Breakfast with Santa

This year we got to enjoy a new activity for Christmas time. There is a wonderful little farm about 7 miles from us that does neat events for families... We signed up for a "Breakfast with Santa"... It is was it sounds like the girls and I and maybe 15 other kids got to go down to the farm, watch Santa drive up on his John Deer and eat french toast and yogurt with him. It was a really cool thing. Santa had a list with all the kids names and talked to each one to double check if they were on the naughty or nice list.

Here is Ava enjoying Santa's company and telling him

"I'm on the VERY nice list!!"The kids got to swing at a pinata. Shea was chosen as one of the smaller kids to go fist. Santa didn't know this girl could pack a punch!! So after no one could break it open (even the kid wearing the batting gloves) Santa let Shea have another go. She broke it wide open with one swing. That's my tough take on the world girl!

Ava couldn't wait to tell Santa

she wants a kitchen so she

can make Mommy ribs for dinner

Shea just couldn't get enough of Santa
She wants a kitchen too!
One stipulation it must have two
ovens so she and Ava can cook together.

Our new Baby

Say hello to our 1st baby boy!

This the 1st picture of baby boy Dean Ryan

Due May 28th (April 28th if it goes the same as my last two)

We are so excited! The girls are so happy to have a baby brother...

Kevin's a bit nervus because he says "dang I have girls figured out now!"

(we have 2 female dogs and 2 girls and me) ;)

Our 1st Snow as Coloradoans

Well we woke up on Wednesday morning to this crazy white stuff everywhere and it hasn't stopped coming down... still snowing today Thursday afternoon. The roads are nuts and my children are loving being knee deep in fluffy snow.

This is our new little home that we are

just so excited to spend Christmas time in!

"Mom! Holly freakin' cow it's snowing!!!"

And it just keeps getting deeper with no stop so far

This is our sliding door and now I have grassy snowballs

stuck to it and I'm sure some snot!

One of those FANpires

Yes I was one of the crazies who lined up for Twilight 4 hours early to see it at 12:02am.

I wont say a lot because I want everyone to enjoy and form their own opinion. However I thought they did a nice job of hitting most of the major parts of the books, I did however have to explain some things to Kevin in the middle since he hasn't read the book. (Edward was great at looking tortured Robert did a better job than I was expecting)

Going to one of the 1st showing was neat but I can't wait to see it again in a seat that doesn't have 90 screaming girls surrounding it.

Wow I'm Thankful

Thinking I'd wait to post next until I had pictures of our new home and all the things going on with that I decided to comment on all you wonderful bloggers that post more often, and came across my sweet friend Addie's blog. She is a lucky lady and posted about it... with all the crap my family had been though in the last two and a half years I needed to get my thanks out there to my heavenly father, friends, and family too!

This might be a longish post so here it goes. Read on if you like if not it's ok at least I'm getting it out there...

I'm so lucky that I have a super hard working husband that loves me when I'm beautified for a date or when I wake up with crazy bedhead. Even in the sadness of unemployment, loosing our home, and moving around to fix things he has never wavered in his love and trust for me or our little family.

I'm thankful for the church that loves me always, provides instant friends, and helping hands... and made sure we had a Christmas last year when I wasn't so sure Christmas was going to come for us.

I'm crazy lucky for my to beautiful daughters that hug and kiss me at least 5 times a day, tell me I'm beautiful, and remind me even on my hardest days that I have the best little family in the world.

I'm thankful for my friends who check up on me and comment on my little blog to show their support.

I'm incredibly lucky for my family immediate and in-laws who have helped up as much as possible and when things got really bad let us crash in their basements, watched little ones so we could work, and even cleaned up puppy poo to get those pups sold and get us back on our feet.

Now, here.. we are lucky, thankful, healthy, working, in a home to call our own, back to our birth place with loved ones all around. Christmas will come this year weather in gifts wrapped in bows or the gift of hugs, kisses, warm meals, a warm home , and my family together and still in love more than I ever thought possible.

Thanks to you and for letting me get this out there I love you all and hope your Thanksgiving and Christmas come with all the gifts I have this year!

4 going on 14

Shea Elena is 4 years old, she can spell her name, her sisters name, and mom and dad. She can count to 15, knows her color and shapes... she's very smart. Most importantly the thing that makes me a little nervous for when she's 14 is... She quietly watches me and the things that make me crazy, happy, sad and angry... and I can see her cataloging them away to use to her advantage at a later date.

My little girl is growing up too fast and will be 14 and using her knowledge very wisely too soon! ;)

the 411

Many of you have scene the side bar... yes we are expecting baby number 3 and are thrilled! We recently found out ourselves. I'm 11 weeks today and my due date is may 28th I do however go about 4 weeks early (with the last 2 at least). So maybe the end of April early May.

We found out at about 8 weeks here's why...

With the move and stress of new jobs and no home of our own I had stopped keeping track of things. Also since we moved back to Colorado I have had some sickness or another. Then I felt like I was never going to be healthy again and thought I had the flu, off to the doctor I went.... not the flu, just a head cold and new baby!

Of course all we want is a very healthy baby however a few have asked boy or girl? Kevin's response is another girl "he has them figured out!" Here's a little story about why it would be nice to have a boy.... yesterday I had to do my hair and makeup for work, then bathe and comb and braid 2 girls hair (thick and long might I add).

So I thought to myself "man a boy would be nice once less client at my beauty shop everyday.

Then about 5 hours later I made my beauty shop a little less busy by cutting off all my hair again.

Haunted Halloween

Our family had a super fun Halloween.
We were dressed as 3 Disney princesses with Kevin as prince charming. Fun right!

My sisters family were superheros... Sara Conner (terminator) Iron man and The HULK!

At the down town parade a little girl followed me around and kept telling her mom "look it's the real Snow White mom!"

We had a blast this year hope all of you enjoyed the haunted season too.

POTTY Trained!!!!

Ava deiced for her self enough is enough! Last Wednesday she informed me "Mom I don't want my diaper I need panties!" Since then she has worn panties and has had no accidents, she even goes poop every day on the potty.


All it took was.....

Some cute undies (2T washed in hot to shrink to Ava's not butt size)


A Go Diego potty seat so she can't fall in


And.... Voila!!! She's a big girl now!

Sorry the pictures are every blurry because it's not my camera it's my mom's and she was so happy she wouldn't stop moving!

Missing My DVR

I knew I loved TV but I never knew how much I loved TV only because of my DVR until the DVR was gone!!!
What, there are commercials on TV??? Shows are a whole hour long?? You even have to watch the boring parts of the show?? This will just not do!
We are still in my sis-in-laws basement.. they have regular ol cable with no guide and only like 50 channels... the reception isn't great and there is only nick and Disney. No Nick Jr no Noggin no Toon Disney... and the list goes on.
My biggest problem is I love prime time TV but as a mom real prime time TV is on from 7-10
that's when dinner bath and bed are.... this is crap! I never watched prime time TV in the prime time only in my "prime time" (when everyone in my house is sleeping!)
Anyhow there's my rant for the week... we'll be in our place November 1st and yes the Directv guy will be there that day! Until then whats up with all these commercials for pharmaceuticals and politic bashing???

The Sun will come out tomorrow

I've been sitting here trying to decide how to start this post... it is not like me to blog about my feelings or problems but I'm feeling this is my only outlet. I have been crying or on the verge of tears all day. My eyes are puffy, I have a stuffy nose, and a crying headache.



My family and I have had two and a half of the hardest years in our lives. Now I feel like the pile has really hit the fan ( as if it hadn't already).

We still have not found a place of our own, money at my job is worse than bad hours aren't great either, I don't do the grocery shopping here so I don't have my stash of yummy treats to put a smile on my face.! (you know you all have a stash that not even your husband knows about ;) But, worst of all the puppies are waking us up 3-5 times a night!!

So here's for those bloggers who know me best and will understand my problem...
I LOVE SLEEP!! more than just about anything else. I love my pillow (Target brand super firm king size, replaced every 6 months) I love my blanket (Domestication micro plush cashmina) I love my bed (Serta pillow top king size) and a good book to help me sink in and crash for my 10-12 hours of uninterrupted sleep!

Some of you might be laughing and saying YEA right?! but it's true... I have even taught my kids to sleep in. So now my tears and bad mood make more sense to you all don't they?... Lack of sleep equals a very sad Angie!

Ok so thanks for letting me vent I'm sure the sun will come out tomorrow, or when I get a 10 hour nap! ;) love you all and all your support!

Bulldog Grandma

So I'm a grandma of 6 bulldogs. Our wonderful Kate had 6 puppies all healthy and growing up so fast. They are a champion bread and people are going crazy for them. We have 4 girls and 2 boys.
It's the weirdest experience to make Kate lay down on her back and stick 6 squeaky puppies on her for 20 minutes every 4 hours. I knew there was a reason I chose not to breast feed my children. Anyhow, aren't they all so darn cute.?

The girls have all ready decided to keep one and name her Olivia. This is her with her #1 admirer

Update

We are here in Colorado, looking for a house (the hardest job I've had so far). Kevin is working at Kustom Paint and Trim. I got transferred to the local Chili's and the girls are just in hog heaven playing with their cousins every day! I don't have Internet yet and I'm living out of a cardboard box, but we are all a little more at peace here. Hope all of you are doing great I miss you a ton and really miss volleyball!

Colorado or Bust

Here we go again, only 4 months ago I told you all about moving to Casa Grande and now I'm posting that we are moving again only this time instead of 40 miles away it's 1000 miles away. Our little vacation to Colorado last month turned into a job offer and house hunt. You would be amazed at the green, and the big leafy shade trees that line the roads and make the yard boundaries instead of big block walls.
So on August 28 we saying goodbye to the 115 degree summer, scorpions, monsoons, and hours of driving on the freeway. Hello to family just miles away, riding bikes to the park in the summer without heat stroke, big green trees, snow at Christmas time and SEASONS!

There are also so many things I'll miss about the valley... volleyball on Wednesdays, the birth of my friends baby boy, swimming for $2 (whole family) every few days from April to September, Trick or treating in your choice of costume (in Colorado you plan your costume around your long johns.) I'm not joking.

This is a very exciting time in our lives and it feels so amazingly right for our family. As soon as we made the decision Kevin and I felt at peace and the girls haven't stopped talking about it. Shea and Ava can't wait to live in Colorado and see their cousins everyday and get spoiled by Grandma and Grandpa.

We will miss you and hope to keep in touch by blogs and emails! Can't wait to see what everyone is up to this fall and winter.

Breaking Dawn Party

I have the best husband! He took me to a Breaking Dawn party at Barns and Noble from 9pm-1230am. He let me dress him up as Jacob and he was the best one there for the costume contest. We made tees and he tattooed me with wolf prints. I am team Jacob but as many of you know I still love the Cullens... just that if I were Bella and had a choice it would be Jacob. As many of you know I feel like I have a Jacob in my life. Dark skin, dark eyes, works on cars, is my best friend, the sunshine and laughter in my days. Hope everyone enjoys Breaking Dawn... Please don't blog about it on here because my Jacob won't let me read it until I finish The Host.

IT"S HERE!!

Yes Breaking Dawn is here and I was just in line at Barns and Noble and got my copy at 12:05pm. I dragged Kevin along and he was the best Jacob there for the costume contest! He was so into it because he loved seeing me so excited about something. There was a great Belle in a black prom dress and walking cast. No one was a great Edward but that's because he's a Greek god and there are none of those left alive these days. They had some great trivia and fan art. I'm on my vacation in Colorado so no pictures yet.... but the moment I get home you'll be seeing them. If you are a FANPIRE comment if you made it to a Breaking Dawn party and email me pics of your experience I am dying to see them. Love ya... And Go TEAM JACOB!

Fabulous Four

Our beautiful little girl is four years old! It is amazing to see her, within days for her turning four she is asking more questions and thinking harder about your answers. She wakes up with a zest for life and what the day might bring. In those amazing chocolate brown eyes I see a little person coming out and becoming a very smart girl where my baby used to be.

We had a little get together for her birthday on Saturday at a friends house in Phoenix. The theme was her favorite thing in the world right now..... Indiana Jones!

Her extremely talented Mema made her and Indy outfit and we completed the ensemble with the whip, hat, gun belt, satchel, and machete. She was thrilled, for months now we've had to call her Dr. Jones or Indiana Shea.

I made a temple of doom cake with rock crushing action.

We had to have the massive Indiana Jones pinata. Shea had a great time trying to crush it with her friends but that thing was made Indy strong, we finally had to just rip it open.

Followed by a whole lot of swimming with our friends. In their new amazing pool. Thank you Chris and Lisa for letting us use your home. With another HUGE thanks to Cathy for jumping in fully clothed after Shea who was a bit to excited to swim and forgot to put on her floaties before diving in.

8 Year of Wedded Bliss!

Yesterday July 15, 2008 was Kevin and my 8 year anniversary. In 2000 I said I do to the love of my life in our beautiful backyard in Colorado. He makes me happy everyday and I'm glad at 19 I was so darn smart!

To my love,
Thank you for showing me love everyday. I fell in love with you because of our friendship and I am so happy that you are still my best friend in the world, ready to take on any challenge together. You are an amazing husband and thank you for being the best father our girls could ever hope for.
Sealed with another kiss,
Angie

W.A.L.L-E

We had a great family night out last week on one of my few nights off...... We went to see W.A.L.L.-E.
















It was a beautiful movie that made my heart swell with love for my husband and family. To me it was one of the best love stories I've seen in a long time. If you haven't made it to WALL-E please go I give it ***** 5 stars!!!! and my family gives it 8 thumbs up.

Best Mema ever

I have an amazing mother. She has made my girls some beautiful clothes for the summer. They get so excited when a package comes... "ooohh more princess clothes from Mema" So thanks mom we love you.

Busy Bee

Sorry no funny blog posts from me lately. I have been a busy bee with no silly or crazy things happening along the way. I worked at Outback in Gilbert until half way in to training at Chili's in Casa Grande. Training days at Chili's was way different from any restaurant job I've ever had. It was 6 days. Only 3 hours the 1st day but then 7 hour days the next 5 days. I also picked up some shifts the day after my training was complete. Last weekend we drove the girls to Albuquerque for their vacation in Colorado. While missing them I took the opportunity to get settled into the house and even got a date night with my hunky husband.
Kevin's been in and out of the house all day everyday for the new shop, wow I can't wait til the doors are open. It is an odd thing to not know if he'll be home all day or not at all.
Yea! My girls got home on Saturday night and I spent 3 hours hugging them and just looking at their beautiful faces. Sunday we took Kevin's parents and the girls to Kungfu Panda, played on the slip and slide and had a lovely dinner. They had to leave early this morning to get back to Colorado and their jobs. It was great to see them and amazing of them to drive the girls home.
I really don't see my life slowing down anytime soon, but maybe along the way I'll have some silly story to blog about.

Heartbreaking

My children have never spend a night away from either me or Kevin. If he's gone overnight they are with me and same goes for if I'm gone overnight. I have always thought that was for the good of them.... Now I know it was only for me! My beautiful girls are in Colorado this week with mine and Kevin's families. I call everyday and ask do they miss me and my mom says they haven't asked for you... Heartbreaking!!!!

They are having a blast being spoiled rotten and having slumber parties every night.

However I don't know what to do with myself. I'm working a lot and cleaning a lot but I'm so sad not to see their faces in the morning and hear their cute voices tell me night night and love you mom. They will be home on Saturday but that feels like an eternity.

Wish me luck in surviving a week with no children in my home.

P.S. Sending this message out there... I Love you girls, miss you like crazy and can't wait to hold you in my arms on Saturday.

Crazy Ava

We have a silly soul in our home. She has a smile that is as bright as the sun. When she tells you a story her facial expressions make you laugh better than a comedian. She is a delight and so please enjoy the laughter in our life... Ava