starting off the Christmas season

 The kids made their own Christmas ornaments! love this tradition.

 Also the night before Dec. 1. I give the kids their new Christmas jimmies, we have a Christmas treat (this year it was reminder cookies, home made hot chocolate, and we open and read our first Christmas advent book tradition.

Macie's approves of the treat.

Thanksgiving 2015

 I started Thanksgiving day with a run. I think that was the first time I actually went running on Thanksgiving. After we spend an hour at Bahama Buck's cleaning and working.

Then we headed to a hike. The kids loved climbing all over rocks.

 They run ahead and climb and then we kinda stress out cuz we find them on the edge of rock formations like this.

 Or doing jumping like this.

 We managed to all be close enough to get a picture before everyone went their separate ways again.

 We built up an appetite because we had a reservation at a restaurant, Claim Jumper, for Thanksgiving dinner. I will admit it was nice to not cook and prepare for meals, secluding myself in the kitchen all day, but it really wasn't the same. Home cooked meals are just better. But again, not having to clean up, put away, and be exhausted the rest of the night was great too!

 Having fun with the girls and stuffing ourselves. Love being together and spending time as a family!

Nov. 2015 turkey trot

 The day before thanksgiving break the kids had their own run at Quartz Hill. Levi and Jordyn ran a 1/2 mile. Sydney ran a mile. All did their very best!

 Jordyn came in 3rd place for the 2nd grade girls. She won a certificate and a little prize.

 Sydney came in 2nd over the 4th grade girls. She also won a gift certificate and prize. It's fun to see my kids motivated and try their best. Jeff and I are their number 1 fans!

my favorite family pic shots.

Sydney's birthday

 I decided to have the girl's birthdays in November because I knew things would be busy with Jordyn's baptism. So Jordan's birthday was on a Friday and Sydney's was on a Saturday. Sydney wanted a pajama party. All the girls came in PJ's and we had pizza, played musical chairs, sang karaoke, and the girls just played a lot outside and in the gym room.

 Sydney wanted an ice cream cake.

 On her actual birthday we decorated her room. Went to Bosa's donuts for breakfast. I picked her up for lunch and she wanted chick-fil-a.

For dinner we went to Texas Roadhouse and they sang to her while sitting on the saddle.

Jordyn's 8th Birthday

 It was the year to have a birthday party. Jordyn wanted an Ugly Christmas Sweater Birthday Party.
We had a photo booth set up and played some Christmas games.

 We decorated Christmas cookies.

Everyone dressed up in an Ugly Christmas Sweater. We also had a dance party.

Alyssa brought her phone and took a selfie. I had to capture it cuz an 8 year old has a phone?! what?

 Opening presents is always the best party, right?

 Musical chairs was a hit and prizes were won.

 On her birthday Jordyn brought in snacks for everyone. Me and Gammie took her out to lunch. She wanted Zupa's Cafe and then Gammie took her shopping for this doll.

enjoying a 2 year old

 Enjoying a rather warm sunny day in Arizona. Love the winters here and love spending time playing with sand toys with this girl!

 I've also enjoyed watching her and her friend/neighbor Posey participate in a ballerina and tumbling class.