Family, Birthdays, Halloween, and the Stake Fair

Life has been good around these parts.  We've been staying somewhat busy, which I like, and events seem to be more fun now that the kids have more of a clue.  At the beginning of the month of October my sister Stephanie came for a visit (thank you Southwest and your super fantastic sales).  It was SOOOOOO much fun and we really had a grand ol' time.  I was hoping all would go well with the transferring to the car, bed and what not and glad to report it was a success!  We had one sketch transfer from the car to her chair but Zac was there to save the day!  We tooled around town, went to dinner at Joes Farmhouse Grill (which Steph gave a ten for the ambiance), went to the candy store, ate pizza, laughed at YouTube videos, and hung out with Ashley (Hawks) Otteson.  The kids had a great time with Steph,and Cru was constantly talking about how she is in a wheelchair because of cars smashing and no seatbelt.  Needless to say when my kids don't want to buckle I ask them if they'd rather be in a wheelchair like Aunt Steph and now they have a visual clue and they don't argue very long.

Chillin in car.

  Zac's birthday was a few weeks ago and Baba came for a short visit which was really fun (a shout out to the SWA again).  The kids really enjoy when company is here and so do I.  It gives us all a shake up from the norm which we all can appreciate.

He wanted cookies rather than cake.

And then Grandma and Grandpa came at the end of October (ah-thank you SW).  My mom's brother lives in Tucson and had an 80th birthday and so her siblings came into town and surprised him at a lunch.  We rented a van so we could all travel together (since it is about two hours away from me) and had an adventure.  Plus my Aunt Elaine and Uncle Kent (plus spouses) came into town and we got to have a grand old time.   Me, Zac, my dad and my Uncle Eric also got to go golfing on Friday which was REALLY fun.

The van ride.  My dad was teasing Zac about the amazing mini-van the whole time.  If any of you know Zac you will know his distain for the mini-van so it was funny.

I love this picture of my kids and their grandparents!

And then of course was Halloween which was really fun this year.

Cru was Puss in Boots, Zoey was a butterfly, and I was a wacky inflatable tube arm man.  We went to a ward trunk or treat party and then trick or treating in our neighborhood.  

And last in this fun month (well the beginning of November) we had the epic Stake Fair.  It is a riot.  All the wards in our stake have a huge celebration which reminds me of something that would happen back in the 50's--which I love because if I ever have a chance to go back in time I am going to that era.  It was full of carnival games, face painting, tractor rides, zip line, chili cook off, hot dogs, obstacle course, petting zoo and about 3,000 people.  I figured since people went to such a huge deal to put this on, I should at least dress up for it.

I wore my SWEET cowboy boots I got at the thrift store, my pearl button shirt, giant star belt buckle, and of course cowboy hat.  People thought I was serious....I was not. 

Cru had a blast.

Zoey.....not so much.

October was a really good month and we had fun with all of our visitors visiting!  Now bring on the holidays!

Two Years Old

Sometimes it is hard to believe (other times it is not) that my little Zoey is two years old.  I remember when I was in the trenches when she was a newborn/baby and I couldn't wait for her to grow up!  I am happy to say it is much nicer with her as a two year old!  She is still a super sassy pants but so sweet too.  The highlights of her special day included having brother help get her out of her crib in the morning and giving her a balloon. 

She had a hard time putting it down and wanted to eat with it. 

She is opening up her present and Cru is trying oh so hard not to do it for her.  She got a pink Broncos hat and this is how she wears it. 

Her baby stroller is probably her favorite present.  Thank you Ross for being so cheap. 

I decided to get her and Cru a cupcake rather than making a cake that I would most likely eat most of. 

This is a BIG difference from last year when she essentially dove into her birthday cake.  Such a lady using a fork and everything.  She doesn't like to be sticky or dirty.

I couldn't resist posting this picture.  Such a cute girl and I am so glad she is with us.  And as far as terrible two's go...I will take them any day over lack of sleep. :)

Reesies Piecies.

Here are the haps that are happening around these parts since the last time I posted.  I am in a way using this blog as a little journal since I suck at writing in my journal now.  So read if you want but here is what is going on in our hood.

It has been a really good summer so far.  I was going to run in a half marathon in March but messed my knee up and just finished up my physical therapy for it so I am happy!  I am not training for another one yet because if I ran outside right now I might evaporate.  In June I went to girls camp as our camp director and came back as the Young Women's President.  What?!? 

This is me and Jenae (previous YW prez) before our skit (hence the amazing lip stick on my face.) I was Señora Fuentes the Spanish teacher.  I was hoping that they might not want me as president after camp because I basically turn into a 17 year old girl but alas...

In July we watch fireworks from a neighbors pasture and let Cru and Zoey get sparklers for the first time.  The next day we got to go to an AZ Diamondbacks game for Zac's work and they set us up with the WORKS!  We got valet parking and they reserved the pool that is in centerfield along with food, towels, and all the Pepsi you could handle.  We followed up the game with a fireworks show and now Cru thinks that all baseball games are like this.  No son.  No they aren't.

Giggles in the pool.

We didn't see much of the game. 

I have never seen the stadium this packed before.  Look what a winning season does! 

She was a little concerned so dad helped her.

July has been hot and humid since the monsoon has rolled through but I think I am a bit more acclimated and not as freaked because my kids are older.  Zac and I were sitting outside at a mall one evening letting our kids play on the play stuff and we both said "It's not that bad out here".   We were surprised when the temperature on our phones read 102 degrees.  Every time the sun starts to go down Cru says "The sun is going down.  Now we can go play outside!"  All this kid wants to do is be outside and play golf or baseball. 

He loves his "tanky" tops.

That is about it for now!  Peace.

The Haps

I haven't updated the ol' blog in quite a while so I thought I'd just post a few of the happenings around here.  Life is good in our family!  Uncle Jake is here in AZ right now and is so much fun to have.  Even Zoey likes him which is saying a lot because she isn't very fond of men so you know he is a good uncle.  She may not look happy in this picture but trust me--when she runs up to Jake and hugs his leg you know it is good stuff.

We went to Anthem and rode on a sweet train with the Dewey's before they leave AZ and head up to the UT.  It was a grand time.  Also--Cru is potty trained!  I got a three day training program from a good friend who swore by it so we gave it a go.  I had to stay with Cru for 3 days right by his side and pump him full of liquids but he got it!  He pretty much figured it out after day one but then got real backed up.  I think he was scared but after bribing and coaxing he finally did the duce in the toilet and got Batman pj's with a cape.

This is him passing the time before the big event.

He LOVES baseball.  He does everything right handed except bat and golf.  I guess that is a good thing in baseball so needless to say Zac is pumped.  He loves watching The Sandlot and play catch.  He acts out scenes from the movie when he plays catch and talks about a Big Roof (Babe Ruthe) signed baseball.

Another good bit of news is that we now have DiCarlos in the Valley!!!!  DiCarlos is a pizza place that is FAMOUS in Ohio where Emil is from.  When Zac and I visited Baba in Ohio a few years back we went to DiCarlos to have pizza.  I had heard about this pizza for a while and thought it might have been talked up a bit too much so I wasn't expecting it to be as good as everyone had said.  Well--it is.  SOOOO good but the only bad thing is that it is on the west side of the valley or about an hour away.  Check it.  

 Two happy men.

Worth the drive if any of my AZ friends are reading this.  And I will accompany you there.

And here is me and the Z.  Her passy is in hopes that she will be a baller someday.  I know I said before kids I didn't care if they played sports....well, I lied.  I really hope they like at least one sport.  So now comes the brainwashing....I mean influencing!!  

Zoey's got a boyfriend

The other day at church, while trying to push through the second hour of Sunday school with a 17 month old, Zoey decided to lay a big fat smooch on the ward under 18 month year old heart throb.  It was awesome and Ollie, Zoey's crush, seemed to welcome the forwardness of Zoey's affection.  So on Valentines day guess who showed up with a valentine for Zoey?  The one and only Ollie.  Check it:

He brought her some chocolates and a valentine with a picture of himself.  It was money in the bank.  I think it is meant to be.

Cru and Zoey got a little valentine as well and Cru was super pumped about this day full of pink and hearts...and candy and cookies. 

Baba sent her famous sugar cookies which were destroyed that day.

And Zac got me a dozen roses (what?) and Chocolate candy and a Coke from McD's.  He know me too well.  It was super fun spending the day with the people I love most.

Free Syle

Cru likes Santa.  We went to the library tonight and got to meet santa and hear The Polar Express for the first time.  Cru kept saying "Thomas" when he saw the steam engine from The Polar Express.  I don't know how he even was coaxed to Thomas the Train but it makes me sad.  I have ALWAYS thought that show was creepy and somehow he has gravitated or "gravy trained" over to the dark side.  Every time we go to the library he picks out a new Thomas DVD and he says "Thomas" like he is British.  I don't understand.  If he starts saying cinders and ashes when he is mad, I swear we shall never watch another episode again.  I guess it could be worse......right??  I blame the British.  Enough of that rant and onto the pics!!  

Here is Cru with Santa and Mrs. Clause

I knew this would happen--what I didn't know was how sad Santa would look when it did happen. 

These two are sharing some floor space drink time.  I love how Zoey loves her brother.....usually. 

Snuggling on the couch with Jaitz.  And yes I know he is way to old for a pacifier but I am way too young to go to jail for killing one of my children. 

He did this on his own.  I told him to freestyle rap and he was beat boxing here.  

We are doing well here in Arizona.  We are staying south for Christmas this year and are sad but happy to not be traveling at this time.  We will do our traditions that we've adopted from both families--KFC and cherry 7-up on Christmas Eve and pogacha sandwiches on Christmas day.  (I always have to spell check for sandwich).  Merry Christmas everyone! 

So much candy.

 The happenings around here have been pretty good.  We got to have a visit from Baba this month which was SO much fun!  The kids LOVE having visitors and especially if they have "special surprises" every day that they are here.  Baba sure spoiled these little ones.

Zoey loves to wear my headbands.  She is quite the girl.  She will find anything to put around her neck and prances around like she is hot stuff.

 Zac turned the big 31 this year.  We celebrated of course by eating cake.

 They had so much fun trick or treating this year.  Cru had a clue and would say trick or treat and then thank you and then happy halloween.  It was great.  Not a whole lot of kids live in our neighborhood so when we went to people's doors who had lights on they were thrilled (usually because they were oldy moldies that LOVE kids).  They would dump handfuls of candy into their bags.  Cru was Lightening McQueen but couldn't sit down in him hence the no costume on.  Zoey was a bee.

I also had my friend Michelle take some pics of my kids at the temple.  I am going to enlarge them so they have a pic in their room of the temple.  She is a real good picture getter.  I love this one of Cru holding Zoey's hand.  Presh.