Christmas fun

Ok, so every year the boys and I make gingerbread houses before Christmas. As soon as they were on break it was time for the festivities to begin! I had the grand idea that we were going to make them from scratch this year, but I chickened out and just but the pre-made kits....maybe next year!

 Our candy bowls

 The boys are ready!

 I put the base together for them and then let them do the rest!

 They were deep in concentration

 When Gavin is really focused his little tongue always slips out :)

 They may  have taken a break to eat "1 or 2" pieces

 Happy boys with their creations!

 Kaden's house

Gavin's house

They were fun to pick off of the rest of the day too!

We wish you a Merry Christmas

It's that time of year again....time for Christmas programs!  We have gone through 2 with Kaden, and now this is Gavin's 2nd go around and he is finally a pro!

So Handsome! I made the boys matching tie shirts for Christmas pics this year.

 He was SO excited to see us in the audience, and he just beamed! This is night and day compared to last year. Last year he didn't even want to go, and then just stood up there and didn't say a word. This year, he was ready!!

Praying during pastor time.

I tried 6 times to post the video of his "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" rendition and tupid blogger wouln't cooperate. Trust me when I say it was wonderful!

 Kaden was proud of his little brother!

 with the Grandparents! So proud of you buddy!!

Busy, Busy, Busy!

 It just seems to get busier and busier around here!

 Last week wrapped up Kaden's second season of Football. He did so well this year. He played Quarterback most of the time, but then ended up playing lots of Defense too because he is such an awesome tackler! He played every game like an animal, and only suffered one bloody lip, and knocked one tooth loose! The last game was against a team we had already tied with once in the season, so we really wanted to beat them. 

 

love his face under that big helmet.

With his teammate, Josh

This past week was rainy and freezing (for AZ), so we had to be bundled up for our 8am game!

Gramma came to almost all his games, which really helped because Zo Zo needed to be watched!

Since it was the last game we decided to try a pass play we had worked on all season. Kaden was one of the only kids that could catch the ball. Can you see the ball in the air? (just in front of the guys head in the white shirt)

He caught it!!!! The only pass play the whole season!!!!!

Look at him run for the touchdown!

SO proud of him!

Great season, buddy!

Immediately after his last game we had to go pack because we were driving to Tucson for me big race! I started training in September for the Tucson Marathon, in hopes to beat my best time, and possibly qualify for the Boston Marathon. I felt so good and ready, and then 3 days earlier this happened:

awesome. pretty sure it was broken, or at least badly sprained. This should make my marathon interesting. (don't judge me for my nasty toenails.)

 

Off I go....my toe hurt like hell, but what do you do? I had put so much time into training, no stopping now.

Love this pic joel got with our shadows on the street.

saying hi to the kids

The kids entertained themselves while they were waiting for me, they were good little cheerleaders!

 Zoey didn't like that I didn't stop...she did this everytime I ran by. poor girl.

 Gavin wasn't feeling well but he was a good sport!

 At mile 19, my toe is finally numb, but my knee and stomach were killing me.

 I was on track to run a 3:34 (which would have qualified me) but the last 6 miles I just lost it. Just wasn't my year, I guess. Since I knew I wasn't going to qualify, I stopped right before the Finish and grabbed the kids so they could finish with me.

 Poor Zoey kept slipping

Finished. Exhausted. Sore. 3:42 was time.

It was my best time ever, and I finished 9th in my age group. I was still a little disappointed, but overall  glad it was done!

too long!

Soo, Thanksgiving came and went, and I have very little documentation of it! oops. Things are crazy busy around here, and I am beginning to submit to the fact that it will only get busier in the days to come...shoot! Oh well.  In other news, santa came early this year and we got a fancy new camera that I have been having so much fun with. There is sooooo much to learn, but I can't wait till I sort of know what I am doing!

Now, hopefully once the kids are on break I can get some cool footage of Christmas cookie decorating, Gingerbread House making, and other fun things that free time will bring!

Zoey's Birthday (better late than never, right?)

This post is over a month late, but at least I am documenting it, right? Lil miss Zo Turned 2 on Oct. 14th, so a few days after her real birthday, we through her a party with family and a couple friends. Sissy is REALLY in to Dora, so naturally we through her a Dora party and rented a Dora bouncer. My sister had just thrown my niece a Dora party too, and she let us use all the same decorations...sweet! We had to make sure Zoey was dressed the part, so I made my little princess a Dora shirt, and finished it off with a tutu and crown! Perfect!!

 She loved her shirt, and I love her in her little tiara!

 "2" for my little 2 year old.

 She was happy to see Grandma and Grandpa

 our little princess

 She wasted no time getting into the Dora bouncer! Look how sweaty she is! Did I mention it was 95 degrees that day? Yuck.

 Kaden and cousin Hannah

 The Dad's, doing what they do best.

 We ate dinner and then it was time for PRESENTS!!

 She got so many presents, and so much of her favorite Dora and Princess items.

 Her  first nightgown....her little body in a nightgown is one of the cutest things I have ever seen!

 And for the big finish...Grandma G got her a Dora tricycle. She loves it!

 Time for cake. I made her a Dora cake using a cake transfer. It turned out pretty well!

 We had some Dora cupcakes too :)

 I had to move her away from the cake because she wanted to dig right in!

 Blowing out her candles

 She devoured her cake!!

 yummmmmm

 And, once she was high on sugar, she took her shirt off, found some candy and went for a joy ride!

It was a great evening, and she loved every bit of it!

The next morning, the kids went right back into the bouncer before it was picked up.

 They didn't wnt us to give it back!

 Gavin dunking a shot!

Happy Birthday Zo Zo!!!