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.

Fun day

The kids have been asking to go to the zoo for sometime. Considering we are moving soon I thought we better take them. Recently I looked online to see what the hours were and ticket prices. That's when I read that on Mondays during the summer with one full price adult you get up to 4 kids in free. Derek didn't really want to go anyways so it was perfect. I figured I owed it to them after being so helpful in keeping the house clean while the house has been on the market.

This was the best picture I got of them. I'm not sure what they are looking at but certainly not me.

They are getting so big. First time going to the zoo without a stroller! 

Maeley sure enjoyed seeing the polar bear up close.

And Zoe was thrilled to see zebras.

Chase said this was the best day ever when we were leaving the Zoo. Then we went to lunch. Kids choice was Wendy's. I wasn't ready to go home quite yet so we headed to the discount movie theater. I had no idea on Monday's its only 75cents per ticket. Score! We saw Chimpanzee which was fitting after just going to the zoo. Maeley was so excited because she saw one of her kindergarten teachers there with her kids. Its so much fun doing activities with the kids. They are wonderful kids. I sure love them! 

Funny story

This happened about 2 months ago at church. I am a sunbeam teacher at church. Zoe's name got called to go and help during sharing time. Zoe gave me something in my hand to hold for her. I asked, "What is this." Zoe's reply was, "my booger." Of course I was grossed out and quickly wiped my hands to get rid of that thing. After Zoe was done helping she came back and asked, "Where's my booger Mom?" I can't believe she wanted it back and that she remembered. Her teacher had heard what was going on so she and I had a good laugh over that.  A funny story I simply don't want to forget. Silly girl.

Zoe with stuffed animals she has dressed up using her doll clothes. She does this all the time.

Chase's doctor appointment

Chase had his annual doctor visit on Tuesday.

Weight: 40lbs
Height: 42"
He is around the 40th percentile for his age. I didn't tell Chase that he had his doctor appointment until the day before. At that point he was concerned about being healthy for his check up and eating the right foods. I think he thought if he's healthy than he wouldn't have to get a shot. The morning prior to his appointment the kids were getting a snack. This is the conversation that occurred.

Chase: "I need to eat strawberries for my snack so I can be healthy for my doctor appointment."

Me: "I can't cut up the strawberries right now I'm in the middle of something. The girls want gold fish why don't you get yourself some of those."

Chase: "But I need something healthy."

Maeley: "But its made with whole grain, it is healthy!"

Chase then reluctantly got himself some goldfish. Hahaha. These kids are pretty funny.

Chase's birthday

Chase has certainly enjoyed his birthday. Plus it has definitely been dragged out so it been more than just one day. He knows he's been spoiled too. 

The day before we went to Coldstone Creamery to let him pick out his birthday cake. I was not in the mood to make him one. For his birthday dinner he chose egg salad sandwiches. He asks for them often so it wasn't a big surprise. He didn't really like having to wait all day to open presents though.

The pirate Mickey shirt he is wearing came from Disneyland from Tama and Papa. Its his favorite shirt and wears it about twice a week. He planned on wearing it on his birthday several days before. 

After dessert he finally got to open presents.

From Maeley and Zoe he got Lego folders and a bag of Hershey's air delight kisses.

He got his favorite Lego set he's been wanting for months now.

The rest of the evening was spent building Lego sets together as a family.