January fun

Please excuse the fuzzy photos, my camera's flash stopped working earlier this month. As a result, I am taking fewer pictures.

We have been keeping cozy and warm as the area surrounding us floods. School was canceled yesterday due to flash floods. It's crazy to see so many nearby places being taken over by water. Hoping this ends soon.


One of Ari's favorite things to do is grab her blanket and book, curl up in her chair and "read" (i.e. speak gibberish and giggle as she turns the pages).

She loves to read with sissy, too.

We had snow for about a half a day. Ari's first time being in the snow. I loved watching her catch the tiny flakes in her hand and watch them dissolve.

Our frozen pond with snow.

We took the kids to Chuck E Cheese. Ari's first time. She loved it!

As per my brother's recommendation, we bought a front carrier baby bike seat. Our first bike ride with all 5. Ari loved it! Cannot wait for warmer weather to be able to take family rides again.

Ari's vocabulary has really taken off lately. She basically at least attempts to say anything. She has grown to love Spongebob (asks for him by name). I love this age where their personality really shines through. I'm grateful that Kyler and Lexi are such wonderful older siblings.

Kyler's party

Enjoying Oregon's beauty with grandma.
Grandma Carol and Ari

Kyler and Lexi

Ari constantly carries around her favorite book, saying the title in her cute little voice "Who Hoots". Grandma reading to Ari

Jared and I went to Kyler's class to share birthday treats

This picture turned out blurry and dark, but I couldn't help and share this face! She does the Elvis lip like her mama, here you can almost see it.

The "everything Kyler" cake I made. My first time using gum paste. The top has Adventure Time characters and the Weezer symbol.

This side has a PSP, Lego, Webelo symbol (cubscouts) and a soccer ball.

Soccer ball, mustache, Lego

X box symbol, Splinter Cell (video game) symbol and a chicken drumstick (one of his favorite foods)

Diary of a Wimpy Kid book and a sunshine (I call him sunshine).

I worked on the gum paste characters for days. He was happy with the way it turned out, so I was happy.

Kyler's party!

We celebrated with TONS of friends at the local pool

Amber and Lexi

Thanks to grandma for helping us!

The pool was awesome. Complete with a heated pool, regular big pool, diving boards, rope swing, slide, basketball hoop and pool toys.

Pizza time

Present time

Cake time

What a week it's been. Very tiring and fun filled all at the same time. Tomorrow Jared leaves for a work trip and Carol's visit comes to an end. So after a full house and tons of events, it'll just be the kids and I with not much to do. We had a great visit with Carol. We got to grocery shop KID-LESS and got to go on a date! Very fun and much needed. Thank you!

And now...1 month until Jared's birthday!

Kyler turns 10!

Lexi rocking Ari

Using a spoon
Grandma Carol arrives for a visit!

Happy New Year!

aka Kyler's 10th birthday! Moments after midnight...his contemplative look--his 10 year old pose as he said.

Birthday breakfast of his choice: homemade doughnuts, hash brown patties and bacon. Lunch was curly cheddar broccoli noodles. Dinner carne asada.

Present time! PSP gameCamera adapter for his PSPEvil Dead the movie for PSP!Another PSP movie

Another PSP game

Thanks grandma and grandpa for the scooter!

Mountain bike!!

It was a nice day outside to play with his new toys.

Ari's first bike ride. She loved it!

I made him a chocolate Whopper ice cream cake with hot fudge and homemade whipped cream.

Hard to believe my sunshine turned 10. A decade as a mother. There are no words to express my love for my children, as I'm sure any parent knows. I am so thankful to be Kyler's mom. He never ceases to amaze us, always has us laughing and isn't embarrassed in the slightest to admit he's a mama's boy. What an honor it is to be his mama. Happy double digits, sunshine! I love you to pieces.

We are so lucky to have grandma Carol here with us to ring in the new year and celebrate Ky's day with us.

Happy New Year!