Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Happy New Year and Christmas 2009

Wow - it is 2010 and I still haven't posted 2009 Christmas pictures! As you can see I am a little behind. We got to ring in the new year a few hours early as we are in Tampa for my friend Angie's wedding. Hope you all had a great holiday .... here is a recap of our Christmas ...

Finally the four generation picture ... Granny, Nana, Me and the girls

Granny and the girls

Uncle Greg (L's godfather) and L

Christmas Eve pictures (all set for church)


Christmas morning pictures ...


Nana putting stick on earrings on S ...


Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Baking with Four Generations

Today the girls and I went to my mom's house to bake cookies. My Granny is in town from Florida so we had four generations of girls in our family ... (L/S, me, my mom and Granny). It was a lot of fun ... even if the cookies weren't all decorated to my specifications! L did great and lasted quite a while (I thought she might lose interest during the process). Here are some pictures from our fun day ...

The masterpieces (some are from Sat when I decorated with my girlfriends) ..

Some of the ones I made .. D already ate his tree

Granny and my girls ...
Granny helping S cut out cookies
My niece Lily and me (my mom caught her mid-blink)
L is always ready to pose for a picture
I never did get a 4 generation picture - but I did get a three generation one

Sunday, December 20, 2009

Holiday Party and Another Picture With Santa

Friday was L's Kindergarten Holiday Party. As you can see from the pictures below, it was also pajama day and the kids got to decorate gingerbread houses. Several parents (including me) came in to help out. It was a good thing because shortly after we started, one kid threw up on the floor (two times) and then another kid threw up because he saw the first kid throw up. It was a little chaotic but once we moved the gingerbread decorating outside, all was good! Good thing it was 70 degrees out that afternoon.


As if that wasn't enough excitement for one day, we went to the train park with our neighbors Friday night. In addition to the train, they had lots of festive Christmas lights, a carousel ride and Santa. We rode the train, the carousel and then had pictures taken with Santa. After going five years with no Santa pictures I now have two with the big guy this year alone! Luckily they only charged $5!



The even had characters in costume

L spent a little time in time out while we waited for the train

When she was actually behaving

S enjoyed a ride on the carousel

On the train

Our family on the train
The Santa picture - S was real excited as you can see!

Sunday, December 13, 2009

The Big Guy is Real ....

To preface this post I have to admit I am one of those mean moms who never takes my kid to have their picture taken with Santa. I don't have any pictures of either of my girls with the big guy. My excuse is the time and money. We are always so busy during this time of year and I can't stand waiting in line and paying lots of money for one picture. Honestly, since we have Snowball the Elf, L hasn't even asked to get a picture taken with Santa. Last Friday Boys and Girls Club hosted a breakfast with Santa. L was so excited to go to Boys and Girls Club that morning. Each child got to sit on Santa's lap and tell them what they wanted. When I picked her up from Boys and Girls Club that afternoon, they gave each of the parents pictures of their child with Santa. I had to scan the photo in (hence the bad quality) ... but alas we have a picture of one of my kids with the Big Guy (Click on the photo to enlarge it)! L told me "I know he is real now Mom!" Please ignore her fake smile in the picture .. not sure why she was doing it!

Sunday, December 6, 2009

Pictures

I know the real reason most of you read this blog is to see pictures of the girls, so I figured I would fulfill your wish tonight - I am nice like that! Ha Ha! Below are some of the pictures we had taken the other week with the girls. I was totally amazed at how well S did ... she smiled on cue and looked so cute (yes I know I am biased)! BTW - I ordered their aprons from a site on ETSY. She did a fabulous job and they were very reasonably priced. I wanted to get pictures in them before we actually baked in them. We are looking forward to baking some Christmas cookies in them this weekend!

One other note - L scored another GOAL this weekend in soccer. The game was scoreless going into the third quarter and L faked out the goalie and kicked a goal in to start the scoring! She was thrilled - and so was I! So fun so see her do so well! Her team won!!! YEAH!!





















This was our Christmas card picture - I love it! I love how happy they are in this picture. Absolutely makes my heart melt!






Thursday, December 3, 2009

Sneak Peek

You can see a sneak peek of our Christmas photos on the header of the blog ... hope you like them. Our Christmas cards actually have a different picture, but I thought these turned out pretty cute. We are staying super busy getting ready for Christmas. Lots of activities at school, church and with the neighbors.

L had an interesting day at school today. She was stung by a bee! The nurse called me this morning and told me what had happened and that L was being so brave. I spoke to her on the phone for a few minutes and she told me it hurt but she was doing fine! I think it hurt more when she came home tonight and showed her Dad and I!

Saturday, November 28, 2009

Thanksgiving Weekend Recap

This past week was a whirlwind. You would think since I had 5 days off in a row I would have felt refreshed - not so much. Then yesterday I came back to work and it is crazy busy here this week.

Our Thanksgiving was great - good food, family, good friends, good wine - what more could you ask for. Only problem was I sent home all of the sweet potatoes with our guests and forgot to save some for D -oops!

Grandma and Grandpa's visit was good, although now I feel like my kids are going through detox ... Below is a pic from the last night they were here ... I don't know what happens, but we get so busy when they are here that I forget to take pictures ...



Grandma and Grandpa left on Saturday amidst tears from L ... once she recovered we headed to our good friends the Cottrells to catch the U of A vs ASU football game. Other than the near heart attacks (due to the poor play by U of A at times) we had a fabulous time and we celebrated a victory!! Of course all the kids were decked out in their CATS gear.

Now we are trying to get ready for Christmas. We have lots of activities ... so many things to do, so little time. Hope you all had a great holiday!

Sunday, November 22, 2009

Soccer, Haircuts and Celebrations

Since I haven't posted much lately and haven't posted any pictures, I thought I would pile a a few into one post. We have been busy around here ... soccer games every Saturday ... refinishing furniture ... haircuts and visitors. The girls are having so much fun with Grandma and Grandpa!Striking a pose before her last week's game
L posing for a before picture of the dining set D and just refinished ...
No, D didn't take an after picture yet! Maybe the next post.

Playing outside ...


Everyone was enjoying the nice weather





My mom made cupcakes for an early birthday celebration for me.
The girls loved helping blow out the candles.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

We're Still Alive

We are still alive - just busy getting ready for Grandma and Grandpa's visit. They arrive on Saturday and there are tons of things we need to get done beforehand. In addition my office is moving down the road (so I have been packing at work) and we just seem to always have so much craziness in our normal busy lives. I feel like we have been going nonstop lately ... we are looking forward a a few days off next week and of course time with Grandma and Grandpa. I promise I will try to take some pictures and post them later this week or early next week ... I have been slacking in the picture taking department! Sorry!

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Veteran's Day


I wanted to take the time to thank all of our family and friends who have served and continue to serve (thanks Uncle Lee!) in the US military. It is an important day to thank those who have served and remember the sacrifices made by those who have served and are no longer with us. Thank you for you service, we truly appreciate all that you have done for our country and our family.

Sunday, November 1, 2009

Halloween 2009

So hear are some pictures of Nemo and Little Red Riding Hood. If Nemo looks familiar to you it is because L wore it a couple years ago. S absolutely loved being Nemo. She kept patting his face (her belly) and would say "Neeeemo" to tell everyone who she was dressed as. We borrowed L's costume from our neighbor. This was a very affordable Halloween for the Donatellis - $5 that I spent on tights and a t-shirt for Bia, both of whic she can wear this winter! The girls had a blast trick or treating with our neighbors and have enjoyed eating the candy. Although truth be told I have eaten a lot more than them! Ugh - time to get to the gym! Hope you all had a nice Halloween!

Aunt E - L hasn't mastered the fake smile yet ..