Santa

We went to the San Tan Village yesterday to see Santa. We had never been there before but it is a really cute outdoor mall that is designed to look like an old fashion village. Of course we would go to an outdoor mall on the first cool day of the season! I think it was like 68 degrees! That's winter is Arizona!

The big kids loved sitting on Santa's lap! He spent a lot of time talking to each kid. I am impressed!


Danika was so excited because Santa told her that her dress was pretty!

I really like this shot with Makenzie thinking about what she wants for Christmas! She asked for a Pink and Purple car. She is referring to the Barbi Power Wheels Jeep. I might have brainwashed her! lol!

Kyler asked Santa for a Turtle, some trains, and a Piano. I hope a plastic turtle will do because there will be no turtles in my house!

Laynee was scared of Santa and absolutly refused to go near him!

I wanted the shot of her crying in his lap but she has a death grip on Scott. I think she would have hurt Santa. So we gave up.

Maybe next year!

Gingerbread House

I have lots of pictures I want to share- so I am breaking them into a couple posts. First I have some pictures from yesterday when we made gingerbread houses.

Laynee had some trouble with hr house. It may have been a bit of my fault too!

The roof is broken and the walls caved in! But she didn't care. All she wanted to do was eat the candy that she was snupposed to be using to decorate!

Christmas Fashion

Geez, I sure have been a bad blogger lately! At least on the family blog! I have a blog for my business, www.stampingmommyof4.com that I post to every day with the exception of a few weekends!

Do you remember all of the adorable Halloween outfits that the kids wore this year? Well I have 2 times as many Christmas outfits for them!!!! Most are outfits that still fit from last year- but there are a couple new additions!!! The pictures belowe were taken earlier this week. The kids were all dressed up for picture day at school. Aren't they cute?!

And here is my awesome news....Kyler and I are going to DISNEY WORLD in January!!!! My Aunt Kathy is taking us! She is our Godmother and has been wanting to take Kyler to Disney for the past year. But earlier this week she called and asked if I would go with them. I didn't have to think too long about that!!! I have been skipping around the house all week with excitement! We will be going just one week before Kyler's 5th birthday. He is going to ahve a blast!

This weekend we will be decorating gingerbread houses, going to an electric light parade and going to visit Santa at the mall! Busy! I will have pictures to share for sure!

Have a great weekend!

Thanksgiving, Christmas Tree, anniversary!

There is always so much to share!!! First, I have some pictures that I took on Thanksgiving.

Scott had to work on Wednesday and Thursday night and so he went to my parent's house to sleep on Thanksgiving. The kids and I watched the parade, took our time getting ready, had a little photo shoot, bought a pie for daddy and then we drove up to Chandler to see Pa in the hospital. The kids were very well behaved! We stayed for about an hour while Pa had his Thanksgiving lunch. Then we went to my parent's house to see daddy and have dinner.

Can you tell that Laynee liked the pie?!



On Friday we put up our holiday decorations and our Christmas tree. It was quite the production with 4 toddlers under foot! We have a HUGE Christmas tree. I can't remember how tall it is- but Scott had to put the top of the tree on while on the 2nd story landing!

The kids had a blast decorating the tree with tons of special ornaments. I tried to take pictures- but I was in charge of manning the breakable ornaments so it was hard to get away!!!

Then on Saturady, we dropped Laynee and Kyler at Lorrie and Johnny's (Scott's parents) house and dropped the twins st my parent's house. Then Scott and I had an entire night to ourselves to celebrate our 6th wedding anniversay!!! We had not been out on a date since August when we went to a baseball game so this date was much needed!!! We went to the Scottdale Fashion mall and did some window shopping. Then we went to dinner at Flemmings Steak House. It was DELICIOUS!!!! Then we stayed the night at a hotel in Scottsdale. And the best part- we slept in!!! I have wanted to that for SOOOO long! We were also able to have lunch together before picking up the kids. The kiddos were all good- but they were very tired!

Tonight is actually our anniversary- but Scott is working. So Happy Anniversary, Sweetie!!!!

Family Updates

Sorry I have been MIA for the past week. Things have been for busy!!! My work is very busy- which is a good thing.

A not so good thing is that Scott's car died a couple of weeks ago. The engine cracked. And we had just replaced the engine last October. Of course, the warrenty was only a one year warrenty. The car just wasn't worth repairing and so we had to start car shopping. After a couple days in Scottsdale- he got his new car. It's a 2009 Hundai Accent. It's small- but perfect for commuting.

And poor Kyler... he is feeling the pain of the bad economy. I decided to cut his hair myself! I have never done this before- but decided it couldn't be too hard.

It actually turned out fine- but for some reason we forgot to take a photo when it was done!

Laynee has been potty training now for about 10 days and she is doing great! This morning she modeled her patties for me!

And I didn't want to leave the twins out... so here is a cute shot of them reading books together! Usually they are fighting so when we catch them being friends- we have to take a picture!

Hope everyone has a happy Thanksgiving!

Day at the Zoo

On Sunday we took the kids to the Reid Park Zoo in Tucson. It is the perfect zoo for kids. It's small- so not too much walking. And the animals are super close so the kids can actually see them. And Scott and I like it because it is cheap! It is only $20 to get our entire family of 6 in!

Don't you just love those monkey back packs? Scott and I hold on to the tails so that we don't loose any kids. It really helps in busy places like the zoo where there are lots of little kids. I once lost Kyler at this very zoo. That's when we decided to buy those monkies! Now Kyler has passed his down to Laynee. This was her first time coming to the zoo without the stroller.

They have a little train that the we ride through Reid Park. The kids love it. Maybe even more than the zoo!

After the train ride, we went back into the zoo to feed the giaraffes. Isn't that cool?!!! This is Laynee feeding him. I can't believe that she is scared of cats but will let a giaraffe eat out of her hand! After Kyler fed him- he started petting his head. lol!

Our Piano Man

Kyler had his first piano recital on Saturday! He got up in front of a packed church and played a solo!

We are very proud of him!

Christmas Pictures Part 3

Last post from our portrait session...

Aren't they just adorable?!!! I had the hardest time deciding which photos to order!

All their outfits are from the Children's Place. I love that Kyler's sweater matches the pattern on the girls dress!!!

After photos we dropped by and surprised Pa. We brought him one of the family photos and he loved it. The kids were still dressed up and he looked happy to just watch them fight over the chair!! He says that he is very happy to be back in the Arizona sun!

Today is Kyler's piano recital so I am sure I will have pictures of that soon! Have a happy Saturday!

Christmas Pictures Part 2

More of our Christmas photos....


















Laynee was a bit of a stinker and stuck her tounge out for 80% of the photos. Just look at this one....


What is that all about?!!!! I thought the photographer was going to loose her patience!!!!



But I like this one where she looks estatic about the gift...

Christmas pictures part 1

I am still sick and now Scott is sick too. Fun times here!!!

We did go for our anual family Christmas pictures yesterday. The kids were super goofy, but we still got some excellent shots!!! There are so many I want to share that I am going to break this into a few posts.

BTW: Laynee has insisted on wearing panties! I guess we have to give in and start potty training!