Wednesday, November 30, 2016

Mike's surgery

At the end of November, Mike had jaw surgery.  Fortunately, he only had to have his lower jaw broken.  This was a long time coming.  He was supposed to have the surgery as a teenager, but chose not to.  For several years he's been talking about doing it and I was starting to think he wasn't going to do it.  Then a couple of years ago he got braces, which was the first step of the process.  Then the surgery. 
Here he is post operation. He was told it would be a 6 week recovery until he went back to work.  That evening he was up walking around and within a couple of weeks he was back at work.  I was amazed at how quickly he recovered. Then he will get his braces off the end of May.

Sunday, November 27, 2016

Thanksgiving in Texas

We had decided we weren't going to travel for Thanksgiving because it's such a short holiday, but I was starting to feel homesick knowing all my siblings would be together.  I looked for plane tickets on Southwest and found some great deals using points.  I was so excited to go home!
I decided to fly home on Sunday so that we would have a week there.  Mike was going to fly in on Tuesday so he could a couple days.  Brielle isn't always the best on the plane, so I was a little nervous. 
Brielle wanted to be a big girl and pull a bag.
We had a 40 minute layover in Dallas.  It gave us just enough time to grab some dinner and eat it on the plane.  The girls were awesome! I couldn't have asked for better flights.  Izzy watched the iPad, Cambry played with her new princesses, and Brielle just sat on my lap and played with Playdoh. My parents were there to pick us up and we headed home.  All the girls fell asleep in the car. 
On Monday we went to Chuck-e-Cheese with Grandma.  The kids loved playing all the games. 
Then we headed to Build-a-Bear and Grandma let them each pick an animal to make. 
After Build-a-Bear the girls wanted to ride animals through the mall, why not?!
Even Brielle wanted in on the action. 
These girls are so lucky to have such a wonderful Grandma.  She is fun, loves to play with them, and always making them feel special.
Making cookies with Grandma.
 The grandkids having fun with Grandma.  Suzette and Posey arrived on Tuesday and we were so happy they came in early. 
Brielle, Izzy, Grandma, Cambry, and Posey
Cambry loves to perform and having a snowman perform with her. She loved the toddler bed, Grandma had set up for her. 
The girls were so exited to have Dr. Pepper with their Thanksgiving meal.
Love spending time with Celeste. 
Thanksgiving morning we took family pictures. The girls all loved the cows, so why not get a candid shot by the cows.
Love this family of mine. 
I'm not sure how I got so lucky.  I have great parents who made me feel confident, special, and unconditional love.  I always knew I could do anything and they would support me.  It was a rough few years after my brother died.  I didn't know how to navigate through the pain and hurt.  I wasn't sure if I should talk to my family or if that would stir up pain within them.  It was hard, really hard.  I finally feel like I am in a good place.  I feel happy again.  Being home was good for me.  My heart felt happy.  It felt good to be around those I love the most and who love me.  The week went way too fast. 
Bluebell is the best as Izzy quickly learned. 
These 2 cousins are going to cause some serious trouble down the rode. 
Brielle and Posey
Black Friday shopping with my Mom and sisters.  It has been a tradition for years, but we haven't been able to do it for the past few years because of scheduling conflicts.  But this year we made it happen and it was Sara's first time experiencing Black Friday shopping.  We left Thursday night and headed to the Galleria.  When we got there we realized lots of shops were already open so we started shopping!  Went to bed around midnight and we were out the door the next morning by 8.  We shopped til we dropped for sure. 
Saturday morning we did Christmas gift exchange.  Izzy and Brielle bought Posey some Mega Blocks.  She was pretty excited about them.
Some of the favorites of the week included: Izzy playing tennis nonstop, swimming, well maybe it was more putting their feet in and the traditional turkey bowl game.
Posey didn't want us to leave.  She got in the car with the girls and wanted to stay with them!
It was an amazing week with family and lots of great memories created!  

Tuesday, November 22, 2016

Cambry turns 4

I can't believe how quickly this girl is growing.  She is such a sweet, fun and sassy girl.  She loves dance and gymnastics.  She loves to play with her friends and play dress up.  She loves to pretend play and dress up.
I love these cute girls of mine!!
Daddy and his girls. 
Being silly is what they do best!
Love my family!

She was so excited to open presents!
Dolls with clip on dresses--one of her favorite gifts!
Princess Castle!
Elsa and Ana came to the birthday party.  She had so much fun with them!
PiƱata fun!
Snowball fight in the front room!
All the cute kids!!

I love asking my kids the same questions every year to see the different responses:

1. How old are you? 4
2. Who is your best friend? Evie
3. What is your favorite thing to do? Dance 
4. What is your favorite color? blue
5. What is your favorite food? pizza
6. What do you like to do with your family? play toys
7. What is your favorite toy? dolls
8. What do you want to be when you grow up? singer 
9. What makes you happy? Playing with friends and being nice
10. What makes you sad? People who push me
11. What is your favorite show to watch? Mia and Me
12. What is your favorite book? Peppa Pig
13. What do you love to learn about? Letters
14. What was the best part of your birthday? Elsa and Ana coming to my party 
15. Where do you like to go? pizza pie cafe
16. What is your favorite treat? brownies
17. What do you think about before you fall asleep? my friends
18. If you could meet someone famous who would it be? prophet 
19. What was your favorite birthday present? Unicorn purse
20. What do you hope to do before your next birthday? Play Christmas with Izzy

Wednesday, November 9, 2016

DisneyLand

One of our main reasons for planning the southern California trip was to go to DisneyLand.  Our girls are at the perfect age so we thought it would be fun! Katie had a connection and was able to get us a room at the Disney Hotel for 1/2 off, which allowed us access to the park an hour early.   And she even got us 2 free tickets into the park!
We got there Sunday night, explored the hotel for a bit and then put the kids to bed.  Katie and I went out for a walk, got a treat, and then chatted for a couple hours.  
Monday morning we headed out for rides.  The Jacintos brought a babysitter with them, so we left Brielle at the hotel with her.  I felt bad leaving her, but she wouldn't want to stay in her stroller and this would allow us to ride rides with Izzy and Cambry. 
The kids rode Around the World, which was their favorite, while I was setting things up with the babysitter.  Cambry didn't want to ride this ride because she didn't want to get wet. 
Ready to go ride Toy Story
I love this girl so much! We met our Freshmen year in the dorms and have been friends ever since.  She is one of the most thoughtful people I know.  I remember her making me homemade cinnamon rolls for my birthday, a cookbook (she knew I was clueless), and an apron.  She knew how to make a girl feel special.  Our husbands were BYU baseball teammates and roommates so even after marriage we have stayed really good friends and continue to hang out often, even if they moved to sunny California. 
These 3 girls had so much fun together!
These kids loved being together. 
These cuties loved riding big kid rides together. 
Ready to go on Cars! This was one of Cambry's favorite rides. 
While the big kids were riding California Screamer, we went for a ride on Little Mermaid.
Cambry loved meeting princesses.  Elsa and Ana were here favorites. 
Star Trek ride; this one made me a little dizzy.  I don't do well with 3D rides. 
Cambry started off with smiles, but ended with tears.  It was a little rough for her. 
Cambry's favorite part of Dinsey was meeting all of the princesses.
Love this little poser.
Have to ride Dumbo!
And get a picture in Dumbo.

Went for a ride on the train.
Last ride of the night.
And just like that the girls were out at 6:45.  It had been a long, fun day.  It was a perfect ending to a great trip.
The next morning we ate breakfast at the resort; Izzy drank some yummy hot chocolate.
Then I flew home with the girls. Mike stayed to have some business meetings and then drove home the next day.  Brielle was tired and needed a nap, so let's just say she wasn't the most pleasant on the plane.