Polar Express

(thanks Kim for this picture and several others!)

I have wanted to take the kids on the Polar Express train ride for years but never can remember to book the tickets early enough. Back in the middle of October we decided this was a great year to do it before Maeley  gets too big. Luckily there were still several days to chose from however all weekends were booked. We decided to keep it a secret and wait until it was time to go to tell them. 

Sunday afternoon Derek read the Polar Express book to the kids. After he finished Chase said, "I wish I could ride the Polar Express." That lead to the perfect segway. Derek then told them that we'd be going tomorrow. At first they weren't sure if he was serious and then they all cheered. Then he told them Aunt Kimmy was coming too. Then they cheered even louder. I'm so happy we waited until the day before to tell them. I think it made it more fun for all of us.

We thought they should wear pajamas riding the Polar Express so I gave them their Christmas pajamas early.

I knew I wanted matching pajamas! They are my favorite!

Happy, cute kids.

This is right before we left our hotel to catch the Polar Express train. 

When we pulled up to the train station they had a few little shops and such, you know for the elves.

Kimberly (aka Aunt Kimmy)

Here we are right after we boarded. Shortly after the seat  Zoe and I are sitting in was turned around so we were facing Maeley and Kim. Derek sat with Chase one row behind. 

Sorry for the not so good picture. That was my fault.

This is Zoe saying, "We're going to the North Pole." I love this picture!

We told the kids earlier to choose a buddy. Maeley was quick to pick Aunt Kimmy, then Chase chose Dad, and by default Zoe was stuck with me. I don't mind, I love spending time with Zoe.

The view was beautiful! There was so much snow. Not that it was light for very long after the train left though. 

The kids loved getting hot chocolate and a chocolate chip cookie. Then they read the book, which I brought with us so we could follow along. They were pretty excited about getting to the North Pole. The best part was when Santa arrived in our box car Chase was the first to get the Bell. He felt very special and told all of us that he got the first gift of Christmas. Maeley and Chase realized that the reindeer were fake and Maeley says we really didn't go to the North Pole but they believe that was the real Santa. Maeley, Chase and Zoe loved it, which made it a great experience for Derek, Kim and I. It was very memorable and I'm so grateful we decided to go. It was worth every penny.

Family pictures 2012

This was definitely our best picture. Seriously each of the kids have their natural smile. Nothing was photo shopped. I love my family. 

Here are some runner ups.

It did take two tries getting a good picture. One Saturday morning we went out and some of the pictures were slightly out of focus. That evening we went out again and Derek's mom came to help. All in all not bad for doing it ourselves. 

Thanksgiving weekend

For Thanksgiving this year we spent the holiday with Derek's family. Derek's brother Phil and his family was visiting from Colorado. Its always fun to see them and spend time together. Our kids certainly had a great time with their cousins.

Thanksgiving morning Santa had left a present.

Now I realize that Elf on the Shelf is nothing new. I've heard about it for years and have had no care to get it.  Now that I did all three of our kids love it and its the highlight of the morning finding him. They named him Buddy. 

The following Saturday my family had our Christmas party. We normally have a early Christmas party so my sister Marie's family can come. This year they couldn't however Curtis and his family were in town. 

The kids enjoyed decorating frosted ice cream cones turned Christmas trees.

I'm so excited for Christmas! 

random

I've been meaning to blog but I've been busy lately. Finally I decided last night to sit down and upload some pictures only to find out that I am over my storage limit on pictures. I have it figured out how I'm going to go around paying for more storage monthly but it will take a few extra steps and now I'm not in the mood to do it. However I realize I should at least update what we are up to here.

We are still living at Derek's parents house. We still have no idea what's going on long term. Its hard to make any decisions. Being in limbo is so hard. Chase thinks its awesome to be living here and the girls want to move out into our own home. Zoe has had a few meltdowns that have surprised me. I thought this would be easier on the kids than it has been. We have so much in storage and Zoe misses her toys. Maeley misses their bunk bed because currently the girls are sharing a queen size bed. I'm just tired of wanting something only to realize that its packed because we didn't plan on being here this long. I am so grateful for wonderful in-laws willing to put up with the 5 of us (plus our dog) for longer than expected. I'm trying to be patient but we are ready to find a place of our own.

Chase and Maeley are having a good time in school. Zoe says she is ready for kindergarten but I think she enjoys having one on one time with me.

I have started working. Its only part time but its nice to make a little extra money and to stimulate my mind. Its been awhile. I can't believe how quickly time has flown. Its hard to believe the kids and I have been here over 4 months and Derek 3 months.

I'm so excited for Christmas! We have a fun thing planned for next week and we are surprising the kids. Can't wait!

Halloween 2012

Papa lighting the pumpkins with Maeley and Chase

Chase's pumpkin is the Batman symbol. He picked that up earlier that day on his field trip. The other pumpkin is Mickey both carved by Papa. 

We failed to get a group shot of the kids on Halloween. Oh well at least I did on Saturday. Zoe had a hard time walking in her shoes however that was not going to stop her from trick-or-treating. Chase didn't last long. He was ready to stop halfway through. Derek and I were going to take the girls to do more but decided against it. Instead the girls had a great time giving out the candy.

Birthday party

On Maeley's birthday they had their Primary Program. I was pleasantly surprised how well they all did. Chase usually doesn't like doing things like that. It was hard to see Maeley in the back row when they were singing. Zoe was pretty hilarious to watch. She insisted on having her hair in pigtails. During the songs she twisted herself at the waist and her pigtails swished practically hitting herself in the face. I regret not getting a picture of them before church though. Maeley looked so cute in her new church dress.

That evening we had some family over for cake, ice cream and cookies.

The girls wanted a mermaid party. We got the idea from here.

Close up of the cake my sister Laurel did. 

Sugar cookies

More sugar cookies

I'm not sure why the lighting in this picture is so weird when none of the others turned out this way.

Too bad the clarity isn't good in this picture because I love Zoe's expression.

You can see Maeley wearing the pin the girls got at the Disney Store for their birthdays. Maeley didn't want to wear it Saturday because it wasn't her birthday so she waited until Sunday to wear it.

Birthday Girls

It's quite nice having the girls birthdays "stuck together" as Zoe puts it. I think the girls get extra spoiled because of it. Plus then their birthdays last two days not just one. Maybe that will change as they get older but for now they are enjoying it this way. Last Saturday was Zoe's birthday. First thing she opened presents.

When she opened the Minnie costume she said, "I've been wanting this!"

Which I thought was untrue because she wanted to be Ariel but I thought she'd be more comfortable in this.

 Regardless she has loved this costume!

Zoe also got a couple outfits from us.

After Zoe finished when then let Maeley open her presents. Yes it was a day early however we talked about it before and decided this would be better considering what we were giving her.

Maeley was thrilled to get the new Tinker Bell movie and new church shoes and clothes.

Later that morning we went to the Disney store because they were doing activities for the new Wreck-it Ralph movie coming out. Chase really wanted to go. It was extra fun for the girls because they did a little celebration for them because it was their birthday. 

That evening was our wards Fall Festival and the kids got to wear their costumes. Zoe in her new Minnie costume and Maeley wearing the Rapunzel dress same as last year. This year for her birthday we got her shoes to match.

Can't forget Chase. I didn't realize until later that he had his beard under his chin. 

I love my kids they are seriously too cute!

Maeley is 7

Again where has the time gone because it doesn't seem possible that I have a 7 year old. Maeley loves school. That actually might be an understatement. She tells me often that she loves learning. Generally she is very helpful however she does have a stubborn side. Maeley is notorious for making herself laugh and giggling uncontrollably. She is showing signs of maturity, when I asked her what she wanted for her birthday she told me things that I didn't need to buy her because she knew they cost a lot of money. Last night at the ward fall festival she had a great time going around to the different activities with her friend by themselves. I think she is ready for more independence. Maeley does not like getting butterflies in her stomach. Its not just roller coaster rides that scare her its driving fast over little hills she also doesn't like much. Maeley loves hamburgers and hates chicken nuggets. Her favorite color is pink and she still loves Princess Aurora (aka Sleeping Beauty). She's into all the Tinker Bell moves and really likes the new one with Periwinkle. Maeley loves playing with dolls still. Maeley is a very sweet girl and wants to do whats right. I love you Maeley!

Happy Birthday Maeley!

My baby is now 4!

Zoe loves Daisy Duck and often dresses her in doll clothes. She also uses bracelets as a necklace for Daisy.

Where has the time gone and how can it possibly be that my baby is now 4! I'm in disbelief however I love this stage. Zoe is such a wonderful child. She's a very happy kid and loves to make you laugh and smile. If she's in a bad mood its normally pretty easy to talk her out of it. If not she'll do her best to be happy. Zoe doesn't speak very clearly. She often leaves out the first consonant in a word however I can understand her perfectly. If she concentrates she normally can get it right. Zoe loves to give hugs and kisses and calls hugs "huggies". She loves to eat. She isn't into sweets as much as Maeley and Chase are but she loves to help you bake. I love having so much time with Zoe. It's going to be very hard to send her off to school in a couple years. She's brings so much joy into our family. I feel blessed to be her mom.

Happy Birthday Zoe! 

First day of school

This happened over a month ago but better late than never.

First day of school was August 8, 2012

Chase

Kindergarten 

Teacher: Mrs. McCabe

Maeley 

1st grade

Teacher: Mrs. Phillips

Maeley was thrilled to be going back to school. Chase was excited one moment and nervous the next. He was on an emotional roller coaster that week. I can't blame him though. The kids and I had just moved the Saturday before and we were without Derek. It was hard for all of us.

Here Chase is standing in line for his class before school started. That bag was completely filled plus a bag behind that. The school supply list was border line ridiculous. 

Maeley waiting to go to her class. It was hot at 8am!

Chase ready to begin his school day. 

Here comes the bus after school.

I wanted to document how Chase felt about riding the bus. Maeley told me when she got on the bus Chase was crying for me. He didn't stop until he got home. I think he had been holding all his emotions in all day. When he got on the bus and Maeley wasn't there he couldn't hold it in any longer. Chase hated the bus the first couple weeks. Thankfully he enjoys it now. 

Maeley was all smiles. She had a great first day. 

Zoe came with me to the school in the morning. When we were leaving she started crying because she didn't get to say goodbye to Maeley. She sure missed Maeley and Chase. Actually even now she tells me everyday after the bus picks them up that she misses them already. Its so sweet.

Goodbye New Mexico

As I reminisce the past 2 years we were in New Mexico there were only great memories. We had many visitors and many fun adventures. I will miss the weather excluding the crazy wind of course. I will miss our wonderful neighbors, friends and our ward. I will miss the school. I will always hold a special place in my heart for this house.

While we've lived in many places this was our first house. What we did to the house was for us and nobody else. We made this house our home. Our home where memories were made and love was felt. 

I miss it so much already. 

Lego obsession

I have nothing to do here until they are done loading and I can start cleaning. In the meantime I thought I'd blog some pictures I haven't had a chance to yet.

To say Chase loves Lego's is almost an understatement. There have been several mornings as I'm helping the kids get ready for school and Chase is sad because he'd rather stay home and play Lego's all day. Now that we are at Derek's parents house he has access to Derek's old Lego's. Not to mention he has a large amount of Lego's himself.

I believe this is all Chase's Lego's sets built. 

I think we will be at this stage for many many more years to come. 

Moving day

The movers are here loading everything onto the truck. Its kinda bitter sweet but to be honest mostly just sweet. After having our family separated the past 3 weeks we are all just ready to be together. I love this house so much but I'm ready to move on. The kids are in Gilbert spending time with both Derek's parents and my parents. Its definitely been hard being away from them. I haven't been away from them this long in a couple years. That's pretty sad because its been less than 2 days.

Changes

I haven't blogged lately not because nothing is happening but because so much has happened.

Derek finally received his transfer details Friday July 27th. It was about freakin' time. It definitely wasn't what we were expecting. Its a short term small job on the westside of Phoenix however only until November-ish. That means we are in limbo because we could be transfered out of state again at that point. Or we could stay in the Phoenix area. We really don't know. Derek will be finished in New Mexico at the end of this month.

We decided to move into Derek's parents house during this time. Partly because school started earlier here and Derek still was needed at his current job in New Mexico. Derek moved the kids and I moved here Saturday August 4th just one week after finding out where we were going. We packed up a U-Haul trailer and brought anything we thought we'd need over the next few months.

Its definitely been a whirlwind of emotions and events. Maeley and Chase started school August 8th. So far so good. I will go into more details in another post. Although its been hard being away from Derek I do feel it was the right decision for the kids.

We sold our house! It took a little over 3 weeks which is great for our area. It will close at the end of the month. The inspection came back perfect. No repairs needed. We were thrilled! I'll go help Derek with the big move at the end of the month. Not that we have to pack but I'll be there while the movers are packing and loading so Derek doesn't have to take days off work. Plus that gives me a chance to get the cleaning done before closing.

Everything is coming together. Its been a very stressful summer. We are so grateful the way things are turning out.