A Little Park Fun...

Although this time of year is very busy, I decided to push a few plans aside and take Garrison and Rosalia to the park.  What a gorgeous day considering it's almost December!! 

Time To Decorate The Tree..

Nap On Daddy

How Fast They Grow...

One Of Those "Ughh Mom" Pictures...

Phoenix Zoo...

A few friends and I took our children to the Phoenix zoo. Garrison is always excited to go to the zoo, but he was even more excited since his "girlfriend" Lexi would be going with us. We aren't sure what it is about Lexi (well besides all the obvious!) but out of all the kids his age, she is who he always wants to play and hang out with! He has even started hugging and kissing her before saying good bye! First up were the giraffe's which he was very excited to show Lexi.

Then he saw the orangutans.
Then enjoyed the baboons as they came right up to the windows!

Kindness...

Two weeks ago, Ava told us about the "Minute to win it Read-a-thon". All students were to come home and ask for "pledges". Even though we have 3 children in school, only Ava told us about the Read-A-Thon. That same day, Marc was talking to Doug (his boss) and somehow the read-a-thon came up in their conversation. Doug insisted on Marc putting him down for a $20 pledge!
Today in the mail, a very kind letter was addressed to Ava with an enclosed $20 bill!
All of our children get excited when they receive mail, but today when Ava heard who the envelope was from her eyes lit up!
I read the card which said...

"Advancing this to you as a vote of confidence for the November "Read-A-Thon". Given your proven abilities, positive demeanor, and outstanding genes, there is no doubt YOU WILL BLOW AWAY YOUR GOAL!

Best, Doug


What blows my mind is how thoughtful this was. Marc has had many bosses and most only knew Marc had a family. They didn't know how many kids we had, what their names were, or even care to ask how they were doing! Not that a boss needs to do those things because after all it is a workplace! However, acknowledgment goes a long way. Whenever he is in town and keeps Marc out late for dinner, he sends Marc home with dessert and an apology for cutting into family time. He is an amazing person to be so thoughtful and caring when he doesn't HAVE to be, but is because he WANTS to be!
We are very thankful for such a wonderful person in our lives!

An American Play...

Today was Dillon's play about America. It included songs about the Liberty Bell, the Washington Monument, Statue of Liberty as well as Latin phrases found on American currency. Our music teacher actually wrote the entire play. I'll admit it wasn't as "entertaining" in the theatrical department but everything the children learned was related to what they were currently learning in history class!

Hanging With Her Uncle...

Oh This Face...

Oh the funny little facial expressions Rosalia makes...

15 1/2 weeks...

He LOVES Cars 2...

The movie came out Tuesday morning. Tuesday morning we got a copy and had the dvd playing within minutes of arriving back home. He had already seen the movie in the theaters but 1 time isn't enough!!

Since Tuesday, he has watched the movie over and over again!

What is funny about him sitting for hours and hours watching the movie over and over again is it makes me flashback to Dillon when he was the exact same age as Garrison. Back when Dillon was Garrison's age, the first Cars movie had come out on dvd and like Garrison, Dillon sat for hours in front of the television watching it over and over again!

After watching both movies, I have to say, in my opinion the second one is better!