Montezuma Castle...

Today we packed a picnic lunch and headed north towards Sedona. We didn't have anywhere in particular we wanted to go but new Grandma wanted to get some really nice scenic pictures of Arizona. We stopped for gas and ended up right near Montezuma Castle. So we decided that would be our afternoon destination. Once we arrived at Montezuma Castle, we sat and had a nice lunch before entering the park. It was a nice walk around the grounds even though we as visitors weren't allowed inside the "castle". The kids each had their own reasons why they thought it was a "cool" place. Liliana was mind baffled that Indians built the structure out of mud. Dillon just thought the whole use of mud was weird and that "they should have used wood from the store". Ava took the whole mud thing literally and thought they did EVERYTHING mud... for example she asked if they ate mud pies! It was a very fun afternoon and a relaxing drive!

Family Birthday Celebration...

One of the reasons I wanted to move back to Arizona so badly was family! Marc has a wonderful family that I just love to be around! I grew up always having dinners with my family so that is what I am used to! The children decided since the weather and pool have been so warm that a pool party would be the best birthday party for the family! So we celebrated at Grandma and Papa's house so everyone could use the pool! I am so thankful that my inlaws were willing to have this get together at their home. They did NOT have to at all but whatever their grandkids want they get (well within reason of course). I made the kids each their own special cake the night before. I planned out a yummy philipino feast and couldn't wait for everyone to arrive! The kids were more excited about swimming and playing with their cousins more than anything else!


In attendance...

Grandma and Papa

Grandma Crochere (my father's mom)

Aunt Donna, Uncle Jeff, Mandy and Justin

Grandma Simpson

Aunt Donna, Uncle Pat, Mattew, and Jason

and of course our whole crew

The menu...

Lumpia (eggrolls) YUMMY

Fruit Salad (with some of the more exotic fruits)
Asian Salad

Adobo

Sticky Rice

Greens and Tomatoes

Pansit

and of course cake for dessert

Before the afternoon came to a close Ava climbed up onto Aunt Donna's lap and fell fast asleep! How precious is that? It was a very tiring but funfilled day for sure!

Happy Birthday Dillon...

Today Dillon turned 5 yrs old! Like I said with Liliana's birthday post, the years have gone by WAY TOO FAST! He is changing so fast, he likes the older kid shows like Liliana, enjoys video games more and more each (which make daddy very proud), and is much pickier with what toys to play with! I am trying to raise him with the understanding that girls need to be treated with respect and care! Also that its important to do "old school" things such as open and hold doors open for girls! I let him cook with me anytime he is up for it, which lately is all the time! I let him do the dishes and laundry! I love that HE LOVES to clean my floors and vacuum! I can only hope this love for cleaning sticks with him when hes older!! Until then I will continue to mold him into a kind, caring, and thoughtful young boy!

The Day's Events

He woke up and HAD to have dunkin donuts! So up I was at 6:30AM driving with Dillon to the local Dunkin Donuts! He picked out his dozen donuts and coffee (decaf of course)! During the day I had to work on both Dillon and Liliana's cakes since the following day would be the big family party! So Marc took the kids over to Grandma and Papa's house so I could get them done! Later that afternoon, they arrived back home! On the kids' birthdays they get to pick the menu for the day. Dillon picked orange chicken over rice for dinner. So orange chicken it was! After dinner, I had cupcakes as a surprise, but not just any group of cupcakes! Supersized cupcakes from the local Costco! My inlaws came back over to sing and enjoy the supersized dessert! To give you an idea of how big these suckers were... the transformer candy on top of them normally covers most of a standard cupcake! After having his cupcake, Dillon opened a few gifts! Like all the previous birthdays, he had a very fun and memorable day! Off to bed he went so that we could celebrate with the family the next day!

Grandma Crochere...

Thursday, May 21st... The day of Grandma Crochere's arrival. I was very excited to see her. Its been 10 YEARS since I saw her last! She met Marc only 1 time and obviously never met my children! Marc and I picked her up from the airport then headed to his parents house to pick up the kids (they slept over). The girls adjusted to her right away but Dillon it took a few hours. Typical Dillon!! By the days end the kids were crawling all over grandma. Asking questions, looking at pictures, and adjusting her to the loud noise they are always making!! We are super excited to have her visiting us, I can't wait to see what the next 2 weeks bring!!

Happy Birthday To Liliana...

Today our little girl turned 8 years old! Its hard to believe that its been 8 years already! The years have been flying by! I still remember when she was born like it was yesterday, although I am probably gonna remember that day like it was yesterday until I am old and gray! She is getting so big and maturing so fast! Her taste in music, movies, food all are changing! She currently is into the tween stage! She loves Hannah Montana, I Carly, and High School Musical. She has started being more picky about the clothing she wears. She even refuses to wear some items that I have bought for her because "she doesn't like them"!! I am excited to continue on this rollercoaster called parenting with a daughter who is discovering herself more and more each day!

The Big Days Events

She woke up this morning to find a bunch of ballons and gift bag. She made her request for breakfast and shortly after that request I was down in the kitchen preparing it! She wanted pancakes with whipped cream,, bacon, and fruit! This afternoon her grandfather and grandmother took her to lunch (her choice) at the Cheesecake Factory. Marc picked her up and took her for an afternoon ice cream and some much needed daddy time! When returning home I then took her for some mommy time to the craft store so she could pick out a couple items she so badly wanted to buy! This evening she spent with all of us celebrating, she requested (of all meals) hamburgers, french fries, fruit, and corn for dinner. We then, surprised her with a flower cake that I made earlier in the day while she was out to lunch with the grandparents! She was very content with the days events and I hope she enjoyed her first day being 8 years old!

Happy Birthday Liliana! We love you very much!

Brotherly Bonding...

This morning Dillon and Garrison were watching spongebob together. It was so funny. Garrison was glued to the tv. Dillon kept checking to make sure he continued to watch. So very cute! I am not big on tv watching but this morning I had a couple things to do in a certain time period! A big brother and spongebob was all Garrison needed to stay content!

Mother's Day Gift From Marc...

I think after being married for, coming up on 10 years this December, Marc is finding it more and more difficult to surprise me with gifts during these holidays. I keep telling him there is no need but he insists that I get something for me and just for me on these special occasions, claiming that I earned them. I understand he wants to get me something and its a very thoughtful and a sweet gesture but when I don't need/want anything specific it gets harder for him to find that perfect gift. This year he offered to put the wood on the staircase. The same wood flooring we put in the downstairs area. We bought enough flooring a month and a half ago for the downstairs, stairway, and upstairs hallway. Its a very time consuming project to say the least. I was thrilled when he offered to do the stairs. In my mind, that meant 1 step closer to being done with all the floors. I couldn't be happier with how they turned out given the challenges we were faced with in these wonderfully (hear the sarcasm) built Arizona homes! He did an awesome job and I truely appreciate that he dedicated almost an entire Sunday to finishing the stairs for me!

A Mother's Day Gift From A Friend...

If you follow this link a good friend sent me its pretty funny. Sure made me smile!

http://news.cnnbcvideo.com/?nid=I6lwi4uIYrEJyRx_y0Nv1zMzNDAzODE-&referred_by=16529115-gw9lWQx&p=moveon

Happy Mother's Day To ME!

The day finally arrived! I look forward to this day every year, not because I get the pass on all things around the house, not because I get all my meals cooked for me, but because the children wake me up with hugs and kisses and remind me how much they love me! This morning, the older 3 children wanted to help Marc make breakfast in bed for me! They all headed downstairs as I was instructed to stay in bed. I had no problems staying upstairs and ended up back asleep! A little while later, in comes the older 3 kids with a present, plate of food, and drinks. I had a wonderful breakfast in bed which consisted of the a bagel, eggs (made by Ava), bacon, and a fruit bowl. Dillon and Liliana made the coffee and orange juice! It was so sweet that they WANTED to make me such a yummy breakfast! Of course before I could eat my food, I had to open my present. It was a shirt that had each of their handprints on it. On the back it said #1 Mom. Those that know me, know that I am not into the materialistic things... I care more about the thought behind a gift. I especially LOVE homemade gifts. The best part about all they did for me on this special day was how happy it made them to such nice things for me!
After eating the day went on like any normal Sunday. As much as I enjoy the kids and Marc saying that they appreciate all I do around the house, I appreciate them just as much! I really do love my family and consider myself the luckiest woman alive to have all I have! Thank you Marc, Liliana, Dillon, Ava and Garrison for making my special day another one to remember!

Give Me Those Potatoes...

Recently Garrison began sitting in his bumbo chair. He has since realized its more fun to be vertical and see things instead of laying down. So during dinnertime we started putting him in his chair on the table so he could see what we were all doing! A few weeks have passed and he is learning that the bumbo chair is no longer fun! On this particular night, we had baked potatoes. Marc finished all his food so he put Garrison on his lap. Marc's potatoes were still in front of him at the table. For some reason Garrison was drawn to this plate. There was a fork laying next to the plate... he was also drawn to the fork!! It was the funniest thing to watch. He grabbed the fork (yes by himself) and began poking the potatoes. After a few minutes of poking at the potatoes he decided to try and put the fork in his mouth! The most impressive part about this event was that he tried to put the correct side to his mouth, which in order to do that he had to twist his fist before moving his hand and arm up to his mouth! Of course for safety reasons, Marc pulled his hand away from his face/mouth and it made him very upset! Overall he was so excited while doing all these motions. The kids and I were cracking up over his new discovery!

Getting Better Each Day...

As most of you know I enjoy sewing a good majority of the time these days. A good friend of mine, has a little girl that is turning 1 this weekend. I decided I would make her a couple dresses. Most of the items I have made up to this point have been for myself or the kids. Even though I do sew decently I always worry that if I make something for someone it may fall apart?! I decided it was time to get over that. I got the idea to make the little girl dresses when I was showing my friend the Easter dresses I made for my girls! She made a comment about wanting me to make her daughter dresses but would NEVER ask since I have 4 kids and am always busy! I found a really cute pattern a few weeks back and decided I would at least make 2 dresses. Picked out fabric at Joann's a few days later but didn't start making the dresses until this past week. Mainly cause we were all sick these last couple weeks! I was nervous about the timeline I gave myself but was surprised when I finished the first dress in one day (on and off again time at the sewing machine due to Garrison and school pick up and drop offs along with keeping Ava entertained). I had bought 4 different patterned fabrics just incase I wanted to make more than 2 and I was so glad I did. I ended up making the second dress the following day and the last 2 dresses the day after that! This pattern is very cute and so very simple. I am very excited to make the girls some more dresses for the summer now that I am getting better at these patterns!

Sleepy Children...

I don't have much to say about these two pictures but wanted to post them!


Liliana the other night asked to hold Garrison while I put the other two kids to bed. Both Garrison and Liliana were wide awake. I agreed to let her hold him while I put the other two to bed so that I could read them their bedtime stories (Marc wasn't home that night due to a softball game). When I came back downstairs I found both of them fast asleep! Too cute! They love each other so much!

Then another day Dillon decided he was tired. So I instructed him to go upstairs and put his nighties on. About 10 minutes later when I didn't hear him upstairs I decided to check on him! He didn't even make it up the steps before falling asleep! I swear this boy can fall asleep ANYWHERE when tired enough!

Rice Cereal...

Yes it was finally time to introduce Garrison to rice cereal! The very first day he didn't seem to like it very much! He kept spitting it out but getting a slight bit down. It took a good 6 days before he would open his mouth and appear to be enjoying it!