Five!

Nate the Great turned 5 years old yesterday! Look out Kindergarten! We love our crazy, funny, sweet boy. He is taking piano lessons and gymnastics and starts t-ball soon. He loves legos, video games, playing games with the family, preschool, and riding his scooter. This boy loves his family (including cousins, grandparents, aunties and uncles). He is a good reader, which can sometimes be obnoxious too (like when he sends text messages to everyone on your phone). When he puts his mind to something, he can get it done; he is very determined. He gives the best hugs and "I love you's" around. Happy Birthday Nate!

Here are some of his favorites:

Color: Green and Purple

Animal: Hippopotamus

Food: Pizza and Spaghetti

Movie: The Croods

Treat: Brownies and Cookies

Book: Bunny Mail

Place to Visit: Zoo

Song: The Fox

What I Want to be When I Grow Up: Police Officer

Minecraft Birthday

For Nate's birthday party, he wanted a minecraft-themed celebration. This was our first all boy party to host and well, boys are crazy. Luckily, we had a pinata for them to beat up :)  Thanks to everyone who made Nate's day so fun!

Toothless twins

Be My Valentine

It's tradition in our house to have an Italian Dinner for Valentine's Day and this year it was heart-shaped pizza. Awww!

Nate created the centerpiece at preschool....these lovely flowers...

...and here's 3 of my 4 Valentines.

Sparks Family Olympic Games

Last Monday for Family Night, Carter had the activity. She went for a full blown Olympic extravaganza, complete with opening ceremonies. The teams were Dad and Nate (Team Wolf n Lion) and Mom and Gabby (Team Fairy Princesses), with Carter as judge.

There were 5 competitive events consisting of long jump, ribbon dancing, running, trampoline and balloon.

The best performance of the night was definitely Robert's ribbon dance to Justin Bieber's "Baby".

In the end, the girls proved victorious, although, the judge may have been a bit biased :) 

Our Classy Family Room :)

Oh, I am so excited to be able to post this. In my family room, there is a giant wall with tall ceilings and it has been a big empty space with a TV since we moved in. Well, thanks to my Mom (for designing) and Dad (for installing) with some help from Robert, there is now a beautiful entertainment center. I love it! So, here's a big shout out to Classy Closets!

Double Digits

Carter celebrated her 10th birthday this month! Wow! She even got the day off of school since it landed on MLK day this year. So, she went shopping in the morning and got a new birthday outfit, then she got to take a friend to see Frozen (with no little kids, the little kids did not love this plan), then she got to play with the whole neighborhood all afternoon, she chose Subway for dinner and then came home for cake n' ice cream. It was a fun day for our smart, creative, cute and friendly Carter. Love ya!

Here are some of her current favorites:

Food: Chicken Italiano

Books: Ever After High, Percy Jackson, Harry Potter, Fablehaven

Color: Dark Purple

Movie: Harry Potter

Place to visit: California

Dessert: Cheesecake

Subject in School: Science

What I want to be when I grow up: Architect

Christmas Jammies n' Cousins

Christmas Morning 2013

 Gabby's face in this first picture says it all...it was a very Merry Christmas!

Simply having a wonderful Christmastime

December was super busy around our house but we were able to participate in many neat activities and events. First off, Christmas concerts...there were many of them. 2nd grade was in one for school and Gabby had a solo part, Robert performed with the Gila Valley Chorale and Jazz group, my piano students (including all 3 of my kids) had a Christmas recital, to name a few! The light parade was a hit. The kids had all kinds of fun stuff going on at school including crafting, movie day, and gingerbread house decorating. Despite all the busy-ness, it was a wonderful time to celebrate Jesus Christ.  I love the quote from Pres. Monson that says, "To catch the real meaning of the spirit of Christmas, we need only drop the last syllable and it becomes the Spirit of Christ." There is no better time to see the goodness, happiness and love of Christ than at Christmastime.

 After spending a fun day on Christmas Eve with friends, we had a little time as a family before bedtime. Carter read 'Minerva Louise on Christmas Eve' to everybody and the kids opened the gifts they had bought for each other. 

All I want for Christmas

is my 3 front teeth :)

Nate's letter to Santa...

Dear Santa,

Can you bring me a scooter, a Bucky Pirate Ship and a flashlight friend penguin?

Love, Nate

Thanksgiving Day 2013

Just a lovely AZ Thanksgiving Day...
 

 

 

 

Turkey Trot

Turkey Trot 2013 must haves:

Crazy kids: Check

Doll: Check

Real Baby Doll: Check

Grandma who runs faster than everyone else: Check
(She had already done her real Turkey Trotting earlier)

Our turkey trot was modified to a turkey stroll since we had all the kiddos but it is always a fun way to start the morning.

Sleeping Beauty

Robert found Gabby asleep like this the other night...of course, we had to get a picture :)

Halloween Costumes

Robert's work always dresses up for Halloween with a theme. This year it was superheroes and he went as Clark Kent/Superman.

The kids had a fun day of festivities at school...fun run, parade, class parties.

But the day wasn't over yet. We had a trunk or treat that night. The kids had been planning (for a while) for the whole family to dress up as Despicable Me characters. Kids...we must love you a whole lot! Plus, we won "Best Family Costume" in the costume contest. Good times!

Painting Pumpkins 2013

After Apple Annie's, it was time to get painting. We rummaged through the craft supplies and the kids had to be creative with what we had. The pumpkins turned out cute!

Nate made a smiley pumpkin

Gabby made this adorable penguin

and Carter made a witch with spooky hair and cute little hat. She even won "Best Traditional Pumpkin" in the Pumpkins and Poems contest at school!