Call me Crazy

One of my favorite days of the school year...crazy hair day.

We love Sula!

Matt (Spencer's older brother), Jen and their little 15 month old Sula came and stayed with us for a bit this weekend and the kids were more excited than ever. I felt bad b/c my kids were so excited I don't think Matt, Jen or Sula could even hear any of our adult conversations, but we were grateful for the fun visit. Uncle Matt spent the majority of the time throwing the kids in the air, playing rock/paper/scissors, and doing LOTS of wrestling.

(I should mention that this is a picture of the kids wrestling with U. Matt, not spencer! They look so much alike that multiple people at Kiara's basketball game mistook Matt for Spencer. From the haircut, glasses and facial hair they could almost be twins!)

Meet Sula... seriously is there a cuter baby anywhere? I pretty much begged them to leave her with me for longer. She is as yummy as she looks. Wish they lived closer!!

Kiddie pictures and Daddy Daughter Ball

Our cute valentine cards this year (copied idea from my super creative friend Becky), printed these at walgreens with heart borders and poked a small hole in where his hand is and put a sucker in. Turned out SOO cute. Thanks Becky!

Daddy daughter ball. Required special hair prep, and fancy dresses, corsages and all. The girls went out on the town with Dad, Uncle Derek, Boppa and their cousins. Spencer didn't take any pictures of the actual event (grrr...but he was too busy dancing the Macarena with the girls so he is forgiven!) so we will settle with some hair prep photos. ha!

Randomness

I usually only get to practice with the little kids b/c the big kids are in school all day. But, we are having surprisingly beautiful sunny afternoons this week so I got some of Levi.
Since we aren't cake fans at this house, and Spencer has a serious love for ice cream, we tried a sinfully good ice cream cake. Titled "banana split ice cream cake". I am playing Game On! so I didn't get to try it, but i heard rave reviews.

Happy Birthday Emma!

Bball and Girl Scout Cookies

We started off the winter season of craziness. Three kids in basketball makes for a long Saturday! Spencer is either coaching or assistant coaching all of them too. Busy busy. But, I am grateful for more opportunities to practice taking different pictures!!

Kiara is in Girl Scouts and has to sell the infamous Girl Scout cookies. Only problem is, she wants the prizes and all the glory of selling lots of cookies, but she hates to actually do it (I do too!). Emma said in the car when Kiara was moaning about only having 7 boxes sold and how she wasn't even going to get any prizes: "I will wear your vest, and sell your cookies. I am not scared one bit!" So, she went to the basketball game, wearing Kiara's vest and sold......FORTY EIGHT BOXES! In less than an hour! She was 100% not afraid to ask anyone and everyone, and everyone was suckered into her cuteness. Now they are at almost 100 boxes, and we are officially one of the crazy Girl Scout sellers around here. Heaven forbid.

Levi is super aggressive when he plays basketball. If there is a jump ball, he ALWAYS comes out with it. And everyone better watch out!



Even the scorekeeper on the other side of the court was not exempt to the prowling saleswoman. Love that girl!!

Godfather and New Years

We decided to start a new tradition this year, we had an Italian food night and watched The Godfather (I should add here that the DVD's are edited, in case anyone was worried :)) until midnight. We added some fondue at the end for treats during games too. Over Christmas break we went to central oregon for some Christmasy snow and fun. Such a fun Christmas break, i almost don't want it to end (provided Spencer stays home too of course!)

My cute SIL and my cute Mom.

Ringing in the new year with some bubbly.

Authentic Italian Soda (sanpellegrino limonata y aranciata), the kids thought they were in heaven (some of the adults did too!)
The salad might have been my favorite part of the meal. It was so yummy!
Bruschetta, yumm-o.
My dad was not a little proud of his manicotti. He cooks probably twice a year (at the most), and takes great pride in his creations. This particular one took him several hours to prepare. So cute.
Insalada caprese. My personal favorite italian dish ever.
The chalet. We got 4 inches of snow and it was a little bit of Christmas heaven.
I came home from our trip and New Years festivities with a need to run (went over 6 miles, though it didn't put a dent into my holiday damage I am sure), and a need to CLEAN. Got all of my Christmas stuff put away, went a little nuts reorganizing and purging through our house and even went so crazy as to recover all my dining room chairs. I need order in my life NOW!!! I did enjoy the Christmas chill while it lasted though....