Family Pictures

I'm still convinced that every smiling family photo is a facade.  It never comes as easy as it looks.  This year's smiles are covering up battle wounds from a stick fight, a blistered foot that apparently makes it impossible to stand, let alone walk and an equal number of threats and bribes dished out through gritted teeth.  We finally discovered that band-aids are Maddox's currency and that did wonders to put a smile on his face.  My friend was so nice to come take our pictures, she did an awesome job (and once the rain and throw up stops hopefully we can take theirs before Christmas!) and I think we were both drenched in sweat by the time our 122 picture photo shoot was over.  But it was worth it, we got some great shots and I'm pretty sure I've got the cutest kids around. 

Queen Creek Holiday parade

We watched Backyardigans on the Iphone while waiting for it to start. We patiently took every advertisement and flyer handed our way. We admired the horses.  We scrambled for candy being thrown. We clapped when necessary.  We tapped our feet to the marching band's rendition of Jingle Bells.  We waved to the Santa and every passing float. 

And then came the moment we really dragged sleepy kids out of bed early on a chilly Saturday morning and even risked another bad hair and makeup day to sit under the looming rain clouds for. Here's the star that stole the show. I really couldn't help myself. My trigger finger was having spasms and I physically could not stop taking pictures of the cutest little who-ville dancer to ever prance those streets.

Until finally I got THE LOOK. And I was banned from any more pictures. One day she'll thank me. Maybe.

Sister wives

I won't lie. After this past month, my opinion on polygamy has slightly changed. Can I tell you how nice it was to have someone to share the cleaning, cooking and kid load with? And I didn't even have to share my husband, which means I'm probably more in the market for a live-in nanny than a sister wife. Either way, I seriously loved having my sister-in-law, Margaret here, not just for the extra hands but especially for the company. I loved our conversations ranging from potty training, cannibalism, old ladies who feel inclined to criticize our parenting, hair removal and our shared irrational fear of an accident occuring and being arrested for neglect. She got me through the dinner time crunch (and I am still convinced Jason purposely works late just to avoid it), and when things got rough we gave each other the eye, meaning it was definately a 3 scoop ice-cream and mindless tv night.  We swapped date nights and she insisted on helping me on cleaning day (I didn't put up too much of a fight) and we finished at 10:30am which has never happened in the history of cleaning days. She watched my kids more than I like to admit and even let me slip away to Tucson for a childless night with Jason (and she was left to deal with issues like crayons being dumped in the fish tank, which may have led to the unfortunate death of the snail). She introduced me to new recipes, new parenting tactics and most importantly she introduced me to "New Girl" and now Tuesday nights will never be the same. We also experienced what life would be like with 2 sets of twins.

We both agreed we'd take the baby twins over the toddler twins.  Those two were so hot and cold.  When they were hot, they were as cute as ever.  Creating an indoor camp site with mini marshmallows on deathly pointy skewers, pulling all the food out of the pantry on a bi-daily occurance to create a kitchen in the living room, following each other around the house on their bikes then parking them next to each other and snuggling up together on the couch to drink milk and watch Jungle Junction. But when they were cold, well, you can just imagine.  Let's just say, we really enjoyed when they got along well.  And then the babies...oh those babies.  They would sit together holding hands in their bumbos, Ryder wishing his wasn't pink and wishing he could actually fit his chunky legs into it.  They would take turns staring at each other and they had the same mannerisms to the point that we couldn't even tell their crys apart. The cuteness was almost too much to handle.  I'm grateful that these cousins got a chance to bond and I'm forever grateful for the chance that I got to get to know Margaret and my adorable neice and nephew better (and we loved having Tyler here too, we just didn't get to see much of him :(.  I really lucked out to have such amazing sister-in-laws and I'm grateful for each one of them.  We wish you guys the best of luck with the rest of medical school!

Someday

Someday I will have a nativity set without the heads knocked off.  And those white couches I've been drooling over.  However, I know all too well how fast the todays go and how soon someday will be here, so for now I'll ignore the hole knocked in the drywall, the fork gouges in the table, the incomplete set of dishes and the stains on the couches and just enjoy my babies.  Atleast I have to tell myself that so I don't get too mad when I see my 2 old day throw pillows being used as a kleenex.

Sedona

I am seriously crushing on Sedona right about now.  With its towering red cliffs, to its pine trees and fall leaves.  It's enough to make me (almost) want to trade in our boat and go back to our one week of being a camping family.  There are so many cool hiking trails, I may become a nomad in my next life and explore every nook and cranny of this place.  But for now we soaked up all the sun and beauty on a day trip on our way home from Flagstaff.

this is "Snoopy's head".  What's that? You can't see it?? Yeah, neither could we.

Okay, so I never got the memo that we were doing actual real hiking here.  I was more concerned about staying warm and looking cute. I think the mule deer were impressed with my ensemble. Of course Jason had to give me a hard time and of course I had to tell him that these boots were pretty much the most comfortable hiking boots ever.

A good hiking stick was like gold.  I've got to give props to Jayden when he gave Kylie his prized stick. Just the right heighth, smooth like butter, the perfect shade of gray and not a splinter in sight, it was money.  These kids honestly got along so well this entire trip.  It was a Christmas miracle.  The only times we had to get after them was when they were being too hyper and wild, which I would take over fighting and whining any day. 

We stalked this herd of mule deer for quite some time.  Despite wandering off the path into bobcat and mountain lion territory as forbidden in every sign posting, it was pretty cool to get so up close and personal with them.  Is it bad that I was disappointed that we didn't see any bobcats?  Was it too much to ask for even a tarantula?  Atleast we had the deer to apease me.

New favorite picture.  Didn't think it was worth risking a baby in the river for this photo op (see I am a good mom), just imagine his cute chubby little face in this picture and it would be perfect. This really was such a fun weekend, these kids make me so happy I could burst.

Polar Express

I went in with low expectaions. I heard it was cheezey.  I heard it could have been better.  I was glad to say they were all wrong.  Instead it was magical. And memorable. And pretty much the best kick off to this Christmas season. A hotel stay, a last minute trip to Wal-mart for pj's (cause new pj's are a requirement to board the Polar Express. Not really. But kinda, yeah. And Wal-mart, well, ya know, it's Flagstaff). Where was I...it was chilly, the hot chocolate was steaming, the cookies were moist, the music was well, Christmasy, the staff was energetic, and when the lights dimmed with the Polar Express theme song echoeing through the train while everyone's noses were pressed against the window as we pulled up to the North Pole, it was nothing short of magical.  Santa was merry, the silver bells never stopped ringing and the smiles lasted the entire night, despite being 3 hours past bedtime.