Thursday, February 16, 2012

Top Down Day

My mother-in-law has many sayings, one of my favorites being, "it's a top down day!" During the last week or so we've had several "top down days" and the girls love it when we roll down the windows on our drive home from daycare. While we don't have a convertible for a true "top down", we open the sunroof, roll down those windows, crank up Taylor Swift on the radio and ROCK our shades. Man, I love these girls!

Monday, February 13, 2012

Hot Air

I had a Heritage Makers conference all day on Saturday and had to leave the house early (well, early for a Saturday). As I turned the corner onto the main road out of our community I saw two hot air balloons getting ready to take flight. The picture doesn't do the sight justice. They were gigantic and so beautiful with the rising sun behind them. I just wish the girls we're with me to see them!

This is How We Roll

This is one of the reasons we love living in Arizona: wagon rides in February! After dinner the last few nights we've pulled out the wagon, grabbed a blanket, and strapped the girls in. It kind of calms them both down a little bit and gets them into bedtime mode.

We went out on a walk last night and about halfway through Hayden said, "Daddy, stop. Ellie's blanket is falling down and I need to fix it." She reached over and adjusted the blanket and Anabelle looked at her like, "hey, thanks buddy!"

I sure do love this little family of mine.

Monday, February 6, 2012

Sunday, February 5, 2012

Mad Scientist?!

Suns Game

Last night we joined the team of WebPT for a rooftop BBQ followed by a Phoenix Suns game in a suite. Wow! What a great time!

Our wonderful babysitter Stephanie came over to hang with the girls for the evening and we headed downtown to Matt's office. They have a great setup with a rooftop patio perfect for grilling. We watched the sun go down while we ate burgers and brats and then headed over to US Airways center to watch the Suns game. WebPT rented a *ridiculous* suite for all of us with complimentary food and drinks. We had a fun time hanging out with our friends and spending time together on our little date!


















































Friday, February 3, 2012

Housekeepers

It's so nice to be able to sit back, relax, and watch the kiddos clean the house. I kid, I kid. But these girls sure do love to help out around the house. Hayden helps Matt take out the garbage and recycling while Anabelle takes her shoes to her room every night.

Anabelle found the broom in the pantry and knew exactly what to do. Hayden didn't want to miss out on the fun so she grabbed the Swiffer. Now you'll have to excuse me - I need to tell Anabelle she missed a spot.

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Goodbye, Grandpa

Yesterday we said goodbye to Grandpa Mike. He passed peacefully in his sleep at 91 after living a long, great life, serving our country, raising 3 kids, and he got to meet four of his great-grandchildren. Read: he won at life.

The funeral itself was amazing. Since he was an Air Force Colonel and served in WWII, the Air Force insisted that they hold a full military honors ceremony for him at Fort Logan National Cemetery in Denver.

You can see the ceremony here, in 3 parts:



Link to Part 2 is here.

Link to Part 3 is here.


The pictures from the day are below:

Click to View Slideshow



And lastly, to show a small amount of honor for everything he did for me, I am including the entry I wrote for the book my mother made for him for his 90th birthday, which was in November of 2010:


My Grandpa

Many memories come to mind when I think about my grandfather:

I remember the little tree that we planted in his backyard when I was a little tyke. We dug the hole, moved the dirt, placed the tree (which was more like a twig), and moved the dirt again. Then we would water it and let it grow.

I remember throwing the ball in that same backyard. He and I would toss a baseball or football back and forth for what seemed like 2 minutes to me but was probably closer to 60. Eventually, he would say, “Grandpa’s going to ‘take 5’”. This meant that his arm was shot and he needed a break. I didn’t understand then but I do now. I get tired rolling the ball with my daughter after 60 seconds much less throwing a ball for 60 minutes.

I remember the most amazing cookies that he would keep stocked in his cabinet. They were chocolate finger wafer cookies and they were marvelous. My sister and I would race to the cookies and consume more than children should. They were sensational.

I remember doing errands with him and at the end, he would take us out for ice cream. He would always say, “Don’t tell Grandma or she’ll be mad at me for spoiling your dinner.” He spoiled dinners in the most remarkable way.

I remember going to Air Force Academy football games, and Air Force Officer parties as he was so proud of his service to our country. I grew to understand the meaning of the service he provided and realize the importance of it. I really enjoyed seeing his pride for the Air Force and I enjoyed even more when he sang, “Wild Blue Yonder,”

I remember the trip he and I went on to Maine to look at colleges. It was August and it has been said that the best place in the country in August is Maine. I believe it. The weather was incredible, the trees radiant, and the ocean breeze tranquil. We went to several schools including his Alma Mater, Bowdoin. We went to Boothbay Harbor and experienced what it was like to be a Maine native. It was a fantastic trip that I will never forget.

I remember the way he treated his wife, the only Grandmother I ever knew, with respect that was so deserved.

All of these memories have combined to show me how lucky I am to have him as my friend, my mentor, and my Grandpa. He is someone whose teachings, both verbal and by example, I try to live by every day so that I can make him proud and turn out to be just like him. I look forward to the days where I can spoil my grandchildren with ice cream and cookies, and take them on trips to visit lands previously unseen.

And through careful nurturing and care, that little twig of a tree that was planted long ago grew up to be quite tall, strong, reverential of its environment, and respectful to those that came before it. Hopefully like the little boy who planted it.

Happy Birthday, Grandpa.



Goodbye, Grandpa. Thanks.

Bear Bottom and Boots

Last May I went on a Girl's Weekend trip to Seattle and found these super cute jammies for Hayden. They look like long-johns with a little flap on the bum. The flap has a picture of a bear and the text 'Bear Bottom'.

While she was 'taking a nap' she found them in her dresser and put them on. I let her keep them on for a while after naptime and then couldn't resist taking a picture when she decided to add a flowered headband and my cowboy boots to complete her outfit. Man, I love this kid!

Monday, January 30, 2012

Two Crafty Chicks

Hayden and I got a little crafty yesterday and had so much fun. I found these cute conversation hearts on Pinterest last week and decided to make them (thanks to Jen Coy for the paint!). They were easy to make, Hayden loved painting, and I added the names with my Silhouette machine. Easy-Peasy!! And, special time with Hayden.