My baby is 1!!!

Super Bud!

Favorite jammies ever!

Polar Express 2013!!

We had another fun time at the Polar Express this year!!  We went the Saturday of Thanksgiving weekend.  This was our 6th year of going!!!  I can't believe Kaylee was 2 and our only the first year we went.  My how time has flown by and our family size increased!!  

The Ugliest Sweater!

Yes, Ryan is proud to say he won that title two weekends ago at the ugly sweater party we went to! LOL!  All thanks to Brandon's mom who lent us the sweaters!  She had some great ones to choose from.  Mine was also pretty cool and lit up on the reindeer noses.  It was a fun family affair!

First Ride on the Truck.....

For Nolan on the fire truck that is.  :)  Ryan also worked the day before Thanksgiving.  He was sent to a slow station really close to our house so we went to visit him and take a ride in the fire truck.

Love the cool old fire truck in the back ground

Thankful Stuff!

Back to November for some of our Thanksgiving activities!

Kaylee had to decorate or disguise a turkey to hang up in her class room at school.

Halloween 2013

Good morning and Happy Halloween!

Pumpkin Carving and Boo cups!

Still determined to finish Halloween.  These are from our yearly pumpkin carving and boo cup making night!  Love having traditions that our kids will hopefully always remember!  Ryan is such a trooper.  This year he had 3 pumpkins to carve.

This was the first year that Kaylee was more willing to help pull out pumpkin seeds.  The goo did not bother her as much.  :)  Working on Nolan's pumpkin.

October Fun!

Decorating the house:

Fun with window markers!

Nolan's 1st Haircut!

Today Nolan had the BIG first haircut!  His hair was just getting so long and I was always having to push it out of his eyes.  We did not have her take too much off, just enough to even it up in the back and keep it out of his eyes.  He looks so handsome and he did such a good job!  No tears and he sat very still in his seat.....which is very un-Nolan like.....the sitting still part that is.  :)

Before getting into his firetruck

Pumpkin Farm 2013!

On October 19th we took our yearly trip to the pumpkin farm.  This year we went to McDonald's Ranch again.  Fun time on the farm and being with family!

All decked out in orange and ready to go!

More California

Here are some more pictures from our trip to California.  It was great to see my Aunt, Uncle, and cousins.  We had not been out to visit in over 2 years.

I think we need a bigger car??!!  Kaylee was in there somewhere!  I really don't know how we fit it all in?!?!

Remembering Grandpa/Great Grandpa

Lloyd Grover~ October 1917-September 2013
I went back and forth whether I should post this or not but I decided I did want to.  I know I can't due it justice, or probably say the right thing, but I want to have this in my blog to remember Grandpa.  My Grandpa died the end of September just a few weeks short of 96.  He had Alzheimer's and had been very ill the last several years and confined to a bed.  My wonderful Aunt and Uncle cared for him in their home the whole time.  Such a crummy disease and so hard to see him go down hill.  Very sad that my kids did not get to know him.  I have such wonderful memories of my Grandpa from growing up, and always had so much fun when we would go to California to visit  2-3 times a year.  He loved the Lord and was such a good example in how he lived his life.

I didn't have a picture of just him but I thought this would be even better with my sister and I.  I know my Mom would have had so many more choices, but I found this one that was taken back in May of 1983.  My Grandma and Grandpa had come to town for my 3rd birthday.

11 Months

Happy Halloween!

Love, Kaylee, Alexa, and Nolan......or better yet know today as Peacock, Super Girl, and Shark.  But those pictures coming soon.....hopefully.

Booed Back!

Tonight we were Booed back!  Love it!

Our new window decoration!

Our first Boo!!

Tonight we had the fun of "Booing" two of our neighbors!  I had seen this last year on someone's blog right after Halloween.  I remember thinking it was a really cute idea but had already missed the boat that year.  I still went and printed off the sign and instructions and stuck it in the Kids Holiday Activity file for next year.....yes, I actually have that file in my drawer.  ;)   The other day Ryan mentioned that he saw on facebook or somewhere about someone "booing" someone and I went, "oh yea!  I remember seeing that last year and was going to do that."  I was so glad he reminded me!  So I went to the file cabinet and pulled out the printout, made my two copies, and tonight we got to work putting our treats together.  Then it was off to two of our neighbors for our first boo!

Back to August

So, along with looking back to the cell phone picks like mentioned in the last post, I found a few more that I had forgotten about and wanted to post.

The first is from a sweet little princess party that my girls went to.  This was for Kaylee's best friend Olivia.  Kaylee and Olivia met in 3's preschool and have been best friends ever since.  They have never been in the same class again other then that first year, but they have always had a special bond.  About a year and a half ago they moved to Gilbert.  That was hard on all of us as I have also become really good friends with Olivia's mom, Holly.  Olivia has a younger sister, Julianne, that is a little younger then Alexa and they have become good friends too.  Even though they are about 40 min away we make a point to get together on school days off, summer, spring break, or just random Saturdays here and there.  Well, as if we didn't think that was hard enough being so far, last month Holly told me that her husband got a job transfer to Virginia and they are moving as soon as their house sells.  I just got the word they are leaving right before Thanksgiving.  We are all so sad and going to miss them so much.  It is really hard loosing good friends.

Face painting.  Kaylee chose a heart

More for Nolan

This is actually a continuation of part of Nolan's 10 month post.  So often I take pictures on my phone because it is always there and it is small and easy to have with you.  The pictures from Ryan and my phones automatically get uploaded to a folder on our computer.  The problem is now having pictures from the same event or activity in two different folders if I have also taken some on my other camera    That is great as long as I remember to check that folder.  :)  I was just looking in that folder and here are a few from my phone that go along with 10 month things:

~Nolan tried food from those fun little squeeze pouches right before 10 months.  I remember Alexa loving those too!  I usually make all his baby food but we were going to CA and I was not going to try and bring everything.  So before we left I thought we would give one a try.  He really liked it!  I still have to help him some or he will just squeeze it all over.  :)

10 Month Update!

I feel so bad that this post is closer to 11 months then 10 months.  Right now Nolan is just a guy on the go and it has gotten more and more as the month goes on!  He is definitely a busy, happy little boy that just wants to explore everything around him.  He gives his Mama, and Dada when home, a workout all day just trying to keep up with him!

It was so nice having Ryan's help this month with the pictures.  Got a few more then last month. :)

Fall Traditon

Can you guess what time of year it is?!?!

Family night

Alexa had family night at her school a few weeks ago.  I love looking in the classroom at all the artwork and to see everything they are up to.  Brought back memories.  Lex has the same teachers as Kaylee and it was fun to see a few repeats that were done again with Alexa's class.  It was also fun for Kaylee to see her old teachers and room.

The sock fish, below pic, and the feet family, below that, were both repeats and fun to see!

4's Preschool!

Wow, I can't believe Alexa is already in her last year of preschool.  That just makes me so sad.  :(  The preschool years are so fun and special.  She is loving this year so far.  Last year was a little bit of an adjustment but this year she can't wait to go and walks right in with a smile.  Sad that some days I have to remind her to stop and give her Mama a hug and kiss before going in, but so glad she is happy and ready to start the day.

Here she is at her meet the teacher day.  Loves her classroom and did not want to leave.

First day of 2nd grade!

Kaylee is about 2 months into 2nd grade but I did not want to forget her 1st day pictures.  First days are always fun special days, this year a little more hectic with Ryan gone and having a baby, but we still managed to fit in all the fun and with me at the end of the day sighing a huge sigh of relief that I made it......only to think wow, now I get to do this all again in a week and a half for Lex!!  So worth it though and so glad for traditions.


First day breakfast set up and sign:

9 Month Update!

September

Wow, can't believe we are in September.  We are back to routine with a few weeks into school, back to dance for both girls, and just finishing up our first round of back-to-school colds.  I really hope we are just getting it out of the way now.  It started with Alexa last Tuesday and then spread to the rest of us.  Poor Nolan has had it the worst and it has been a rough few days with him.  So this definitely made for a fun Labor Day weekend.  We did a whole lot of nothing.  Today most of us are starting to feel a little better.  Nolan's fever is gone so that is good.  My favorite lotion store was having a candle sale that was ending today so I thought I would drag everyone out of the house after Nolan's nap for this exciting outing (well I actually think it is pretty exciting).  :)  Anything that can make my house smell and feel like fall on the inside when it is 110 degrees outside is really exciting in my book.  I love how my 2 oldest are girls because they also share in my excitement.  When I asked them if they wanted to go to the lotion store I got an excited YES from both of them.....I think everyone was tired of sitting on the couch being sick.  So after smelling every candle in the store ( the girls just love smelling EVERY SINGLE ONE) we picked Pumpkin Apple and Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin.  I figured I would limit myself to two candles for now....really just for now.....will totally be back soon.....i know I am a total nerd.  I love something with Apple in September and of course pumpkins and fall scents through Thanksgiving....got stocked up with a bunch of apple soaps too for this month and pumpkin lotion.  September is when we usually do our apple picking and then that leads to lots of apple baking too.  Speaking of apple picking we plan to try a new orchard this year.  I went to the usual farms website the other day to put the date on our calendar and they said no apples this year due to late frost.  Ugg.  I thought we were out of luck but then Ryan found another one that is in Oak Creek Canyon.  Don't know anything about it but we will check that one out this year.  Sometimes change can be good.......and other times not so good....we will see??  So bring on September and fall....I can't wait for fall and cooler weather..... 90's.....only high of 100....anything but 110!!!!  In  the mean time I am LOVING the Pumpkin Apple candle we got today.  The house smells sooooo good!

Mouse Cupcakes

Memaw gave the girls their own kid cookbook a few years back.  They both love to pick things out to make.  We were down to the last week before school started and Kaylee wanted to pick one more thing to make before back to school.  She chose the Mouse Cupcakes.

We made the cupcakes one night and then the next night we decorated them.  I think the main interest was just eating the batter.  :)

A Royal Wedding!

In our living room of course.  I had to post these pictures more because I probably have about 20 pictures from when I was little of me and and my sister and friends of us in these exact same dresses.  The peach dress was one my Grandma made for me and my sister for my Aunts wedding.  They matched the bridesmaids dresses.......got to love 1982!!!  The other one was from the mid 80's when my sister and I got to be flower girls for one of my Dad's friends.  Between those dresses and all the many old dance costumes, we had hours of dress up fun!

On this summer day Kaylee was the princess, and bridesmaid, and her brother was the prince that Alexa was going to marry.  So who is the prince I ask?  Nolan of course they say.  Lex says, "But Mom, Nolan is not really my brother in pretend!!"  Few...good thing!  So I held Nolan up and the end of the pretend isle and we had a royal wedding!

A New Look!

A few weeks before school started this little 7 year old got a new look!


Before:

Camping

So when Ryan got back from one of his fires during the summer the girls decided to go camping after he unpacked his tent..........................................
indoors in our living room that is.  :)

Ryan and Nolan checking out the tent

8 Months Old

Life has just been so busy the last few weeks with back to school that the month has totally gotten away from me.  Nolan's 8 month post is more like an 8 1/2 month post.  Many nights I have thought about sitting down to do this but I am just too tired all the time.  I figure I don't want to wait any longer or I won't remember what he was actually doing at 8 months.  I feel like he is already doing more now then he was doing at the start of the month.  I will try to give a short summery of what he is up to:

Movie Night

But this wasn't just any movie night it was an American Girl movie night!  Of course dolls were included. :) The new American Girl movie was on TV one night in July so I recorded it for the girls.

Everyone getting in their pj's:

Dance Recital 2013

Back in June the girls had their dance recital.  Both girls did great and they had lots of fun.  Kaylee was so much more confident and improved so much since last year.  She has been so excited about dance and can't wait to start again next week.  Alexa has also really enjoyed dance this past year and will be taking it again too.  She did great for her first recital!

These were actually taken during dress rehearsal because they don't let you take pictures during the actual show.
Alexa tap:

Summer Time

I am always sad to see summer go.  We are down to the last week before school starts. :(  I hope we are all ready come next Thursday morning and that I still won't be in denial that this is actually happening already.  August 8 is way too early and way too hot.  Totally don't feel ready to get back to schedules.
I have decided that next summer our family NEEDS a vacation.  We are on year two of no vacation.  Usually we at least escape to CA or something, but nothing the last two years.  Last summer Ryan was in paramedic school and this summer Ryan has been working lots of fires.  Next year......
So still in attempt to catch up on this blog here are some summer pictures:

 Lots of Popsicles a must!

Last Day for Kaylee!

Kaylee's last day was on May 23rd.  Kaylee did so good her 1st grade year and we are so proud of her!  She had such a great teacher and we are all sad she won't have her next year.  We are lucky she is one of our neighbors so we will still be able to keep in touch.   She is now reading and mostly tying her shoes.  :)  Mostly because I feel there was never a day where she could all of a sudden do it.  It has been a slow work in progress throughout the year.  Totally my fault for being so busy with baby to put in the time to teach her.  We have worked on it some this summer and she is getting better all the time.....but who really wants to wear shoes and socks in the summer.?.?  With school starting right around the corner she will be back to daily practice.  :)

Before her last day I am so glad I set out a few things the night before:

Last day for Lex!

I always like to make a big deal out of first and last days of school.  Something else fun to decorate for and celebrate!!  Way back on May 16th Lex celebrated her last day of 3's preschool.  This year was so good for her and she has come a long way!  She is already looking forward to the next school year as a big 4 year old!!  So sad to think she only has one more year at La Casa before Kindergarten.  Let's hope for a really SLOW year.

Blast from the past!

The other day Ryan found his old original Nintendo in the garage and he thought it would be fun to hook it up for the kids.  He did not even tell them about it, just went and plugged it into their little TV and started playing.  I first heard it when I was in the bathroom doing Alexa's hair.  I heard the dinging of the coins coming from Super Mario Brothers....oh the sounds from the 80's coming from my living room!  All the kids, including Ryan, have been having fun playing it. :)  So funny to think that my Dad originally brought this home to my house when I was about 7 or 8 and Kaylee is now 7.  Total blast from the past!

Banana Ice Cream

This was a little treat we heard about so we had to give it a try.  Super simple, healthy, and fun for the kids in the summer....win, win, win!

Okay....so it might get a little complicated here with all the ingredients so stay with me.  You will need........

~Bananas

Whew!!  That was tough...:) Use as many as you like, I used about 6 or 7

 Slice them up

Throw them in a plastic bag and freeze for a few hours

Place how ever many frozen bananas you want in the food processor and blend them up.

And there you have it......Banana Ice Cream!  We put strawberries on ours and mixed them in and it was so yummy and the kids loved it!  They thought it was real ice cream!

Going to a Diamondbacks game.....a different kind of view!

Nolan all ready for his first game:

 But we got to have a different kind of view then we were used to....

The view from here!  It was so fun.  My friend Mindy rented out the Diamondbacks pool for Jeremy's 40th birthday!!  Such a fun once in a lifetime opportunity!  

 Nolan did so great at the game!