Zander’s 7th Birthday Part 1

For Zander’s birthday, Dale and I wanted to spend the day with him and give him some extra one on one time.  Daddy was needed at work at the last minute.  He ended up going in and not getting out till 2pm.. Meanwhile Mommy and Zander went to Fiddlesticks and had some fun!  Afterwards Zander was allowed to choose any place he wanted to eat for his birthday lunch.. He picked BJ’s.. We ate some very YUMMY food!  Then Daddy met up with us and took Zander to see a movie,  just the guys.

A Little Cousinly Love

Cousins enjoying girl time!!  Oh how Lexi, the sister to two boys, is enjoying having a little girl in the house to play with.  dress shoes, tutus, barbies, babydolls, and kitchen play time!!  all things Lexi loves as she is the girliest girl!  And now she’s loving playing with her cousin!  Now they’re have been some mishaps.. they’ve taken lotion and covered them selves in it.. they took my foundation and bronzer another day and covered them selves in it.  But how cute!  I am enjoying watching them together!  They’re having so much fun!

Back to School

Today we began school time again..  Its always tough on My Mister Man, Zander!  He is a very structured, routine individual… and when you take him out of routine for several weeks, he begins his own new routines.  So when its time to get back to work, there are always at least little hiccups.  He had a little distraction to day that his cousin was there.  But all in all it was a good day.. We were able to get things done and get us back into routine.. Lexi completed some of her Kumon book sheets and we read some from A Little Golden Book Collection Eloise Wilkin Stories!  She and her cousin are enjoying this book.   Aiden was enjoying some toys. He was staring out  the window and then frantically tried to tell us all something was out there.. Sure enough we found the visitor that was out there.

We have some new additions

We have been planning and looking forward to my mom coming for an extended visit.. Planning Since before December 2009 when she had to retire due to her department of the State of Maine being closed.  In May2010 she went to my brother’s in Missouri to spend six months and in November 2010 we went and spent Thanksgiving with the family.  She returned with us.  She’ll be staying with us till May 2011.  Maybe we will be able to talk her into staying in Phoenix?

Mom

But recent events has given us some happy news.. my brother was offered a job here in Maricopa as a teacher!  Only thing.. he has to be here for the start of the new semester and his wife is still under contract with her school district.  So we have two additional new members to our household.. Although temporary…I’m excited for them to join us.  I’m excited that that means even more family to be around.  Its nice after so long not being near my side of the family but only seeing them here and there for holidays and short visits..   10 years ago, Dale and I were over 1000 miles aways from any family.  Now both sides are going to be near by.

My niece

My brother's first day of school...teaching that is.

Aiden’s New Seat

Aiden has a new place that he loves to sit!  Any time he sees anyone but especially Mommy open the fridge, he comes running!  He likes to sit on the bottom part of the refrigerator.  Its the perfect sized seat for him.  He just sits down and acts like that was made specifically for him.  And he’s very proud he has found such a place for him..  This sometimes gets in away of trying to get things out of the fridge and when its time to close the door, Aiden is NOT very cooperative.  Its as if he’s wondering why you are taking away his favorite chair.  Look out Future Aiden’s wife!!  I have a feeling he will have a special seat in the living room that noooo other person is allowed to sit in. hehehe   Of course when I tried to take a picture of him sitting there; he wasn’t having it.. Every time I’d put down the camera, he’d go back to his place.. but as soon as I’d go take a shot.. He jump from it.. Such a little monkey!

Fun Times

Having some unstructured fun before starting school back up from after the holidays…. =D

Zander, 6; Lexi, 3; Aiden 1

January 2011

Aiden and Daddy

Aiden loves to spend time with Daddy!  Even if Daddy is trying to work the night away.

Popcorn

Grammie Sackrider has shared the love of popcorn with my children.  They just love popcorn.  I think it has A LOT to do with the bond of the popcorn bag and Grammie Sackrider and the grandkids..

Mommy found a recipe for popcorn balls!  So we bought an air popcorn maker.  The kids and I had so much fun popping the popcorn.  They were amazed while watching it.  And then we all enjoyed yummy popcorn and a good movie.  Love spending time with these cute munchkins !

Aiden in the Rocker

My mom recently brought me a rocking chair that has been past down in her family for many many years!  I was trying to get ONE great pic of Aiden it so I could blow it up and put on the wall.  hmmmm which one do you like the best?

Sackrider Christmas 2010

Here are just a few of our 100s of pictures from Christmas Eve.  I always try to get pics of the children as individual and as a group in front of the Christmas tree.   As a tradition we always open our gifts Christmas Eve.  Then Christmas Day we spend over at Aunt Cher’s, Dale’s sister’s, house with the Sackrider family.  Christmas Eve and Christmas Day were two wonderful days filled with fun, laughter and happiness!!  I loved watching the children enjoy the day!