Dinner on the balcony

Last Friday the weather was awesome. Warm, sunny and only slightly breezy. Derek had come home from work early so we were able to get our grocery shopping done then come home for dinner. We decided to have dinner on our balcony. Derek got the kids camping table out and we had a great time. The kids seriously thought they were in heaven. 

 Its fun that the simple things can make them so happy.

Let me talk about the weather for a sec. It's windy here no doubt it. So windy that it has certainly put a damper on when we work in our backyard. Well Derek and I caught part of the weather forcast Monday night and they said that the average afternoon wind speed for this month has been 37MPH! Holy cow! Seriously I can't wait for the windy season to be over. I hate it! I want to be able to enjoy the outdoors again.

Easter 2011

The kids had been asking all week when Easter was going to be. They remember all the fun things that happened last year on Easter. More specificly what was in their Easter baskets and the candy filled easter eggs.

They woke up extra early Sunday. This is them waiting upstairs while Daddy got the camera out before going downstairs to see what the Easter Bunny had left for them.

 Maeley was happy to get the Tangled soundtrack. Chase got some super hero action figures.

Zoe got an outfit but was more excited about the candy.

Then came the Easter egg hunt. Shortly after we had to take away Zoe's basket because she had eaten too much candy. Actually by the afternoon Chase had finished off all his candy and by Monday mid-morning the girls had finished theirs. They got quite a bit too, they just don't know when to stop with chocolate.

In the afternoon we dyed eggs. The kids really enjoy this. Derek made a yummy meal for dinner and the rest of the evening was pretty relaxed. Maeley told me that she had a great Easter.

Our 3 bunnies

Laurel sent us a package this week. The kids were so happy. The love packages from anybody but especially Aunt Lolo.

Chase has a grumpy face in this picture because he wanted the white bunny ears.

Zoe already had the purple ears so she gave Chase the white ones.

The mouth piece Zoe has is from a Mr. Potatoe head.

 These kiddos sure are excited for Easter.

Our grass is growing!

On Tuesday I noticed that the grass was starting to show. And by show I mean, you had to squat down squint your eyes and yes there was grass popping up. To say we are excited is an understatement. We can't wait until the grass is fully in and the rest of the backyard is done. By the way I am not enjoying shopping for plants and trees. I don't know what to choose.

School

This past Wenesday I got to register Maeley for kindergarten. I'm so excited for her. She's beyond thrilled that she is finally starting school. Maeley enjoyed going into some of the kindergarten classrooms, she got to play on the playground, so was happy as can be when she saw that they have a library of their own. She's already got her backpack ready. I keep telling her its almost 4 months away. I think it might be a long summer waiting for school to start.

Also on Wednesday Chase had his screening for the preschool we were trying to get him in. When we arrived there were a few people ahead of us so the kids got to play on the playgroud while we waited. We were pretty far away when they were calling Chase's name. Chase ran I think the fastest his legs would take him and gave that lady the biggest hug. I seriously think he made her day. He wants to go there more than anything. He's ready. He did very well during his screening, passed many things that a 5 year old should know. After he was done the lady talked through his results and asked if I had any concerns. I mentioned how I was concerend with his speech, that he doesn't say some sounds correctly. She noticed it too and noted some that she caught and suggested he be screened with a Speech Therapist. He did that and failed. He substitutes many sounds for s and t instead of k. Now I want him to get in even more than before. I want him to have the chance now to get this resolved. Unfortunately we won't know until July is he gets in. It will be a long wait.

Sugar cookie recipe

Thanks for all the comments on my sugar cookies. Really I'm not very good however its fun decorating them and I'm improving. I have so much cake decorating stuff because I took the Wilton classes (1-3) at Michael's when Maeley was a baby. My kids won't let me make cakes anymore. They don't like mine as much as Aunt Laurel's so I haven't made a decorated cake in a long time. Even though Laurel makes some pretty awesome sugar cookies they let me make them too. So I have lots of tips and bags to use. I do love that cookie cutters take up way less space than cake pans. To be honest when it comes to desserts I'll normally choose a cookie or brownie over most other sweets. I hate pie, cheesecake and cakes are only okay.  So really since I started doing the sugar cookies its much more fun for me. My sister came out to visit us back in September and that was my first attempt at making them. Now I'm hooked, however I don't make them often since September I've only made 4 other batches, 5 if you count helping my sister frost the cookies for my brothers wedding.

There are so many blogs out there with great tips and their cookies are amazing! Seriously, you'll notice I'm not very good when you see what they can do.

First off not all sugar cookie recipes are created equal. Some may be a great recipe but once they bake they lose their shape. I use Sweetopia's sugar cookie recipe . We like it here so I'm not sure I'll try another one. I don't have any issues with the cookie losing its shape at all and it tastes pretty good. Read the directions it might be more involved but its not difficult and it makes a difference. I've also made SugarBaker's Chocolate Mini-Chip cookies, yummy. Derek has requested I make those next. I ended up doubling the recipe and using only 1 bag of mini-chocolate chips. If I remember correctly on that same blog she has a recipe for Chocolate sugar cookies. I'd love to try those sometime.

As for the icing its royal icing not buttercream. I've been using this recipe. I think I'll try the Wilton one next time. I haven't used it since I took the cake decorating classes. I have Wilton food coloring but I really want to use the AmeriColor ones when I start running out. One thing to remember about icing is consistency is key. If its too thick it won't smooth out and if its too runny thats hard to work with unless you are just flooding the cookie and not doing the details.

Hope this is helpful to those that wanted the recipes. Sorry for all the links.

Easter dresses

These girls are so beautiful. I love them!

This unfortunately was the best picture I got of the three of them.

Chase showing off one of his many Buzz Lightyear's.

Chase and Zoe still wanted their picutres taken...this is what I got.

Chase making a silly face and Zoe looking very cute.

Then Chase doing what seems like the "pee pee dance". Crazy little Chase.

I would love to have some family pictures taken of us all dressed up.

By the way, the girls were in their Easter dresses this past Sunday because next Sunday is our Stake Conference. That meant this past Sunday was our Easter program and Maeley and Chase got to sing up on stage with the primary kids. Maeley was excited, Chase not so much. Poor Zoe sat with me sad as can be because she's not old enough to go up there yet.

Sugar Cookies

Saturday Derek had to work. He only works Saturdays once every couple months or so. This was his first one since moving here. I decided I wanted to make sugar cookies to take to church Sunday for the Young Women as next Sunday we have Stake Conference. I am the personal progress advisor and they like when I bring treats in for those who have worked on their personal progess that week. I haven't brought anything in well over a month so it was about time.

I had wonderful helpers.

I really enjoy the icing part. Derek did some as well. I forget how long it takes. For about 3 dozen cookies it took about 3 hours not including time to let the first layer dry. All worth it because they are cute. I'm not very good but its really fun and I do think I'm getting better.

Daddy with his little girls

Can you see all the love in this picture?

I think I need to frame this picture.

Zoe as Tinker Bell

Zoe was really into dress up this day. She loves her "ballerina" shoes, of course her pink necklace (great $1 find at Target last year) and the Tinker Bell costume. Can I just say that it is worth every penny to buy the Disney Store brand costumes. They last. We bought this for Maeley for Halloween when she was 2. It pretty much went from Maeley directly to Zoe. Zoe started wearing it at like 6 months old, not kidding you. It's still in excellent condition. I can't believe my baby is 2 1/2 now. Holy cow!

We've tired the potty training thing and its not working. We need to wait. She's just not interested. I really wish she was. Maybe I'll try again in June after our next Gilbert trip. A newly potty trained child on a long 8hour drive doesn't sound fun.

seeding the lawn

About a week and a half ago we seeded the turf area. We already had to delay doing so because of the crazy winds. We didn't realize the wind on this particular day until after we started. By this time we weren't going to stop.

 By the way we put up this temporary fencing to keep our dog off this area. Before we put the seed down she liked burrowing herself in the dirt.

Derek crouched down trying to keep the wind from taking the seeds elsewhere.

This is a "tool" our neighbor made when he was getting his yard done. It helped compact the seeds into the ground and also level out the ground some more.

No sign of grass yet but we have faith that it will come we just have to be patient. Trust me its been hard. I find myself staring at it in hopes I will spot some. Its pretty bad. I'm just so excited to have grass! I just want this backyard done now! Derek's parents are coming out in a couple weeks to help with the rest of the backyard. Hopefully we can get it done while they are here. We are ready to enjoy the backyard.

Maeley & Chase

I've been looking at old pictures lately with the kids. I noticed how many pictures we have with just Maeley and Chase. They have been best buds from the time Chase was born. Chase grew up fast and Maeley loved teaching him and always having a friend near by.

July 2007

Chase 3 days old

Maeley almost 21 months

September 2007

Chase 2 1/2 months

Maeley 23 months

Left: enjoying ballons together June 2008

Right: making a mess of the books May 2008

This is one of my all time favorite pictures. Not sure why. This was taken July 2008 only a couple weeks after moving to Tucson. They were always together. This particular day I had made No Bake cookies and Maeley decided they should eat one outside. At this age, Maeley was always looking after Baby Chase. He turned one only a few days before this picture was taken.

I could keep going on and on with more pictures of the two of them but I've got things to do.

 I can only hope they will always be close.

I love this picture! Sure it may be blurry but they are having a great time together, even if they were play fighting.

I am grateful every day that we had our kids so close in age. It was definitely hard at times but the reward has been so worth it all. I love and adore my kids. I am so lucky to be their mom.

Backyard progress

Here Derek is installing a sprinkler head

installing the metal edging

Edging installed before hauling more sand into this area to level it out

The kids have really enjoyed being outside with us during all these nights and weekends.

While installing the edging Derek hit the sprinkler system.

after compost was added Saturday 

This is where we are currently. We put down what is called Albuquerque mix which contains recycled green waste, manure, and biosolids. Biosolids is recycled sewage. Sounds really gross but we hear its great stuff and its really doesn't smell bad.

The flower box will be moved and on the arch area is where we are planning on putting a playhouse for the kids. Notice the pile in the corner of the yard. That is rock, mainly cement clumps that we have found in the yard. Derek set up a filtering system so the grass area is free of all that. Also we found dozens of rusted nails, screws and wire while digging.

I cannot wait to get this done! Tonight we should have the seed down and then we can start working on leveling out the rest of the backyard. Then getting plants and gravel. Many many more nights and weekends will be spent working back here. But it will all be worth it when we can sit back and relax and enjoy our backyard.

Slacker

I realize that I have been a slacker lately on this blog but we have been quite busy.  There are no new pictures because I'm too lazy to upload them.

We are in the process of landscaping our backyard ourselves. Although we are getting some great help and advice from our neighbor who is a landscaper. Its so much work. I had no idea how long it would take to just get the ground prepped for seeding. We should have it seeded within a couple days, fingers crossed. Derek misses his truck immensely. Sure our big ol' SUV can haul quite a load, but you can't fill up the back with manure. That would be gross! We spend much of our evenings out there and Saturdays, that is if its not too windy. I can't wait for this to be done. Not because its hard work, but because I cannot handle the sand in the house any longer.

We have also worked on some small projects in the house. I wish we could just stick to one room and get it completely done. Unfortunately that's not the case. With the backyard in full swing we just do what we can here and there. I have posted a few things on my other blog.

The kids are doing well. I think they are finally over their colds. Their coughs dragged on for far too long. We bought Tangled for them last week. They have watched it many times since. I've tried potty training Zoe. Why does potty training have to be so hard and why does it feel like this is my first time when its my third? I feel clueless and I hate it.

Derek had a birthday last week. Its always nice when his birthday comes around because for 3 months I hear about how old I am and how much younger he is. All because I'm 3 months older than him. We went to a BBQ place here called Rudy's. It was good. I thought there BBQ sauce was too spicy, should have tried there Sissy sauce and they didn't have a very good selection of sides. Joe's BBQ is so much better. We didn't make it there during our last Gilbert visit. Its a must during our next.

I really don't have much more to say. I'm just having a lousy day.

Things I don't want to forget and some I do

It seems like so much has happened and I haven't been as good about updates.

-We are so blessed that our kids are good travelers. All those trips back and forth from Tucson and Phoenix paid off. They enjoy just looking out the windows.
- Maeley has always been bothered by my brother Tyler. He teases her and she doesn't like it. Before Tyler's wedding reception there were family pictures. Miranda gave Maeley her bouquet to hold. That did it for Maeley. She loves her new Aunt Miranda, and she even says she loves Tyler now too. Apparently all it took was for him to marry a nice girl.
-I love to hear from our kids how much they love their grandparents, aunt's, uncle's and cousins. I know our kids miss everyone of them.
-4 of the 5 of us have been sick with a stomach bug. Zoe got sick while we were in Gilbert. On our drive home we stopped in Grants, NM for dinner at McDonald's. After 20 minutes on the road Maeley threw up in the car. We obviously stopped quickly got her changed and the car cleaned up. Luckily I gave her a grocery bag to throw up in if she needed it which she used about 5 more times before we got home. Poor Chase sitting next to her didn't like that she was throwing up. That night Chase woke up and threw up all over his bed. Then Wednesday night Derek got sick and missed work Thursday. Derek definitely got it the worst.
-I'm so grateful Derek will cup his hands for the kids to throw up into so there is less mess to clean up. By the way, he was also the one to clean up after Chase in the middle of the night. That's probably why he got sick and not me.
- Zoe is obsessed with polka dots. I don't know where it started but she points them out everywhere. I realized why she loves Minnie so much...because she wears a polka dot dress of course.
-Zoe talks a lot and isn't afraid of trying to pronounce a new word. However she will not say her own name.
-Zoe asks us "What is this" quite often now. Hopefully is does not go through the why stage because that drives me crazy!
-We got the kids new chairs at Ikea for their desk in the loft. They love them. Maeley chose pink, Chase blue and Zoe green.
-I think we have a plan for the backyard landscaping. I'm so anxious for it to be done. The large sandbox that is the entire backyard is annoying. It's springtime which means its windy here and sand is blowing everywhere. Sand is brought into the house from the kids and after bath the tub looks gross. I can't wait for grass!
-We've been in our house almost 7 months. I love our home!
-I get to register Maeley for kindergarten next month.
-I get to fill out an application for Chase to attend preschool here also next month. There is a screening process and then a lottery. I hope he gets in. He really wants to go to school.
-Zoe is terrified of bugs. Flies, ants, spiders, crickets pretty much any creepy thing. She screams, cries, and clings on to you and won't let go. After two mornings in Gilbert where a fly landed near her breakfast cereal we tried to tell her they are nice bugs. She doesn't by it. However when she sees a bug while she's screaming she says, "nice bug", as if she's trying to convince herself. It's kinda funny.
-Maeley got a new workbook. I really have to pace her or she'll want to finish the whole book at once. I'm so glad she loves to learn.
-Maeley and Zoe love Fancy Nancy. Maeley has been into the books for awhile but now Zoe is too.
-Chase got an I Spy book and is very good at it.
-Maeley scratched Zoe on the neck Friday. Now Zoe points to it and says, "Ouch, bad sister."
-Zoe still remembers that I took a bite of her cupcake at the wedding reception and still calls me a bad mom for it.

I'm sure there are things I forgot to write about but at least I got some things written down.

Here are some more pictures from Gilbert.

Holy cow when did she grow up?          A picture of just Derek and I doesn't happen often.

 Although Zoe was a grouch I really like this picture.

Chase would not smile for the camera until I said, "You do not get a cupcake unless you smile."

Can you tell they were sick of pictures?