Sophie turns 6

Sophie is 6 years old. She's such an amazing person at this young age. She comes up with the funniest things. It was a fun birthday weekend with family and friends. Chuck E Cheese, swimming and Top Golf. HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEET SOPHIE!! 

It's been awhile...

It's been awhile since Mom's been on the blog...lots has happened since my last post after Christmas. 

It is now July and we got a dog, Stacey. It took us a couple weeks to pick out a name. Jake & Sophie love her. We had lots of fun activities at school and tried ice skating for the first time, just to name a few. 

OUR Very own swimming pool

Another HOT summer here in Arizona...but this year we can bear it...because WE GOT A POOL!! 

It was so exciting to see it all come together but even better when we finally got to jump in. It's like our own private oasis. We spend lots of time out there, swimming, bbq'ing and cooling off! 

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                                                                  We are blessed!! 

Never again....

So, we had this bright idea that Jake & Sophie could go back to Albuquerque with Coco & Pa after Christmas. Dad & I had to work the Monday-Weds before New Years so the kids, finally agreed to go. Plus Pa & Coco were planning to come back through town on their way to Laughlin for the New Year. So, it was all good...and then they left. We thought FOR SURE the kids would turn back. It was more like, me & Dad wanted to run after their car. That whole first day they were gone, we were so sad. It was awful. Then, Sophie called me that night crying and all she could say was, "I want you Mom". I felt so helpless not being able to go get her. Jake was too cool. He would get on the phone and say, "Hi Mom, I'm ok".  3 days seemed like 3 months. On the drive out to Albuquerque, they got to play in the snow, which they were so happy about. But, driving back, a really bad snow storm hit Arizona and they drove right through it. They made it back safely, just in time to ring in the new year! I told Jake he can't leave again, until he's going to college. And, even then I might change my mind. 

THEY ARE Back.....

Dad was so happy to have his babies back

Fireworks in the rain.

Brrrr...

Night Vision Goggles

Sparklers 

Christmas Blessings

We had a very blessed Christmas. Surrounded by family, in our beautiful home, good food and warm hearts. And as always, Jake & Sophie were overwhelmed with gifts.

Doing some last minute shopping and Sophie had to take her picture by the giant candy cane in the parking lot. 

Who loves Pa? 

We were blessed to have Aunt Dinah and Nana Mona join us for Christmas. We ate a lot, laughed a lot and were so happy to share the holiday with them.

3 generations

Sophie & Nana Mona watching something on the Kindle

on the Polar Express...

Polar Express and Pajama day at school...then 2 weeks off for Christmas Break. Seems like yesterday we were putting Jake's polar express train together when he was in Kindergarten. Now, he's a big 2nd grader. He said he didn't want to wear jammie's because that was for babies...Good thing he did, because the entire school was in pajamas, even the 8th graders! They wore pajamas, watched Polar Express, did their gift exchange and ate lots of sweet treats and hot cocoa. 

Jake got photo bombed! 

The Polar Express parade

Sophie's FROZEN train car

So excited! 

Fa la la la....

 The school Christmas program was finally here... they had been practicing for months. And, Jake had a solo, speaking part. He was so nervous but he did great, nailed it!! He insisted on wearing on wearing a suit & tie. They both did great, their classes sang songs and we were so proud.

Handsome! 

our little Beauty

LOVE THEM!