Last week

Just when I thought I was getting back in the groove, wham, my Internet stops working. Of course it's a fairly easy fix but as you know it's not fairly easy to get someone out here to fix it! Needless to say I am back up and running and thankful to be back in touch with the rest of the world.

To recap the week it was business as usual...school, dance, playgroups, tutus, Snow White, Wonder Woman and Monster Jam. Yep, you heard me right, Monster Jam. Don't get me wrong Kendal is completely into her pretty princess phase but she also loves monster trucks, cars and trains. It's a great balance and she always keeps us entertained, she is such a character. A few of our friends were taking their kids to Monster Jam so of course we thought Kendal would appreciate it (since she asks to watch this and bull riding on TV). Well, that was an understatement, she LOVED it! She told me all morning about it and she even said that Batman couldn't be my favorite because it was hers (his truck shoots out fire). I am seeing a tradition developing...

The big event

The kids. They took the train to the arena and back so it was a good time all the way around, apparently they all had their monster trucks with them. I am proud to say that Kendal was the only girl.

Rock on. Daddy is trying to make Kendal tough before the big event (she doesn't look so sure about it). I think we need to work on this sign for next time.

He didn't go but he got to hang out with mommy and friends instead. Don't worry Beck, next year you will be there too.

My parents also came up for a day. The won't be able to make it to Kendal's 3rd Birthday so they brought presents and we celebrated before the big day.

Funny, this picture was taken 30 mins before she left for the monster trucks.

Grammie and Grandpa got her an art easel. Not only does she love it because it's fun but it's also great use of her imagination and creativity...great present (that's a road that she's drawn).

Very busy

Another day at school

Back in business

Brian and I had a birthday party to go to this weekend so we thought the time has come for Beckett and Kendal to have a babysitter. We decided to leave our 14-year-old sitter in charge, (why not the first time she babysat she never changed a diaper but what the heck she's come a long way baby) and things turned out great. I am excited to finally get back a Friday/Saturday night every now and again.

Brian and I going to our party (he was thrilled I made him take the picture).

A few partygoers and sadly no kerokee for us (however I am a much better back up dancer).

Rusty enjoying Kendal's Hello Kitty house.

One spoon just isn't enough when it's time to eat.

Kendal's Curtsey

This is what we're paying for at Dance class.

This week

I can't believe tomorrow is Friday, wow, another week gone. Here are a few highlights...

Grammie and Grandpa flew into Phoenix late Tuesday night so they stayed the night. Grammie got to shuttle the kids around with my while Kendal went to school and dance.

Beckett enjoying his jumper.

Who wouldn't want to wear this to the gym? I made her put the tights and closed toed shoes on (she chose the sparkly princess ones).

Becks going for a ride on Harley.

Martin Luther King Day

Actually MLK Day has nothing to do with these photos but thought I post a few from today. Kendal was being her usual character and Beck, just as sweet as ever.

Kendal has a new favorite game (It's more or less Hide and Seek) basically she goes somewhere in the house and says, "where's Kendal?" Tonight she came downstairs with this on her head....where's Kendal???

Earlier this afternoon I noticed it was really quiet in the house so I peeked around the corner and Kendal was under the table with Rusty, not exactly sure what the conversation was but I bet it was important.

Today the pretty princess dress got traded in for a sparkly top!


Kendal took these pictures after of course I kept taking her picture. Beck enjoying his rice cereal, just wait til he's able to eat the real deal.

Again, K is the photographer

Weekend

What a weekend full of fun! Friday I took the kids to see Disney on Ice. They had great costuming from the movies, The Lion King, The Little Mermaid, Cars and Tinkerbell but I think Kendal's favorite part was Cars (she thought it was pretty funny when Tow Mater was going backwards on the ice). She also keeps telling me she looks like Ariel from The Little Mermaid, I have no idea why she thinks she does?!

We had not one but two birthday parties to go to. We started out at Reagan's first birthday and then hit Gretchen's princess party. Kendal had a ball and after it was all said and done Brian and I looked at each other and thought we had been gone 8 hours, it was 3 1/2 and we were exhausted - it's tough keeping up with those kids!

Kendal outside the princess party. We arrived just in time for cake, Cinderella and the bounce house!

Cinderella read a story and took pictures with the kids. It's funny but not one boy sat and listened, just the girls!!!

So there is one boy in the picture but he just showed up to say cheese.

The spectator happily watching everyone.

Birthday girl Reagan and big brother Riley.

The only time the kids sat (well this is only part of them), to eat cake.

Guess who found his feet...

You're wearing that dress again?!?!?!

Getting ready for Disney on Ice

Tired eater

I didn't really believe that kids could fall asleep at the table (maybe it's because Kendal doesn't eat or sleep) until Beckett actually started too.

Silly

A friend of ours gave us a Tonka building set. As you can see Kendal loved the hat and the tow truck that makes LOUD sirens (now I know why she got rid of it, LOL).

He was all smiles here but cried the entire time at the gym!

Back to life...back to reality

Our only family picture (good thing because I barely remember Brian being on the trip). I'm pretty sure that's not the Moby wrap way but it worked and Beck was content. Notice the one glove, this was early in the trip but he definitely only came home with one glove.

Yes we are back and yes it has taken me 6 days to post something. I think I have finally adjusted to the Arizona time zone and for the most part the kids have too but geez this 5:00AM business is getting old...thank God for Starbucks!!! We had a wonderful time in Spain. Luckily we all made it there and only did my parents, kids and I arrive a day later than expected. We met Uncle Jeff, Aunt Lala and Brian in Malaga and drove to Ronda, Sevilla, Merida, Cordoba & Madrid. Spain is beautiful and a much different tour this time around (since the last time it was my friend and I who backpacked there for a couple weeks in college). Taking the kids was awesome but as those of you who have/had kids know that plans never seems to go as planned. Basically it takes you twice as long to get anywhere and when you do get there you go twice as fast. I swear we went to one palace, waited in line for 30+ minutes at our scheduled tour time and the minute we get inside Kendal says, "I have to go to the bathroom" (of course she didn't have to go the first time I asked her as we waited in line). Now these palaces do not exactly have bathrooms available for the public so I have to pretty much run through the entire palace to get to the end to go back to the beginning where there was 1 bathroom for the entire grounds all without an accident on the way. I have absolutely no idea what was in that palace (since you can only go in one time) but the pictures were beautiful and everyone else seemed to have enjoyed it. I have to laugh when I look back because the entire trip was filled with moments like these but of course that's life with kids and it would be waaay too boring without them!

One final note...my parents were AMAZING!!! They took the nightmare flight there and back with me and the kids and they kept Beckett every night in their room so the kids wouldn't wake each other up (that means getting up 1-2 times at night to feed him). They fully deserve the nickname as surrogates parents to Kendal and Beckett and I'm sure they need a vacation from the vacation.

Here's just a taste of the pics, it was late when I was adding them last night so who knows what you'll get.


Kendal is holding up her presents from the 3 Kings. In Spain children don't get presents (or if they do it's just a few) from Santa but they get them from the 3 Kings and this happens on January 6th, the day we left.

An amazing church in Cordoba. The architecture and paintings had influences from the Romans, the Christians and the Muslims, I have never seen anything quite like it.


While not attending to Kendal this was pretty much how we rolled.

Roman Aqua ducks (still completely in tact)

The carriage ride in Cordoba...of course we had to do this!

Flamingo dancing (they sure like those polkadots).

New Years night, Jeff's new friends. Me, some random people, Jeff and Lara.

Daddy, Beckett, Kendal and Grandpa. Again, 1 glove.

Daddy and a very tired Kendal. Uncle Jeff and Aunt Lala in the background.

The bellmen (stripes required).