Land of the Cactus

This is the view from my parents backyard, isn't it gorgeous? I love the evenings when the sun starts to set- it illuminates the cactus making them glow. Our boys love cactus. They can't wait to spot the first one on our way each time we make the drive to AZ. This year we decided to break the trip up with an overnight stay close to the AZ border which made the trip less grueling on the little guys and so much fun for them to stay in a hotel.

We filled the week with lots of fun together and it was the perfect balance of hanging around the house and getting out to enjoy the wonderful weather! Christmas day my dad, sister and I took a hike up black mountain. It was a rare treat for us to have time just the 2 of us with our dad! Now these pics don't do the beauty of this mountain justice and they also don't capture the insane nature of this hike! It's pretty much straight up the whole way and the ground is made of this loose black shale that likes to move under your feet. But the view from the top is worth every ache you feel the next day:)

Grady got lots of snuggles for Christmas and was especially smiley with his pretty auntie!

The boys spent most of their time playing in the back together

Sunset watching each evening

My dad took Andrew to a Suns game- floor seats! They had a blast and we saw them on TV as we watched from home 

A park day and attempts at getting some pics of the grandkids together

My guys ready for Christmas eve service

 These two are buds and it was so fun for them to have lots of time together

Ryder was too cute with "his" baby

Christmas Day there were cupcakes and singing happy birthday to Jesus

And a special visit from someone sort of like Santa :) I was terrified but the boys thought he was hilarious

One of the days my dad let Gabe wax his fancy motorcycle- oh this kid was in heaven! 

My parents were so kind and watched all the big boys so my sister and us could check out some of the after Christmas sales at their really nice shopping area. We were able to get some great deals. Andrew did not buy this jersey however!

 The best shot of all the little squirmy boys- We just love them to bits and loved being together celebrating the birth of our Lord. The time always goes too quickly but I'm so thankful we got to have it! Thank You to Omie and Gramps for letting your home be filled with the squeals and messes and hopefully happy memories! We love you so much~

Christmas at Home

Before heading to AZ to celebrate Christmas with my side of the family, we did our own little celebration at home first. It was very sweet preparing with the boys a few days before and then the night of having a relaxed time just the 5 of us. 

The Sunday before Christmas we were all able to make it to church which is rare these days due to colds etc, so we were extra happy to be there! The little boys sported their bow ties for the occasion

We even had some cold and rainy weather which got us more in the cozy mood

I let the boys help bake more this year and they had a blast with the cut out cookies and helping deliver to the neighbors

The morning of our Christmas Weston helped me make our special pancakes, and it always helps to have a silly face when you do it :)

 That night there was wrestling before dinner...

( best attempt at a pic with my boys-forgive the person with no pants)

Our super Gabe did a great job making the hot chocolate

Which he then really enjoyed

Grady received a new paci

A few days later we packed up and headed to Arizona!

2014

It's 3am and the house is quiet- my big boys are out in the living room on the air bed having a special slumber party for the new year and I'm snuggling a sweet baby back to sleep...these are precious days filled with memories I don't want to forget.
Tonight we tried to tell the boys about what the new year is and why it's special and why we make goals and resolutions: here is what we came up with for 2014
Gabriel- "play hide and seek"
Weston- "play soccer and read my Bible every day"
For mom and dad we want to be more consistent at sitting at our Saviors feet, sharing with the lost the love of Christ and exercising together :)

Andrew shared tonight for us Psalm 90:12 "teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom"

Our days are short and what we do with them matters! Looking over the past year it seems to have flown. Have I used every day to honor Christ as best I can? No, but I pray to do better this year. I love a fresh start and I love the beginning of a new year- I read on a blog that the best resolutions are to keep the old ones and return to the one thing that truly matters and that is Jesus Christ!
I'm still learning what that looks like in the every day tasks of motherhood and caring for my home and family. We have piles of clothes and presents to unpack and crunchy pine needles and cookie crumbs to clean up...I can get overwhelmed with all the to do's! But I'm learning that it's in these exact moments and duties that we can honor The Lord with a good attitude, a thankful heart and use as opportunities to teach my boys instead of just "getting it done". Because before I know it the kids will be grown and gone and I don't want to just have gotten a bunch of things done- I want it to matter. The things still have to get done but I'm learning that all the difference is in how you do it and Who you are doing it for.
Happy New Year!

Thanksgiving

We spent a wonderful week with our family in Manteca for Thanksgiving! The cousins loved being together and hopefully have forgiven one little person for leaving a few bite marks :/ ... We relaxed, ate too much, planned a family reunion, slept in, went on walks, went on a date, celebrated Christmas and Papa's birthday and got lots of hugs and kisses. It was wonderful!

Jon took these beautiful photos of the kids. Thanks Jon!

 Ava LOVED holding Grady, and that is an understatement. Her first words every morning were "Can I hold Grady?" Thank you Ava for taking such good care of your cousin!

 Uncle Brian came to visit, bringing Christmas gifts to everyone. Thanks Uncle Brian for spoiling us!

 We had a relaxing Thanksgiving day 

One night we left the kids and had a quiet date- so sweet to have time alone with my man

 Papa had a fun surprise for the boys and had one of the Uncles restore this bike and trailer for the boys in Mets colors- isn't it fun?! 

 Annual Cousin Christmas PJ shot and celebrating Christmas 

 Weston received the biggest toy airplane and here Gabe is showing his excitement by hugging his new Cozy Truck- such a goofball!

Now we are home making it look like Christmas

Little Love

Our fabulous brother-in-law is quite handy with his camera and just sent me these gems from when we welcomed our little guy into the world! Just thought I would share :)

It's been so wonderful and crazy going from a family of 4 to a family of 5. The boys just continue to love and kiss on their baby and are so sweet to run to comfort Grady when he cries. Such a sweet and full season with so much to be grateful for!

( and in case I paint too perfect a picture there are days of sleep deprivation and one little boy who likes to make a mess while I nurse- including poo poo on the rug and half a bottle of soap in his hair...which he sweetly replied "I was taking a bath mommy!")