Happy 5th Birthday Garrison...

Today, Garrison turned 5.  Christmas decorations have been taken down and in their place is Disney Planes decorations.  We celebrated with a Disney Planes cupcake cake and presents.  Garrison was sad we couldn't have the family over for his annual birthday party but was excited to know we will be having the family over in a couple weeks to celebrate both him and Ava.  These days, you will find Garrison going to school 3 days a week, playing with friends at school, enjoying any chance he gets to ride his bike outside, playing video games, playing play-doh, being kind to his baby sister, and not so kind to Rosalia.

"My Mocha"

Poor puppy is loved a bit too much!

Merry Christmas From All Of Us...

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!  Our Christmas was spent with Papa Bing, Papa, Grandma, and Uncle Jarrod.  We had an early "dinner" because Grandma had to work later in the night.  Favorite gifts included Garrison's new Disney Planes bike, Liliana's ripstik (type of hybrid skateboard), Dillon's flying helicopter, Ava's craft kits, Rosalia's dress up items, and Maia's Minnie Mouse toys.  To say we were blessed for another Christmas season is the biggest understatement of the year! 

Dress Up Storage...

Rosalia's new dress up stand!  It even has a lift up top for storage in the bottom area!  Papa Simpson builds so many awesome pieces of furniture!!

Straight A's...

Straight A's for Liliana while Dillon and Ava brought home great report cards as well with mostly A's and a couple B's!!

Gingerbread Train #1

This tasty beast is for Dillon's class.  I wasn't planning to make this train for another 2 days but his teacher called and threw me a curve ball.  Thankfully Marc stepped in and helped out since I had to take Ava to the annual Christmas tree decorating party at church.

 He got it all assembled and royal iced so that I could come home and decorate!  I love when he helps me with these projects.  He doesn't like when I sign up for this stuff because at times it seems like too much but tonight he saw Dillon's reaction when I told him I might not get to it in time.  Although this sort of stuff is a lot of work...the smiles and happiness it brings the kids, makes it all worth it!

Happy Early Birthday Garrison

With a birthday that falls during winter break, the school likes to celebrate a little early.  So I put all my holiday baking aside to whip this cute treats up for Garrison's preschool class!  He was so excited to bring them to school!  He came home excited that there were 2 extras and even more excited about his paper birthday hat his teacher let him wear!

My First Gluten Free Gift...

Not bad for half bought products and half homemade items!  I hope Marc's boss likes everything!

" I Love My Puppy Wuppy"

Oh the snuggles and squeezes she gives poor Mocha...

Stockings and Holder

So last year my friend, Annette embroidered our names on white fabric.  I then made stockings with them.  This year I wanted to dress them up a bit more so I cut over 100 small squares and made them into half circles!  The result makes me smile!  Personalized stockings range from $18-$50 even higher per stocking!  We have 8 people to buy stockings for!  This project cost me next to nothing since I had all the fabric on hand and my friend did the embroidering for nothing!!

Once the stockings were done I needed something cute to hang them on.  Marc's dad had a nice piece of scrap wood from all his wood working, so I painted it.  Bought $6 in knobs and used my vinyl to cut the letters!  Not too shabby for $6!

Sleepy...

She woke up a bit too early today and before I could feed her lunch she was passed out!

Too Cute To Eat...

Too cute to eat.  A good friend made us an entire goodie bag of these cute snowmen!  So thoughtful and tasty!

House And Van Is Ready for Christmas...

Color In Motion 5K And Welcome 32...

Happy Birthday to me!  In honor of turning 32, I signed up with a friend to run a local color 5K.  Sadly the friend had emergency surgery (she's fine) and couldn't get cleared to run it.  She gave the spot to Liliana.  It was so much fun.  After the race, we grabbed free breakfast at Joe's Farm Grill, enjoyed snow play at one of Marc's stores, then enjoyed a movie with the kids (Frozen).  I didn't eat lunch because we ate breakfast so late.  But I did grab a late night birthday sandwich freebie from Firehouse Subs before enjoying a cake the kids and Marc picked up for me!  The kids all gave me sweet gifts they each picked out and Rosalia kept asking over and over and over again if it was my birthday!  It was a fun day and another memory for the blog!

Another "Play"

I say "play" because to me, plays are singing, dancing, and acting!  This music teacher likes to create his own "plays"!  I don't have an issue with what he creates, I just have an issue with him calling them "plays"!

They are 20 minute musical performances in which the kids sing and do minimal arm and hand motions!  Supposedly this specific play the kids wrote the choruses to!  Kudos to the 4th graders because their lyrics were far better than the teachers music note choices!!  Dillon did great!  He is one of the only kiddos that can hold a tune in this family!!

Only In AZ...

Is it 75 degrees in the middle of "winter"!  We didn't even need jackets this afternoon while playing at the park.  Maia may be tiny still but she is growing more and more independent when visiting the park!  This is play structure has 3 sections of steps to climb up in order to get to the slide!

Turkey Craft Anyone...

I Want To See Santa...

While getting some jewelry fixed at the mall today, Rosalia begged to visit Santa.  I didn't expect her to be so excited and willing to walk up to him never mind sit on his lap.  She even smiled a bit for a picture.  Maia wanted nothing to do with Santa but that was no surprise!  She informed Santa she expects lots of toys from the toy store (we happen to have been at toys r us shortly before getting to the mall.  I hope Santa has deep pockets this year!!

Our Visit To Colorado...

A trip to the mountains, the Denver Children's Museum, a local park, and lots of playtime at the Welsh Family's new home in Denver, CO was how Garrison and I got to spend our time visiting.  They were such great hosts and I look forward to returning the favor when they come visit AZ in the spring.  We didn't get pictures of us together while I was there visiting, but Kevin was prepared when they dropped us off at the airport! 

While Away...

This was Maia's reaction to seeing me on the iPhone FaceTime!

First Time Flying...

Garrison and I planned a short trip up to Colorado to see Lexi (his girlfriend).  He had mixes feelings about flying.  He was excited but nervous.  The nerves came from his brother tellin him the plane would crash.  The wait to board the airplane was painful.  He did good waiting but drove me batty with his million and one questions.  Just before boarding he noticed the Southwest Airlines logo which has a heart.  He turned to me and with a serious face says "Mommy you see that heart?  It's cause I love you!"  He's so sweet!  We boarded the plane, the excitement built up even more.  He loved taking off but loved landing even more!  We arrived in Colorado for our visit.  I will post about that once our trip is complete!