Visit

My Dad and his wife live in WA and while we wish we could see each other more it just doesn't seem to happen but about once a year...this weekend is our visit for 2011. My Dad flew in yesterday for a long weekend. He has a highly anticipated high school reunion in Marana, AZ. (a smallish town just outside Tucson) He arrived early in the morning and graciously spent the day with three little ones who could get enough of his attention. I would have gone bonkers but he held his own. We celebrated Hannah's birthday with him and enjoyed a nice dinner at home. He left today for Marana, but plans to make an early morning drive to back up to see Jacob's soccer game. We will be driving down on Sunday to spend the day at a local park hob-nobbing with Aunts, Uncles and old family friends, and what a blessing it might actually be in the low 90's. We get him again Monday afternoon before he heads back to the northwest on Tuesday morning. My kids have loved every moment so far and so have I.

PS Not to mention I finally have some one to talk baseball with...like REAL baseball...stats, players, etc. It is awesome.

Happy Birthday Hannah Banana

It's "Fall" somewhere right?

I opened my doors and windows this morning to a wonderful, cool breeze. I am starting to finally believe that it may actually cool off, and with that idea I had to make a warm hearted meal. I love my house smelling like good food cooking all day.

So, cheers to you and the fact that "Fall" has officially began even though it may not feel like it here!

Hannah's 5th Birthday Party

Over the summer Hannah mentioned she wanted to have a Minnie Mouse themed party and since then my wheels have been spinning. I wanted to make her a dress, but not be too literal. I knew I could easily make the cake and then there was a craft some sort since 5 yr olds love to do art stuff.

Then Grandma Annie found the perfect gift...and party decoration!!! It is bigger than she is!

Then is was time to start the party!!1

 A little game of pin the bow on Minnie

CAKE!!!! And yes, black teeth were everywhere!

The craft I came up with. My sister in law had a great idea to make them an ornament for the tree!

We were blessed to have her sister come all the way from Buckeye to celebrate today!!! She couldn't have been more excited to see her...the screaming as she ran to her pretty much summed it up.

And then of course...my darling and I!!!

Artist in the making

Art has become her new passion!!! Seriously...it is all she wants to do...every day, all day!

She didn't really know what specifically she wanted for her birthday a couple of weeks ago but this mama did! I told everyone who asked...art stuff! And it has lended it self to some pretty amazing time letting her creative mind flow.

In addition, the extra curricular activity she wanted to do is an after school program called Young Rembrandt's. Once a week, she gets to do guide art projects where they teach her things about color, shadows, etc. I have been in awe for the pictures she has brought home and about her natural talent. Of course I had hoped one of my kids had the "art" gift since it runs so deep in my extended family. Her passion has also activated some creativeness into her older brother who would actually like to draw right now over playing video games, (as long a she is doing it too!). It is great to see them grow and mature into these amazing BIG kids! Now, time to get a special box for all this art, she may be in a gallery some day and they will want to see her early work. Hahahah!

Coping Tools

What does a mom to five children 10 and under due to cope while the husband in on a business trip, enjoying fine dining (and yes, I am a bit jealous about that!)? She makes chocolate chip cookies!!!!

Baking this cookie in particular brings me such joy and comfort. I have a feeling it is because I used to make them all on my own as far back as I can remember...at least 3rd grade. There were plenty of mistakes along the way, but I always loved baking them. I have since perfected my recipe skills and even use a Trudy Maples secret recipe which makes the cookies soft even days later. So, any time my hubby is gone, you can almost always find me spending a late night baking some comfort...

Nathan's First Swim Meet

Nathan started a swim team this fall and to say he loves it would be a total understatement. He is doing great aand although he is in heats that include kids 8 and under, he thinks he wins every race simply because he makes it to the end. He was by far the slowest swim, not to mention smallest, but the whole crown would cheer him and praise him. It was so sweet. He would get out and come running with the hugest smile..."Mom, I winned, I winned!!!" Thank you to Aunt Carla who came to cheer him on and help me with the kids so Shane could be a lane timer. It will be great watching him grow and get even stronger... I pray he can keep such an awesome attitude too!!

Organization

We had one amazing, energizing, and motivating kick-of to mom2mom this year. I wish I could have taped it and replay it several times a year when burn out begins to settle in. I have been pretty discouraged most of the summer as things had gotten a bit out of control in my house...of sourse most of the time you would never know it because I would just shove things in closets or cupboards to "hide" it for who ever was coming over. Funny thing about hiding it...it STAYS hidden and therefore I never really was getting around to anything. Then you add the heat and well...again, nothing was getting done. You know it's bad when even the hubby starts to make comments. Anyway, that is why yesterday was so awesome!!! I came home, fed the kids lunch, put them down for a nap and began purging and purging!!! Isn't that what most piles end up being anyway...a bunch of stuff over due to be thrown out. I also have hair beads and bands strewn all over the place so that was nice to separate and get it taken care of.

Some of the ideas that spoke the most to me were setting up snack baskets and or lunch making stations. As well as labeling. I try and try to get kids involved but it is hard and now I am hoping with labeled places for things that they will be able to help keep things newly organized.


Ok, now for the really embarrassing picture...my pantry mess!

 My pantry...if you want to call it that, before I purged!!! One of the major flaws is it is so deep and I really only use about 1/3 of the space...towards the front. I found all sorts of things in the back...baby bottles, tons and tons of plastic forks, and out dated food. Needless to say, the black barrel is quite full.

 My newest tool in my new organizational belt...a labeler!! Don't you just love Amazon...next day shipping for free!!!

And this is the final product! I took out most of the food and re-organized my other cabinet so now all my snacks, canned food and baking stuff are all together. I also got this brilliant idea with all this new found space that I would put the kids plates, bowls and cups at their level. We have them take turns emptying the dishwasher but most of the stuff gets piles on the counter because of height and since most of the dishwasher stuff is "theirs" I am hoping this will work out.

I have also tackled several other cabinets but I figured you didn't need to see ALL the pictures!! Too bad our weekend is jam packed, otherwise I would be tackling the laundry room and then my master closet, which is another one of my embarrassing places!!!

I can honestly say the "Organizational High" that was talked about yesterday is in full swing...woooohoooo!! This all makes me want to do the happy dance...and of course the hubby is pretty happy too.

Thanks Ladies for your time and ideas...you were a great source of inspiration and I feel very blessed!!

Staycation

The baby had her tonsils and adnoids out at Cardon's Children's Hospital yesterday. I cannot not believe how wonderful the whole experience has been. Of course I had my emotional breakdown Sunday as I sat and prayed over her before I went to bed, wrestling with God on who loves her more...Him or I...He won. (wink wink) It was a good time of prayer and crying as I poured my heart and love for her out to Him but also turned her over to Him for the surgery...and well the rest of her life. (I know this is a daily thing with all my kids!)

We woke up and got to the hospital at 5:30am. They run a really tight ship over there and she went right in at 7:30am. I sat and read for only 35min when the ENT came in and told me what and angel she was. She could hardly believe that all these strangers, wearing masks and messing with and she never cried or flinched at their prep of her just before putting her under. Recovery went well and she actually woke up from the anesthesia without crying. The big thing they wanted from her was to keep drink and some soft foods down and the way she bounced back you would never have known she had just had surgery in her throat. She ate and drank like normal and was walking the halls in the early evening. She won the hearts of the staff and was exceptionally cooperative at taking her meds. Such a blessing and I know it is because she was being covered in prayer.

I had intended to bring my camera but totally forgot in the early morning hours as I was packing up our stuff so my cell phone camera had to be good enough.

 Here she is in recovery...

Look at that little babe in such a big bed...not super cooperative with the smile though

She woke up from her nap hurting but the ice cream soon helped her spirits and carried her the rest of the afternoon.

Feeling so good this morning she was looking out our 7th floor window and saying "Wow, Mom, look it?" 

We got home at about 11:30am today and have been taking it easy so far. I am not too sure how I am supposed to keep her down when all she wants to do is run, but we are trying. I think we are both looking forward to sleeping in our own beds tonight.

Celebrate

We had the family over for a lunch to celebrate Samantha's birthday. It's always a load and exceptionally fun time. I think I love how all the cousins are growing up together and really beginning to enjoy each others company. It should be fun to watch them over the next ten years.

 Not in the pictures...Jacob! He was at a tournament in Flagstaff. It was hard for this sports lovin mama to miss but he had a great time thanks to my in laws taking him in our place.

It is hard to believe this precious girl is 8. She is as much a delight as the day she was born, and has the most compassionate heart of anyone I know. I can see Jesus in her every day!! Love you Samantha Baby!!!

Happy 8th Birthday Samantha

First Day of Pre-K

These two have watched the older ones have their first day and now theirs has finally come. We start the day off with our traditional breakfast out and then off to school. This year, their class is filled with friends from church and that is extra special!

How cute are they...Amore is their bestest bud and our carpool buddy!!!

Fall is in the air...

My new "toy" arrived!!!! I did some basic canning last fall but did not have the proper equipment nor did I want to pay for it back then either. So, earlier in the summer I was searching Amazon and put these delightful treasures in Shane's "save for later" cart. To my surprise this afternoon they arrived!!! He finally ordered them last week and I couldn't be more excited to try some canning. I think I will start with peaches or an easy jam first...yippy, time to start playing!

Weekend in the woods

We left early afternoon on Fri to break free from the grip of this heat and enjoy the cabin for the first time this summer. It was glorious. Honestly, I am having a hard time finding to words to describe the whole weekend because to be frank Shane and I both feel like this was the best weekend our family has ever had up there. (The snow trips are the exception) We did a big hike, which we have been waiting for many, many years to do with the kids on Saturday. After our summer vacation to Yosemite and Sequioa we knew we had some tough kids and that they can actually go a lot further than we ever no thought so we decided to give it a try. It was a joy to see them do something hard and finish strong...we cannot wait to go back again...maybe in Oct.

Once we got up there and settled a little bit we just wanted to be outside and at 75 degrees who could not!!! My In-laws have a swing tied to a tree that the kids get many thrills on so that was where we spent a good part of the late afternoon.

I even took a turn...it was a bit more scary because the rope was not in the best condition so Shane decided to pass on his turn...we found out Mon morning that was a good idea...more to come about that.

Can't go up there without the campfire...our favorite part for sure!!

Also, why not a game of hide and seek too...

First Shane explains the rules and boundaries much to the chagrin of our 10yr old. I think he figures he has an edge up on everyone, but with rules it makes it a little more even.

Look at the face...yup, rules are sooooo unfair!!! (wink, wink)

Samantha's turn to count....1, 2, 3....ready or not....here I come!

And this is what happens when you get tagged and know you have to count...oh the horror!!!

I think I enjoyed just standing watching them all have fun while I took some pics. Their laughter echoed throughout the mountains, and well so did the screams...but in a good ol fashioned fun way!

I cooked a roasted chicken and Nathan and Hannah got the pleasure of pulling the wishbone...although the winner I am sure will not be granted his wish to become spider-man.

It was harder than it looked...

SO Saturday come along and we ate a great big breakfast, made sandwiches and packed up the rest of our lunch to head out on our BIG hike to what the Self's call the "bathtub".

We left at 8:30am

The 'meadow'...half way point at 10am!

A quick 10min water and rest break...then we were off again!

 This is the bathtub...it is a large, deep spot where a spring bubbles up. We arrived at 11am. I was not a full as normal since the area hasn't had much rain in the past couple weeks, but the kids of course found a way to have fun.

Then we ate, played, someone fell in the water and was 'saved', fought off bugs and more bugs then packed up for the long two hours back. We left at 12pm.

God sent some angels to help us in the last little bit...my In-laws!!! George and Cindy had come up for a community potluck and met us in the last 15min of the 2hrs it took to hike back. The kids were really struggling and it was a great boost of enthusiasm we needed to push through the last bit....AND the best part of all they offered to walk back the rest of the way themselves and offered their closely parked car for us to drive back...it was a blessing!!! 

The rest of the weekend we relaxed outside almost all day, read books and more books and more book and took naps and enjoyed God's nature. We of course thought we were going to get off injury free this trip, but we are the Self's so 20min before we left Samantha was swinging on the swing and the poor rope finally broke. She fell on the back of her head about 3 ft to the ground. We quickly finished packing the truck and drove about 6miles to Christopher Creek for the local fire dept to look her over and see if we needed further evaluation or if we could get home. She was given and ok assessment, an ice pack and we just watched her. By the time we got home she was fine...so crisis averted. Now begins the laundry washing and clean up since taking 7 people to the mountains is no small feet....but we are already thinking about out next trip...Oct break we hope!

Blessing to you all on this Labor Day Weekend...we hope it was as good for you as it was for us.