Winter Wonderland

A couple days ago, our neighbors brought back a truckload of snow from Big Bear and my kids were ecstatic. Thay had so much fun throwing snowballs at each other. Life couldn't get any better...
...until, it started snowing at our house (which, we have heard from our neighbors, never happens).

Tatum and Davis were little snow maniacs and played until they were so cold, they couldn't help but cry. I took Lyric out to see the snow and brought her back inside... she was devastated to miss out on the hands-on snow action.Here is Frostette, Frosty's miniature cousin.

I wish I would have taken a picture, the next morning, before the snow started to melt, but everything was so serene, covered in a white blanket of snow.For someone who has seen little snow in her life, I found it breathtakingly beautiful and almost teared up looking up in awe at the mountains behind our house... they looked so majestic. This was definitely an unexpected and wonderful surprise. I am so grateful that we got to experience an early white Christmas at our house and got to appreciate another aspect of Gods enchanting creations.

Dear Santa

Santa has become absolutely magically for Tatum this Christmas. I have never been one to promote Santa, trying to keep commercialism to a minimum... Nevertheless, Tatum has been so cute, this year writing letters to Santa, coloring pictures, and quizzing me on the logistics of Santa operations. I am actually growing to enjoy her her sweet, innocent excitement, knowing that too soon she will be all grown up. I guess Santa is not so bad after all. He is the symbol of selfless giving--right??

A Ride in Cinderella's Pumpkin

What winter evening would be complete without a horse drawn carriage ride in Cinderella's Pumpkin? I am not sure the hour-long wait was was worth it, but it was free and the kid's seemed to think it actually was Cinderella's.
I hope this is not our only Santa pic this year. It is awful... my camera was in video mode and apparently, you have to be smarter than the camera to work it. Regardless, my children were able to relay their imperative message... "Easy Bake Oven, Pirate Ship, Stroller for my baby sister, and of course we were good."

Thanksgiving 2008

I awoke this morning with devout thanksgiving for my [family and] friends, the old and the new.

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

Phoenix Children's Museum

During our Thanksgiving trip to the AZ, we went to the Phoenix Children's Museum to celebrate Ella's birthday (my adorable niece). It was some good fun for the kiddos (with some learning experiences sneaked in). I would totally recommend it, if you are in the area.Lyric and Aspyn

Davis Van Gogh (Pictured with his good ear)

The cousins going through the bike wash.

Frankendavis

Well, I am sure that it is only the first of many boyhood injuries, but the count starts now. While in nursery, Davis ran into the ledge of the chalkboard and ended up getting stapled. He was such a big boy while the doctor was fixing him up, so brave. I think I was more scared than Davis. Tatum had a real hard time dealing with the injury... it was heartbreaking, hearing her sobbing for her little brother... she was still crying long after her brother was. I guess she really does love him after all. I wish I had a better picture, after about twenty attempts, I gave up on Davis being still for a picture.

Baby Luke

Aunt Chelle, Baby Luke, Grr, and Papa came for a visit. We were all so excited to meet little Luke... he is such a little peanut and we all just love him to pieces!!

Pumpkin Patch

Well, as close as we are going to get to a pumpkin patch this year. (It is really a field of dirt in the Costco parking lot and we were melting in near triple digit temperatures.) At least we can say we visited "the pumpkin patch," which is a nostalgic necessity in my opinion. Davis & his best buddy, Daxton.

Confessions of a Blogoholic

Yes, it is true... I love to blog. And much to my husband's dismay, I have created a new blog (along with some friends). Mostly it is a blog to file away all of my ideas and other fabulous projects I come across, because frankly there is not anymore room in this mama's brain to store anything else. Check it out if you get a chance. Let me know if you want to contribute to it.

InspirationOrganization.blogspot.com

Stop the Time Change Madness

The madness of changing the time twice a year is driving me insane!!! Arizona has something right- and I am not sure why the rest of the country doesn't follow their example. After researching it, I found no real benefit to daylight savings time. Contrary to popular belief, farmers are annoyed by it. Maybe having daylight savings time always, saves energy cost and I would be all for that route. I am really having a hard time understanding why we put our kids through this ritual of change twice a year. My kids are completely off schedule. Davis has been getting up at five in the morning. It starts getting dark around four, my kids are asking for dinner then. By six we are all spent and ready for bed. Ehh! Sorry, just had to vent a little.

My sweet little boy awoke me with a tambourine serenade at 5am yesterday morning. (The tambourine is now in a safe hiding spot.)

Trunk or Treat

The annual church truck or treat was fun, as usual. Davis was thrilled with the candy... after every trunk stop, Davis just wanted to sit down, open his candy and eat it. Tatum, on the other hand was all about quantity and didn't have patience for Davis' distractions. Afterwards, about 15 kids ended up in our car, watching a movie, feasting on their entire stash of candy... needless to say things got a little crazy.

Disneyland Revisited

After almost a whole year of life without Disneyland, we got our season passes again. The kids were so excited and had a blast. Tatum was able to go on some "big girl" rides this time, now that she clears the 42 inch mark (with her high shoes on). She proudly braved the Grizzly River Run, twice and also went on Soaring Over California. Davis trembled his way through Pirates of the Caribbean, then asked to go on it again. We had a celeb spotting incident as well, and much to Ryan's embarrassment, I talked to Heidi Klum, who was there with her husband, Seal and their kiddos. It was a fun family day, perfect weather and not too busy... we can't wait to go back!

Marc Antony and Cleopatra

Ryan and I are not the dressing-up-for-Halloween type, so I am surprised to say that we went to a Halloween party, dressed-up, and had a great time. We went as Marc Antony and Cleopatra. It was fun seeing all the crazy, creative costumes... thanks for the fun party Sarah! Here are some of our friends' fabulous costumes:

Zorro and Lady Zorro
The couple from JunoDora and Boots
Mr. & Mrs. Mullet

Tai Pan

We are all ecstatic... we now have a Tai Pan Trading Company in our vicinity. For those whose eyes have yet to be opened to Tai Pan, it is amazing home decor store with great prices. My friend Michelle introduced me to it a few years ago and so happy that we now have one. It was so big, I felt dizzy towards the end trying to sort through all of the cute stuff. I managed to get away without spending too much, but I will be back!
Afterwards, we went to Johnny Carino's. It was my first time and I am hooked. We had the Italian Nachos and I tried the Wedge Salad. Everything was super delicious.

Pumpkin Carving Family Home Evening

Make pumpkin carving part of your FHE. We actually pre-carved the pumpkin, saved the cut-outs, then replaced them for the lesson.

http://inspirationorganization.blogspot.com/

Halloween Costumes 2008

Oh, the perils of photographing three children at once. Tatum had nothing but cheesy, fake smiles, Lyric just wanted to eat her halo and Davis had "ants in his pants" syndrome and refused to stand still. This is the best we could get of the three of them. So here you have it, two angels and Captain Davis.

Just Chill'in

Davis lov'in on his little sis.

Davis contemplating the meaning of life.

Tatum and her "twin" Claire.

Davis, Tatum, and their little friend, Manthus.