Playdate

It has been almost a year now since I got to join a BUNKO group. As much as Shawn doesn't like it, it has been really fun. I have really enjoyed getting to know everyone in my group, and look forward to my 'night out' each month. Suzanne has a daughter that is only 2 days older than my Syd. Everytime I would read her blog or see her little Katherine I would think how much they looked/acted alike. So last month at Bunko we decided to get these girls together. We met at Chick-fil-A because we thought the kids ate free, but apparently we were wrong. We still had a good time. (I did find out that you can trade in their dumb toy for a free ice cream though - thanks for the tip Suzanne!)
I think the girls had a great time, and it was nice to be able to see Suzanne.
Can't wait to do it again!

Spring Break

Our spring break was pretty low key. Since we had just gone to Disneyland a few weeks prior we just decided to hang out at home. On Saturday, Caden had his last T-ball game. A few of the adjoining neighborhoods had pooled together, and formed a t-ball team. Caden had a fun time, and it cost a whole lot less than a regular league.

This sweet girl organized a little St. Patrick's Day party for the kids. She made flyers, and passed them out to the community. She had party favors, and planned games. The kids had so much fun, and it was cute to see everyone in their green.Later that day, my best friend had a surprise party. Julie was turning 30 on Thursday so Robbie tricked her by having the party a few days early. It was a hawaiian luau in the Brinton's backyard. Julie is one of the sweetest persons one can have in their life. I feel very blessed to have her as a friend. I hope her birthday was a fabulous as she is. Jules was totally decked out for the holiday...even down to her toes! :) Wednesday we usually have our weekly McDonald's playdate, but Caden woke up with pink eye :( That ended up putting a hamper on things, but we tried to make the best of it. The kids had thier own 'friends' over.

Friday we went to the New/Remodeled Dollar (or should I say $2) Theatre and watched It was a really cute show, and the kids enjoyed it. NTS...do not try to do that with Thomas again. Also remember to bring CASH as the new managment is stuck in the dark ages and do not accept credit cards! What????

Saturday was spent unpacking a few more boxes (yes I still have some things I haven't unpacked yet). Then while we were doing a round up of toys and getting ready to tackle the play/bedroom there was a knock at the door.

It was my SIL and some friends dropping by to steal me away for a couple of hours! We ate at Olive Garden, and then had a late night trip to Walmart. While at Walmart, Sarah acquired this... I have to say it looks amazing. :)

It was a nice ending to my week...thanks for 'stealing' me.

Family Dinner

We lived in Mesa 6 years before we moved, and during that time we made some great friends. Obviously we can't invite everyone over (please no hurt feelings!), but we finally invited a few families over for dinner the other night. It gave us the chance to chat, check out our new place, and enjoy a yummy dinner with everyone contributing to the meal. We had such a good time that we will probably end up making this a regular event. Thanks for making the trek out to our house!

Kim, Me, Sherry & Melanie

Yes is REALLY walking now!!!

Madysen

Rachael with Thomas & Abigail

Easton

Brooklyn, Sydney, Brenley & Courtney enjoying their food The men hanging out in the loft
Caden & Jaden I can't believe the mess Courtney made (j/k...this was a collective effort by all the kids)
This was Rachael the majority of the evening...those kids and their cell phones! :)

Mitchell, Kindyl, Courtney, Brenley, Brooklyn & Sydney having fun on the trampoline.

I really am so thankful for the wonderful friendships that I have with these families. Our kids always have so much fun together. Thanks for the great night, and the yummy food. I can't wait until next month!

SPRING

One thing that is so fun about blogging is all the different contests that people host on their blogs. It is very rare that I actually win anything, but if I try most of the time. My friend, Lindsey, had a contest a while back where we had to guess the truth out of three lies...and I ACTUALLY won! I was pretty excited. Then shortly after that she arrived at the door with this!

I LOVE it! We don't experience much of a winter here in Arizona, so we probably don't look forward to Spring as much as those buried in snow. But I do love the colors that Spring brings. Everytime I walk past this I smile because it reminds me of the wonderful season, and the wonderful friend that I have. Thanks so much Lindsey!

DL Highlights

I know it probably seems like we live at Disneyland as of late, but what can you do when you have free flight privileges and Annual Passes??!! Our sister-in-law goes to DL every year the last week of February. We decided to join in the fun halfway through their week, and went from Wednesday to Saturday. The highlights of our adventure.

1. Forgetting our annual passes and having to go to the ticket booth EVERYDAY to get a 'courtesy pass' to enter the park!
2. Loving have a group of 20 people! Which meant we filled an ENTIRE boat on Pirates & It's a Small World. It also meant that Shawn and I got to go on rides TOGETHER!3. The kids loved playing with the cousins. It was nice not to have to be the ones always entertaining them while in line.
4. Lots of other kids also meant LOTS of peer pressure! We FINALLY got Caden to go on Space Mountain, and Thunder Mountain Railroad...and he loved them. (We knew he would, but just needed that extra push! Thanks kids!)
5. More adults also allowed us to sneak away for a little anniversary lunch...can you guess where we went? The Monte Cristo sandwich was to DIE for!!!
6. We lost Caden for a little bit one morning while having to wait in line for our courtesy passes! Luckily he was fine, and the security lady knew everything about our family by the time Shawn found him.
7. Sarah saved Shawn's behind by getting an extra switch pass by explaining to a cast member that he took off to another ride while we were waiting in line because he thought we would be there 'forever'...only to have everyone go on the ride and get off the ride before he got back!!! (one day he will learn to be patient and just enjoy the moment!!!)
8. The kids finally joined in on the Pin trading. They loved stopping every cast member and trading for new pins. It will be fun for them to do each time we go back and visit. Sarah was kind enough to give Caden and Sydney cell phone pins (Syd got a Tink, and Caden a Mickey). Thanks Sarah!
9. Returning the favor to Tori and Traci and took care of their kids while they rescued Sarah because of an energy drink gone bad! (Note to self...do not consume an energy drink on an empty stomach, and try to drive) It turned out okay because that meant Sarah and the kids spent an extra day with us!
10. Having an adventure in itself with the TSA in the Orange County Airport. Seriously...where is the consistency!!!??? (A story for another day) Overall we had a blast...as is what to expect at the 'Happiest Place on Earth'!

Wordless Wednesday - Famous last words...Can I bring a 'few' toys to bed???

Where are you Sydney???

What happens when a girly is in time out downstairs, and decides to 'sneak' away to her room...

hmmm...Where did she go??

Where she thinks mom won't look...the problem is...It took a while for mommy to come, and girly fell asleep. Maybe I should start enforcing a nap again. These afternoon time outs are happening too often!

I think he liked it

On Saturday we had a party to celebrate for Thomas.

We had lots of yummy mexican food.

Thomas got lots of fun toys (what he liked) & lots of cute clothes (what mom liked)

We then sang "Happy Birthday" to him.

Which made him cry (Sydney did the same thing!)

Then it took him a bit to calm down, but in the end...I think he really liked it!

Yummy!

Dear little man,

This time last year I looked like this...

Only a few more hours and we were "Surprised" by your entrance to this world. Everyone thought I was crazy for carrying around that envelope, but it really just made me grin every time I saw it. In the end I really didn't care if you were a girl or a boy. I knew I would love you no matter what....and I was right. I really can't get enough of your infectious grin. My heart melts each time I hear you giggle. You are the most content and happy baby. I love you more and more each day. My how you have grown!!!! Here is a little blast from the past!

Happy Birthday Thomas!!!

We love you, and are so thankful to have you in our family!