Long time no post

Wow the holiday's threw me for a loop this year! Wasn't it just Christmas? Valentines Day is in a week and I have neglected this poor blog terribly.

We had a lovely Christmas celebration at our new house with my side of the family on December 19th. Emily was with her dad this year, so we partied early. The kiddos didn't mind at all! We had lots of munchies and the weather was great. The boys got to play some basketball and we soaked up the sunshine. Christmas Eve was the annual Bingham celebration. More yummy food & lots of relaxation time. I kind of liked not having to host or go anywhere Christmas Day. Sierra and Andon got to play, play, play and I was able to stay in my jammies.

Sierra learned how to ride her new bike without training wheels on Christmas Day. It took her all of 20 minutes to figure it out. What a rockstar. Andon got a train table from Santa and he and Mark are in a battle of wills over it. Andon takes it apart and says "Daddy fix?" daily it seems. I think we need to bust out the super glue.

January has brought an onslaught of sickness, really just the last 2 1/2 weeks. Stomach flu and colds all around. Poor Sierra got sent home from school again this past Thursday. I took her in on Saturday and she has some meds now for her ear and sinus infections. Totally different girl this morning. I just hope we can stay healthy. This time of year alway has be considering home schooling. Then I think about all the people in jail that Mark has to deal with and realize that I don't want to end up there for throttling my kids and send Sierra off to school. She needs the socialization and I need the break!!

February started off with Marks 38th birthday. Time to start planning that 40th soon. Ha! This past weekend the celebration continued along with a Super Bowl gathering. Looking ahead to the month we have soccer starting for Sierra and that will keep us BUSY. I am working lots of hours right now as our high schools are in the midst of state Soccer tournaments. Almost done and I can get back to part time.

I really hope I can start to keep up with this blog. I want it to me more of a quick what's going on rather than a novel like today.

Thankful

This year I'm thankful that my family was together for the holiday once again. I'm thankful to have a wonderful husband and 2 amazing children, they make my life whole. I'm thankful to have my health (colds don't count as bad health!). I'm thankful to have the most beautiful, inside and out, friends a girl could ask for. They lift me up when I need it and always have an ear & shoulder for me. I'm thankful to have a beautiful home and food in our bellies. I'm thankful we can give to others. I'm thankful to have been raised by 2 parents that balanced each other out just as Mark and I do. I know because of this Sierra and Andon will have a good upbringing. I'm thankful to have found faith in myself in who I am and who I will be.

October 31st

We had a fun Halloween this year. We carved pumpkins the night before. Andon had a good time throwing pumpkin seeds on the ground.

Halloween morning we got up and went to the Arizona State Fair with my dad, Mark's parents, brother & sister-in-law. We had such a great time going on rides and eating fair food.

This slide was Sierra's favorite. I think they went on it 4 times. We need one for the backyard!

Here are Sierra, Mark and my dad after the first little drop on the log ride.

And here they are after the big drop! Sierra may not look happy, but she wanted to do it again. I think she just didn't want photographic evidence.

After 5 1/2 hours of fun we headed home to relax and get ready to trick or treat. Sierra decided she wanted to be a butterfly princess this year. Mark wanted to pick out Andon's and bought him a Captain Kirk costume.

Seriously so sassy with the posing.

Andon could have cared less as long as he could have a sucker.

Happy Halloween!!

Fall Fun

We took the kids to the zoo last weekend. It was warmer than we had thought it would be so we decided to let the kids get wet. I don't think they minded wearing wet clothes the rest of the day.

Then Andon and I went to the Pumpkin Patch with my MOM's group while dad was at work and Sierra was in school.

The weather was beautiful. For a while. Now we are hitting 90 again and this does not make me happy. It's NOVEMBER!!

Our life in pictures

Birthday trucks and cupcake

Basketball with daddy

First day of 1st grade His new favorite thing!

Sprinkler fun!

First soccer game

Sierra is number 3

Rainy day puddles

Are you still there?

Does anyone still read this thing? Yet another 2 months has gone by without a single blog. I see it everyday and say to myself today's the day and it doesn't happen.

We are finally getting a taste of fall here in the Valley. It rained like crazy yesterday and I loved every minute of it. The kiddos played in the puddles while I made dinner. They were soaked and very smiley. I'll post some pictures of that as soon as I get them off the camera.

Sierra started soccer a couple of weeks ago. I think she loves it. She is not an aggressive girl so we were a little unsure she would do it. She is trying to decide if she wants to do soccer or cheerleading in January. I vote for soccer so we get our money's worth out of the cleats & shin guards!

Andon is speaking more and more. I love nap times! His favorite thing to say is "Apple, please." And of course "mama, mama, mama, mommy, mommy, mommy" just like that if I don't answer him right away. He does not appreciate it if I say Andon, Andon, Andon right back to him. Time out will be his BFF in the coming months. He has a temper. Not sure where he gets that from. :)

So fast

Andon is officially 2 years old. These past two years have gone so fast. Our little man came along at just the right time for mama. Having to take care of a newborn & Sierra was the right way, for me, to get through losing mom. He is obsessed with all things with wheels. Finally saying please when he wants something (usually suckers) and plays so well with his sister it is scary. I hope that lasts for a while. It rocks having them entertain each other sometimes.

Andon has acclimated to the new house. He has trucks all over the place. And wants to go "ow-side" ALL day. Not so fun in this heat! At his well check today he was 26.8 lbs and 35.5 inches. Just 1/2 an inch shorter than his sister was at two. I'm not sure how accurate that measurement is though. He was screaming, kicking and wiggling as they were trying to measure him. Not a fan of the pediatrician.

Summer has gone so fast as well. School starts next Monday. We meet Sierra's teacher on Thursday night. She is extremely nervous about starting at a new school with new kids. But, I think she would be almost as nervous going back to her old school. Dad took her shopping today for her much wanted messenger bag and shoes while Andon and I hit the doctor. They had much more fun than we did for sure!

We have been home for a week now and have zero regrets. Mark is getting the scorpion problem under control and I am finally cooking again. Almost all of the boxes are unpacked. That is simply amazing! We are a happy happy family to finally have some space to move in.