Thanksgiving In Pinetop!!!

Be prepared for tons of pictures and more to come!!!

My heart is so full today! We went to my friend Lindsey's family cabin for Thanksgiving and it was so much fun! I was so worried about going because I didn't know if Tyla would be nice with all the kids or if she would get over stimulated with so many people like she usually does. I kept going back and forth debating if we should go or not and I was talking to my best friend Mandi about it like I always talk about everything to her and she always has the best advice ever and she said I need to go and if it doesn't go well then I will know not to do it again, but I need to atleast try. I am so thankful she said that and that we went! The kids had so much fun and created great bonds. The kids played so good together and it was so layed back and we had the best food ever! Today I am so THANKFUL for my dear friend Lindsey and her amazing Mom "Sugar" for having my CRAZY family be a part of their family for Thanksgiving. I already regret leaving the cabin and want to go back!
Ryker and his future wife Berkley! Aren't they so cute?? I seriously don't think these two can be any cuter!
Ryker eating Sugars Banana Cream Pie...He loved it!

Here is a picture of all the kids eating Thanksgiving Dinner.
Jeff making fruit salad .....yummy yummy!!








MacKenzie and Anna.


Tyla nad Anna.

Over the hills and through the woods to Sugars cabin we go!

We are off to Pinetop for Thanksgiving! I am so excited and so are the girls! Stay Tuned for pictures.......

Today I am extremely THANKFUL for EyeMasters...yes you heard me right EyeMasters in the mall! Tyla lost her glasses a few days ago and they are nowhere to be found and her eye Doctor couldn't get her in until today and usually it takes 5 to 10 days to get the lens in, but Jeff and I called all the eye care places in the valley to find which one could get the lens and frames the fastest. When I spoke with the lady at EyeMasters she said if she had everything in stock for Tyla we could get them the same day! We went there right after her eye appointment today and was able to get them and even better we got TWO pairs for the price of one! Score! I am so grateful that Tyla can finally see...poor girl.

Have you ever taken your kids to the eye doctor and got their eyes dilated then go back in the waiting room for 30 minutes and then try to get your child to go back in the room with the doctor who just hurt your eyes? How did that work for you? Lets just say everyone at the doctors will remember us and our probably talking about us now! I tried to prepare myself before hand telling myself how bad it is going to be but I still wasn't prepared even with all the goodies I had in my bag to bribe my child with! Oh well, it is done and over with and most importantly we got Tyla her glasses! I am tired and still have so much to do tonight! As you can see here....Tyla is really tired too!

It's beginning to look alot like Christmas......

Today I am THANKFUL for Christmas decorations! I usually don't get my Christmas stuff down until the day after Thanksgiving, but we are not going to be here so I thought I would get it all out this weekend. I love Christmas and for some reason I am really excited for it this year, I am not sure why because we have no big plans and we won't be at Disneyland like we were last year and the kids won't be getting as much this year. I think it is because it will be quiet, layed back, no stress and we can just spend time as a family celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, cozing up by the fireplace with hot Cocoa and probably playing our favorite family board games together. I LOVE this time of the year and I am so excited for the holidays!

Today I am thankful that I got to FINALLY see New Moon! It was so freakin good! I can't wait foe the next!

THANKFUL.....

Today I am very THANKFUL for wasting $9.50 and bailing out on going to New Moon at Midnight! I do feel guilty for letting people down and braking a promise, but I was soooo tired and have had very minimal sleep this week. The good news is Tyla slept through the night and didn't wake up until 5:04 this morning and Ryker only woke up once! I feel rested and ready for the weekend! The bad news is now I want to see this movie and have no one to go with because EVERYBODY saw it yesterday (maybe Ryker and I will have a date and go check it out)

Today I am THANKFUL for Tyla's school picnic my family got to attend. Tyla was so excited to pack her lunch for the picnic and her teacher said that is all she would talk about all morning that her family was coming for a picnic! I took Kenzi out of school for lunch and Jeff was able to take a break from work to come. It was short and sweet and it made Tyla's day to have us there

Ok, so Tyla popped a chip in her mouth right as I was taking it.....she was really happy I actually let her have potato chips and she ate the entire bag!

Happy Boy!

THANKFUL ...Time to get ready

Today Ryker was so happy in his bouncer and didn't want to get out! He usually only lasts about 10 minutes before he starts screaming to get out, but today he watched two episodes of yo gabba gabba and then I went to check on him and this is what I found

Isn't he precious? today I am THANKFUL that I had more then 5 minutes to get ready for the day!

THANKFUL....Fun Projects!

Before
After So I admit that I am a total copy cat when it comes to some things and I saw these type of shoes at a boutique for $50! I remembered my SIL Autumn gave me a similar pair for Tyla so I went home and simply added some bling to them and they are super cute!

Before
After
These are not the Pottery Barn Bar stools I wanted, but I settled for the $15.99 ones at Target and a $6 can of red paint from Walmart and they are perfect! The girls use them all the time!

THANKFUL ....My Home

Have I mentioned how much I LOVE my home? Yes it is very small, old, and still needs alot done to it, but I love that it is small, I feel like the family isn't so separated and spaced out and that we can actually bond and grow as a family. I love that it is old, it has so much character. I love that we still have alot of remodeling to do ...well not really, but it does give me something to look forward to and keeps my domestic juices flowing! We have so many memories in this home and plan on having alot more.

THANKFUL ...beautiful weather

I was under the weather on Saturday but it was nice to have the windows open and look out at a nice cool overcast day. Who wouldn't want to live in Arizona this time of the year?

THANKFUL ....My Hair Appointment

I am feeling a little spoiled these days! I got to go shopping yesterday and today I got to get my hair done! FINALLY my stylist is back from maternity leave! I am so THANKFUL that I get to get my hair done and that when my husband came home from work he told me he loves the dark I put in my hair!

THANKFUL .....Girls Night!

Today I am grateful that Jeff got home early and stayed home with the kids and let me have a girls night! It is amazing what a couple hours away from home can do for me! I had a blast and made some super cute jewelry....I am addicted!

THANKFUL ...Stay at home Mommy!

Today I got to go to the mall with the kiddos and it was fun, crazy and exausting! I will have to say I am so THANKFUL I didn't have to arrange for a sitter and feel guilty at work that I couldn't stay home with them and have a fun, crazy and exausting day!

7 Months....already!...Time flies!

Ryker's 7 Month Photo shoot!



I can't believe my baby is already 7 months! Crazy! Ryker is crawling and scooting all over the place and getting into everything...I mean everything (like trash cans). I forgot how much I don't care for the crawling stage! He is teething like crazy! Can you say DROOL 24/7! On a happier note...Ryker is so much fun and his smile is so stinkin cute and he is a very well natured baby! He has great hand and eye coordination and I think he is going to be a smart little cookie! I must say after having two girls I am having so much fun having a Mama's Boy and that he is! I can't walk past him without him chasing after me or crying because I didn't pick him up!

7 Month Checkup:

Height: 27 1/2 (70%)
Weight: 15 pounds 7 ounces (70%)
Head: 17 (20%)

THANKFUL ....Tyla's Field Trip

I am so THANKFUL I got to go with Tyla and her class to Superstition Farms for their field trip. This was Tyla's first field trip ever! It was so much fun! Don't mind the cheesy shirt her teacher made them all wear! :) Oh and Tyla kept her hands over her ears pretty much the entire time! I think it is a security thing for her because it wasn't loud or anything like that.

THANKFUL .... My Best Friend :)

I won't even pretend I have the perfect marriage, it's just not possible, but I will say that I am insanely in love with this man and I don't know where I would be without him! He has been my best friend since I was 17 years old! He understands me and is always so supportive and proud of me. He is the best Daddy to our children and he is my world.

THANKFUL .... Gluten Free Foods

I am so THANKFUL for all the gluten free ingredients that have just come out in the last few years. It makes my life so much easier!

Gluten Free Zucchini Muffins

Enjoy.

1 C coconut Oil
1 3/4 C sugar (I use hale brown, half white)
2 Eggs
1 T. Vanilla
1/2 C Rice Milk
2 C finely shredded zucchini
2 1/2 C GF Flour Blen (I use white rice flour)
1/2 t. salt
1 t. xanthan gum
1 T. Cocoa Powder
1/2 t Cinnamon
1 C. Chocolate Chips GF (optional)

Mix all dry ingredients except for chocolate chips. Add wet ingredients and mix until combined. Pour into mini muffin pans and top with chocolate chips or leave plain. Bake at 350 for 12-15 minutes.

this will make alot. I freeze half the batch.

THANKFUL ....My new Jogger Stroller!

Thanks to the success of my yard sale....I was able to buy this!



It even has a built in ipod deck and speakers for my ipod!

THANKFUL ....El Charro

Best Mexican Food ever!

THANKFUL.....MacKenzie's School Class

It was one of those years that I new in my heart that it would be harder for me than Kenzie to put her in a class she didn't have much friends, but it ended up being such a BLESSING! She has made some great friends in her class that just so happen to be in our ward and they are the best of friends!!! She also has the best teacher ever! I love Entz Elementary so much and could not ask for a better home school!

THANKFUL ......My Legs and Feet

I love that I can wake up and run miles without even thinking about anything! It is a great escape and such an adrenaline rush! I love walking MacKenzie to school each morning and then take Ryker on long walks in the neighborhood.

THANKFUL....Dark Chocolate!!!

I LOVE LOVE LOVE Dark Chocolate....it makes me so happy...it is ummm ummm good!

THANKFUL ........Babysitters!!!

It is always great to "run away" from your kids and have some quiet time with just me and my hubby, whether we are going to a movie or just dinner I love that I can leave my kids with someone I can trust and feel comfortable with. We love you Whitney and Hannah!

THANKFUL ......Church

Today we got the privilege of going to church and listen to the kids sing primary songs and speak their parts. MacKenzie sang "Baptism" and as I sat their and watched her my eyes filled up with tears. She looked so pure and beautiful in her white baptism dress and her voice was so amazing. I am so proud of her and I love how excited she is to go to church every week to learn about God and families. Today I am thankful for going to church and feeling the spirit so strong.

I am THANKFUL for...............

One of my blogging buddies is doing a post every day of November up until Thanksgiving to say what she is THANKFUL for, so I am going to copy her (thank you Linds)I have so much to be THANKFUL for and can't think of a better way to express my gratitude!

Cousins.....

Simply are the BEST!



Thank you Ashley for taking these photos!