Pinetop Lakeside

I realize it has been QUITE a while since I've blogged. So, we'll start with a fun trip we took with our friends the Jacksons. My friend Mary's sister has a rental cabin in Pinetop Lakeside and was so generous to let us all go up for a long weekend to play in the snow. We were so happy to see that there was snow when we got there. The kids were so thrilled that they immediately started playing in the snow...I mean..while we were unloading the car they were making snowballs, angels and just having fun playing.
We took the kids to a huge sledding hill over by Sunrise ski resort. Peter and I were both totally shocked by Samantha's enthusiasm and love for sledding. We couldn't get her off the hill!!! It was freezing when we went. 32 degrees with 10-15 mile and hour winds. It was insane, but so fun. Cole was not convinced that he wanted to sled. I finally tricked him into it and while we were going down the hill he said, "This is fuuu-uuun!"
The last day we were at the cabin we woke up to a huge snowstorm and fresh snow on the ground. The kids had a great time playing in the new layer of white. They built some pretty impressive snowmen too!
We had such a nice time relaxing with great friends and making lasting family memories.

 Cole.Samantha.Tyler

 Getting Samantha in her "gear"!

 Snow Angels.

 Playing in the snow wears you out! Movie time.

 Samantha & Noah. They love each other.

 Soon he'll be too big for this! Sniff Sniff.

 Ty Guy.

 Snowball Baseball Game.

 Fresh snow...it was pretty deep!

 Some people stop to smell the roses,

he stops to taste the snow!

 Fresh layer of white. So pretty.

 Check out the snowmen!!!! Awesome.

 Mary & Meagan.

This is Samantha's snoegirl that she made all by herself!

Christmas 2011

What a wonderful Christmas we had this year. I can't believe it has already come and gone. So many memories, where to start? This year Samantha and Cole were very into learning all kinds of new Christmas traditions like words to new songs (12 days of Christmas, Jingle Bells, Hark the Harold Angels Sing,etc), they sang at our church for everyone-super duper cute, sat on Santa's lap at the preschool excitedly-no one was crying or scared this year,and of course one of our favorite traditions-driving around at night looking at lights and finding our favorite houses. So much fun.
Christmas Eve was spent with family. Grammie and Grandpa came from Rio Rico and went to Aunt Gwen's open house with us, we went to church and walked around one of our favorite neighborhoods. Then we came home, got Santa's plate ready and said good night. Samantha was so excited when I put her to bed. She said, "Mommy, it's practically Christmas!!!! I can't wait to see what Santa brings me!!!" Precious.
Christmas Day was spent opening presently with glee. Cole loved it, as opposed to last year where he opened 3 gifts and quit. Then we went to Grandma and Granpa's and hung out with them for a while. When we came back home we enjoyed a wonderful dinner together and that was that.
Can't believe another Christmas has come and gone. Thank you Lord, for sending your son. May we honor you this year with our words and actions.

Happy New Year!

Preschool Performance + Party

Cole had his big Preschool Christmas Performance yesterday. They sang four songs. It was adorable. He was rockin it out in his sweater vest and cords! They sang Santa's Reindeer, Little Baby Jesus, We Wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday to Jesus. If we ever figure out how to upload videos we will:)
After the singing the kids had their party, which I stayed for. So much fun. they did crafts, games and then had a book exchange. I think it's especially sweet that Cole gets to go to preschool with his best friend in life, Tyler. Watching them experience life together is hilarious.
I love Christmas and I really love watching my kids learn all about the real reason for the season.

Breakfast with Santa + Samantha's Performance

We had a super jam packed weekend last weekend. On Saturday we had breakfast with Santa and then Samantha's dance recital. Both were awesome and the kids were super excited. So much so that Samantha was up at 5:00a.m. on Saturday drawing a map of where we were going that day. Then they sat in front of the Christmas tree and wrote their lists for Santa. It was such a sweet moment. One I will never forget.

    

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The preschool does a breakfast with Santa every year and this year I am on the parent council. It is so eye opening to see how things work from the inside out. The director of the preschool puts so much into the kids. She is so caring and generous and I am just so fortunate to have my kids at this preschool.
The kids got to have some breakfast, do some crafts and of course tell the big guy what's on thier lists. They did great., No nerves, no tears. It was remarkable. And I forgot to get a picture with both of them which I'm bummed about, but I did get one of each of them:)

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Samantha has been in a ballet/jazz dance class since August and is loving it. We absolutely love her teacher Miss. Megan. She is so sweet. Saturday they had the Holly Day show and it was super cute. I was wondering how Samanhta would do since this was her first time on a big stage with lights and tons of people watching but she loved it. She told me next time she wants to do more than one dance! And we were happy to have Grandma and Grandpa and Grammie and Grandpa come to watch. Grammie and Grandpa drove three hours from Rio Rico and Grandpa drove down from Prescott just to show their support. we're so clessed to have such loving and supportive grandparents! We love you all!!!

  



Thanksgiving 2011

We had a great Thanksgiving this year. We went down to Rio Rico to spend Thanksgiving with Grammie, Grandpa, Auntie Helen, Tracy and Greg.  It was fun to all be together. It's been a while!

The kids loved being with their family. There were crafts, games, walks and let's not forget all of the delicious food! We felt kind of bad getting there at noon and everything was ready. Everything was scrumptious. A highlight of the meal was Samantha eating 5 servings of turkey with gracy. She takes after her daddy with the love of gracy I guess!!!

The day after Thanksgiving we decorated the tree and got the house all "Christmas-y". Samantha and Cole were SO into decorating the tree! Every ornament Cole pulled out he said, "This is pretty" and  "Oooh, look at this one!" It was adorable.

After a long day of relaxing (and online shopping!) we decided to head outside. Samatha was all about chalk, hopscotch and hula-hooping. Cole just wanted to race Grandpa up and down the driveway five hundred times! We wondered who was more worn out by the end of the night:)

It was such a great weekend with lots of lasting memories. Thanks Grammie and Grandpa for being such wonderful grandparents and loving us so much!!!