Mitchell's First Birthday

Well our little cutie pie is officially one year old! At his year check up he was 20 pounds 13 ounces, and 30 inches long. He has yet to learn how to crawl or walk, but he is close to doing both. I am very fearful of the day he learns to get around because he is going to terrorize this house! He LOVES to walk around in his little walker and get into everything. He runs from cupboard to cupboard and unloads everything inside. I am sure when he is completely mobile on his own it will require many safety devices to keep him in check.

I gave in and bought him a few toys that require batteries. I usually try to avoid batteries at all costs because that means, the said toy makes noise. He loves his little noisy devices and I am under the illusion that these devices will somehow teach him his letters and numbers.

I have bitter sweet emotions as I realize my baby is one year old. The older I get I realize time is speeding up and NOT slowing down. I remember when we came home from the hospital and I pulled him out of the car seat and Mandy declared, "He looks just like a puppy!" We talk about that all the time and how sweet and curled up those newborn babies are, and how much we have tried to enjoy each stage of this little baby boys life. We love you Mitch!

Resolution

O.k., I usually do not write down any of my resolutions for all eyes to see because I don't want to be embarrassed when I fizzle out in February, but I really need to accomplish some exercise goals this year, so I think I want a little accountability! So here goes: I want to do the Casa Grande Triathlon in November, but I am in ZERO shape. I haven't worked out since before Mitchell was born and I'm scared out of my mind!! I can't run without losing control of my bodily functions and I only do the backstroke (I'm too scared to put my face in the water for any extended period of time, I blame this on my fear of water that I developed as a 6 year old child when I watched JAWS -- so scary, I even look for sharks in pools!!). So needless to say, this is going to be quite the adventure. I figured I'd start with the running, so I'm starting couch to 5K this week. I loved the name of the program, because I am definitely sitting on the couch! So wish me luck and say a prayer that I make it through the first week.

Anne of Green Gables

Occasionally I read a little novel to Mandy and Ashley in the evening after the three little ones are down and we have some quiet time together. We usually try to read something fun and after we're finished, we watch the movie. We've read Ella Enchanted, Because of Winn Dixie, the Little House on the Prairie series and several others I can't think of right now. Even though the other books were great, our resent read, Anne of Green Gables takes the cake! I must admit, I had never read it before, but LOVED the movies as a kid. (I also must admit that I had to look up a few words and it was only a 7th grade reading level) Anne's character is so witty and charming and full of love and energy. I have to say that Anne has changed how I view the natural world. It isn't rare to find a good book, but it is rare for me to find something that uplifted my spirits and made me think of all the possibilities life has ahead in such a simple yet dramatic way. My girls loved this book and so did I, we can't wait until Netflix sends us the movie this weekend. I just wanted to jot down my thoughts about it and recommend it to all my blogging friends, not only for their little girls, but for themselves as well. I can't wait to read the next one! To think I have gone all these years and missed out on such a great read.

Merry Christmas

This Christmas we took video of the kids, so therefore, we didn't get too many regular pictures. It seems we can't do more than one thing at a time. But everyone was happy, and it is such a pleasure playing Mr. and Mrs. Clause. To think one day the kids won't be as excited as they are now, so we'll enjoy it while it lasts!

Lydia got a scooter and tons of horses, because she is OBSESSED with horses. (I want to put all the great deals I got on everything, but I don't think that's quite what the kids want to look back on and read about. Needless to say, we got some great deals on Amazon!)

Ashley and her American Girl Doll, Julie.

Nothing makes a 6 year old boy happier than a Marshmallow Boy & Arrow! He shoots everyone, the ammo doesn't hurt anyone, and it's delicious to eat. I have not found ONE marshmallow on the ground yet!

Mandy and her American Girl Doll Josephina!

Mitchell's first Christmas, he had no idea what was going on, but he like the balls that went to his little toy. Now I have to go buy batteries for it! I thought I stopped buying toys that require batteries?? Happy First Christmas to my Baby! He'll be 1 next month!!

Fall Concerts at Ocotillo Ridge

The 5th grade concert this year was great and Mandy got to sing a special part! There she is in the middle of the middle microphone. So proud of her!

The same night, the 3rd grade had their music performance as well and you can see Ashley in the middle on the back row. She had a dancing part as well. There is nothing better than watching your kids perform and enjoy it so much. Grandma Romney drove over for the night and made it even more special!

Gingerbread House

This year I made a Gingerbread House from Scratch and we will never go back! It was so much fun and I learned a little too much about different kinds of gingerbread and how not to bake it in the oven, but in the end, the kids had a great time decorating and then eating every last bit of candy off of it. This adventure took about a week in the making, but I'm hoping this tradition will only take a day next year!

Ashley's Birthday

This year Ashley had a Pretend Sleep Over! We tried to invite as many people as we knew so she could get better acquainted with friends here in Tucson. Everyone had a great time eating pizza, watching movies, eating popcorn, eating cake and ice-cream, opening presents, and then going home around 9:30 p.m.



Our Ashley is getting older and wiser! Nine years old is the beginning of new adventures for her I'm sure. She is so sweet and always thinking of others. I haven't met a more considerate child. She's always looking for fun and a friend to play with. Everyone in her class at school considers her a friend! She's such a blessing in our family!