Christmas Program 2010

Here's a glimpse at our little performer's Christmas Program this year.

PeekaBoo Santa!

On Saturday we went to our photographers house for Christmas pictures.  Last year I LOVED our pictures from this session and it was so much fun!  As soon as she announced she was having this photo shoot I knew we had to do it!  This year was a little different. . .instead of Santa coming out to see the kids and have them on his lap, he would be behind the tree "peeking" out at them.  This way she hoped more kids would be happy and smiling since Santa would not be there to scare them.  Sounds great. . .unless you have Sweet Pea! 

Sweet Pea has had pictures done in this studio since before she was born, but needs time to warm up usually.  Unfortunately this shoot did not allow enough time for her to warm up, and I think her assistant also threw Sweet Pea.  So we did our best and this is what we got!  Not bad for a mini session!  And as always lots of fun memories!

Miss Pumpkin  (she had no idea Santa was back there!)

This was the only way I was going to get both girls to have a picture with Santa!  While we were sitting, Santa knocked something down behind us, making a big noise.  Miss Sweet Pea discovered him, but Pumpkin still did not know what it was!

Yes I am a mean mom!  I couldn't resist the screaming baby picture!  I am hiding behind the trunk on the floor and my hands are still around Sweet Pea trying to calm her down.  She again saw Santa as when she arched back she could see him!  The entire time I'm laughing behind the box since the photographer and her assistant are trying so hard to get Sweet Pea to be happy and to smile! 

Merry Christmas to all our friends and family!!!

Pumpkin Party! (from Oct 2010)

When I met my in-laws about 10 years ago, they had a harvest party for their company.  It was a blast- hayride through the orchards, a huge bonfire out back, and time to relax and enjoy friends and family.  Things became busy. . . we had our wedding, kids were born, careers started, and the harvest party was something in the past. Until my father-in-law bought a rusty old tractor for a great deal.  He was teased about the bucket of rust, but slowly he worked over the course of a year to restore his old Farmall crank-start tractor.   Together the idea came up to have a harvest party complete with a hayride and picking pumpkins from the field across the street.

The first group!

Arriving at the "pumpkin patch"

Our perfect plan we derailed a few times- first by the lady who owns the pumpkin patch selling all her pumpkins to a wholesaler, then by the weather (go away rain!), and FINALLY we had the perfect night.  Family and friends came to eat, pick pumpkins, and enjoy each others company.  We planted our own pumpkins in the field so we would be able to still enjoy the experience!  We meet new and old cousins and they all ran around like crazy.  Then the pumpkin carving began. . .some were ambitious, others simple, but everyone had fun.  And the pumpkins turned out great!!!

Wordless Wednesday- This is talent!

What to do with a tractor?. . . .

Over the past year, my father in law has been restoring a classic tractor in his free time. Now that it is done he has been looking for ways to put it to good use! He started with pulling a float in the 100th anniversary parade at CSU Fresno.  I thought it would be fun to take the girls to the parade to see the floats, Papa, and then we would head over to the tailgate where my dad was with his friends. 

Waiting for the parade. . .where is it???

Sweet Pea enjoying her goldfish. . .such a cutie!

Here he comes!!!!  His float was a replica of the water tower at Fresno State.

(my camera froze right when he passed and I packed up and chased him down to get more pictures!!!  I'm sure people thought I was crazy. . .running with one kid on my hip and the other in the stroller and camera in hand!!!)

Finally caught up to him. . .Tractor and trailer!

My dad and the girls at the tailgate!  Go Bulldogs!!!

It was a fun afternoon with the kids and the grandpas!

Whew. . .we did it! (and I finally finished it!)

This blog is three months in the making. . . .yes I need more time in my life!!!!

I don't know about your family, but our family rarely takes a formal family picture.  We have pictures of my entire family from our weddings, but since my sister's wedding 7 years ago we have not had a formal family picture.  AND our family has changed a lot!!!  This past year, we decided that a family picture was something we needed to do and it couldn't wait any longer.  When my sister and her family came to visit we set up an appointment with my photographer to photograph all 17 of us!  Our amazing photographer was  Lynn from Memories Forever Photo Shoot Photography. 

It was August and nearly 100 degrees that day!  (At least it wasn't 110!).  We met at the park in the evening and the photo shoot began!!!  My oldest sister's family went first and I think their picture is adorable!

Then we attempted the impossible. . .the entire family!   Pretty good!

Our little family came next so G could get back to work (he was techically working!)

My parents got their own little picture.  Still laughing and smiling after 40+ years!

My sister and her fam

My brother and M

And LOTS LOTS more fun silly pictures!  Miss Lynn was so good at being patient and capturing our silly family playing and having fun together!  It was fun and playful, without the stress that sometimes accompanies photo shoots with big families!  Not to mention a story that we will never forget about that night. . .quite the event!  (you can ask me later for more details! haha)

Wordless Wednesday!

Trick or Treat???

I was looking for cute trick or treat bags for my girls.  I saw a few in catalogues that I liked and then I got the idea to make them.  After asking a few crafty friends and looking at websites I fell in love with a design.  It was a little more complicated than I really had time for, but they looked sooo cute!  It was a good project to expand my sewing/quilting skills.  This was my first time machine quilting and appliqueing- I usually do that by hand.  Since time was limited, it sounded like a good decision to try using my machine for everything. In the process I learned how awesome a walking foot is. . .definitely a good buy!  

Here are the fabrics I chose.  I always love the novelty fabrics at the holidays but have never had a project to use them with!  The color scheme changed once I found my main focus fabric (the black one with candy and words).  I also had to make sure my prints didn't have anything that Miss Pumpkin would deem scary.  No monsters, skeletons, spiders, etc. . . I knew she would love the candy!

Then I cut out and did the applique on each block.  My original plan was to have the kitty be for Miss Sweet Pea and the pumpkin for Miss Pumpkin.   Once Miss Pumpkin saw the kitty, she claimed it!  Next came the piecing of the blocks for the front of the bag. 

After I embroidered their names, wording, and added details to the face of the kitty and the pumpkin.  This was fun to see how much it changed the appearance!  Then I quilted around each applique and added the rick-rack.

Then I quilted the back fabric and sewed the bags together. 

Lastly I made the handles out of a really cute candy corn print.  Since the handles looked plain, I added black rick-rack to make them match the bags.

Here is the finished product!  They were the perfect size for my girls and I hope they will last for years to come!

Weekend Retreat!



"Come Sister! Let's Explore!"

 Three weeks ago we went up to my parents cabin to relax and hang out.  Their cabin is about 45 minutes from our house and not a bad drive!  I've been trying to get up there about once a month and have been pretty successful.  Over the summer we had a few days of just me and the girls up there, my sister and her girls with us, my aunt with me and my girls, and my parents with me and my girls.  I even was so special as to get a night last weekend there with just me and two friends from junior high!!!  (Sadly, we learned that we are old. .. .how our conversations have changed!).  Three weeks ago we were lucky to be able to enjoy the cabin as a family of four.  G was off work which means more fun for our girls! 


Loving the new hammock

We drove up to town and played at the little park.  My girls always enjoy the park with Daddy since he lets them climb more than me- his arms are longer, it is just easier for him!!!  Daddy took all of us on a quad ride- again something more fun when Daddy is with us.  He drives faster!  (and yes our family of four can fit on a two person quad with room to spare!).  Our girls love to swing, play in Grandpa's new hammock, and of course play in the dirt!  This trip Miss Pumpkin and Daddy started a new game. . . they were rolling rocks down the driveway to see who would win.  Miss Pumpkins rock was a strange shape, Daddy's was nice and round, Miss Pumpkin didn't throw hard, Daddy rolled it like a bowling ball. . .. guess who always won????  That's right- Miss Pumpkin!



Their new game: Driveway Rock Wars!



Always loves to swing!



Playing with Grandma

Grandma and Grandpa decided to come up for one night with us.  We enjoyed playing with them, watching movies, and relaxing.  The cabin is such a special place- so easy to relax and just take a break from the normal pace of life.  The cabin has special magical powers that allow anyone to nap easier while you are there. As you can see, both my girls were exhausted from playing at the cabin!!!

Fun Fridays!

This school year I'm trying to have "fun fridays" with my girls. I have a list of different activities we can do and I want to make it a fun way to start our weekend.

When I was in 3rd grade we moved back to CA and my sister and I made friends with a family that also had girls our age. Together we would celebrate TGIF by having sleepovers and watching the ABC Friday night line up. This continued through junior high and I have so many fun memories of those girl nights. I want my girls to also have fun memories of friday nights and since they are too young to have slumber parties they get to have fun with me!!! (and G if he is off!) So far we have made banana nut chocolate chip bread, gone to the park, gone to the cabin, and tonight the girls get to come with me to homecoming at the high school that I work at. I hope they have fun. . . .

I'm going to try to take pictures as I can and post them through the year to help complete this virutal scrapbook. Today I wanted to post some summer fun pictures. The girls were having fun dressing up this summer and I think the pictures are adorable! I've been organizing pictures this week and I've found some that I want to share so enjoy!!!!

Worded Wednesday

So my wordless Wednesday needs words today.

The past few weeks have been difficult. First the passing of a friend's 4 year old son due to mitochondrial disease, then hearing of other's who children are sick and fighting for their lives, and today I learned of the passing of a former student at 20 years old. It leaves me questioning why and what for. . ..these children are such inspirations and have such sweet spirits. Their time on Earth has been short and I know they leave a large impact on all who know them.

Above is a special picture of my Pumpkin. This was taken out at the hospital this summer. She spent three months in the NICU at this hospital and we will forever be grateful. This appointment was very stressful for both of us and we left feeling hopeful. Miss Pumpkin had fun taking pictures with all of the "animals" outside the hospital and looking for George in the hospital. Thank you to the nurses and doctors for being there for us and our special friends who are fighting for their lives. As always- hug your children extra tight tonight!!!

Family Weekend

After a crazy first few weeks of summer, we finally made it to the cabin as a family. G was off work and we spent two nights at the cabin. It was wonderful! We relaxed friday night after a long day- the girls enjoyed sliding, climbing over the couch (hours of entertainment!), and finding all of Grandma's moose and bear friends!

Saturday was a typical cabin day. . .a trip to the park in the town, a walk down the street to check out what is going on with everyone, quad rides with Daddy (and which stresses Mommy out!), eating yummy food, swinging, playing in the dirt, and then Grandma and Grandpa arrived! The girls were so excited to see them! We broke in the newly finished downstairs room by watching the Boise State game and watching the girls entertain themselves! Who needs toys when there is an empty room? They ran in circles, twirled, wrestled, and just had fun being silly! So much fun to watch!

I was able to get some quality "mommy time" in- I finished a cross stitch project that has been begging for years to be finished! And I completed about half of a scrapbook that also has been calling my name! It was nice to do something for myself!

Sunday we came home earlier than usual for a family mini-reunion with my dad's side of the family. 10 great-grandkids, 5 cousins, plus my parents, uncle and aunt, and my grandma! It was a fun day at the park- the kids had fun hula hooping with Uncle S, playing in the sand, and being outside! G and I enjoyed seeing my cousins . .. its been over 5 years since we have been all together. Hopefully it won't take 5 years for us to get together again!

This family weekend was just what I needed. It has been a rough few weeks emotionally. . .many of my friends are going through hard times with their kiddos. I'm so blessed to have my girls and that they are healthy. Miss Pumpkin had such a rough start in life and to see her now is just amazing. Tonight after I tucked her into bed I came back and just sat by her bed, while rubbing her back. She's amazing. . .I can't believe this beautiful 4 year old is the same little baby that I sat watching for three months through plexi-glass. Every day I still give her extra snuggles, hugs, and kisses knowing that I'm so lucky to have her to hold. Miss Sweet Pea is also a snuggler. . . she loves to relax on us. Tonight was a special night were she actually fell asleep on me. . .its getting less and less since she is getting bigger and likes her bed. Tonight we were in her room and I enjoyed holding her while she drifted off. I love my sweet girls and I hope that we will have many more of these nights in our future. I have hope that even in high school, my girls will still love being with us! Don't laugh. . .I know several girls who still love to be hugged, held, and loved by their mommies!

Wordless Wednesday

First Day of School!

Sleepy Girls!

This fall Miss Pumpkin was so excited for school to be starting! She was missing her friends over the summer and was blessed to have one of my good friends as her preschool teacher. Not only was Miss L her new teacher, but her cousin was also in her class! The morning of school was a little rough since we weren't used to waking up so early. . .but we made it! I tried my best to take morning pictures but both girls were not being very cooperative. I was able to capture more of a candid shot of Miss Pumpkin as she was walking away from me! Once we got to school, she quickly ran in the room and looked for her new teacher and cousin. Unfortunately her teacher starts after breakfast so she had a hard time getting used to that. She is loving school this year. . .she can tell me more of what they are doing, singing lots of songs, and just plain growing up!!! (I don't like it!!!) I know it will be a great year for her!

Now she's ready!

As far as my Sweet Pea. . .she is in the same classroom as last year (until her birthday) which is good. She is familiar with her teachers and other kids. . . but she is attached to her mommy. Some mornings are great and others I leave a very sad little girl! The easiest trick is to be able to time it right at breakfast. . .leave her with food and she is a happy girl! She is always ecstatic to see me after school and will drop everything and come running! Hopefully school will help her learn new words and help her language development! She is still signing and always learning new signs and her receptive language is great. I love that I can tell her to go put something away and she understands! Now we just need some more words!

Sweet Girl!

This will be our last year for awhile with the girls at the same school. . .sad to think that next fall my little miracle baby will be going to kidnergarten! Amazing! Now time to start the countdown until Christmas!

Bye Bye Summer!

Our beautiful morning at the lake

For Labor Day this year, the girls and I adventured up the hill to my parents cabin in Shaver. Unfortunately, G had to work the CSUF football game (I know. . .how hard. He got paid to go to a football game!). The first night it was just the three of us. It was so nice to be able to get out of the heat and relax. The cabin is perfect since I never feel that I have to do anything. . .only what I want to do! After Miss Sweet Pea went to bed, Pumpkin and I curled up on the couch to watch a movie. That is exactly where we woke up in the morning!!! I think I started something . . . she now wants to nap on the couch!

My girls and their "shobels"

After breakfast, we decided to go check out the lake. I was worried about the beach being crowded since it was a holiday weekend, but the little cove area was almost empty! The girls and I set up our little blanket and they got busy with the buckets and "shobels". I entertained myself by practicing some photography and enjoying the beautiful scenery! It was beautiful and peaceful! These ducks swam by and then decided to take a nap on the beach right in front of us. I was so surprised at how close to us they were.

After naps, my aunt arrived to spend the night. Her and I enjoyed staying up late and talking. Miss Sweet Pea was a little nervous when she first arrived and kept a close eye on her. By the end of the weekend she was giving her lots and lots of love! Sunday we enjoyed going for a walk up and down the street, chasing butterflies, throwing rocks, and playing in the dirt. The girls were exhuasted and slept on the way home.

On Monday, our cousins invited us to go to Pump it Up for open gym time. This was on our summer list of things to do and we never made it! We were excited for the chance to go. After initially being hesitant, both girls loved it! Miss Pumpkin loved to jump. . .Aunt K would double bounce her and she would fly!!!! Miss Sweet Pea loved to slide and was brave enough to go down the big slides all by herself!!! It was quite the workout for Mommy. . .I had already completed a 3 mile morning run and going up and down the slides with Miss Sweet Pea in my arms was definitely another workout!

Thank you to my friend LD for coming to hangout!!! I know college students do not always think hanging out with mommies of preschoolers as entertaining, but she is always such a great sport!! She was even nice enough to take photos for me! Love ya LD!

Next summer we will try to add this to one morning a month. . .especially since the girls both took marathon naps when we came home. Always a good thing!

Miss Sweet Pea sliding!

It was a fun weekend with me and the girls. Daddy unfortunately worked almost all weekend. . .hopefully he'll be able to go with us to the cabin later this month!