on a couple little hikes to the waterfalls.  Which for the record, I could barely call them that.  Apparently there was a huge flood last fall that did a fair amount of damage - driftwood in treetops isn't normal.

 Kelsey's "I did it!" face. throwing rocks was a must.

Camping in Feburary is amazing.  Don't worry, the weather changes rather quickly. We caught a lucky break that weekend.  Still, in March 80 degrees in the day, 29 at night with hail. for real. we've had four "polar plunges" this winter. In case you wondered- I'm over it. ;)

New Year's Eve 2013

After a little debate, we decided not to host a new year's party this year.  This was the first year we've lived in our house on not.  It was a little strange and kindof wonderful at the same time.

 

We went to a friends house for food and games.{you didn't think we'd stay home alone did you?} We had a great time. We kind of let the kids run amuck and at 9:45 Kelsey was annoying me so I thought, 'on the next game break we'll put her to bed'. She got quieter as the next time I looked at the clock it was 11:10 and the girls were both up still.  May as well stay up now eh?

 

The few families that stayed around made a quick decision to come back to our place to watch the neighbors fireworks from our front lawn. Since our house is at a slightly higher elevation made for a better view.  They didn't disappoint.  We had a few sparklers but that was it. 

 

"I Do It!!" Is Kelsey's favorite phrase. Followed closely by "stop it" and "my turn".  With a lit sparkler in hand wasn't MY favorite moment to hear "I do it" but since she was shaking the sparkler around my face while she yelled, I relented.  At least she had mittens on. Man, she's a feisty one. (must get that from her Dad ;) ) and she (somehow - I had taken the burnt out sparkler by then) got a burn on her chin. We can't have a holiday without even a minor casualty.

 Here's Rylee wrapped up in about eight blankets waiting for the clock to strike midnight.

Per usual 2013 was full of ups and downs. I suspect 2014 to be about the same.

I actually made a resolution this year: I will wash all the laundry and get it folded to be put away {I'm giving myself the next day to put the girls clothes away} in ONE day. That's big for me - as I often have more clothes in the laundry room than the closet. We chose a house with the laundry room NOT coming in from the garage for a reason!! haha.

Happy New Year Y'all!

Christmas 2014

This Christmas was just lovely. It was a quiet family day.  These days Rylee wakes up pretty early- generally she entertains herself in the living room playing with toys, watching a show, sometimes getting herself breakfast until a more "reasonable" hour for the rest of us. We were a little worried she'd have everyone's gifts opened before anyone else woke up so we put the gate up in the hall. haha!

By the looks of Miss Kelsey, she could have used a few more minutes of rest.


Nothing says Christmas morning better than talking on the phone while playing a xylophone and eating skittles for breakfast. Then throw in a "riddle" on a puzzle and its just about perfect.







The girls also got "Frozen" dolls, which rarely leave their sides.

And we upgraded the "baby" swing for a tire swing. Its been really fun!

After all the gifts were opened the girls found a moment to relax in the new princess dresses and watch a new movie.




Kids are the best! We absolutely had a great Christmas. 
Thanks to all who helped make it so.
We're so blessed!