Juggling it all...

But definitely one of our sweetest ones yet! It was almost off to a rocky start. Luckily "Santa" had just barely finished wrapping presents and setting them under the tree when at 11:50pm on Christmas Eve little Miss Sammy walks into our room and scares us to death. We were nearly caught red handed, but luckily we were just finishing up on wrapping presents for friends and family. However, she was so disappointed to have just missed Santa (wink, wink... and our hearts are still pounding at this time because we knew we just dodge a HUGE bullet). Apparently she had be trying so hard to stay awake to hear the reindeer on our roof... how sweet is that!! So after a big glass of water and one midnight trip to the bathroom she was back in slumber land. Only now when she woke in the morning there was no big present reveal... it was more like... yeah, I saw all that last night, no biggie. What a little stinker! Of course... of all the $$ presents the kids received this year... i

Miss Sammy had her 2nd dance recital with Miss Annie's dance class. I was beaming ear to ear watching her dance her heart out. She was absolutely beautiful, graceful and completely poised. I'm so glad she enjoys dance class and can't wait to start up the next session.

That's right... breaking news... Miss Samantha is 2-wheel bike rider! Adios training wheels, hello freedom! So it all started almost 2 years ago on her 4th birthday; thanks to my GREAT dad, Sam had her very first bike! This year in trying to pry from her what she wanted Santa to bring her, she promptly announced she want a new bike. Well the Mr. and I stopped dead in our tracks. Wa-wa-wa-what??? Of course being very curious as to why she would want a new bike since she hardly rides her current bike, she so matter-of-factly replied (in a very even, calm tone) "I want a bike with 2 wheels." The biggest smiles came across our face, for we knew we just saved ourselves $$ and because this was it... the time to teach her that training wheels come off and VIOLA! new bike. And so, with that the big guy took her outside and began the series of 2-wheel bike lessons; which were beyond hilarious. Mostly because Sam understood every concept and with every lesson you could see the

That's right... happy birthday to big pappa and lil' mama!! So maybe it's about week before, but neither of us could wait for our gifts... this is what we treated the other to for this year's gifts. Scott now has his much coveted mountain bike, however his is of the craigslist variety... as shown in the picture here, just not as sparkly and new (and not as much $$$). I am now the proud mom of a new little iPhone... isn't she darling.  Weighing in at a hefty 4.7 oz and 4.5" tall... this new little bundle of joy has finally arrived and completes our family.  But on a serious note, having only had this now for 48 hours I simply don't know how I ever managed without it... I already feel so much more on the ball and organized.  Who knew this is all it would take.

Last week we went to dinner and a concert with our rock star friends... Jim and Jamie.  We had such a great time... we were literally laughing hysterically from the second we got to their house to the minute we parted ways at 12:30am.  Just a quick snapshot before we got the party started... only because I was rockin' a fantastic hairdo... And then some of the most amazing beatboxing ever... Can you name that theme song??

So, while there are at least 15min. left on the clock for this Veteran's Day, I thought I'd do a quick post with some of today's pictures. At the very last second I decided to haul the kids to the annual downtown Mesa Veteran's Day parade... I know, what was I thinking, right???  Sam, the twins, and ME... I would be all alone, completely out numbered, but we ended up having a blast. Even though we arrived 30mins. after the parade started, we found the best parking spot (and yes my car was still there when we got back, and no I did not park in a handicap spot ;-) and we walked right up to an empty spot along the parade route, perfect for the kids to see all the action. It was such a great parade; so emotional.  Sam was full of questions about Veteran's and the army, etc; she's been learning a lot about Veteran's in school so this is probably why I got such a strong sense that I needed to take her to the parade today.  I am so glad I listened to that "lit

So for the first time in our married life we VOTED! Both of us voted in the first possible election we could once we turned 18, but since then neither of us ever made it back to the polls. This presidential race has been so amazing to follow, and while we are definitely ready for it to be all over with, we absolutely feel great that we have participated in this historical election. Look Mom, I'm voting... And of course the day would not be complete without the babies... they got in on the voting action as well... that is if you consider kicking and screaming and crying for more donuts is all part of it (which I'm 100% sure it is) then they absolutely casted their vote.

So another Halloween has come and gone and still the sugar high remains... Here's our little superhero... Spiderman Brody And our pretty, pretty princess... Miss Brooke The whole gang! This is Brooke with her head inside her bag trying to take it all in. And of course Mermaid Samantha  (side note, this was my first and last attempt at a home made costume... what was I thinking... I'm just not that crafty/creative enough for such a project) Sam finally shedding her super itchy wig...

So the Mr. and I took a little drive yesterday with the twiners out to Canyon Lake.  I was so beautiful and I'm sure glad I grabbed my camera at the last minute.  The day was so much fun but Samantha was definitely missed; we feel so guilty taking advantage of her being in school for most of the day, but if we didn't the babies would only know the inside walls of our home. A quick snap out my passenger window driving through the canyon. Lunch at Tortilla Flat - the cutest little "town" and restaurant.   (Dad, you remember this place from your last visit to AZ?) Every inch, every milimeter on the inside walls of the restaurant are covered in $1 bills that people have signed or doodled on.  It's quite amusing to read some and to see people's "artwork"... here are a few that were next to our table that I thought were funny... A couple of funny signs on the exterior of the restaurant...

Yep, you heard right... swimming in October !! Don't get me wrong the water was very cold, but for some reason when you're 2 and 5 years old water temperature is one of the few things that will stop you from swimming when mom & dad give you the 'OK, go ahead'. This is Samantha after her dad "gently" pushed her into the water... Brody with his strategically placed bucket...