Mother's Day 2013

Mother's Day 2012 
Mother's Day 2011
Mother's Day 2010
Mother's Day 2009

New Year Tradition.

Happy 2013. 

New Year 2012 {HERE} New Year 2011 {HERE}

11 years...

11 years ago today I married this guy.

 I love this life we live. We are in the mist of family bike rides and park dates. Putting the girls to bed early and a quiet house at night. Making lunches, checking homework, church callings, and preschool.

I wouldn't change a thing. Except maybe more trips to Disneyland and weekend getaways....

I had a birthday!

Big 32! Crazy! The girls and Christopher made sure I had a great day! Christopher surprised me with a cruiser bike, which I have wanted for a really long time! I am so excited to be able to go on family bike rides! Our subdivision has really great bike trails so it should make for really fun evenings and weekends!

We also had our family pictures done-so happy to have those out of the way- and afterwards we went to dinner as a family. Later in the evening we went over to Mace and Melissa's for cake, we put all the kids to bed, and stayed up late playing games.

It was a great day for me!

Halloween Wreath.

I'm over at Polka Dot Pixies sharing my latest addition to my Halloween Decoration! Hop on over and say Hello! 

I made a cake last week...

It has been a LONG time since I've made a wedding cake. Over a year since we spent the last year in Texas...

 So I happily accepted when Chris's cousin came to me about making the cake for her daughter's wedding.

 She had a tree-ish theme to her wedding. Backyard picnic, swings, shabby shic...her invitation had a tree in the background with their initials carved in to it. Very cute.

 She emailed me a picture and I did my best to dublicate it. I love the way it turned out!

1351 post later...

It was bound to happen. And last night it did. I was uploading pictures to a post on my blog and a pop up showed up saying I had reached my picture upload limit. I'm actually surprised it took this long....but it's happened. And I can't post anymore pictures until I upgrade my memory through blogger. So far I've only found that I have to pay a monthly subscription for my extra memory. I don't really want to pay. Even if it is just $2.50 a month. Thoughts? Has this happened to you? Not sure where to go from here. I do know I'll be lost if I can't post pictures on my blog! Even this feels weird.... {Thanks for all the tips and suggestions I got via email and facebook. I fixed it and everything is back to normal! WHEW!}

Mother's Day 2012 Details.

We have gotten together with our friends Mace and Melissa a few other times for Mother's Day so we kept the tradition alive and went over to their house after church let out.

Chris and Mace were in charge of dinner and decided on breakfast. We had waffles, crepes, sausage, bacon, and orange julius. The boys did great and everything was delicious.

The only pictures I got were some "in action" shots. Even those got me some disapproving glances so I put my camera down for the rest of the night.

We finished up by laying all the kids down and watching the season finale of Survivor. It was a great day.

And just for fun. Addysen filled out a questionair about me in Primary. Here are her answers.

My mom is 31 years old. (I'm shocked she got that right)
My mom weighs 21 pounds. (Not sure why this is even a question!)
My mom's favorite color is pink. (Naturally)
My mom's favorite food is spaghetti. (Possibly.)
My mom always says "Go to your room!" (Shocked face)
My mom's job is "she doesn't have a job" (If she only knew)
My mom laughs when I say something funny.
If my mom had time, she would love to bike ride with us. (On a cute pink cruiser that I DID NOT get for Mother's Day)
My mom and I like to do worksheets. (Everyday)
My mom really loves her dad. (I do.) I love my mom because she does nice things for me.

Mother's Day 2012

2011 HERE 2010 HERE 2009 HERE

Full Circle.

We made it to Arizona safely. In one piece. No problems. What a blessing! The girls did great the entire trip! I can say this because they weren't in my car. The uhaul had a bench seat so both of the older girls opted to ride with Chris the entire trip. He was a great sport about it and I think, for the most part, they all enjoyed spending time together. It was a bit of a lonely drive for me, Evyn, and Ginger but we all did great.

We started packing up Wednesday evening. The missionaries came to help for a little bit. And by the time the truck was packed and ready to go it was 2am. It was a long night- especially considering most of our house was already packed up because we never unpacked it AND we started a few weeks ago. We all slept on our mattresses and they were the last to get packed Thursday morning.

It was weird to have a normal schedule for Thursday with an empty house. Elodie had her last day of school and Easter party and Chris had to work until 4pm. The guys he work with were really great about this transfer and the office threw him a little going away party. Very nice. I asked him to take a picture of his desk before he packed it all up. I think he was feeling a little sentimental otherwise he would have just rolled his eyes at me!

I took the little girls up to the school to help with the Easter party and help Elodie clean out her desk. It was sad to leave but I won't say we weren't more excited to come home to Arizona!

Once Chris made it home and we had passed off the keys to the new home owner we were all set to go!


Last picture of the girls sitting outside the townhouse we rented for a year. We loved the little subdivision we lived in. Great for bike riding!


It was so weird leaving Corpus Christi knowing that (crossing our fingers) we will never go back there again! We had spent our entire time there hoping for an opportunity to move home and now that it is here it felt so weird! Almost not real!

We stayed the first night in San Antonio. Drove all day on Friday. Stayed the night in New Mexico Friday night and landed in Gilbert around 4pm on Saturday.

This was my view the entire trip.


The girls and Chris. They had so much fun riding in that moving truck!


My little riding buddy.


We (Mace and Chris) unloaded the truck in to a storage facility, we had dinner at Mace and Melissa's house, and returned the uhaul.

We let the girls ride their bikes in the parking lot of the storage unit.

EK was just happy to sit on a towel! She was so happy to be out of her carseat!


We are so grateful to be home and feel so blessed that we were able to come home so quickly!

A few fun facts.

-I would say half of our stuff never got unpacked when we moved to Texas. There were a few items that got packed in Arizona and never left the spot we put them in when we moved to Texas. Full circle.

-We left Arizona to go to Texas on April 6th of 2011. One year exactly.

-We returned the uhaul and rented a storage facility at the same place we took a uhaul from when we left Arizona to go to Texas.

-We had dinner at Mace and Melissa's the night before we left Arizona last year and we had dinner with them tonight when we came home.


Craziness. It all feels very surreal. Like we never left but we have been gone for a year. I can not say enough how grateful we feel to be home.

Embrace The Camera

Every Wednesday at our house is library day.

I didn't go to the library nearly as often as I should have when Elodie was younger and it was just the 2 of us. She was 4 before we started going on a regular basis where as Addysen has known the library since she was born. The perks of being second come in spurts sometimes.

The library here is a tender mercy for me. There is very little I love about being here in Texas. Which doesn't mean much as there is very little I LIKE about being here in Texas. The list stops after Christopher's job....

I am by no means trying to get sympathy comments. As a family we are happy and healthy and for that I am extremely grateful. This is, however, a part of our reality and my job to document it so we can go back in 5 years and realize how great the whole scheme was.

So there.

Back to the library. When we moved here, and after things settled down, I realized how very much we were starting over. I cried over little things...."How do I EVEN get to the library!?! I don't even know where it is!"

And then the heavens opened and I found the library. And it wasn't hard to find. And it was close. And brand new. And had row and rows of kid books. And because the library was brand new...the books were brand new too! I was in love.

And after every Wednesday trip I had a new story to tell Chris.

How the book that everyone in Arizona was on the wait list for I got without having to put my name on any list.

There is never ANYONE there. With the exception of one or two people using the computers. There. Is. Never. Anyone. There.
We have the entire building to ourselves.

The shelves are always packed. And they have a section of books fresh from UPS.

In the summertime in Arizona the shelves are ALWAYS bare. As they should be. Not here. I'm wondering now if I should boast about this as it means not many people are checking them out. Their loss. My gain.

The summer reading program was AMAZING! So many awesome prizes to keep the girls motivated including a free ticket to the circus!

One time I was looking for a photography book and the library didn't have it. The guy working the front desk was trying to help me find it but was having no luck. I shrugged my shoulders and said it was no big deal. The next week when we went back to the library that very book was waiting for me! Still. In. The. Wrapper. A $80 book ordered just for me! Christopher cut his eyes at me on this one assuming I was flirting with the guy to get the book....but I didn't!

Just last week I went with a list of books I wanted to check out. They didn't have 3 of the ones I wanted and immediately asked me if I wanted them ordered.

I am so grateful for this library. I don't think I could have handled it if we had gotten here and there was no library. Or a junky library. Which could have been worse than no library at all.

I'm so grateful for this one day out of the week that my girls and I can go to the library. To enjoy a nice clean space all to ourselves.

I love reading. I have so many vivid memories of reading as a child. Going to the library with my own mom and brothers. And having a love affair with the library in college. I was just telling Chris the other night how I would pack my journal around with me. I would find a cubicle in a corner and in between studying or doing homework I would make time to write in my journal. I loved it so much that after I graduated and moved back home I would still take time to stop at the library after work, find a cubicle in the corner, and write in my journal.

I love the library here. And every time we are there, I say a silent prayer thanking my Heavenly Father for this little tender mercy.

The rest I am still trying to figure out!


And bonus! There wasn't a single person around to give me crazy eyes when I pulled out my camera and took some timer pictures of me and the girls reading together!

Where dreams come true...

Remember how I posted before about how I made 9 skirts in January? Here are 2 of the 9 I made.

I can finally post this as the box made it's way safely to Melissa's house yesterday. I couldn't call Melissa all week because I was so excited about sending the package and was worried I would spoil the surprise. I finally broke down and talked to her yesterday and casually slipped in a "so...when does your mail run?" Our conversations usually don't include questions like this so of course she was suspicious! But thankfully she didn't pry and I was able to steer the conversation away from mail!

Mace and Melissa are taking their kids to Disneyland next week. I knew early on that I wanted to make their girls some cute Minnie Mouse Skirts. The rest snowballed from there. The bows were necessary. I found the red polka dotted beads and then a necklace for Gracie became necessary. And one night laying in bed, I thought about making minnie mouse shirts and they would not leave me alone! Once I made them I was so glad they bugged me for so long!!

Besides being giddy about it being a big surprise, I want another trip to Disneyland so my girls can wear this outfit! I love it!

I also justified it because we are trying to make a trip home during Spring Break and if we do, Melissa and I are already planning Graycie and Addysen's 4th birthday party. And this can be their birthday outfits. Totally makes sense!

I gave one request to Melissa. I need a picture of the girls with Minnie Mouse at Disneyland!

I know our great friends are going to have an amazing trip! And I'm so glad a little part of me can go with them!

Embrace The Camera

10 years later...

I could say some clever things. I could be sarcastic. I could get mushy. I could talk about how much I have relied on him the last 8 months. Or how in this year our relationship has been tested and strengthened. There is a lot I can say. And a lot I don't want to say.

I love you Chris.

Christmas Banner and a giveaway!

So....

I finally finished all of the family photoshoots I did while I was in Arizona. 13 total. It was a lot of hours in front of the computer but I did it. Put the last one in the mail last Wednesday. 3 days later than my original goal. But everyone was patient with me and I appreciate that!

Because all of my naptimes and after bedtimes were spent editing pictures, I haven't been able to do anything for myself. Which means the Christmas fabric I bought before Thanksgiving has sat in the JoAnn's bag it came in for a few weeks now.

Not anymore. My original plan was to have this done last week. But then I ran out of red thread. So it had to wait until Friday. Then it rained all weekend which means I couldn't take a picture of my banner. And while it's still overcast outside, it is what it is. As for the banner. It came out even cuter than I thought it would in my brain. I say that every time. Which is a good thing because why would I put up a decoration I didn't love.


I especially love the green pompom trim. Cute to look at, not so cute to sew on. Don't look too closely.

And no banner is complete without a fabric flower. As Addysen would say "DUH!" We dislike that she says it but it's not the D word (AKA: Dumb) or the S word (AKA: Stupid) And don't worry. I have since ironed out that wrinkle. Don't deny it. It was the first thing I noticed too.


This fabric will make a reappearance once I get started on the girls Christmas skirts. Oh the fun to be had!

I made 2! DUH! Who wants the other one? Leave a comment and I'll have the girls pick a winner Wednesday night. And because there is confusion sometimes as to when the giveaway closes, lets say you have until bedtime Wednesday night. AKA: 7:30pm SHARP! Because we don't mess around at bedtime!

*I will mail it on Thursday. The 15th. AKA Our 10 year anniversary.*

Arizona Part 3 & 4

I was so busy taking other peoples pictures that I didn't get a lot of snippets of the end of my time in Arizona. I had 4 photoshoots on Saturday, 5 on Sunday, and 3 on Monday. It wasn't ideal for me and clearly I would much rather just be back in Arizona and not cramming 13 photoshoots into one weekend but overall everything went really smoothly. Everyone showed up on time and I was able to have more than 30 minutes per family, which I was really worried about. I don't like feeling rushed! And I certainly didn't want any of the families to feel rushed either!

On Saturday, in between all the photshoots, Melissa and I had lunch at Barro's. Sigh. I may or may not have cried like a baby when we got there. It's such a familiar place for us. So many playdates, get togethers with other families and Saturday lunches. It's our go to place! I refuse to say was! It was hard not to feel homesick just being there! It really made me miss the girls and Chris too. It didn't feel right being there without them!

On Sunday evening Audrey and Jen and their families came over to Melissa's for dinner. We had a great time chatting and hanging out! Again, being around close friends made me miss my girls and Chris so badly!
{Man Jen! We are short!}

I feel really blessed to have so many great friends in my life! I also feel really blessed that in the 8 months we have been gone, Melissa has come to visit me, Chris made a trip out in October, and I was able to make this trip now. It definitely makes it easier to be gone when you are planning your next trip out.

I've already decided that I will be going back in March for the release of the 1st movie in the Hunger Games Series! And that makes it not so sad to say goodbye!

Arizona Part 1

Did you know my camera's memory card holds over 1200 pictures? Who knew? I didn't because usually I don't go that long in between uploads. Besides seeing my friends and going to Breaking Dawn, I had 13 photoshoots. I started out with 15 families but had 2 cancellations after i got to Arizona. I was a little grateful for those cancellations because I was one busy girl over the weekend! It was so fun seeing families that I have done pictures for for the last 4 years!

I had one photoshoot a hour after I landed but after that I was completely free! Melissa, Jen, Audrey, and I made plans to go to dinner. Afterwards we went back to Audrey's to do some crafting. We have done this so many times in the past-pretty much every craft I've made I have made along side them! it was so great to be with them all again!

From the details.

I had an AMAZING time in Arizona....i'm in the mist of unpacking, jumping back in to homeroom mom duties, and settling my house back together after being gone for 5 days. My memory card and my heart are full!

But I couldn't let today pass without typing out what has been running through my brain since I got on an airplane last night and left the valley of the sun.

1. I have an amazing husband! There wasn't a person I told who wasn't impressed that Chris took off work and had all 3 girls to himself so I could make this trip solo. I knew he could do it. I'm just reaffirmed that I do indeed have a good man.

2. I feel very blessed to have great friends. I am so lucky. I soaked them in and pretended like "see you later" meant sometime next week.

3. I have a special place in my heart for the valley of the sun. I have no doubt in my mind that we will be back.

Until I can unload my memory card. The End.

All in the details.

When I told Chris I made 3 lists, one for each girl, I said "I'm not trying to micromanage but...." He said "A list is micromanaging" I said "No, a list is just a recommendation of how things should be done." ......

So yes, maybe I am micromanaging just a bit. But in my defense I did tell him that he didn't have to go by the list hour by hour. It's just there to help to make sure all runs smoothly during the day. Mostly for Evyn.

This leaving home by myself sounded so much more fun 2 months ago. Now in the moment, trying to get all the details finalized, it feels easier to just stay home. Which is why most women don't go any where by themselves. It's just easier to stay put and do it all yourself! But I need it. It will be good for me, for the girls, and even for Chris.

There are a lot of details but when it's all said and done, if everyone is safe and happy does it really matter if Evyn had a vegetable for lunch and a fruit for dinner? Or if there are a few dishes in the sink? Not really.

I know I will be excited about this trip once I am on the plane happily reading my new book. Did you know I haven't flown alone since before Elodie was born! When the lunches are made, Elodie is at school, the last of the laundry is done, Addysen is at a playdate, and Evyn is napping quietly at a friends house until Chris goes to pick her up. He is working a half day tomorrow so it will be just a few hours in between when I leave and he swoops in.

I am so thankful for Christopher. He knew this was important to me and made the effort to take time off of work so I could go to Arizona. So thank you Chris! You will do great just you and the girls! I'm sure you will be happy to go back to work on Tuesday though!

I'm so excited to see my friends. I need this. I miss them and can't wait to soak them all in! To do some photoshoots. And most importantly see BREAKING DAWN!

So heres to safe travels, a good book on the plane, a dad with his girls, soaking up friends in the valley of the sun, and a high dose of Edward Cullen!

The first of many.

Elodie had her first real project due today. Her class has been talking about compasses, symbols, and landmarks for the last few weeks. Her assignment was to draw up a map from her house to school. She had to have a certain amount of landmarks and symbols. The route from home to school had to be clearly marked. But most importantly it had to be done by her. We could help her with straight lines and such but her teacher was clear that she didn't want the projects to look like the parents had done most of the work. It's surprising how hard that is to do!

My original thought was that the map wouldn't be overly detailed. Since Elodie had to do the work herself I pictured some cute drawings of the streets, sonic, the dollar store, and the school. Nothing fancy. But not Christopher. He brought home an areal view of our city and was all about the details! I should have known better. He is a structural engineer after all. It's a glimpse into what he does at work. Except he does ports and harbors and not streets. This was business and I let him take the lead on this one.

The 2 of them sat at the dining room table and worked on this map for a couple of hours. I was surprised at how well Elodie concentrated on it! I mean she has a pretty good attention span but 3 hours working on one thing is hard for anyone! Christopher made sure everything was proportional, Elodie did all the coloring, I helped with the title, and the stickers were a nice touch!



I was really excited for Elodie to turn it in today! it was a family effort and we were all proud of her map! I especially love the heart on our house. The mommy sticker at Sonic. Which you can see how close it is to our house, it would be hard for anyone to not stop there everyday! Right? I don't go every day. Maybe like 3 times a week. And only during happy hour or if I have a free survey coupon. Justified. I love the sticker of Elodie at her school. The girls said it was dad at the golf course. I very dark skinned dad. Addysen is up at the top of the poster and they named a million different friends at the park.

I'm sure all projects won't go this smoothly but it was a nice start to the first of many!