Denver Nuggets

A few weeks ago Bryan and I were lucky enough to get front row seats to the Nuggets/Clippers game. And when I say front row, I literally mean on the floor, in the folding chairs, no one sitting in front of us, 10 feet from the Nugget players on the side lines, listening to them talk to each other, almost right under the basket. It was SO awesome. The Nuggets won me over that night. But, LET THIS BE CRYSTAL CLEAR, I AM AND ALWAYS WILL BE A SUNS FAN FIRST AND FOREMOST. I owe that much to my darling husband. But, I have to jump on some Denver bandwagon since we are settled here now... and it won't be the Broncos so the Nuggets win. (plus, I like watching basketball more than other sports.) We had a blast at the game and it was definitely the best date night we've had for a while. The Nuggets squeezed out a win and we got to watch Griffen, who I learned is a rookie who's super awesome, play against them. Did I mention that the tickets were FREE?!?!?

Nene.

Anderson and all his tats. While I this his tats are super awesome I would rip Carter's ears off if he came home with this many tats.
Griffen and Nene fighting for the ball.
Afflalo warming up.
Carmelo Anthony. I wonder if he was wearing his own shoes (like his brand). I couldn't tell but I would sure hope so.

Snoopy

Ryan and Courtney Alexander are some of our oldest and closest friends. I've said it before and I'll say it again: it's REALLY hard to find couples where the husband and wife get along great. Not only are the four of us really close but our kids adore each other. They love playing together and I think Carter for the rest of his life will consider Blake one of his best friends.
For the past 3 years (at least) Courtney and I have tried to head over to her parents house to take a ride on Snoopy, they're (according to my kids) "really big" horse. :) Snoopy only hangs out in Gilbert during the winters and for some reason we haven't ever gotten our act together enough to actually go take a ride on him. So, about 4 days before I moved, with 6 month pregnant Courtney who was also sick, we headed to see Mr. Snoopy. He was SUCH a hit with the kids. We had a blast and it was the perfect "see you later" (NOT a goodbye) for all of us.

The boys passing the time while patiently waiting for their turn.

Kenzie and Addi. I love this picture!!

Carter and Addilyn loved Snoopy. Not scared in the least.

Can't say as much for Preslee... she was NOT (N.O.T.) A FAN!!

After they all road on Snoopy,Gary hooked up the wagon and took the kids for rides. My kids were a little more worried about this than they were riding on Snoopy.

Courtney and I even took him out for a spin. This picture is our attempt (amid lots of giggling) at a self portrait. Should have taken the camera out of manual. Obviously my photography skills are MUCH better when I'm looking through the camera. :)

Waiting for yet another turn on the stallion.

Preslee just played on the swingset while the kids took turns. (this picture was too cute to NOT edit.)

A Last Minute Visitor

Bryan moved up to Colorado three weeks before the rest of us. I am not built to live without my sweetheart. I'm just not. It's not the dependence on him that I need. (But he is quite the Mr. Fix-it.) It's not his role as a father. (Although he can kick any one's trash in the "Daddy of the Year" department.) It's just that I miss him. I miss seeing him (Face Time SAVED me!!), talking to him, cuddling with him, just knowing that he's there. And the kids missed him too!
Originally, since it was only three weeks we (and by we I mean Bryan) decided that he wouldn't come home any of the weekends in order to save money and all that. About a week and a half into his move he realized how very boring life is without us (DUH!). So he called me and said, "Why didn't we think to fly me home this weekend? I don't work Friday until Monday afternoon." I said to him, "We talked about flying you home (and by we I mean I wanted him to) but we (and by we I again mean Bryan) decided not to." After a call to my super awesome parents, we were able to use a free flight my Dad had accumulated and Bryan was home for the weekend. I didn't tell the kids he was coming home and when they saw him they were beyond excited. Carter ditched school and we just hung out enjoyed the beautiful weather while it was still ours to enjoy. **Side note: Bryan got home to a few inches of snow on his car.**We spent way too long playing with bubbles. (This is Addilyn's new uniform. It's a hand-me-down and in it's last leg. Poor Cinderella.)

This little girl is the one that had the hardest time with Bryan being gone and has also had the hardest time with the move. She would light up and start laughing hysterically EVERY SINGLE TIME Bryan would Face Time us. She loves him from head to toe, inside and out. (We all do, but she is proving to be quite the Daddy's Girl.) While he was gone she was SUCH a turkey. She took up screaming (I think I would have preferred drinking) and throwing very impressive tantrums. She could not get enough of him while he was visiting. Even still, everyday when Bryan leaves for work I have to distract her. She cries and cries when she sees him leaving and will chase him out the door. I mean, don't get me wrong, it's cute how much she loves him, but what am I? Chopped Liver?

Goodbye Old Friend

When I moved from Arizona I lost one of my most beloved friends. While I know I will talk to most of my friends on a regular basis, this one I will not. I will hear of this friend from my other friends... spoken of with great gratitude and joy. This friend cannot be replaced. My life will never be the same without my ol' buddy. I sigh daily at the thought of losing my dear friend but I guess I can't keep looking back. I have to look forward and try to find some meager substitute for this now long lost friend. But, fear not, Babysitting Co-op, you will always have a place in my heart. ALWAYS. AL. WAYS. May you rest in peace and may all my dear friends in Arizona continue your legacy with great love. May your sticks change hands frequently and may you provide much needed breaks for young mothers who are in desperate need.

So long, old friend.

Here's my new Babysitting Co-op: He's SO elated about the promotion. ;) And I don't even have to pay him!! (that's the look he gave me when I told him he is my new co-op. Can't you just FEEL the excitement?)

Curls

I love these curls. I know she'll hate them one day. I know she'll straighten her hair as soon as she's old enough to know that she doesn't HAVE to listen to me (shhh, don't tell her that's an option) but until then I will enjoy her curls every moment of every day. She is hands down the MOST adorable little girl in the world. (coming from a completely unbiased source, of course. :))

Traditions

Every winter growing up my mom made pumpkin bread. Those who know my mom know that she isn't much of a cook, but pumpkin bread was her specialty. She makes THE BEST pumpkin bread in the world. When I smell it it takes me back to being a kid. Every Christmas morning while we tore through all of the presents we undoubtedly didn't deserve we ate loaf after loaf of fresh out of the oven pumpkin bread.
I am happy to say that is a tradition I have carried on. I don't know if my mom noticed it became a tradition but it was something I always looked forward to. My kids feel the same. They know the smell.... they love to make it with me... they BEG me for it the moment I pull it out of the oven. I don't even think about NOT doubling the recipe. Preslee, at the ripe old age of 16 months will walk over to the counter where she knows the bread is a mere 6 inches away and sign "please" and scream her little red head off until I give her some. (Don't worry, I make her stop screaming and ask me nicely before I hand it over.)
I love love love my mom's pumpkin bread. I hope it's a tradition I pass along to my kids.
Addilyn even likes the batter... gross...
Cooking away...

The finished product BEFORE the kids get their grimy hands on it. (Don't you like how I blame the quick disappearance on the kids and not on Bryan or myself? :))

Eye Lashes

I have always loved Carter's eye lashes. I don't know what it is about them... maybe that they're long and thick... and multi colored.

Giggle Box

When I was in San Diego a few months ago I took this video to send to Bryan so he could see Preslee walk for the first time. (Like, for real walk, not take a few steps.) Instead, I got something much cuter and whenever I need a reminder of how darling my little baby is (like right now) I just watch this video.

The Pumpkin Patch

Right now I should be packing... or cleaning... or catching up on some much needed sleep (yes, I know it's the middle of the day)... or washing all the rags from when my kitchen sink decided to practically flood my kitchen yesterday... or working on a client's Christmas Card... but I'm not. I'm blogging. Why? Because I haven't blogged for 10 days and Grandma's probably getting lonely not seeing new pictures of my kids. So, we'll play catch up. :)
Before Halloween we all went to the pumpkin patch. It was so fun, as it is every year. Ben and Jessica were in town so we picked up a pumpkin for them and headed to Grammie and Granddad's for the carving festivities (pictures to follow... when I'm once again try to avoid the things that must be done). Now, I'm going to go cuddle with my amazingly darling 3 year old on the couch and watch a Barbie movie.
Preslee ADORES her Grammie. (What are we going to do without her?!?!)


Addilyn holding the pumpkin of choice.

Luke Skywalker

Carter was dying to be Luke Skywalker for Halloween. While borrowing Addilyn's outfit from Katie she mentioned that she had an Anakin (not a clue how to spell that) costume as well. Carter's never seen those movies so we borrowed the costume and just told him that is was a Luke costume. It's Luke's dad so I think he probably would have handed it down to his son had he not turned to the Dark Side. :) He was an awesome Luke and had tons of sword fights with his buddies before we headed out trick-or-treating.

His "though" face... something we clearly need to work on. :)

The Vitch

Addilyn has been telling me for months that she wants to be a "Vitch" for Halloween. I was so excited that she picked something un-princessy. We borrowed this darling little costume from Katie Budge, added fun socks, boots, a purple broom and called it good. She loved it and I'm pretty sure felt like a Princessy Witch.

The socks are totally my favorite part. A little unexpected sass... just like our little Addi-cakes!

The Ladybug

We had big plans this year for Preslee to be the bumble bee that Addilyn was two years ago... and then 1/2 of the constume ended up in Colorado... oops. Good thing Chelsea came through on Saturday afternoon with an old costume that she still had. Pres made the most adorable lady bug for our trunk-or-treat on October 30th. Today, however, for actual Halloween she

opted to dress up as "the cranky baby that wants nothing to do with Mommy, the lady bug costume, or Halloween in general." And, boy, did she ROCK that costume. :) I'm glad we got pictures yesterday while she was happy about her costume or I would have literally forced her to

wear it for a few pictures. She's definately our little spitfire. Gotta love that little lady bug!

Preslee decided that she preferred to wear the antennas around her neck like a necklace.

It's Really Happening

Bryan packed up and left this morning. I guess there's no backing out now. (I've said that to at least 10 things in the last two months.) I miss him already. He's so amazing and hopefully he won't figure that he's got less headaches and more free time without us. We miss you, Daddy!!

For what it's worth, I would NOT, I repeat N.O.T. recommend Budget... don't even get me started.

Go Dragons!!

Carter is playing soccer for the first time this year. I know... lame mom, huh? He's been in a sports class for a few years but I haven't done an actual sports team. He is LOVING soccer. He has such a blast and I'm glad he's getting to know some fun new friends (right before we move). His uniform is... bright...? But he loves it. The nice thing is I know we'll never lose it.

Not sure if he's shielding his eyes from the sun or his uniform. :)Go Dragons!

Check out these kicks!!