Santa Claus is coming TO TOWN!!!!!

The fireplace at my mom's has developed into a stage. Sophia would like to sing a little carol for you. (We are still working on the he/she thing)

Averie crawls over my arm at one point. Sorry :)

Chaparral Firbirds

My cousin Jonny is a 5AII Football State Champ... again. nbd.

The game was out at the University of Phoenix stadium where the Cards play.

Go Birds.

Joey's roommate was the star of the jumbotron for the night.

And Mom, Kevin, Steve and Grandpa got a little jumbotron love too.

My cousin Jonny, #8, leading the charge onto the field. :)

Side note: Anytime Sophia sees a red team and #8 she's convinced that it's Jonny on TV

Supporting Cousins.

Supporting Uncle Tito and Aunt Gail

Joey and his peeps

So proud of you and all of your hard work this year Jonny!

You are inspiring!

Go Birds!

Christmas at the RR Park

Don and Jared went to the Suns game one night so we all packed up and went to the Railroad park to ride the train and look at the lights. The night was perfect! It was a Wednesday so it wasn't too crowded. The weather wasn't too cold. And the company was divine! :)

Sophia and Aunt Randee on the carousel

And in the train.

Sophia the elf

and Sophia the gingerbread woman

Micah getting to "swing" with Uncle Scotty for the first time!

Lights in the tunnel on train ride.

There was even real snow as you came out of the tunnel.

So cool!

Micah enjoying the ride

And my Avie-Baby enjoying the ride.

I just love him.

I know Emma. She embarrasses me too sometimes.

Koo Koo, Emma and Aunt Christy

If you look real close you can see Avie-Baby's leg on the ground.

"Best Friends"

Happy Birthday Lori!

We were fortunate to spend Lori's birthday with her while she was visiting. We gathered a few friends and took her to her favorite tea spot up in Cave Creek, The English Rose Tea Room. It was Sophia's first time having tea with her Grandma. Nothing broke so I call it a success!

Sweet friends Shelle and Dee Dee with

Randee Lori, Marcie and a winking Sophia.

Prayer time

First sips of her pink tea. She also had her own three-tier with

PB&J tea sandwiches, fruit and cookies.

We got to pick out hats before sitting down.

Sophia wanted Shelle to wear that red one.

Such a fun day!

And Aunt Randee too!

Aunt Randee came down at the same time and stayed with us for 10 days. It was so much fun for all of us! Sophia would wake her up every morning by poking her in the face. I guess that doesn't sound like that much fun. I loved having help with the kids every day. :) It was amazing how fast we all got ready for church both weeks!

Micah and Aunt Randee

Sophia, Micah and Randee

Micah and Aunt Randee at the railroad park

And here was Sophia's favorite. Everyday the crew liked to be outside in the sun. Not much of that up in the NW these days. Aunt Randee taught Sophs how to make mudpies! Hours of entertainment. They would even top them off with pink flowers.

Aunt Randee has the magic touch!

Thanks for spending time with us Randee! We loved having you and can't wait until you visit us in Texas!

Boopa and Grama Visit

Last week Jared's parents got to come down for the week. (Aunt Randee too but she gets her own post). Here are some pics from the week. We got to go to tea for Lori's birthday and we went to the railroad park to look at lights, but i'll post those separately.

Sophia winking ;) She could wait for them to get to our house everyday!

Boopa always "flys" the kids. Sophia's getting a little too long!

Micah loved it!

Sophia had a new game to play with Boopa every night.

Here she's hiding him.

And here she's not letting him talk :)

Buddies.

Can't hang out with Grama without doing some baking! Lori brought Monkey Bread mix. Sophia did lots of it all by herself! I have a feeling Sophia will be teaching me a thing or two down the road.

Maya, Bella and Micah

I went over to Christine's a few weeks ago and I am just now getting to

post some of the pics of Micah with his lady friends.

Please keep in mind Micah is 14 weeks younger than Maya

and 10 weeks younger than Bella.

Bella and Micah

Micah and Maya

Hallmark Story

Wednesday my mom and I took the kids to the bookstore and did a little Christmas shopping. We had to run into Hallmark to pick up a few things. Grandma Annie worked at Hallmark for years. I remember visiting her store. She had great friends there. She always had on those big holiday earrings (sometimes they lit up), the crazy elaborate christmas sweaters (they may have lit up too)... the holidays were so much fun with her. I always miss her but Easter and Christmas... I really miss her.

So we were checking out at Hallmark and my mom happened to mention how her mom worked at TJ's Hallmark for years... the two older women behind the counter stopped in their tracks and looked at both of us with huge eyes. They asked her name... Annie... and I think all four of us could feel the waterworks coming. They were two of her three good friends from TJs. They immediately came out from behind the counter to hug us. Mom (who is already a little fragile with all of the changes happening in our family:)) lost it. I lost it.

They both talked about how much they miss her. How funny she was. How she would weigh her huge boobs on the candy scale. Yea... that happened... and that's how awesome she was. They said that anytime the three of them are together and take a picture they leave a space for where their fourth, Annie should be.

It was such a blessing for me to hear about how loved she was. I know our family has always adored her, but to hear how others adored her as well.. loved it.

Just wanted to take a little time before this week and remember her. Miss you Annie. So so much. xoxoxoxo