I bribed them with ice cream

I wanted to try and get some pics for our Christmas card this year (never mind the 3 boxes of generic cards I already bought from Wal-Mart). I think photo cards are the best.  Too bad I can't get my entire family together at one time to get a family photo card made.  Anyway, I took the three kids out to a field close by and got snap happy.

Oh how I dream of a real better camera. Maybe next Christmas.

I had to bribe the kids with Baskin Robbins. I said if they behave, do as I say, and pose like mad men, I would take them for a scoop of the sweet stuff.

I got what I needed, loaded the kiddos back in to the van and made our way towards BR. Even though, I love their Mint Chocolate Chip ice-cream, I wasn't in the mood for unloading and reloading my brood. I had an errand list a mile long. But I didn't want to go back on my offer. So, I did what any selfish mom would do.

Oh man, I am parched.

Perhaps they couldn't hear me over Bruno Mars blasting on the radio?!

I could use a cold one.

Still nothing.

They weren't getting my pointed hint. I had to come straight out with it.

Kids?! We should go to Chick-Fil-A instead of Baskin Robbins. I hear they have great shakes. And Nic, I can buy you an ice cream cone!

Moans and groans, really?!

I will throw in a sweet tea!

Cheer and applause!

Score for me! Who doesn't love sweet tea and a drive-thru?  Maybe Baskin Robbins should reconsider their strategy...

Without further lame stories about my thirst for delicious sweet tea adieu...

This is the photo I used for our Christmas card... In the background you can see (barely) Red Mountain and Usery Pass. Pretty.

And here are a few more I captured.

All in all, it was a quick and easy photo shoot.  I can't wait to get the kids out again, though! ;) We have some cool, old buildings out here that would serve as killer backdrops!

P.S. I really have to figure out this lighting thing... Do I really need to take pics when the sun is rising or setting?! I am in a constant fight with shadows. Maybe it's a mixture of the light, shadows, and my just okay camera?! /sigh. I see some photography classes in my future.

Over half of my life

Today is my 16th wedding anniversary...

Happy Anniversary to: my partner in crime, the man I adore [mi amore], my bacon bringer-home-er, my cuddle buddy, my true BFF, the dude who puts a smile on my face every single day, my massage therapist, the guy who makes sure I have oil and window cleaner fluid in my van, my own personal deejay, the sweetheart who loves me despite my flaws, the REAL DEAL.

Now, I just have to find a way to tell Marcos about us.

Of course, I am kidding. The only us is Marcos and me. =)
It's crazy to think... the husband and I have been together for more than half of my life. It's hard to remember a time before "us."

I was sitting across from him at dinner the other night - just watching him interact with the kids. And I SAW him. There are days, more often than not, that we co-exist. But, that other night, I stopped and really acknowledged him. He makes my gut tingle.

I am one blessed woman.

We will be going out for dinner tonight sans ninos... not sure where yet. Originally, we wanted to take a small trip somewhere... We never did get a honeymoon.  Because of all things December and our landscaper demanding money for services rendered, we have to put that off for a while. So, besides Googling and daydreaming about our impending tropical vacation somewhere in the next few months, I am going to enjoy all that today brings - starting with breakfast.

I did mention that the husband was my bacon bringer-home-er, right?

Have a marvelous day. I know I will!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  <3

EDITED TO ADD pics of what the husband surprised me with...

My heart is pitter-pattering.

Isa's Concert de Navidad & Nic's First Dance Class

Okay, they didn't really call it a concert de Navidad...I was just trying to impress you with my Spanglish skills.
Impressed?

This was my view for the first hour - I was stuck WAY in the back of the gym.

Seriously? Not just the antlers, but the book!?

lol.

There's Isa.

Do you see her?

Middle row, red flower in her hair.

The entire 6th grade.

This poor guy looked like he was crying the whole time.

Had to zoom lots to get this pic.

Ha! That's about the only kind of snowman we get here in Phoenix.

Isa after the concert.

They did a wonderful job singing Christmas Carols!

------

Here are two random pictures of Nic on his way to his first dance class from last Friday.

He's taking Hip Hop... and he was so very excited to go!

I got to watch from the lobby - we could see them on large TV monitors. I couldn't get any pictures. But they will have a recital in June, which I am sure I will be able to get some pictures then.

In the meantime, trust when I say he his absolutely adorable on the dance floor.

He must take after me.

Oh my aching sides...

They are working on the two houses on either side of our house... and making a HUGE mess on the sides of our house. [can i add any other sides or house's in that sentence?!?] First it was Styrofoam, and now it's stucco.

I am so tired of the construction - hurry up little construction peeps, hurry up!

- this post is brought to you by someone who is too lazy to get the camera out and share pictures of my aching sides.

        but - stay tuned, pictures of Isabel's Christmas concert will be posted soon!

WAIT - don't leave. I found a picture I can post - already on my BBerry...

I told you about our new puppy... but I haven't shared that we have her in house now.
Here she is - showing off all of her bits and pieces... (silly dog)...

She actually sleeps like this... and she SNORES. Who does that?!
We decided to definitely change her name... and after going round and round for days (okay, hours)... We decided to name her Ellis. The husband suggested it - and I loved it.  Unfortunately, Nic thinks we are saying Alice and keeps calling her Ellis and Wonderland. Oh that sweetie.

Anyway, world - meet Ellis.... Ellis meet the world.

=)

Party Animals

Yeah, that's right... We are a bunch of party animals...

And we had a lot to celebrate! Nic turned 4 and my sweet-as-pie nephew, Ben (aka Ben-G-Boy), is turning 6 on the 18th. So, my cousin Bri and I threw them a joint Pirate Party - complete with a Pirate Ship Pinata.

Here's our party in pictures:

Yep, that about sums it up!

Whew... 3 gatherings in a row; I am tired! Thankfully, I don't have much going on until Christmas Eve.

Until then, we have a ton of odds and ends to do around the house. Which is a good thing, as I have 3 weeks of vacation starting on the the 13th. What the heck would I do with myself for three looooonnnnggg weeks, if I didn't have chores?!

The Birthday Girl

Now it's MY turn.

And look what I am getting:

Her name is Pepa (we will be changing it)... She's a 8 month old Pit bull Mix. She was found wandering in the street. The people who took her in have tried for a month to find her owners. They finally got her shots, spayed, and then posted on Facebook that she was looking for a home. Somehow, my cousin saw it - reposted it as her status... and now I am one happy camper.

She's a little timid around us tall folk, but LOVED Nic. I think some super lovey dovey floor time will be just the thing she needs. She sure is pretty.  We need to decide on a name. She's only been called Pepa for a month... so I am sure it's gonna be fine. I thought Pippa? But, the family isn't crazy about it. I also offered up Honey, Hazel, Stella, and Sophie.  Any suggestions?! I like name, names. And it should flow with Milo (the other dog). So that when I yell for them, it works. Right?!

So.  34.

I wonder what this year will bring.  33 is my favorite number and turned out to be a really good year for us. Good stuff on the personal finance front, got my MBA, bought the house, didn't kill anyone. Yep, pretty good year.

There are a few things I want to focus on this year - you know, it being the year before I turn **THIRTY FIVE**.  I need more than a few hours sleep to think about that stuff, though.

On the docket for today... My family is taking me to see Tangled and then out to dinner!  Tomorrow is Nic's birthday party for our extended family; we should have some fun.

Sunday, I plan on never stepping foot outside of my bed. =)

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!!

The Birthday Boy

It's Nic's birthday. I love to torture him.

Just kidding! ;) It wasn't his turn today. We were waiting on big brother, Alex, to get his bottom braces on.
The ladies at our wonderful ortho office put a movie on for Nic and made sure he was super comfortable during our wait.

Hard to believe my little man is FOUR YEARS old!

Happy Birthday, baby Nico!