Blake's Cowboy Bash!

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Merry Christmas 2009!!!

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Awesome Arizona!!!

At the beginning of this month we took an awesome trip to Arizona with my sister and her family, to meet my dad and stepmom. It ended up being an amazing trip!! Here are just some of the highlights...

Before boarding the Polar Express we had a cozy, homestyle dinner at the Pine Country Restaurant in Williams, AZ. It was so yummy, especially their mile-high pies!!

Dad and "Aunt-Grandma" :)

All aboard!! (We couldn't wait to escape the 15 degree weather and head inside the warm train!)

Santa giving the kids their bells

Eyes in amazement...

Cuddling cozy on the train

Sipping super yummy hot chocolate!!
The picture we're missing here is Grandpa John stepping up to the microphone to "help" out with some Christmas tunes.... sheesh!!

The next day we headed to the Grand Canyon. What a beautiful drive from Flagstaff!!

Trying out the trolley..

Our family in front of the Grand Canyon!

The following day we headed to see this awesome meteor crater (the one in Starman, for those of you that remember that movie:)

It was VERY interesting, and the kids actually loved it!!

After the crater, we headed down to Sedona. Yet another beautiful drive!

Daddy's girls :)

We got to meet up with my cousin Andrea and her hubby Chad, and their new baby Jake! It was so fun to catch up with them and spend time with them too!!

Our last day we headed over to one last stop called Walnut Canyon. They were beautiful canyons where Indians used to live in the sides of the mountains. Amazing!! As my kids were running around I couldn't help but think how it would have been to LIVE there, on the side of a cliff, with kids.... WOW!!

Our trek down....

We had such a fun time (despite the frigid weather!) seeing Grandpa John and "Aunt Grandma" Diane in Arizona. It ended up being one of our most memorable family trips so far. As the kids get older it's so fun to see their little minds absorbing all the beauty of this earth.

Dancing at Disney!

Anytime we get the opportunity to go to the 'Happiest Place on Earth' we go!!! Camryn's dance academy was invited to dance a portion of their Nutcracker show last month, so my mom and I were the lucky ones to join the fun.

SOOO excited!!

Gathering the Mirlitons and their Lambs

Just love Mommy-Daughter time!!!

Halloween!

Ok, I'm really getting caught up this time!!

Here's Halloween night in LV!! (Can you tell Ty wasn't feeling so good??) We all had a great time with Aunt Cathy, Uncle Larry, Tara & Mike.

My little angel, pirate and firefighter at Cam's dance party.

Cam's "Little Purple People Eater" dance

Building gingerbread haunted houses in LV. Of course Daddy had to help with construction...

...and Mommy only helped a little with decorating; ;)

Blake's favorite part- candied apples!!

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Our Baby Girl is 7!!!!!

Camryn's birthday was last week, and I can't help but feel a little bit sad as I look over her pictures as a baby girl. She is 7. Officially a girl. Not a baby, not a toddler, not a preschooler. A little girl. My little girl. I remember thinking when she was a baby, "I wonder what she will be like when she's 2, 5, 7?" I think back to then, and I think that I never would have imagined her being as beautiful, smart, witty, caring, silly, thoughtful, and sassy as she is now. This tiny little thing has grown before our very eyes into a beautiful and big girl. Camryn is turning into a wonderful person, and I feel so fortunate to be her mom- to be able to see her discoveries, her sorrows, her joys, and her accomplishments. I am so proud to not only call her my daughter, but one of my best companions. I can't even begin to describe how lucky I am every day to have her.

Happy Birthday Camryn Nicole!!!
Mommy & Daddy love you with our whole hearts...

On to the details of her fabulous Build-A-Bear party...
Here are the excited group of girls on our way there!!

The birthday girl!!

Of course she picked the pink one ;)

Showering her with love..

Our group pic

The whole store singing "Happy Birthday, dear Camryn...."

Ready for pizza & cake!!

Cami's special cake- made by Mommy, of course!!

The "girls"

Cami with her cake (and after her outfit change:)

SO blessed with all her gifts!!!

...and how I found her at the end of the day!! :)

Mommy Day

On Tuesday I decided to take the kiddos out and about around the OC. Matt was working, so I thought it would be a great day to spend some time with them. Our first stop was to a Pumpkin Patch and train ride with my MOPS group. Since the older two were in school, it was just Blake & I for a change! Auntie Jill-Nicole came along too, which made it super fun! Blake absolutely LOVES trains right now, so it was fun to see his little face light up when he saw the "choo-choo". After the kids got out of school, I dropped a tired little Blakey off with Grandma Nana, and Cami, Ty & I headed off to Disneyland! The weather was fabulous, the park was not packed, and the kids were wonderful!!! We had such a fun time that day, and came home exhausted!!! I am so glad we had such a fun time together- it makes being a mom so much fun!!!

Cami & Ty @ DL with some beautiful Fall decor.
(And Ty flashing his "cool" hand signs... :)

We actually stood in line this time to meet TinkerBell!
(It's usually a no-go, considering it's always an hour-long wait!)
Needless to say, Cam was SUPER excited!!

The view down Main Street, and two tired kiddos ready to go home!

Blake at the pumpkin patch- ready for the train ride!

Auntie Jill and a squirmy Blakey!!

CHOO-CHOO!!

He looks like such a big boy in this picture!!!

He was cooperating so well, "Cheese!!!"

Contemplating throwing the pumpkins.... "No Blakey... it's not a ball..."

"Ok, I'm done. No more pictures please."

I had a great day with my babies, and as Camryn said, "...I'll remember it always!"