Rest Part 2

Part 2 of Colorado ( with Jon, my sister, and Jared)

So... my parents friends own this HUGE climbing gym. And as you can imagine climbing is quite a big sport in Colorado so, our whole family spent an evening climbing away. My mom and I did not climb. I was the "designated photographer" but, also felt sick so I was not about to climb and puke everywhere. My sister who is 7 months pregnant climb every imaginable climbing course that night and the girls did great. I love how Jon put it that night he said "Buggie has the courage to do this but not the skill and Jac has the skill but not the courage". But, Jac did step out of her comfort zone big time and did incredibly well. I was really proud of her pushing herself, and then seeing the joy on her face when she got to the top. Buggie loved to fall and let the ropes catch her :) Here is a picture of my sis with Jac. I love that their legs are in the same positions just opposite, pretty cute. They are quite the buddies.

This next picture is Jac with her new friend Eli. His parents own the gym, and he was a great little pro. Jac learned alot from Eli that night but, he made sure he always got to the top before her :)

My Mom is quite the hostess with the mostess! Here is a table setting for dinner one night.

I am thinking that this next picture would be the perfect Christmas card, it really captures our family :)



Jac wearing Uncle's hat

So... for Thanksgiving this year we went again to the Broadmor Hotel for dinner. It is a 5 ***** hotel that is as you can imagine amazing! Everyone is dressed very fancy, many women in floor length fur coats or hats, men wearing plaid, smoking cigars and walking dogs the size of them, and everywhere you look there is something amazing to sit on, eat, or stare at. We ate alot that evening. The girls favorite was the chocolate croissants, Jon's was the seafood bar, and mine was the chocolate fountain ( I am not a big turkey fan so I focused more on the desserts) and there was no regrets there. :) Here are pics of that evening-

On our last evening there my parents treated our family to go on the Polar Express! It has been a dream of mine to be able to take our family on the train but, darn it's so expensive. But, it there was no hesitation from my parents wanting to give our family and themselves this fun memory and Christmas experience. And it exceeded our expectations by a mile. Seeing the whole thing through their eyes was such a delight. We are "believers" in Santa so, it was fun to get swept up into the magic of it all and start the Christmas season of with a bang! Here are just a few of the hundreds I took that night-

It was a well needed and treasured vacation. We are very blessed. And now were back in Redlands and have entered the busy Christmas season that I love sooooooo much! I am hoping to convince Jon that we need to go get our tree tomm (crossing my fingers). Eeeeee Christmas!

Rest Part 1

Part 1 ( the first week that consisted of just my girls and I with the folks)

We had an amazing time in Colorado. The weather was super chilly but not much snow until the day we left then the snow came in :( My heart and belly is as full. The girls did amazing. It was their first time they shared a bed (a queen) and were cuddle bunnies most of the time with an occasional hair pull or screaming match :) Between the many fun excursions, eating, laughing so hard, hiking or walking the dog, we made sure there was time to relax and just sink into the couch. And oh it felt so good! It was such a treat for our whole family to be able to be together in Colorado. Thanks Mom and Pops :)

My sister is a pilates instructor so... because of that pilates seems to be apart of everyday. Here Jac is demonstrating some pilates positions that she is seeing from the poster on the window that says "do pilates everyday". It's funny.

Sonoma is the best dog ever. This particular day it was so windy that Buggie thought the wind was going to blow her away. So... we had to head back to the house. Instead the walk was just a tease for Sonoma.

My Peanut

Some family friends of ours own 3 horses so, we were able to spend the afternoon with them. My favorite part of this afternoon was watching the horses run as fast as they could and one particular horse had a thing for sniffing Buggie's head.

A special Saturday morning bringing home some donuts. Jac's favorite chocolate long john. Buggies favorite vanilla sprinkled and mine buttermilk glazed loaf. So good!

On this walk by a near by park my Pops and Jac found a small antler. It was quite an event for the girls. It is now on our bookshelf :)

So proud

Getting lot's and lot's of cuddles from Nana

My Pops planted a while ago 3 noble fir trees for each of their grandchildren. One for Jac, one for Buggie, and one for Rocket (that's the nickname of my sister's baby). Since it was close enough to Christmas my Pops thought it would be fun to decorate each with lights and ornaments. Jac had blue lights, Buggie had red, and Rocket had lights that were in the shape of trout.

Every night my Pops would make the girls a "special" kids drink, and a "special" mommy drink or two. It was quite nice :)

Part 2 with Jon, my sister Megs, and her husband Jared coming in just a bit :)

It's time for vacation

So... starting tomorrow afternoon the girls and I are on vacation. Sadly, it has been way too long since our family has had a vacation (a year ago to the date actually). So... were off to Colorado to spend 2 weeks with my parents. And then Monday (the week of Thanksgiving) my prego sister, Jared, and Jon all get on a plane to be with us and the folks. We will spend an entire week all together as a family in Colorado. Oh it will be so nice! The plan you may ask? We will be eating amazing gourmet meals cooked by Martha Stewart (otherwise known as my mom), baking a ton and enjoying every gram of sugar, laughing so much I may come home with a six pack, watching snow fall while laying on the cozy couch by the fire, feeding deer, playing games and going on adventures and hikes, and just being happy to just "be" with each other. My heart could not be happier!
Oh, and I am really excited I have sold some more stuff on my Etsy site, if you haven't looked already, do so :)

Happy Thanksgiving! Gobble, gobble, gobble!

Etsy store is open

So... my ETSY shop is open again. Visit my ESTY site (click on that purple link)

I had fun making some new things like pillows, purses and also girl headbands. Enjoy!
Here are some of the many things listed on my site. And spread the word! :)

Peanut

Jac has been a kindergartner for almost 4 months now.
It has been more of a difficult transition than I would have imagined for her. I knew that "change" and "transition" can be hard for her but, once she gets the new "routine" or "reality" she tends to be just fine. She is also similar to myself where naturally she keeps all her emotions and worries inside ( I have been on the road to not internalize now for quite some time but, it still can be hard). She has a hard time talking about school, or how she feels about school (not because she can't articulate it but, because she would rather just keep it inside) With the stress she continues to carry regarding school, you can see her worry and burden and just want to just take it all away! FYI- She has an amazing group of friends and teacher, and I love the school.
Well... tonight she was having a hard time going to sleep. I came and checked in on her and it was one of those moments in time that I will remember. I caught her in a time where she wanted to talk about school, and wanted to talk about why kindergarten is so hard. I was able to listen to her fears, hear her thoughts, and then speak truth into her words. While talking and snuggling in her bed you could see the relief that my words brought to her heart. Having to tell her that the 2nd grader that keeps telling her and her friends that they can't play in the "tree circle" is just him teasing her. And that even if Madison says she doesn't want to play with her at recess, doesn't mean she doesn't want to be her friend. And that it's awesome that all the girls in her class want to sit next to her. And next time when Gabrielle says "shut up" just tell the teacher.
I love my Jac. My sweet girl is such a rule follower, and has gotten so stressed out over this whole thing called Kindergarten. Both Jon and I have no sense of worry or fear for her and her ability to not only succeed and excel in school but, know that soon (and hopefully real soon) she will love school!
And as I write this she is now fast asleep in her cozy bed, dreaming away.
Sweet dreams to you :)

I am not sure why I have not blogged more these days but, I think it comes down to being busy with life and having fun with my family :) I am so glad that we have now entered November! Summers are brutal here so to be able to see the mountains, and know that there will be lots of snow on them soon is exciting. Between both girls being in school, helping out in their classes and all the many activities that come with that, plus the church it was a crazy October. Entering into November feels good. This month we will be in Colorado twice (this weekend the girls and I are going, and then in 2 weeks our whole family including Megs and Jared will all be there for Thanksgiving). When were not in Colorado visiting the folks I hope to be enjoying Redlands, sewing for my Etsy account (hoping to post things mid November), and going to Disneyland as much as we can. Here is some of what's happened the last couple of weeks through pictures, enjoy :)

Buggie went to an Apple Farm with her class. I love fresh pressed cider! It's so good!

Feeding a crazy chicken

Jac with Hudson and Gracyn. Doesn't she look like a "who" from Dr. Seuss, with her little curl on the top of her head? So cute, that girl!

Buggie at the Pumpkin Patch. I felt like we went so many times but, at least it was a different one each time.

Jac's first time riding a bus. She was so excited not to go to the pumpkin patch but, to ride a bus! She freaked out that she didn't have to put on a seat belt. It was pretty funny.

In awe of the bus

Feeding goats at the Pumpkin Patch

Buggie was a Ladybug for Halloween

Jac was a dragonfly. But called herself "a dreamy dragonfly".

I was also a butterfly.

Trick or Treat!

I caught this picture walking to our car after all the "Halloween Hoopla". They were so tired, and we were too.

After we trick or treated in downtown Redlands, we came back to our house to host our 3rd annual Murder Mystery Party with our church, Restoration. It was a ton of fun! Jon decided we wanted to be Magnum P.I. Will maybe post pictures of that soon. Let's just say I am not a fan of his bushy mustache :) But, I do love him :)

Happy November!

Fall

Its Fall!
Even though the temperature outside hasn't quite dropped to "chilly" yet, in my world/house I have made it Fall. Just wanted to share what crafty or Fall things I have done around our home. It's been fun, and know my mind is one to fun decorating ideas for Christmas :)

Happy Fall to you!