Birthday Hike

This past weekend I celebrated my 32nd birthday by taking a eight mile hike with Jeremy in the mountains right behind our neighborhood.  With our opposite work schedules and my class at night we don't get to see eachother that much.  My birthday wish was to be able to spend a whole day with him so he took the day off from work and the kiddos headed over to Nani and Poppi's for the day and night.  Jeremy and I had so much fun together and spending time with him was the perfect birthday gift.

Halfway point!

Hiking partners!  I love hiking and wish we could do it more often. 

My meditation pose.  It was so peaceful and beautiful at this point.  

Jeremy's meditation pose...LOL!

We celebrated my birthday at my favorite restaurant on Monday night.

Pumpkin Picking in Wilcox

After apple picking we headed over to the pumpkin patch.  It was opening weekend and the kids loved being able to pick their pumpkin and cut it from the vine.  They also enjoyed the hayride and the corn pit.  Such a fun day!

We told the kids to make silly faces. 

The girls on the tractor.  Jackie and I made these dresses for the girls a year ago and when we met that morning both girls had them on. :)

Jamie's favorite part of the day.  The big corn kernel pit.

1,2,3, JUMP!!!!

Going on a hayride out to the pumpkin patch.

Pumpkin patch....so pretty!

Trying to decide which pumpkin to pick.

Jordan cutting her's.

Perfect size!

Jamie found one too.

The family...xoxo

Most places you'd end a day at the apple farm and pumpkin patch with hot apple cider but in AZ you end with a snow cone! :)

Apple Picking in Wilcox

This past Saturday we took the kids to Apple Annie's in Wilcox, AZ.  It's about a three hour drive from where we live.  Our dear friends, The Picchi Family, joined us for the adventure.  We had SO much fun!!  The weather was perfect and the kids loved picking apples and riding in the wagon.  This is something we will do every year!

The daddy's pulling the kids.

Daddy showing Jamie how to use the apple picker.

Very focused as he picks his apple.

Sheer determination here.  She wanted to pick her apple all by herself!

Sweet success! 

Happy family!

Brother and sister love.  

Jordan decided it was a lot more fun if Mommy would lift her up to pick the apples. Needless to say my arms were pretty sore after we were done. :)

How Jordan started the day. We left pretty early so we could arrive when the farm opened.

Best friends having a delicious breakfast....pancakes with apple cider syrup!  

How the kids preferred to get around on the farm.  I think this also had something to do with my sore arms. 

New Activities for Jamie

This fall Jamie decided to try out Tball instead of playing soccer again.  We found a local league and one of Jamie's best buddies, Wyatt, is on his team.  He has practice once a week and a game every Saturday.  He really likes tball and loves running around the bases.  His other new activity he loves is Legos.  Every night Jeremy and Jamie sit on the ground for a few hours and play together.  I think it's their favorite time of the day for both of them! :)

Pre-game pose!

The D'Backs

Playing catch before the game. Jamie is throwing the ball.

Fielding ground balls.

He loves looking through the lego brochures and deciding what he's going to make next with Daddy.

Lego buddies!

Back To School!

The kids went start school a few weeks ago.  Growing up I was used to starting school the week after Labor Day but in Arizona schools begin in August.  Jamie is attending Our Lady of Guadalupe Academy and is going five days a week in the mornings.  He loves his new school and has adjusted to his new schedule very well.  His best buddy, John Stephen, is also in his class.  I really like the faith aspect of his school schedule and that he is starting to have a deeper understanding of God.  Our family is not a religious family but rather a spiritual one and I look forward to seeing both kids develop their own relationship with God over the years.  Jordan is going to an in home preschool two days a week.  Her best friend, Giada, is in her class and this has helped her with adjusting to leaving mommy....seeing a friend in the classroom.  So far she is doing great and loves all the arts and crafts they are doing in class.

I also began school and have class two nights a week.  I'm taking my science classes now so it's a lot more intense this semester.  Between work, school, and the family,  life is super busy but I know it will all be worth it in the end when I finally become a nurse.  I just keep reminding myself of this quote, "Anything worthwhile is not easy."  The positive side of being so busy is I'm super productive with my time and I make sure I get all my studying done in the wee hours of the morning or late at night so I can spend time with the kids during the day.  However, the real hero right now is Jeremy.  He is being so patient with me during this busy time and very supportive.  I would not be able to purse my goal if it weren't for him.

Last year of preschool!  This is his third year....one more year and he could get a degree! :)

His special shark backpack.  Thank goodness for Amazon!

Goodbye and good luck kiss from little sister.

The boys!  Best buddies and so handsome!

Praying before school begins.  

Jamie picked Chipotle for his special first day of school lunch. (Aunt Melanie would be so proud!) We picked Jeremy up from work to join us.  Afterwards we went to Yogurtland which is a very special treat for the kiddos.

Pumpkin's First Day of Preschool!

Big girl in her favorite color.....purple!

Saying goodbye to Joey.  Her backpack choice was Toy Story....big surprise!

Poppi taking her for her first day.  I couldn't do it.  I was afraid she'd be super clingy and I was afraid I might not let go of her and instead turn around and come back home. It is a bittersweet moment when you send your baby to preschool for the first time.

The girls.....such cuties!

Successful first few days of school!  This was their expressions when I asked them about it. 

Goodbye Summer!

The summer came to an end last week with school starting for both Jamie and myself.  Last weekend we went on a family staycation and stayed at The Westin in Scottsdale.  This place is perfect for families!  They have an amazing swimming pool with a lazy river and a water slide.  They also had a splash pad and the resort offered several activities throughout the day for the kids to participate in. Jamie was able to get a special tour of the hotel's kitchen and bake chocolate chip cookies with the chef! They also had an area to play with remote control cars and trucks....this was Jamie's and Jeremy's favorite place to go.  Jordan and I enjoyed the swimming pool and walking around on the property.  It was a wonderful way to spend time together without any outside distractions before the busy school year began.  We look forward to doing this again next summer!

The kids discussing their plans for the weekend.  They decided swimming, swimming and more swimming!

Daddy's Girl!

Jamie is five years old and this is the FIRST time he has ever made Smores.  We are not a camping family at all so I thought it was very appropriate our son was experiencing this at The Westin Resort vs. at a camp fire. 

He was worried about his marshmallow getting too hot.

First bite.....

First bite...I love how she's looking over at big brother to see what he thinks about it.

No thanks....he just took the chocolate piece out and ate that.  He thought the smores were "to messy, mamma."

Pillow fight time!!!!!!!!

I'm going to get you daddy!

This is his expression after I asked him if he had fun baking chocolate chip cookies.  Btw...this is his all time favorite dessert. 

Ready to swim.!  Both of their favorite activities.

Lazy river time. 

Mr. Cool with his remote control truck.

Jordan preferred to shoot some hoops while the boys played with the cars.

My babies!!!

Daddy's boy!

The kids special treat each night.

Mommy and Daddy's special treat each night. :)

The family......

We were outside on the patio, listening to music and the kids were telling eachother stories.  So cute.

Playing in the pool with the kiddos.

The hotel was very big so Jamie loved being our tour guide each night to our room.  Here he is directing us.

Jamie giving me the thumbs up sign for a great weekend.....Jordan is trying to figure out which finger to put up. LOL!