Happy 2 Years...

Happy Birthday Garrison!

Today Garrison turned 2 years old! Although, if one were to guess how old he was by size... they would guess to young, if guessing by speech or by what he can do... they would guess to old!

These days Garrison LOVES being a typical boy! He is full of energy. Enjoys climbing and jumping on and off things. Is very much a dare devil and shocks us daily when we make it through another day withOUT having to end it in an emergency room!

LOVES cars, trucks, planes... pretty much any type of vehicle that has wheels and moves! He also LOVES Mickey Mouse. Mickey Mouse tv shows, toys, cups, plates, silverware, and even clothing!

He speaks very well. Puts multiple words together and even forms complete sentences on occassion!

He LOVES to instigate! Why you ask... because his siblings have taught him VERY WELL!

At his 2 year checkup he weighed in at 22.3 lbs.

Today we celebrated with chocolate and vanilla mickey mouse cupcakes and lots of presents! Papa and Grandma Simpson were able to join us for a fun afternoon!

His family party is scheduled for New Years Day.

Happy Birthday Jesus...

Jesus' Birthday Cake

Round 3 layer white cake with white frosting

Round represents the world is round which Christ was born

Icing is white, sinless and pure of heart

Border made of hearts (cinnamon hearts, this year I couldn't find cinnamon hearts so I had to improvise) each connected with each other

Represents each person united in Him

Peace star (yellow) on the top reminds us of the star that shines

One candle on top, came into the world to bring light and truth

Three layers, Father on the bottom, Christ in the middle, and Holy Spirit on the top. You cut through the Son to get to the Father

Christmas Day 2010

Christmas Day!! The children woke up at 6:45am. Marc TORTURED them and made them wait for him to take a shower before heading downstairs to see what Santa brought them this year. Once downstairs it took them all but 2 seconds to realize the 3 fish tanks sitting on the kitchen counter. That sneaky Santa. Mom and Dad said NO PETS and what does he bring... Fish! Next was to read Santa's letter. Santa wrote a quick note on the note the kids left him the night before and then brought a second letter all the way from the North Pole with a riddle. It asked that they share and care in the year to come and that when they are jumping ABSOLUTELY NO BUMPING... in the backyard was a brand new TRAMPOLINE. We didn't get any pictures of them discovering the trampoline but we did get some video footage (which as tech savy as I am... I can't seem to figure out how to post it!)
It was a good morning. The kids had so much fun opening all their gifts. While I cleaned up all the paper, Marc made snowman blueberry muffins! The rest of the day was spent playing with presents, having Grandma and Papa over for an early dinner, and enjoying time at home with each other. The extended family get together was the following day. Sadly I didn't bring the camera but it was another lovely weekend!


Trying to figure out Santa's "riddle"

Fish!!!
What a mess!

Christmas Eve...

Christmas Eve was extra special this year. My AWESOME mother-in-law almost always works holidays making it very hard to get together as a family on those particular holidays. This year was special because she was off Christmas Eve!! We were invited over for a fun night which included a very yummy dinner, gift galore, and some family game playing! Aunt Betty, Jan, and Bea were able to join us as well! (My mother-in-laws sister and kids) Its was a wonderful evening full of fun memories my kids will always remember!

The custom art desk Papa made for Liliana. The top slides out when in use!!

She LOVES her Grandma... so do I!

Dillon The Narrator...

This year the first grade class put on a small play for the parents. The Three Snow Bears by Jan Brett. Dillon was given a narrating part, and of course, he did a wonderful job!It was so very crowded since the play was performed in the classroom so unfortunately I got a back row seat. I was able to snap a couple pictures though...

Gingerbread Train x 2...

Not ONE...But TWO Gingerbread Trains were made...

Chubby Baby...

We finally got a CHUBBY baby! She is cute and cuddly but more than anything else she is 100% chub! Its of course the cutest chub I have ever seen!

Today was her 2 month visit at the Doctor's office. She weighed in at a whopping 12.3 lbs which puts her in the 80th percentile! Yeahup I said 80th percentile!!

She is 23 inches in height which puts her in the 72nd percentile!!

I never in a million years expected to have, as everyone of my friends call her, a "normal sized" baby! All of the other children were always real low on the charts. Liliana was the only baby that had decent height but her weight was still real low.

I definitely shocked the Doctor today with Rosalia!

She is obviously growing as she should be. Developing and doing all things expected of a 2 month old. She laughs, coos, and "converses" with us daily! She REALLY LOVES her daddy. I can't say I blame her... he is a pretty AWESOME daddy! Just like all the other babies, she is really fond of her oldest sister, Liliana! Liliana is our little mommy of the house! For now, all her siblings enjoy cuddling and holding their baby sister... but we all know that only lasts for so long!!

Visitors...

A visit from Uncle David and Aunt Dee Dee was something we all looked forward to! Its been a couple years since they both came to visit everyone here in Arizona! I enjoy family get togethers so very much. The Simpson clan is a VERY FUN family! Adding another couple Simpson's to the mix makes it all that more fun!

The plans were... spend the entire Saturday visiting with everyone, playing games and eating a yummy dinner together then on Sunday meeting up around lunchtime at Usery Park for a cookout and hike!

Saturday was a wonderful day hanging out at Aunt Jeneen's house!

Sunday was a little more complicated then we all had planned! Upon arriving, we were told NO FIRES! Well that threw a big ol' wrench in our lunch plans since we only brought fire wood and a charcoal grill! Luckily Dad came to the rescue with a small propane grill along with Aunt Jeneen heading to the local grocery store to bring back some fried chicken!

After the food issues were resolved it was time for some hiking. Uncle David, Aunt Dee Dee, Uncle Pat, Matthew, Jason, Ava, Liliana, Dillon, and myself headed off! Uncle David had the map and offered to lead us. He planned a mile and half hike to the other side of the mountain where there were play equipment for the kids to play on while we took a short break. After some playtime we continued on with our hike. We hiked a total of 3 miles! My 3 older children SHOCKED me with their hiking abilities... they also impressed our visitors!

After our hike, it was time to pack up and say our goodbyes! It was a very fun day spent with our family! Its too bad our visitors had to leave so soon! Even though it was a short visit, we had a blast!

Enjoy some photos I took over the weekend...

Happy 11 Years...

11 Years and still going strong!

11 years ago Marc and I married.

11 years ago we had no idea what our future had in store for us.

11 Years and more in love than ever!

Happy 11 Years to Marc and I

A New Toy For Mom...

With my birthday, our anniversary, and Christmas all within weeks of each other, Marc combined my 3 gifts into 1!

"Its mommy's new toy, don't touch it guys!" Liliana said this morning after Marc took it out of its box!

"What is it?" Dillon asked.

"It's for Mommy to take more pictures of us!" replied Liliana.

"Oh great! Thanks Dad for buying mommy the worst gift EVER!" said Dillon.

I am not sure why Dillon HATES getting his picture taken... but I dream of the day he will smile nice and big without fussing and causing a stink.

While I wait for that day to come, I will be busy playing with my new toy...

A background stand with 2 new muslin fabric backgrounds!!

No more taking the kids to get professionally photographed! Its my job now!

Some Things Never Get Old...

Video Games... not something I feel is a necessity in life but if you ask Marc... they are a must for our children! In his spare time he enjoys playing them any chance he gets! When it comes to his games and game systems he is a total BIG kid. He wants the newest game and newest system every time there is something released! Not only does he want whats new when its released but he wants it ON release day!

I have learned that this will never change but hope that for at least a few more years my children won't have this same expensive habit of chucking something old as soon as something new comes available!

So far so good. Today Marc hooked up the Super Nintendo for them. The Super Nintendo was released in 1991! Making it 19 years old! The laughs and giggles as they picked characters was priceless. Garrison was hilarious playing a race car game, he would move the controller like a steering wheel instead of pushing the buttons. If I would have let them, they would have played video games all day long!

Today was a great example for Marc to see that no matter how old the video game system is, our children are still young enough to appreciate playing A video game system even if its not the newest release!