Thanksgiving

We took our annual Thanksgiving trip to Rocky Point. We thought it would be fun to try the turkey dinner that the hotel restaurant cooked, we learned we will never do that again. Something about meat based stuffing instead of bread based just tasted weird. Below are the only two pictures we got on the trip. Apparently Isabelle was sick before we went down there and got even sicker while there. We ended up coming home early and spent the rest of the weekend at Phoenix Children's Hospital where Isabelle was treated for severe dehydration. All is okay now and that is what matters. We all learned to be thankful for our health.

Polar Express

I haven't posted in a while and thought now would be as good a time as any. I also want my sister to stop yelling at me to update.
On November 14th we took a drive up the mountain to Williams, AZ to ride on the Polar Express. It is such a fun event where everyone wears their pajamas, eat cookies, drink hot chocolate, hear the story of the Polar Express, and get to see Santa where he gives each kid a bell!
We got to enjoy the train again this year with Auntie Sara, Uncle Jake, Jonny, Lilly, Grammy and Grampy. The weather was really cold, it even snowed on the way up. It was a great way to kick off the Christmas season! It was so much fun!

Isabelle giving Santa a hug. She waited to see him all day long!

Madee getting her bell from Santa.

The whole bunch enjoying the train

Daddy and Madee

Mom and Isabelle

Halloween

We carved pumpkins, went trick or treating, and the girls passed out from their sugar high!

Madee attempting to help get the seeds out
Isabelle's turn

The finished products; Jasmine and the castle

"SPIDERGIRL!"

Jasmine-yes daddy freaked out about the skin showing!

Welcome Fall!

Fall in Arizona is so exciting, it normally brings cooler weather which means more outside time and of course the AZ State Fair....yum food!

The girls at the fair meeting Dora
The girls and their cousins in the corn box at Talmochoff farms pumpkin patch

Isabelle and Audrey in the ladybug train

The Fab Four in the vegetable photo cut-out!

Isabelle

We are so impressed with how much Isabelle is enjoying preschool. She has made some new friends and looks forward to every Monday and Wednesday when she gets to go. She can now write her name, recognize letters and numbers, count to 70 (with some help), and recite the Pledge of Alliegance! She is growing far too fast!



Getting in on the cotton candy action at the Diamondbacks game

Playing at the kids section at Baxter's playhose

Just being the princess she is!

Madelyn!

Has definitely proven she is...unique! She has a mind of her own and is very opinionated. She is growing more and more each day and amazes us how much she wants to be like her sister, but at the same time wants to be her own person.

Just looking simply cute and innocent...we know the truth!

Showing all her blue tongue after eating cotton candy at the Diamondback game
Potty Training just like Auntie Barbara learned how to do it!

Enjoying a nice night on the patio at home

Showing us just how much she loves her Dora pull-ups

It has been a while

Since anything was posted, but I think things are beginning to slow down after the move and start of the year. We gave up out pool at the old house, but now we have sprinklers! Apparently, they are the coolest things ever!

SOOOO

I haven't been very faithful with this thing lately. With moving, school starting, and Homecoming, this is the task that took the back burner on my new (new to me) extremely small stove. Moving into the new house has been hectic. The girls have been adapting to the change really well. We had their favorite visitors in town last weekend: Audrey, Carissa, Uncle Justin, and Aunt Liz. They all had a blast and are still talking about it.
We are trying to get settled in; finishing that pesky last bit of unpacking, meeting the neighbors, and trying to stay afloat in all of this madness. Hopefully we will have some pictures soon!

First Day of Preschool

Today was my undoing! I was so excited to FINALLY take Isabelle to preschool. I had prepared myself for the whining and shyness. I prepared myself to not be able to leave because she didn't want me to go. I prepared myself for the fact she might not want to go in the room. The horror! We walked into the gates and she acted like she owned the place. She told me where on her dress I needed to put her name tag. When we were supposed to go find her room, she already knew she was in the blue room. She walked right in, said hi to Mr. Blue-the fish, and proceeded to the play dough table. I asked her for a kiss, she slightly rolled her eyes. I took a couple pictures she was annoyed. I told her that Shannon, the sitter, would be picking her up because I had to work, "I know mom." I then said goodbye and she looked up at me and said, "ugh, GOODBYE!" and went back to playing...what has happened???



Isabelle and her friend Bree playing. Madee on the left, it was hard to get her out of the room.

Isabelle playing nice with me and "smiling"

Isabelle playing, clearly ignoring me

Isabelle before we left the house. She was super excited this morning. Woke up screaming and clapping when I told her it was time to wake up and get ready for preschool. Why aren't they this excited when I get them?

Busy weeks

The last couple of weeks have been very busy. We are packing up to move. Scheduled date is the 15th as of now. Isabelle starts preschool on Monday and in the middle of all of this Madee is potty training. She has a couple of accidents a day, but only when she is too busy to play to try. Pretty good so far. Both girls are excited to have a house with stairs but have no idea what new things lie ahead. It has been a great summer and we are ready for fall, mostly just the cooler weather.

Another one taken far too soon

We found out today that Danielle, my aunt Alice's daugther was called up to Heaven. Although her time with us was short, she touched so many lives. Her beauty lives on within us all. Please keep my aunt in your prayers as she will need it in the upcoming rough times. She is strong woman, but every bit helps.
Rest in Peace Princess Danielle!

Road Trip

We decided it would be "fun" to drive 24 hours each way to visit family in Seattle. Although the drive might not have been perfect (migranes twice, two throwing up girls, a possible speeding ticket, almost hitting a deer) the trip was awesome. Saw my dad's sister and 3 of my cousins. I loved it. I wish we could see each other more so I savore every moment with them. I enjoyed it but it made me miss my dad A LOT!

The rest of the time we spent in Seattle. The girls had a great time reconnecting with their cousins. Welcome the Fab Four of the family. We saw a lot of great stuff. Fun time. I might even consider doing it again!

Build a Bear

We decided to do something different this year and have a Build-A-Bear birthday party for Isabelle's 4th birthday. It was the best kids party I have ever been to and would recommend it for anyone with a child at least 3. We had some two year olds and they did okay, but the older kids enjoyed it so much more!



Everyone holding their bear, pre-stuffed, over their heads.

On the way to the stuffing maching

Isabelle holding everyone's bears, pre-stuffed, she had such a good time.

Birthday girl goes first. She acted like she was a pro!

Here are all the party goers at the end with their take home goodies!

Happy Birthday Baby!

Jasmine birthday present

Lately Isabelle has been more than obsessed with Jasmine from Aladdin. Seeing as the movie is not out right now and she is not a "popular" princess, finding something that is only Jasmine has proven to be next to impossible. Thankfully my sister felt the same about Jasmine as Isabelle does. My mom found my sister's old Jasmine music figurine and gave to to Isabelle for her birthday. She was excited

The girls love their kitty

Stage mom emerges

I have always wanted to know what Isabelle's hair looked like straight. SO....I got out my straightener, set it on the lowest setting, and went to work. She looks so different!

Summer fun

Daddy painting Isabelle's toenails

Isabelle getting ready to go to the Spash park with Dad

Madee in her Splash park gear

Both girls "posing" for their picture to be taken. Yes, Madee actually posed this way!

Madee on the swing enjoying the weather a couple of weeks ago.