Here Kitty, Kitty

Just finished one of Eva's birthday presents- this sock kitty. She's made out of a pair of argyle socks that had just been sitting in my dresser with the tags still attached to them! I think this is a much better use of these cashmere blend socks (got them when living in Cincinnati-- brrrr, cold winters). This is my first sock stuffed animal, hopefully just the beginning of more to come!

Oooey- gooey fun!

We finally put our gingerbread house together last night. Andrew asked if it was a big one like last year, but when I showed him the kit, he said, "no, that one's small." (psst-- it's the same kind as last year). Oh well, small it is, but it still took us an hour to decorate. This is mostly because at least half of the candy ended up in Andrew's and Eva's mouths...I think they ate more candy last night than they did on Halloween night.

In one photo, you can see Eva holding the frosting bag with one hand and a knife (child's knife-- not sharp) in her mouth. Yes, she was scraping the frosting out of the bag with her knife and then having a frosting feast.

Somehow the gingerbread house got finished and now I'm trying to keep it intact until Christmas. Although, for some reason some of the candy around the edges seems to be disappearing....

Why We're Willing to Endure the Arizona Summers

It's because the Arizona winters are just so lovely. The kids and I enjoyed our lunch in the backyard today under a warm sun and cool breeze, such a wonderful combination. Isn't lunch more enjoyable on the grass? Praise God for such a beautiful day!

Christmas Card Photo Shoot

I got the kids up this morning and dressed them. It was Christmas photo time and we had to get on the ball. Although it was quite chilly, we made the kids go in the backyard in their holiday get-up to have their photos taken. There were a few really cute ones. It's very easy to take Eva's picture, but Andrew always gives me silly faces, so there weren't as many keepers for him. Overall we're pleased with these and the cards have been ordered, and I plan to send them out this week.

Dinner Party Frock GIVEAWAY!!!!

Dinner Party Frock GIVEAWAY!!!!

Downtown Holiday Jacket and Pant GIVEAWAY!!!!

Downtown Holiday Jacket and Pant GIVEAWAY!!!!

Eva-isms

Oh we are quickly approaching Eva's second birthday and I wanted to write some of Eva's notable sayings and doings. Her language skills have leaped over the last 6 weeks and this girl chatters up a storm. Here are some of my faves:

-"My do it"
-"No"....(but if she really means it) ..."No way".....(and if she really, really means it)..."Nobody"
-"Tummy hurts" (when she doesn't want to eat anymore. No, her tummy doesn't hurt but she wants to get down)
-"Bro" (this is what she calls Andrew, but has also recently started saying Andrew)
-"Mommy cute" (self explanatory!)
-she doesn't just say "sorry," she yells it
-"cutie's here" and then she'll say "from Emo" (a quote from the beginning of Nemo, but I also love that Eva includes the reference when she says this)
-"Eva sleep mommy bed"
-"O-ba-ma"

*************
-She loves the songs Twinkle Twinkle Little Star and Itsy Bitsy Spider, and loves to hear them sung at bedtime.
-loves for mommy and daddy to read her books :)
-loves baby dolls-- the ones that looks like babies, not girls- and she loves to give them a bottle
-loves to "help" mommy in the kitchen
-she is starting to learn her abc's
-she can count to 8-- but then get stuck and says "7 8 7 8 7 8"-- can't seem to get past that darn 8!
-she loves to draw and do crafts
-she is getting very good at taking turns
-likes Barney, Nemo, Elmo
-she's very strong-willed, determined, confident, persistent-- remind you of anyone you know (wink)?
-she loves to cuddle and snuggle- always wants to be held :)

Happy Belated Birthday Aunt Cheryl and Aunt Tricia

Wishing you a wonderful thirty something birthday! Hope you had a good year and hope the next one is even better!

Ralph's World Concert in Tucson

Andrew and Eva l-o-v-e Ralph's World. His music has been played many times on the Disney Channel, although we first heard his music at Border's storytime. We have one of his CD/DVDs and we listen to it often, usually dancing and jumping along. His music is so fun, imaginative, and is enjoyed by both kids and adults. I recently discovered that the tour route included a venue in Tucson (none in Phoenix), so be bought tickets and drove to Tucson this weekend. We stayed with Gma Lisa and Aunt Katy (Gpa is in Seattle) on Friday night and then attended the concert on Saturday morning. The kids were exhausted and unfortunately fell asleep towards the end.

The audience was great and danced around- the employees from a local toy store were there to lead the kids along in dancing. Ralph even let all the kids go on the stage with him at the end of the show. He was even graciously agreed to take a picture with us.

As If There Wasn't Enough Halloween Stuff..

The morning after Halloween, there was a Halloween party at Pecos Park. We attended this event last year and had a good time with the Gilberts, so we decided to meet them there again. All of the attractions were free, including 3 jumping houses, games, and a costume contest. Andrew and Ashton won prizes in the costume contest. It was a fun day spent with good friends. Thank you Gloria, Ashton, and Brooke!

Halloween Day

What a fun, but exhausting day! In the morning we met Brooke and Gloria at Borders for a special storytime. Then that evening we trick-or-treated around around neighborhood, and then ended with a block party at our next day neighbors Tara and Gary's house. The children had so much fun playing, the snacks were good, and it was just plain fun to talk to the neighbors. Our neighborhood is so friendly, and we already knew most of the people there, but it was fun to get us all together at the same time. Not to mention that the weather was glorious!

Andrew's School Halloween Party

Yes, these Halloween pics are late. Just finally got a few minutes to put them up. It's all such a long, slow process with my camera, so bear with me.

The day before Halloween was Andrew's class party to which parents were invited. After their snack, the kids wore their costumes and then had a costume parade with all the other classes in the courtyard. Unfortunately Andrew didn't want to participate in the parade, which is too bad because he was so cute in his spacesuit costume.

Playdate

We had a playdate with my friend Jill, and two of her four kids about a week ago at the train park. So, here's the cool thing-- Jill and I went to high school together in Tucson, and actually haven't seen each other since high school. Well, about two months ago I ran into Jill at church. The church is huge-- a mega church, and it was our first time visiting. I was by the nursery dropping the kids off when I see Jill walking in my direction. We both recognized each other and said each other's names at the same time. After talking a bit, we decided to have a playdate. Schedules can be hectic, but we finally had our playdate! It's great because Andrew and Conner are a month apart, and Eva and Arran are just a few months apart.

It was so fun to talk and catch up. There are very few friends from high school that I keep up with, so this was a real treat. I'm looking forward to another playdate with Jill and her kids.

October Fun

Whew! Is it just me, or does it feel like Halloween should already be here? My gosh, the activities are endless, and boy have we had a busy month. Right now the kids and Justin are at Gma and Gpa's house for a Hoot 'n Howl party. Yesterday we went to a church fall festival and Boo at the Zoo (we went to the zoo with friends: Keely and Gracie, and Brian, Michelle, Tyler, and Lizzie). The day before we went to Starbucks for a Halloween party. Oh, and there' s quite a bit more in store this week. I love the fall and love the hustle and bustle of it all. I feel like we've been cooped up all summer, so we want to do every fun thing we can.

Here are a few photos from the last several weeks. Some are from the Museum of Natural History, some from Boo at the Zoo, and some from the Starbucks party. For some reason my camera has been giving me trouble, so I don't have other pics.

Marie-Therese Gown GIVEAWAY !!!!!!!

Marie-Therese Gown GIVEAWAY !!!!!!!

This is the most amazing dress! The woman behind these creations is sooooooooooo talented....I envy her skill and ambition.

Shenandoah Costume GIVEAWAY !!!!!!!

Shenandoah Costume GIVEAWAY !!!!!!!

Dinner with the Gilberts

My very good friend Gloria invited us over for dinner with her husband Miles, and two kids. Ashton and Brooke have had lots of playdates with Andrew and Eva, so they all get along pretty well. Gloria made a fantastic dinner! It was so much fun to have some good adult conversation, and the kids had so much fun. Thank you Gilberts!

Oktoberfest

We went to Tempe's Oktoberfest this year! The weather was awesome! This was our first outdoor event in a long time. It seems like the temperature went from the low 100s to the mid 80s all of a sudden. Anyway, we had so much fun! There was so much stuff for the kids to do. A kinderfest was set up with lots of games, toys, and arts/crafts. Of course there was lots of live music, good food, plenty of beer, and some rides.