Christmas morning 2014

Christmas morning was magical. The kids loved everything they got.

 

Clearly this is just a blur but she was just too excited to see what Santa had brought.

Finally Chase got a new bike!

It was fun that the girls brought their dolls down with them. Zoe loves Kit's treehouse.

Maeley got Emily which is her doll Molly's best friend.

The Indiana Jones hat and whip was probably Chase's favorite present.

Christmas Eve presents

On Christmas Eve the kids exchange the gifts from each other.

 

Chase got Maeley an alarm clock

Maeley got Zoe a My Little Pony's sweatshirt

Zoe got Chase a TMNT sword/mask

 

They were very happy!

 

 Next up was Christmas jammies! My favorite tradition! Early in the Christmas season Derek and I were going through old Christmas family pictures and decided matching pjs are way more fun. Its hard to find decent ones to match everyone that aren't too expensive. This year the girls match and the boys match.

 

Family Christmas pictures

On the Sunday before Christmas we tend to dress festive and take a family picture.  It somehow became a tradition.

 

Derek and Chase clearly had a great time taking pictures as they waited for the girls and I to get ready.

I loved this area. I miss it like crazy. I love Christmas decorations!

Ha ha ha! The kids had no idea! They were done with taking pictures.

December stuff

Our Elf Buddy brought a new Lego set this year.

Not the best quality picture, but they were so excited!

Icing cookies to take to neighbors and friends.

Zoe had a Christmas Performance at school. She loved it!

On our way home

Thanksgiving 2014

I ran my first ever 5K Thanksgiving morning with Kim and Colin in Fountain Hills.

I finished ready to do another race. Then life got in the way and I haven't kept up my running. I'd still love to do a Disney run.

 

After the 5K Derek and I and the kids stayed to watch the Thanksgiving Day parade because my sister and Zach were going to be driving their Mini's in it.

 

When they drove up the kids jumped in.

 

It was a really great morning!

 

 

 

Zoe's BIG Award

Gilbert Town council Citizenship Award

October 2014

 

Zoe with Gilbert Mayor John Lewis

As you can see she was the youngest student that received the award.

She was so proud of herself. She was nominated by her teacher then chosen to be the school recipient for this award.

Her name was on the marquee board for about a month!

 

This girl is wonderful. She loves school and learning. She is friends to everyone. She is so nice and shares all the time, almost to a fault. She is funny, sweet and loving. I am so lucky to be her mom. She teaches me so much.

 

I love you Zoe!