Easter Eggs

It's become a tradition that each year we get together with the Douheret's and dye our Easter eggs. This year we did a TON, thanks to Mark continuously boiling more and more. Thankfully, us adults have as much fun dying them as the kids. Egg dying has come a long way from when we were kids. You can take a wax crayon to them, tatoo them, glitter them, tye dye them or even make then look like Sponge Bob. Gone are the days of simple food coloring.

Blackjack

A few weeks ago Mark had some time off, which is a rarity these days, so what better way than to spend it than with good friends and a friendly game of Blackjack. We decided to make it fun and have everyone wear hats. The only one I could come up with was Peyton's beanie, but, it worked. We also each take turns dealing so with that comes the "official" dealer's visor. A Hot Commodity.

Jen and Christophe taking that scary shot! Eeekkk

Danielle was the big winner of the night! We'll get you next time Halloway.

Our group shot. Good times!

The Happiest Place on Earth

Disneyland! We finally felt Drew was old enough to enjoy it and she totally did. She loved It's a Small World, hated the Snow White ride and was head over heels to see Tink. Did anyone ever realize how dark the Snow White ride is and how they never show Snow White until the very end? Peyton was big enough to ride Indiana Jones and that was his first time on big kid ride. I think it may be a while before he does it again. It rained a bit during the day which was perfect because it meant an empty park, no lines and a happy family. It doesn't get any better than that. By the way, yes, we are the dorky family that gets decked out in the Mickey gear to visit the happiest place on earth.

Drew meeting Rosetta and Tink. They both had to feel her hair. Drew wanted them to know how old she was.

A pic before the Tea Cups and After.....

2 tuckered out kids. What a fun day.

Drew's Off to Preschool

The time finally came. Drew wanted to go to school. She was ready but I didn't know how to let go of the comfort of Desiree. Desiree came into our lives 7 years ago. One afternoon when I was pregnant with Peyton, she opened her door to us as we stopped by to interview her. Only, when we left we felt she was interviewing us. We loved that about her. She took Peyton into her home and she loved him, cared for him and cared for us as a family. I could call her with any motherly question and she always had an answer. Many times she would diagnose Peyton with an illness and I'd smile and say okay but 2 days later I'd be at the pediatrician and sure enough, Desiree was spot on.

Then came Drew. I never looked back with her because I knew what good hands she was in. I didn't cry dropping her off at daycare the way I did Peyton. I didn't have too. Desiree was family now. But then Drew got a taste of preschool and she was smitten. She loved it. Of course all kids grow up and eventually go to school but it's hard to say goodbye to someone that you've cared so dearly about. Someone who was not only a second mother to my kids but to Mark and I as well.

Desiree, thank you for all that you did for us. We love you and could never thank you enough. I wish I had a picture of you and both kids but I know how much you hate goodbyes and we were never able to get one. We love you.

Peyton Turns 7

This adorable green eyed boy turned 7 on us. Each year they get older gets harder for me to grasp how fast time flies. For the 3rd year in a row Peyton chose to have a bowling party. This year an Army themed. I'm perfectly happy that he choses this because it's so easy! We had 5 of his friends and they had a blast.

Lots of green icing makes for lots of green teeth.

A huge hit. The skateboard from Uncle Randy and Katie

Army Drew

Uncle Randy and Drew

Student of the Month

Back in September Peyton had his first awards assembly and saw that there was a Student of the Month. He couldn't believe the certificates and nick nacks the kids got if they got that award. From that point on he made it a goal to get Student of the Month. As each month passed he'd just try harder rather than getting discouraged he didn't get it. I loved his determination. This was his month and in his own words, he couldn't be more proud. Not only did he get the famous bumper sticker but he also got a key chain, a free pizza and a school pennant. His hard work paid off.

Baby Shower

My cousin Connie moved into gorgeous new house about a year ago. Sadly it's taken me that long to see but Saturday the kids and I drove down and spent the whole day. We went to a baby shower for another cousin then back to her palace to relax and watch the kids run around.

At the shower they had a table set up with a lot of t-shirts, onesies and iron on's. We were able to customize something for the baby which I think it such a cool idea. My cousin sings in a band so I had to go with the saying I usually yelled whenever we'd watch him play. This way, whenever the baby wore the onesie, they'd always know who made it.

Jackalope Ranch

We made our way to Jackalope Ranch to see Mark and to check out the place. I brought my camara thinking I'd snap a few shots but it was a little crazy and eye opening to see what exactly Mark was always talking about. Of course, when your daughter excitedly screams "DAD!" from across the restaurant it doesn't make for a relaxing time. The place is huge, beautiful, has an awesome patio and the best happy hour prices. That being said, on a gorgeous day like yesterday, it's jammed packed and easy to see why he's so exhausted. It's only been open a week but hopefully everyone has a good enough experience to come back again.

Christmas morning

Finally! The best gift was his long awaited Nintendo DS. This made his Christmas the best.

Drew and her kitchen that Santa brought but seemed to think Uncle Randy gave it too her.

Santa put princess make up in her stocking. She couldn't wait to put it on.

A few of the games for the DS that we now can't seem to get him to turn off.

Christmas Eve 2008

I'm very behind on posting pictures but I figure better late than never. Christmas Eve was one of the best yet. Drew completly caught on to Santa and Peyton's was literally bursting with excitement. Through the night we had friends and family stop in and out and it made for a relaxing Christmas. Drew is pretending to sleep so she doesn't have to take a picture.

One of Uncle Randys gift. A life size Dora that scares me when I walk into her room at night it's standing up against the wall. Drew seems to love it though.

Before bed, the cookies are set out for Santa but we can't forget the reindeer. They need their strength for the treck around the world, so carrots and hay are set out.

One of the fun thing this year was tracking Santa online. Theres a website that shows each of his stops, how long he'll be there and where he's going next. Once Peyton saw Santa hit Arizona it was

chaos. I've never seen a kid have such anxiety and have a need to go to bed. He didn't think he'd get to sleep fast enough. It was funny and cute. I'm hoping it lasts for a few more years.