100th Day of School!

Where has the time gone?!?!

The kids had their 100th day of school recently.

Taylee's was on 1/17

Anden's was 1/22

(Anden's school had a longer fall break than Taylee's)

Taylee was asked to bring 100 items in a baggie for her snack that day.

We went to the grocery store and she picked out just what she wanted.

Cap'n Crunch Berries

So she counted out 100 and we put them in her baggie.

Then she was asked to make a shirt that fit the theme.

Hhmm my mind kicked into gear thinking of something perfect for her.

I bought the supplies,

counted out 100 coordinating colors,

and Ryan and I stayed up late gluing our fingers puff balls to the shirt.

That morning I knew something was still missing.

So I hurried and made her matching bows!

Now it's perfect!

Needless to say she LOVED it when she saw it!!

Which meant she requested an impromptu photo shoot! lol

She's such a ham!

I love it!

When we walked into school that day her teachers about died at how cute she looked!

I just had to laugh how she reveled in the attention.

They ran and grabbed their cameras and asked if they could take her picture

for the school website.

I said sure.

Ms. Lisa texted me this one later!

I had to admit to her teachers.

The entire shirt and bows cost me a whopping $3.

It's just "Taylee" that makes it so cute!

Now for Anden's 100th day celebration.

He also got to select 100 items to go into a baggie.

He would have picked $1 bills until he realized he had to share with his class.

So he resorted to Cookie Crisp cereal.

He didn't have to make a shirt

but they got a mini celebration and guest teacher instead that day!

I asked for a picture that morning to document his milestone day.

I got these instead.

"Anden please just one picture?" I pleaded.

He tried to convince me, "Mommy I don't know how to smile and look at the camera!"

Sure, sure! lol

Congratulations kiddos on making it 100 days already!!

Saturday Fun

We always make the most of our Saturdays!

First the kids had their basketball clinic.

Then we raced Anden to a birthday party afterwards.

Which meant Taylee and I had a little date while he was gone.

She chose Subway for lunch

and a little bit of shopping and park time!

Then we picked up Anden and Grace from the party.

Do you think Anden had enough sweets?

The blue frosting was still plastered all over his face! lol

We did head home and relax for a bit.

Before we loaded up to head to the Coyotes game.

Taylee was mighty excited to forego our usual seats 

and pick us new seats on the very top row.

But hey at least we had plenty of room to stretch out and dance around.

Taylee was the loudest cheerleader in the arena again.

We had several other fans even tell us that! lol

The kids (and Ryan!) inhaled cotton candy

while Anden single-handedly finished a whole bag of popcorn!

We had an extra lucky night this time!

We ran into Howler!

and the Cheerleaders!

And we won!!

Winter?

I almost feel guilty posting such sunny January pictures

while much of America are enduring harsh bitter cold and snow battles!

I seriously have no clue what that would be like.

It's quite unfathomable for me that half of America are dealing with 

a freezing polar vortex

while in Phoenix we are enjoying abnormal high temperatures!

It's been 75+ degrees here for weeks.

So on Friday Ash and I grabbed the kids from school

and immediately went on a nice "winter" mountain hike!

The kids did awesome and made it to the top long before we did!

Then again Ash was carrying 30 lbs on her back.

As for my excuse, um I don't have one! lol

Now do you see why it's SO important for me to haul the kids to Idaho each December?

Otherwise they literally would have no idea what "winter" really is!!

And by the time I posted this

we had a record breaking day of 87 degrees!

Although that might make some jealous

all it does is make me worry that this is going to be a 

LOOOOOONGG

Summer in the desert!

Basketball Season

The kids are ready to take on another sport!

So Basketball here we come!

I was actually surprised that Taylee really wanted to play too!

I think it's so good to introduce her to various sports as well

so I gladly signed them both up!!

The season starts Feb 1.

But they have a few Saturday Skills Clinics before that.

They both are doing great so far!

Anden does really well for the little bit he's ever played.

Taylee is just adorable even if she never makes a basket! lol

But of course I'm sure she'll quickly pick it up too!

1st Clinic:

2nd Clinic: 

I can't wait for this season to begin!

I love watching these two learn and grow!

California Trip - 11/25

Date: Monday, 11/25
Location: Oceanside, CA and Phoenix, AZ

We woke up to a gorgeous Southern California morning!
I was one of the first awake so I perched myself on the front window seat.
Moments later a whole clan of dolphins were swimming
and jumping right in front of me!!
I grabbed Anden and Aaron
and we watched as they made their way on down to the pier!
Such a pretty sight!
So we too grabbed scooters and headed out on a beach adventure to the pier!

The kids were thrilled to see their sand castle from yesterday was still slightly intact!

We meandered along the beach

stopping to play in the sand

running to chase seagulls

and simply admiring the natural beauty!

Which means Ryan got stuck with all the gear

once the kids ditched the boardwalk for the sand!

There's a fun jungle gym by the Pier.

The kids played forever on that thing!

Then it was back to playing in the sand!

I {heart} U

Of course it didn't take long before these crazy kiddos

stripped down to their swimsuits and were in that freezing water!

Then we eventually made the walk back to the beach house!

Such an all around gorgeous morning!

Sadly it was time to clean up the beach house

and pack up for home.

We went over to the wedding venue and picked up all the totes of supplies

and gave our goodbyes to them!

Then we grabbed lunch and were back on the road!!

We were even lucky enough to have Lyndsay, Aaron & Kyrrigan

follow us back home to Arizona!

The fun never ends!

Thanksgiving week here we come!

What an all around perfect California trip!!