Our December: It's a wrap!

I’ve actually started multiple posts, but have never had the time or motivation to complete more than one thought at a time. We have been extremely busy this month. It’s been a rollercoaster with lots of ups and downs, but mostly ups! In total the girls opened presents 12 times. They are so fortunate to have so many people who love them so much. I just wish it was as much fun to give the girls money for college or classes than it is to give gifts ;o)

My big news is that I can now say I officially weigh 7 pounds less than I did when we moved here. I have been working out at least 5 days a week for an hour. I started taking a Power Cardio class and a Core Conditioning class that have been paying off, so I will keep up with them.

And look at this lovely (too early to be taking pictures mom!) picture of me making a main-dish salad during Christmas. We couldn't have asked for better weather!

Dave has been on vacation since the 23rd which has been really nice. He even got a call on one of his off days to find out he received a nice raise!

And While most are looking forward to 2011, I am just looking forward to Monday. It’s time to get off the rollercoaster that is December and back to routines and complete thoughts.

Happy New Year!

Candy Birthday Cake

Devils Food Cake with Cookies and Cream Mousse and Vanilla Buttercream
fondant accents, lollipops, and gumballs

Kayleigh is 6!

That's my SIX YEAR OLD girl. Loves wearing hats, dresses, short sleeves, pink, tight pants or leggings, and sparkles.

I guess her Dora backpack wasn't that cool anymore... Hello Kitty, Bratz dolls, and playing "teenager" is the new cool. Thank goodness she still likes to play silly with her parents, school with her sister, and animal doctor with her stuffed animals.
She has the best smile and vocabulary, which is starting to include more spanish. Other cool things about Kayleigh that I am proud of is how empathetic she is and all the different and healthy food she eats. She is very conscious of what is a healthy choice and usually chooses regular milk at school ;0)I love this little/big girl so very much!

Zoe's day

Happy Birthday to Zoe! On the 11th she turned 3 years old. We celebrated from sunrise to sunset. We started with presents, breakfast banana splits (Zoe's choice), a movie, lunch, playing, breakfast for dinner, and more playing.

Over the past few weeks I can tell Zoe truly turned 3. She has been playing more on her own- playing with the kitchen and her babies. She's a funny one too. She's more aggressive than the rest of us which makes us all laugh because it's so unexpected. And the coolest thing is that she is so good at recognizing letters and numbers. I guess it helps that she has an older sister :) I love you, Sweet Zoe Jane!

Chocolate-Peanut Butter Cake with Cream Cheese & Butterfinger Frosting

This year I had the pleasure of making my Grandma's birthday cake. Thanks mom for hiring me- I loved to be able to do this!

This cake was a little time consuming, but so worth it. Each component was amazing. The peanut butter cake was tasty, the chocolate/peanut butter ganache was delicous on it's own, and the cream cheese frosting wasn't too sweet and it was super fluffly. It will be my always recipe for cream cheese frosting.

Thank you Bon Appetit for an amazing recipe.

Our Holiday Weekend

Last weekend we took my Grandparents to "Mooey Christmas" in Mesa. Zoe sat with Santa- she was very excited. It was worth the $10! Kayleigh was afraid so she played in the "snow" instead. The "snow" was a huge pile of cotton seed. Both girls loved it.

Ha! It looks like it's snowing here.... my camera is really dirty!

Of course both girls loved the petting zoo. I was more afraid of the animals than there were.

After the hay-ride we made and ate s'mores.. yumm On Sunday Dave and the girls spent the afternoon outside and hung lights.

This is our tree this year. Our place is too small for the large one, so this will have to do. I think it's cute.

Last weekend was Holiday themed, this weekend will be Birthday themed as well as next weekend, then another Holiday... Crazy!!

play

Whoa! I haven't been here in a while... We've been busy. The day goes by so fast! School, gym, lunch, nap, school, homework or a playdate, dinner, free time, and bed. It's pretty much the same everyday... Except days we run errands or weekends :)

Above is Zoe giving the Littlest Pet Shops a bath.

The girls playing restaurant.

Dress up has been popular on the weekends.