Green thumbs

We are still having such fun (and success!) with our garden. We harvest from it every day- we have lettuce coming out of our ears.
Notice the pots in the background? Chet has started a mini farm and is growing peaches, grapes, blueberries, and raspberries. The peach tree already has a bunch of blossoms that will be ready to eat in a few months. I grew up with a huge producing peach tree in our backyard so I am ready for peaches!

Ode to summer

I LOVE summer! Yes, it's stinkin' hot (in the words of my girls) but I love not having school, staying in our pj's past 7am, and all the fun we have. The girls and I have been practicing for summer during our President's Day holiday today.

Julia and Bella spent hours on their scrapbooks (a Christmas gift) while Camille and I enjoyed the company of our borrowed pets.
*They don't normally live in a cardboard box but it's the only way to allow
them to be outside without slowly walking off.

The best part of my job is coordinating the indoor baby tortoise habitat. During the first few months of these cute little creature's lives, they lived at our house while their habitat was being completed. I brought them home again for this 3 day weekend so they could be well taken care of. The girls love taking care of them and so do I! I have always wanted a tortoise but given the fact that they live 80 yrs, I am no where near ready to commit to a pet for that long yet!

Hope you all enjoyed your holiday too!

Daddy Daughter dance 2012

Bella & Julia went to the Daddy Daughter dance with Chet last weekend. To say that Bella was excited is a huge understatement. It was her first dance with Daddy, her first corsage and a chance to dance (the girl loves to groove!).

The girls got to each wear something special from my jewelry box. Bella wore the pearl clip that I wore at our wedding (her eyes lit up when I told her that!) and Julia got to wear a special gold necklace of mine.

The girls looked so pretty and Chet was so handsome! When they got home, Bella's hair was soaked in sweat and her face was beet red from her 2 hrs of straight dancing (according to Chet). After seeing the video that Chet shot, I can see why Bella was exhausted- she never stopped moving! Julia was a little more subdued- she loved being with Chet and dancing with her friends.

Under pressure

Julia was chosen to represent her school's Academic League (4th and 5th graders). Even with weekly after school practice and extra homework, Julia is so excited to be part of this team!

Yesterday was the first competition and I'm not sure who was more nervous- me or Julia. Her team did so well and won! Julia answered 1 right (and knew many of them) for her team. She was so hesitant to buzz in first, for fear that she was wrong. You could see her little hand on the buzzer, just wanting to buzz in! We are going to work on her confidence for next time. We are so proud of you Julia!
Julia's good friend and teammmate, Imani.

Jackie (Chet's mom) and the family were all there to be Julia's personal cheering squad!
*Notice Julia's collection of good luck necklaces. :)

Simply kicking off 2012

Yikes- I am usually great about keeping my blog up but have been totally consumed elsewhere. Where you ask?

I have been on a organizing rampage! Unless it has 2 or 4 legs, EVERYTHING in my house is on the chopping block. In the last 2 weeks, I have donated 4 large black bags of stuff, thrown out more than that, decluttered my every space of the house, cleaned out my computer/photo files, cleaned out the entire garage as a family, gave away 1/2 my cd collection (with Pandora, I never listen to cds anymore- that is SO 2011), organized our entire DVD collection into magazine holders AND started my photo album project that goes back 8 years. Phew! I live by a motto that with every new item that enters our house, 1 thing must go. That was so tough after the holidays since the kids acquired way too much stuff but we did it.

Even though a Simple 2012 is my goal, my obsession with Pinterest is not helping. I have so many recipes/projects/ideas floating around my head! Every night, I lie in bed with Camille to get her to sleep and happily pin to my heart's desire on my phone. So, as soon as I master my new sewing machine (Christmas gift from the in-laws!), make my homemade Valentine crafts and bake the homemade bread I pinned, I will finally post our Christmas pictures!

Winter Wonderland

One of my favorite family traditions is heading to Sedona for their Red Rock Fantasy light festival at the Los Abrigados resort. This year, I almost suggested skipping it and going to Zoo Lights instead (it was a busy weekend and we left for Sedona right after Bella's party). I am so glad we went as this year's trip was my favorite and so full of fun memories!

Since it was still light out when we arrived, we decided to explore the Oak Creek area which is becoming our favorite hiking spot!

The girls had a blast throwing rocks into the creek.
My 'big kid' showing them how it's done!

Finally, it was dark enough to see the lights and get our hot cocoas! I love taking a break and watching the dancing trees set to music!
This year we finally found the s'mores fire- yummy!The Santa at Red Rock fantasy is my favorite! (and there are never any lines.)

Bella's WILD birthday party

Bella is turning 7 this week and we celebrated with a 'Wild' party with family and friends! Bella had SUCH a good time with her cousins, new friends plus all of her old playgroup friends.

It was a breakfast party so we started with donuts and OJ (and bagels and coffee to appease the adults for an early start!). :)

Attentively waiting for the show

When asked which animals she wanted at the party, Bella quickly replied that she wanted the frog (appropriately named Jabba).
Out of all the cute animals that she could have, Bella wanted this thing??

Luckily, there were also other cute and interesting animals!Bella holding a baby bunny (in a sack for it's comfort and security)

Camille brushing her baby bunny- she sat here for at least 20 minutes!

Papa and Julia petting the Skink.

Cousin Madison with the baby bunny!

Isaac and Camille with the box turtle.

Julia and her BFF Ashlynn.
GG telling Bella that the turtle would make good turtle soup! GG (who has a funny, dry sense of humor) is known to not be a fan of critters! :-)

Happy birthday Bella!