Time to cruise!!!

Each time we get pregnant with a new little baby David and I plan a last hip-hip-hurrah! This time we planned another cruise, and let me just tell you I never wanted to come home. (well maybe for a couple hours to see my kids, and then leave again :) David and I NEEDED this so bad. A wise friend once told me that traveling heals the heart, and to throw my worries overboard. I listened to her advice to the T and enjoyed myself. (Thanks Erin for being so wise!!!) It was so nice to be pampered, to eat whatever I wanted, to have someone else clean the dishes, make my bed, clean up all the messes, and drink hot chocolate and stare at the twinkling stars. It was heaven!!! Now that I'm back in reality I miss it terribly, but I am so grateful David and I could sneak away for a long weekend and enjoy ourselves without and kids, and give us sometime to heal together, and focus on what the future has in store for us. Here's to 2011!!!

Another Christmas Craft

So today we wanted to spread Christmas cheer for all to hear... so we made a Santa. This is a super easy craft using a paper plate, construction paper, and cotton balls. Here is the link if you want to make one yourself. Enjoy!!!

Wordless Wednesday

1st Christmas craft

We needed to start the Christmas season off right so we decided to make a Christmas tree. Lizzie loves glitter glue and gluing so this was perfect. I hope this season is a great one for you! This year we really want to focus on the true meaning of Christmas, and hope you will do the same.

Happy Birthday Lizzie

The birthday Girl opening her presents before Church

Dress up Party

Cupcake time

Lizzie had such a great birthday. 1st she had her Round up Party with all her friends. Then on her birthday we made homemade smoked BBQ turkey pizza and cupcakes, and a couple of her friends came by to celebrate her special day with her.

The End of November is Here

Wow! we sure are Thankful for a lot of things!!! I'm grateful to look back at all the things people wrote, and remember we are ALL so blessed! Here is to another great end of a year!

Knott's Berry Farm X two!!!

In the month of November Knott's Berry Farm allows all service men/women in for free. Well since the Martin's are our friends they let us tag along with them twice. So for two trips to Knott's Berry Farm we paid $15.00. SUPER SCORE!!! Thanks again Martin family for all the fun. Lizzie and Krislynn loved hanging out with Zachary and Christopher and riding all the rides together. Lizzie has informed me that she loves SCARY rides ONLY IF they are a little scary. She rode the roller coaster 2 times, and didn't even cry. Krislynn LOVED the bounce house, but the most fabulous part of Knott's Berry Farm was.... Huff and Puff!!! The girls LOVED this ride, and thanks to Zachary for helping them get around the track!!!

Howdy Lizzie it's your 3rd Birthday!!!

*DOUBLE CLICK ON ANY PICTURE AND IT WILL ENLARGE*

This year for Lizzie's birthday she wanted a cowboy theme (not a cowgirl theme, since she is a cowboy like her Dad). So My amazing friend Angie and I went looking for AMAZING ideas for this party. With everything going on I didn't have a lot of time so this is what I came up with and it was a hit:

We had pony rides

We had a Hoedown and Karaoke

We made our own Cowboy vests from grocery sacks

My AMAZING friend Charly did the face painting, and oh was it a hit!!!

We had a shoot out! Who could knock down the most cans with either a ball or target gun. The boys LOVED this activity. Molly couldn't put the cans up fast enough.

Horse races and snake in the grass

Some of the fun people who came to celebrate with Lizzie

Good ole' cupcakes!!! Thanks Jenny they were so yummy!!!

The Parker Clan with the birthday gal

and we couldn't forget the presents.

Well I think the party was a huge success. The kids had a great time, and even though the tractor ride was rained out it was okay since we had so many other activities to keep the kids busy. I'm grateful for such AMAZING friends who always come to my rescue. You guys are the best! I couldn't have done this without you.

A HUGE THANK YOU TO:

Angie: for being my wing man though out this party adventure

Andrea: for figuring out how to make the vests, and having a smashing hoedown

Charly: for your amazing talent of face painting, and getting to each child multiple times

Jenny: for the super yummy cupcakes and helping out with Pin the Tail on the Pony

Molly: for setting up those can a zillion times, the boys loved you for that

Oma & Papa: for bring the pony to the party

Kris and Shauna: for letting us borrow the pony

My husband: for all the countless hours of helping me plan, and execute this round up of a time. You are my rock, and I love you so much!

and anyone else I forgot thank you... thank you!!!!

Now onto Thanksgiving!!!!

Is 3 really worse than 2?

So this is my question to the blogging world... Is three REALLY worse than two? I know life is hard sometimes, but SERIOUSLY... Talking back and testing your limits? Where did my sweet and kind girl go? I swear sometimes I feel like I need to pull out all my hair and then some. David says it is because Lizzie is my twin, and all of her AMAZING quirks are the same as mine and that is why they drive me bonkers. But seriously I feel like once I get life figured out, a bomb goes off and everything is turned upside down and there I am picking up the pieces once again.

SIDE NOTE:
Today was one of those moments where you treasure the good times. Krislynn was with my friend Angie, and it was just Lizzie and me. I forgot how easy it is with one kid. Things go twice as fast, and I'm not juggling kids around and trying to keep them happy with bribes from my magic sack. It was nice to have an afternoon with Lizzie and me. I felt normal and life is slowing coming back together. HOORAY!!! I'm glad for days like this. Where I can spend special time with just one of them. Listening to their concerns and them telling me everything they see or hear. Thanks Angie for giving that to me.

I know my kids stress me out of my mind sometimes, especially lately, but I'm grateful for them. They are my everything, and they have helped me heal especially since Peter's passing. My girls I love you. Your Mommy is so proud of you. You make my World go round. Thank you for your smiles and hugs, and especially your kisses (thank you Krislynn your open mouth slobbery kisses too) I'm happy to kiss your boo boo's, and snuggle you when you have bad dreams. I love you more than anything!!! I'm so blessed to be your Mommy.

Love: Mom

Krislynn 15 months

This girl is AMAZING!!! She loves to be crazy like her sister, and her favorite thing to do now is throw tantrums. Not just ones where you throw yourself on the ground and cry. She will bite, hit, and scream your ear off. Where does this come from? She is my sweet girl! Not a crazy toddler yet... but when she is calm I just love to snuggle her! She loves to read books, build with blocks, and did I mention eat? That is her favorite pass time. She loves to run and keep up with the big kids, and her sister is her best friend especially when she shares with her. Her dimples are so deep and beautiful, and I just want to squeeze her cheeks every second. She loves Nursery especially singing time. She loves to dance, and play Duck Duck Goose. What can't this girl do? Well eat with a spoon is one thing, but we will be working on that.

Her stats:

Weight:26 pounds 90 percentile

Height: 33 inches 75 percentile

Head: 75 percentile

Lizzie's 1st!!!!

The Patterson were here to visit and Little Randy and Lizzie were playing with the weights we have in the living room (since Mom and Dad pump iron 24/7) I hear screaming coming from the living room and in walks Lizzie with a middle finger turning black and blue super fast and starting to puff up. Little Randy hides and Lizzie continues to scream. We finally get it out of her that she dropped a 3 pound weight on her finger. We ice it, and hope the nail doesn't fall off. The next couple of days her finger turns black and blue, but she can bend her finger (Mommy thinks no worries it was just smashed pretty hard) Now a flash forward to today... I take Krislynn in for a baby well check up and shots and mention to Dr. Shah of what Lizzie has done to her finger. He is concerned since the swelling never went down, and puts in an order to get an x ray. By this point this was my 3rd trip to Kaiser today. Thank goodness I stayed at Oma and Papa's house all day. I take Lizzie in and inform her of what will happen. She thinks she is going in for shots and doesn't want the lady to x ray her hand. I let her know that Daddy will think she is amazing since she will be the 1st hand model in our family, and then bribe her with candy. It works!!! we get the shots and Lizzie gets her candy, everyone is happy! I write Dr. Shah an email saying we went in to have an x ray, and to let me know if her finger is okay. This is the picture I get back. Lizzie has broken the tip of her middle finger on her right hand. Now we get to go back to Kaiser tomorrow, get a splint, and get a referral for ortho. Hooray!!!

Let's Get Physical

Who is ready to workout??? Let's get physical!!!

IT"S BACK!!!!!

Every year since we have been married we hang up our Thankful board. Whenever anyone stops by we have them take a second and add what they are thankful for. By the end of the month the board is overflowing with blessings. I challenge you to add this tradition to your family during the holiday season it really adds something special to your home.
Don't forget to add something(s) each day!!!

Our 1st Fall Craft

To start November off right we did leaf rubs. This is a super easy craft, and since we don't really don't get to experience the leafs changing beautiful colors of reds, oranges, and browns we decided to add some spice to our walls with leaf rubs.

What you need:
-different shaped leafs
-crayons
-paper

*Place the leafs under the paper, and tape the paper to the table. Then have your child rub the side of the crayon on the paper. Use different colors, and let the fun begin!

Halloween

We did Halloween a little different this year. The mall was passing out candy so we took a drive down there, and filled our pumpkins. Then we headed to the Martin's for some face painting fun. Then to the Johnson's for yummy food, and to round up the troops. Then to the Young's for some treat or treating, and an awesome light show by Cody! Thanks everyone for making my Halloween a great one!