Cousins

If I were a reindeer . . .

I'd be Dancer!

Bella dancing at Glendale Glitters, well not so much dancing as standing there looking like the cutest raindeer I've ever seen, while the other girls danced around her.  May be next year Dancer!

Christmas Pic

Today was our photo shoot for our Christmas card, 206 pictures and 1 hour later and here is the picture you all will be getting . . . 

Merry Creepy Christmas

Happy Turkey Day!

We missed our usual group of family and friends but had so much fun today!  Bella loved getting to play with her cousin Ronin!

Kitchen Helpers

It was pretty cute to see both Bella and Abby helping Gigi and Grammy in the kitchen helping to bake for Thanksgiving.  They both come to it naturally and at ages 3 and 5 are actually pretty good.

Those Two Fingers

My little girl has gone and done what I asked and become a "big girl".  Starting school, potty training, full sentences, doing everything herself while exclaiming "I'm a big girl".  It seems like it happened overnight, so when she fell asleep at nap time today and I see those two fingers in her mouth (a habit since infancy), it was oddly reassuring to know I might still have a little while longer to enjoy these "little" days before this habit too falls by the wayside.

The first of many . .

Bella was in her first play at preschool on Thursday!  It was a little exciting to see her up there, she acted like it was no big deal being in front of a large audience.  Born to the stage?  Only time will tell.

When I'm Stuck with a Day That's Grey and Lonely . . .

Bella shares her mothers love of musicals, but Annie is her favorite, so when her Dad suggested she be Annie for Halloween, we all thought it was a great idea!

Our little Orphan Annie . . . 

**Beautiful costume made by Grammy!

Howdy Y'all

It was Western Week at Bella's school and we had so much fun dressing up all week!

I never thought I'd send my daughter off on a date with three Cowboys!  Bella, Jeff, Uncle Tom and Papa ready for Western Night at school.  No Mom's allowed!  :)

Pumpkin Patch here we come . . .

At the Pumpkin Patch in Wilcox!  A very long day of driving (6 hours round-trip) for a pumpkin!

Scrapbook weekend

My sister-in-law Pat and I spent last weekend at the scrapbook convention.  It was a great excuse to have a couple days to ourselves, no husbands or children!  This was my favorite project, it came in a kit and you just had to put it all together, it turned out so cute!  

Dressed to Dance

Third time's a charm. She watched from the barre the first class, smiled and walked around the second class, and finally decided to dance a little for her third class! Her teacher thinks she is sweet and quiet.  Little do they know she is a dancing fool at home!

Long Time No Blog . .

We've been busy, for our standards at least!  Here is a little of what we've done this month . . .

Are you curious who's 3?

Happy Birthday Little Monkey!

Bella's favorite movie this summer was Curious George so it was easy to pick the theme for her birthday party!

Balloons, Balloons everywhere!

How old are you?

1st Day of School . .

Painting . . .

Just for fun . . .

They make cute little Aborigine don't they!

We miss Idaho!

Bella and I got to spend a blissfully cool and relaxing 10 days in Idaho visiting our cousins! Thanks to Merle, Jenny and family for letting us stay with you! You made us feel so welcome and we had so much fun! 

Bella at Fiest Creek

Jackson, Emily, Holly & Bella

Dance like no one is watching!

The funniest part to me is the music was playing in the backround for a while, but the kids didn't start dancing until Meatloaf's "Anything for Love" song came on! What is it with that song?

Our Summer Savior

We've only been twice now but I am in love with the new Phoenix Children's Museum. The people who work there are so friendly and they interact with the kids so you get to just sit back and watch.  If your in the area and want a cool place to spend a day I would recommend it!

Jake giving Kinley and Bella a ride.

Bella in the tent area

Happy Independence Day

Thank you Nana!

Thank you Nana for inviting us to come play!

It's a simple life, but it's all mine!

What did you do this week?  I supervised a major change in procedure for a small, but very important client.  In other words: I potty trained my daughter.

Ahh Sweet Success!

So in preparation for such a big event (I was secretly terrified to potty train)!  Don't ask me why, I don't even know.  I bought 3 different potty seats, candy, juices, tea set, mini brownies and borrowed Bella's beloved cousin Abby.  Abby was the most effective of all the bribes, being her little cheerleader and exclaiming after her first successful poop in the potty "Oh Bella, I knew you could do it!"

Strawberry Girls

We are finally home, but I couldn't resist posting these final pics of our California trip.  Probably one of my favorite days, picking strawberry's in Carlsbad on Saturday.  

Where's Bella . . .

Today's Activities

Take lots of Pics!

Bury baby at the Beach

Nigh Night Dada!

My Clean Little Girl

Look Dada, I'm dirty! (kinda)

Too much of a good thing . .

So after 24 hours of cousins being together, they were starting to get on each others nerves.

Kylie: Do you know I'm spending the night again?

Abby: You ARE?

Kylie: Yes

Abby: Then let's just be nice to each other.

Happy Memorial Day

Monday's Activities:  Beach & BBQ

Beach Before:

Beach After: Girls at the Picnic

California Here We Come!

Hi Mom & Dad!  Miss you but am having too much fun!  I love you, Abby!

Bella Laughing at her cousin Abby Swinging.