Holiday Fish Wrap

In no particular order, here is the lowdown on our little family's holiday season. From the time we moved, it feels like we haven't stopped. We continue to look for our new family home, but have truely enjoyed these two months in our cozy little apartment. It started with Thanksgiving at my sister's home and these little turkeys for the kids. We played white elephant bingo with my sister's inlaws and my parents, the kids loved it! We also had appetizers with Brian's brothers inlaws and played a great day of Settlers. We are thankful for family.

Christmas morning at Denia's house. The kids had a blast opening presents from Grandma and Papa and their cousins. Among the favorites were walkies and Lukey's new skateboard.Santa came through with Legos and Leapsters and everyone was happy. It was so fun to wake up with just our boys.

Santa had quite a time finding, I mean "making" this doggy lego set! The boys got me a dress, pants and lotions, it is fun to be the mom. Brian and I opted out of stuff and instead bought some great memories with a last minute trip to Virginia the day after Christmas. (MANY photos to follow) The boys loved their new pjs and Lukes got some great puzzles. Brian got me scuba lessons and I can't wait to go! He is always so thoughtful when it comes to gifts.

Some other fun memories this season were made when we went to the Polar Express with the Anselmos. It was truely magic. We got a bell from Santa and loved wearing jammies on the train. We can't wait till next year.

With no school we got to play with cousins. On the tramp at Grandma Jones' house. Grandma got the boys a big bounce house at her home on Christmas day and despite the rain the kids had a great time playing with their cousins. It has become a very anticipated tradition.

Playing at McDonalds with Aunt Cletty. Everyone needs an Aunt Cletty! (Avery has claimed her now) I love Christmas parties. We had so much fun at the annual friends party at the Anselmos.

Thanks for the great times Matt and Kim.

At Brian's work Chistmas party in Scottsdale. Even though it is always a chore finding a dress for the occasion, we had a great time and won a trip to Vegas in the raffle.

We had a such a great end to 2008. I feel like I just finished a marathon, I am looking forward to a very non-eventful start to the new year. A very belated Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night sleep!

Cousins or Siblings?

Living in an apartment certainly has it drawbacks, no yard, minimal light etc, but benefits of moving have far outweighed any inconviences. One of the best parts is being so close to family and friends. My sister now lives three miles from us and my kids think it is odd if we go more than one day without seeing their cousins. I don't know if we will always be this fortunate, but I take it while it lasts! Riding the REALLY FAST roller coaster at Amazing Jakes. Way to be brave Ben!

Making the most of our incredible weather, selling lemonade at Noah's. Thanks to my sister's great neighbors they made $2.50. They were so excited. (Poor Jeff is still recovering from a mild case of pnemonia and was napping at home with Daddy)

Making Christmas treats for neighbor gifts. Denia graciously let us trash her kitchen for the marathon baking session. My mother in law says that having your children grow up to be friends is one of the best blessings a parent can have. Mine must have done something right, I hope my boys are just as lucky!

Birthday Fun

For part of Luke's Birthday celebration we went to the zoo! They loved the monkeys and Lukes spent about twenty minutes eyeing the tortoise. He love turtles. We we so happy to go with our friends Cameron and Brookie, and the boys had fun running, climbing and exploring together. Thanks Tiff for a fun day...we missed you Hallie.

Luke had two parties, one with grandma Jones' train cake and one with at Aunt Denia's house. We had a Luke day and he picked out Ninja Turtles cups, Doggie plates, Star Wars napkins and Kung Fu panda cupcakes. (poor kid can't make up his mind which of his brother's favorite things he likes best)

Happy Birthday Baby

Two years ago he we got an early Christmas present and can't imagine what life would be like without our baby Lukey. He definately is letting us know lately that he is not a baby anymore.
Luke, here are some of my favorite things about you:
1. Your blue eyes, finally one of my boys got my eye color. You have me completely beat on lashes however!
2. You love your brothers.
3. You are a mommy's boy, and love to cuddle with me. I love the way you run to me and yell Mommy when I come home.
4. You ask me to teekle (tickle) your piggies.
5. You love to read stories.
6. I love wrapping you up in your bug towel after your bath, rocking you like a baby and listening to you laugh.
7. You are your own person, and let us know all the time!
8. You get so excited about things, and make it so rewarding to be your mommy.
9. You call me mom, not mommy, but mom.
10. You truely think you are six.

We love you Lukes and are glad to have you as part of our family. Happy Birthday.

Feeling Thankful

We had a quick opportunity to take "retakes" of family pictures this weekend. The boys were in a way better mood and they turned out great. Between the two "photo shoots" we got some wonderful pictures. I am so grateful for my little family and am constantly amazed at how blessed I am to have three healthy children. Ben made some Thanksgiving feathers at school today and the things he was grateful for were: 1. Star Wars, 2. Movies, 3. Jeffey and, 4. Spence (preschool buddy). It warms my heart that Jeff made the cut! I truely am overwhelmed by the joy and purpose they bring to my life.

I am also grateful for my husband. He is supportive of all the things I try with the boys and our home and gets excited about the little things. One of my favorite things is to hear him use words or phrases with the boys that I coined. I am so proud of what a hardworker he is and that he keeps getting A's at school (we can't quite figure out how, with everything else he has to do). We have so much fun together and I love going through all that life brings with him. Happy Thanksgiving to all our family and friends.

Great Christmas Gifts

My friends make these and I love how original they look. Check out the link for a cute, affordable Christmas gift.
http://www.unlikelyletters.blogspot.com/

Bringing Back the Magic

The first year of marriage was so simple and so much fun. We lived in a little apartment and had not a care in the world! Then in what feels like a second, life got so complicated and busy. Last night we took a trip back in time and all slept on the floor in our new apartment. Yes... thats right, we scalled down all our things and tucked them tightly in a three bedroom basement "hometel" (as Ben calls it). Life is simple again! I'm sure I will tire of no yard or garage, but for the time being it is a fun little adventure until we find a house we like. The boys think it is great and the extra thirty minutes I had to get the kids to school this morning was golden. It was so heartwarming to watch my little men carry twenty #10 cans into the house. As completely exhausting as this process has been, I do love moving. There is something magical about the smell of new carpet and fresh paint, and the completely spotless house.
I feel a little like a newly wed again and we do definately need another honeymoon when all this is done!
Thanks in advance to everyone who helped or loaned their husbands to make this happen.