a few things

We are still at it...flag football that is.  The boys are still enjoying playing for their teams and improving their skills.  I feel so grateful for the coaches we have, there are some that are so loud and negative.  It can be a little cold, we are in the middle of winter, but the games are so exciting no one seems to mind.  

Last week I asked someone to get me a blanket, you know like this, "someone get me a blanket." Mike was very helpful and covered me in ads.  I was too tired and grumpy to care, but here's the photo he snapped when he was done.  Funny man.  

It does depict my new goal to use coupons more and learn how to get good deals when grocery shopping.  I want to save $1000 dollars this year with coupons... 

Elliot June turns 6

My precious girl turned 6 on the 3rd of January.  I just can't believe this bundle of joy is so old!

We had a great day celebrating Ell's bday.  The kids were still on break for school so we had the whole day to play.  We started the morning off with presents, then lunch at McDonalds, then off to the park to enjoy some California winter weather.  

Miles missed out on some of the fun, he went to work with Mike. And had a great time with his Daddy.  

Elliot has so many wonderful qualities.  

She is kind to her siblings, (even when they don't deserve it). 

She loves to sing and dance no matter where we are.  She often makes people smile when we're shopping because she is singing at the top of her lungs.

Elliot is always making us laugh with her witty comments, (ex: the other day we stopped at the mail boxes to get our mail, there was another man doing the same and he had left his car door open.  Elliot sees this and says, "what the heck dude, don't you know your car is going to get robbed.  Mom, that guy's gum is going to get stolen."

Elliot has the most beautiful eyes, love those peepers!

6 yr old Elliot loves:

her elephant, sugar, her family, her new fuzzy animals, pigs, monster high dolls, mac n cheese, playing with her sister (when she's nice to her), giving daddy back tickles (so she can stay up later),  swings, and being helpful.

She does not like:

school, going to bed with the door shut, taking baths, peanut butter, stroganoff, and most foods. 

 Happy birthday baby girl.

A wonderful Christmas Day

We had a great relaxing Christmas.  The kids were so great and grateful for all their gifts.  

Each year the kids get better at not waking Mike and I up at the crack of dawn.  This year we got to sleep till 7am!  Then after the kids rushed down and saw their Santa presents and opened their stockings we paused and make our traditional breakfast burritos.  It was so nice to slow down the morning and get some healthy food in us.

Then the wrapping paper flew.  Monster high dolls, air soft guns, stuffed animals, collections held in beautiful jars, games, puppets, jammie pants, and many more gifts filled our home.  We were so grateful for each and everyone and those who put so much thought and effort into our gifts.  

Thank you so much!  

Right before Christmas we had our van break down and it had to be repaired.  Needless to say our Christmas budget took a major hit.  I stressed the whole month that Christmas morning just wouldn't be the same without mountains of presents, but guess what... I learned what the Grinch learned long ago, Christmas doesn't come from a store.

Merry Christmas!   

Some New and Old Traditions

This year for Christmas eve we went to a PJ party at the Sacramento Zoo!  The admission was free and we decided to take advantage of it.  We all had a great time seeing the animals and picking our favorites.  I think we all loved the primates but the giraffes were cool too!

After the zoo we headed across the street to Fairytale Town a fun park (that was also free admission for Christmas Eve) geared towards kids 6 and under.  But we all had a great time.  It is mostly slides and things to climb on based on fairytales.  Griffin even showed off some sweet hula-hooping moves.

After all the fun in Sacramento we headed back home to get ready for fondue and then Santa.  

We missed all of our usual fondue friends from NH, but the food was still yummy.  This year one of my presents was a small chocolate fountain, it is the perfect size for our little family.  It was so fun eating and talking about our fun day.  

Then the kids opened their Christmas PJ's and we did a quick photoshoot, then off to bed for Santa to come.  

I love Christmas eve.

Gingerbread houses...Sweet!

The last day of school before winter break is gingerbread house day for the kindergartners at Elliot's school. The houses had already been pre-built by wonderful volunteers, and all the kid had to do was to decorate them.  There was sooo much candy and bottomless cups of frosting.  The kids all seemed to have a great time.  Elliot worked really hard at making her house beautiful.   

A few days later we were invited to our friends, the Rookers, traditional gingerbread house night.  They get together with their family each year and have soup, bread, and then make house.  Scott works hard at making all the gingerbread for the houses (no store bought for this crew, they are all expert bakers and cooks).

It was so fun, Our house was a group effort, each of the kids and Mike took a side, and I coordinated who's turn it was.  The finished house might not have been the cutest, but it still looked yummy to us.

This is our finished creation.  Caleigh worked on the roof, Griffin on the front, Elliot and Mike on the sides, and Miles on the back.  Miles and Griffin even made cars for our house. So cute!