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Friday, January 29, 2010

Sweet Slumber

Last night I finally wandered upstairs to go to bed and couldn't find Kevin. Usually he's studying at the computer or watching a movie on the laptop or organizing his Lego stash, but he was no where to be found. I peeked in the kids' room and there he was, "camping out" with Cade (and both of them snoring away like there was no tomorrow). This is one of many reasons why I love this man. He is so unselfish. He really loves his kids. Even though his bed is definitely more comfortable than the ground, he'll "rough it" to make them happy. And it does make them so happy.

Sunday, January 17, 2010

Snow Trip

Yesterday we took a semi-spontaneous trip to Flagstaff to play in the snow. Cade came busting into our room at 6:34am to wake us up to go to the snow. He was more excited about this than Santa coming! We got into Flagstaff, had breakfast at our favorite little dive, Mike and Rhonda's The Place, then went to this field behind the apartment complex I used to live at when I went to NAU. It was perfect for the kids. The hills were small and not many people were there. We spent about an hour and a half playing in the snow before we all got too cold and wet. We changed clothes, packed up our stuff, and headed home. It was a perfect family day. Here are some pics:








Friday, January 15, 2010

Just Plain Tuckered


Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Just feeling a little nostalgic...

1989
19901991

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Bowling on NYE

Grandma and Grandpa McMillan came to visit after Christmas. It's always fun when grandparents come to town. The family got a Wii for Christmas, so much of our leisure time during Christmas and New Years was spent Wii bowling, or Wii tennis or making Wii people (aka Mii). After awhile, Grandpa suggested going real bowling. What?! Step out of the house, get out of the 2D world and back into the real world and interact with real people and real bowling balls and really, really bowl?! Okay! So New Years Eve night we all bundled up (ok, not really...it was hovering in the high 60s that day), went out for some Mexican food (a must on New Years Eve) and then hit the lanes. Let's just say, we weren't the only ones who had the idea to go bowling. But it made it even more fun. Kids running all over the place, people sharing the ramps for little bowlers, noise, lights, popcorn...so fun!Myla taking a stab at real bowling for the first time. She had a hard time understanding why the ball didn't hit all the pins like they do on Wii bowling!
Here's Papa working it.Cade is a little worried about his score. No worries, he beat his mom...by a landslide. (I'm not the greatest bowler...even on the Wii. But I love to bowl.)
Gavin even got to bowl. That's the beauty of the ramps. Here, Kevin is just trying to wrangle him away from all the other bright and shiny things he's trying to make mischief with.
The bowling crew. They take their bowling seriously. :)

Friday, January 8, 2010

First Day of Dance

Myla started dance class yesterday. She has been wanting to ever since she saw her friend, Paige, dance at her dance class. We signed her up with the same, very economical dance teacher. She got some dance clothes from Grandma Pat for Christmas and has been anxiously awaiting the day she starts.This is Myla shaking her booty--which she does often. Sometimes I worry about her teenage years. :)

Thursday, January 7, 2010

Grand


Granddaughter and Grandfather simply sharing a lunch together. Ain't it grand?

(I don't know why I think this pic is so sweet. It just is. Myla found this seat at Arby's and asked - or rather, demanded - that "Dampa" sit with her up there.)

Get a Look at This Face


I've got a lot of blogging that I'm trying to find time to catch up on. Until I do get a look at this cute monster!

Sunday, December 20, 2009

What's Your Persuasion on the Big Man?

Well, my youngest was afraid of him and my oldest decided it wasn't really him. Myla was the only one who wanted to visit with Santa this year. Here she is telling him she's three years old. Santa came to visit the ward family Christmas PJ breakfast. The Elders Quorum put it on, so Kevin was up early and had gone to bed super late the night before preparing for it. It was a success!

Cade's Preschool Christmas party

Cade's preschool had a Christmas party and it was quite sweet. The kids performed three Christmas songs wearing reindeer hats and it was so fun to watch Cade get into it. Then they made Christmas trees out of sugar cones and green frosting. That was fun too. Messy, but fun. I just love Cade's teachers. You can tell they love the kids and are so creative in the things they do. They also involve the family a lot. Cade has blossomed here and has made great friends that he talks about constantly. If he had his way we'd have playdates every day!

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Happy Christmas and a Merry New Year

We wish you a Christmas filled with joy, love, and peace! Really, we do. It's not just a generic Christmas saying. We mean it from the bottom of our hearts. :) This really is the most wonderful time of year. It's so easy to be in a good mood. People are friendlier. Family and friends are closer to our heart. Our home is cozier. Love abounds. But mostly, when reflect on what our Savior we feel closer to Him. That is such a blessing. Merry Christmas!

Sunday, December 13, 2009

Myla wanted a mullet...

so she decided to cut one herself. It was nice, but it needed a little more work.
The evidence.
And more evidence.
The final product. Kevin and I vetoed the mullet and encouraged her to go with a more sassy 'do...
because she has such a sassy personality.

PS Mom has recovered. Dad is still chuckling. Myla says she looks "bootiful." And she does! In the end, it's just hair. Right?

Monday, December 7, 2009

Not Your Mama's Sewing Girls

The fun sewing group I belong to, The (not-so-secret) Secret Stitch Club, got together for a photoshoot. Our friend Jenna, of Jameson Photos, is quite the talented photographer. We have a great time sewing together and Jenna really captured the spirit of our little group. Check out a few of my faves:


C'mon--it's funny!

Friday, December 4, 2009

Our Zoo Fix

Today Cade's preschool had a field trip to the zoo and Myla, Gavin and I were able to tag along. Cade really, really, really wanted to ride the bus, and Myla and Gavin weren't allowed, so we met him there. My little boy is growing up and getting so independent! He was such a big boy getting on that big bus. I was so proud of him. While there it was fun to get to know some of Cade's classmates and their parents better. It was also fun just roaming around the zoo and having fun. It was probably the most fun we've had at the zoo! Above is a sweet shot I got of the three of them outside the monkey exhibit.

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Santa's Sweetheart Apron Giveaway


I'm giving away this little baby over on the Secret Stitch site. Pop on by to enter! Happy Thanksgiving!

Saturday, November 21, 2009

The Boys

My sister had her baby, the adorable Rebecca Nicole, last week. So we were lucky enough to have Jared, Connor, and Rachel come over and play with us. I captured this sweet photo of the boys. They are growing up so fast!

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

For the love of potatoes

This kid loves potatoes. He loves them so much that he licks his plate clean.
Gotta get every last drop.
I love this look. It's like he's saying, "What Mom? I love potatoes. Ooookaaayy."

Friday, November 13, 2009

Zootique

Looking for something to do this Saturday? The AZ weather has finally cooled down a bit and it's a great time to go to the zoo. This Saturday, November 14th, from 9am-3pm at the Phoenix Zoo there will be a Holiday Zootique sponsored by the Phoenix Zoo volunteers. My friends and I have reserved a booth and will be selling all kinds of really cute stuff: aprons (adult and child), baby booties, baby blankets, hair clips, magnet boards, sweet appliqued onesies, and lots more. So come on out! Spend a day at the zoo and get some Christmas shopping done at the same time. Stop by the Secret Stitch booth and say hi!

Monday, November 9, 2009

Hacked


I know, kind of a creepy little graphic, huh? I haven't been online very much over the past week or so. I guess you could say I've been a little gun shy. Last week (was it really only last week??!) my email was hacked into and every single person in my contact list (a ton of people from my church, family, friends, old contacts I hadn't deleted, old employers, current employer...everyone) was sent an email in which I said I was asking for money. I was mortified! And I feel like someone stole something from me. It's like they came into my house and stole my bike or wallet or something. Luckily, the hacker included a little tidbit that said I was in England, and anyone who knows me would know that isn't true. But it's definitely opened my eyes to the realities of the internet. I set my blog to private just until we could get it worked out. I was finally able to gain access to my hotmail account a few days later and found the hacker had deleted all of my contacts, changed all my info, and made it pretty useless. That's fine, because I am done with that account. Deleted. I'm just grateful nobody sent any money to the Western Union account this person was providing once someone made contact with him.

What will I do differently in the future? Well, first off, I won't have the same password for all my accounts anymore. I spent hours going through online accounts and changing passwords. I was so nervous Mr. Hackerman would reek havoc there! Second, I will change the passwords often. I hadn't changed the password to my email in 7 years. Third, I realize now it can happen to anyone. Really, who am I? I'm no one important. I don't have money. So I never even thought I'd be at risk. But we all are. In doing research on this I've found that this happens so often. Identity theft is so real. And apparently it's not that hard to do. When searching for a graphic to put to the blog I found out that there are websites out there that tell you how to hack!

Anyway, so we are back. Cautious, but back.

Monday, October 26, 2009

Days 23-25: Field trips and birthdays

This weekend was a lot of fun. On Friday, Cade went on his first field trip. I was excited that I was able to attend. We walked to the park as a group.
We observed nature.
The kids drew pictures of the ducks they saw on the lake.Then they were set free to play on the playground.
Unstoppable

Friday was my birthday, and it's also my Mom Webb's birthday! The kids and I went over to take her some cake and sing her happy birthday.
The birthday girls.
Kevin really surprised me this year. I just have to brag about him for a minute. Look at this! Can you tell what it is? It's a bouquet made out of tracings of the kids hands. In the middle of each flower is written a special thing the kids will do for me. The poem is so sweet. The flowers are stuck into Junior Mint dirt (one of my favorite candies). Oh, and the spatulas are just what I needed. My other ones rotted. Yes, they rotted. :)
I don't know if you can read the poem he wrote. Here it is:
Mommy dear we love you so
And think you are so sweet.
You are so nice and kind to us
And everyone you meet.
We wanted to say thank you
For everything you do.
And want to give you a helping hand
So this is what we'll do.
Just pull a flower from the vase
And tell us what it reads.
our little hands will jump to the task
To help you when you need.
So sweet. My birthday was a fun day! Later that night we went over to Nicki's house and rocked out to some Rock Band. I love Rock Band! On the way home Kevin gave me his other gifts which are a new iron and a new ironing board cover. I am so excited! I know, it's weird I'm getting excited about an iron. But a good iron makes such a difference in sewing and my old iron was pretty bad. It had a crack down it. And my ironing board cover is all stained and has a huge hole in it. So I was pretty happy! A big thanks to my friends and family who made it so special for me.