Bella 8 mo.

Clapping,  "dadadada",  shaking her head and rolling over...is she cute?...I think so.


Xoxo, Tricia

The lion

Seriously...she's good!


Xoxo, Tricia

Artist in the making

My sweet allisandria has become quite the artist.  She began by drawing circles then that turned into attempting triangle s, then that turned into adding eyes.  Now she draws full faces with eyes, ears, mouth and nose.  She even draws fish, and monkey s, tries lions and does squiggly lines for the mane.  She is amazing me every day as she adds little details here and there. I remember drawing bicycles for my niece when she was too in her little doodle pad. She too then started drawing them. Now I am doing it with Pia. I wonder if she will become a sketch artist like myself. ..this makes me want to sit down with her more and draw. Tonight she even actually colored the eyes and mouth of a ghost I dew her....inside the lines....oh the little things that make us proud to know our children are developing. Good job Pia!


Xoxo, Tricia

Mac Donald Pumpkin Patch

Today was a great day...can you see why?I love being a mom, when I can do these fun things...It is so magical when you see your kids face light up with happiness and excitement...makes all the hard stuff soooo worth it!

She wasn't loving the hay at first...it itched...I didn't even think about that...next time we are wearing jeans!

Our horse, "PJ" was rockin. She wanted the black one. She didn't hesitate one bit to get up on that pony! She was "Yee Haw"in and "Giddyup"in and singing "riding the range" from backyardigains! Oh that sweet little girl.

The crew: Tommy, Colin, Ada, Allisandria and Bobby. These kids are such good pals!

What a fun little adventure, down the freeway and thru the cactus to this sweet little pumpkin patch we go. For $7 you get unlimited hayride, horse rides, gunny sack races, horse shoe games, and more. Plus if you brought canned food you got a $1 off! Awesome!!!

I have never been to a pumpkin patch before..that I can remember...sorry mom and dad if you took me...I just don't remember. So this experience was one that i have been wanting to do as my child has come to a more understanding of Holidays this past year. My sweet friends invited me along for the ride...and it was a great one.

This was a workin ranch. Petting zoo, little western town....the people even totally sounded like true cowboys and cowgirls. I loooved every second.

Dave wasn't able to make it with us this time...but because it was so cheap....we are coming again this week or next, and getting pumpkins to take home and to take pictures of the rest of the stuff we didn't have a chance to do! Love this little place!!!

The park is back

With the weather finally dropping, we have found ourselves back at the park!   Oh it is so nice...still a little warm out but at least it is barable for a couple hours without the sweat.  We have been a few times in the past week.  Allisandria never forgot about the swings...she remembered them as soon as we pulled up.  She loves to "go so high".  I just need to teach her how to pump her legs now.
Bella is quite content sitting in the stroller chewing on her toys.  She hollers every now and then for a little attention but I think she really likes to get out in the fresh air too!  I loooove seeing the perfect smile on Pia's face when she is having so much fun...I am so glad that weather permits.  It is getting so beautiful out.  We even open the windows at night and in the mornings!  Now I can take the dogs on walks without them burning their paws.  Awesome!


Xoxo, Tricia

Pias new haircut

Sooo cute right?


Xoxo, Tricia

Feeding time

The only time she really fusses is when she is really hungry and really tired.  Even then it isn't that bad, just a few screams here and there.  But this time I wanted it on video of what she does when she sees the bottle coming.  She lays herself down on the pillow to take the bottle.


Xoxo, Tricia

Good Things to remember

1. Bella-now getting her top front teeth...8 months old...crap my baby is growing up
2. Bella- Rolling over from back to tummy, but did go back to her back yesturday...8mo. (Allisandria was crawling already...)
3. Allisandria, as you all know, loves my girlfriends. She recently asked me this:
"Mommy go doctor."
me- "Why? I don't need to go to the Dr."
Pia- "Mommy go to the doctor, I go to Marideth's house."

She loves Marideth so much she wishes I had to go to the Dr. so she could babysit...Appearantly Marideth doesn't know the word "NO" at her house...her cupboards are fully stocked.

Todays storm...awesome!

Got some awesome footage...sorry the sound is kindy of crackily.


Xoxo, Tricia

It's Wet

We saw this rainbow appear right before our eyes. I dont' think I ever have seen a rainbow so bright. Usually I catch in on it's way out. I was really excited. unfortunately the camera didn't quite catch its brightness.

There is nothing like an Arizona Rain Storm. Definately a piece of art and something pretty to look at instead of the blue skies all the time (which I really love to wake up to 99% of the time)

He ventured out about 2 feet...came right back in the garage.

They are not quite sure of what to think of the rain. I kept their leeshes off cause I knew they wouldn't venture alone out in the rain.

Bo just stuck his neck as far out as he could with out getting wet to take a little sniff of the wet stuff. Little does he know that the chances of ust living in the NW again are pretty high...

"It's wet"

I wish I could say that I just love the rain, in all reality I don't. Growing up in the NW kind of tainted that for me. Luckily though, living AZ has restored the beauty in a rainy day. Yesturday started out cooler..only got to the mid 90's, by the after noon around 4 pm the skies were blackened with with low, rainfilled clouds. Then suddenly, like someone dumped gallons of water from my roof to the ground, it started raining,,,which lead to thunder and lightening. Allisandria instantly knew that it was time...time to go outside and enjoy the show. This is what we captured.

Testimony

Yep...my Man

My Sweet Family

look at the Anabella...the best face ever!

Today I reflected...alot.

Today I watched Allisandria dressup in her flower head band, accessories from head to toe, dress-up shoes, purse, and her "car keys". Walking around saying, "K, bye...see you later!..I go work...and golfin." So much she has learned by watching us. She is such a little sponge. Dave was telling her as she was prancing around moving her hips, "Stay away from the boys."

"NO!" was her response...

I laughed...Already he is in cold sweats seeing his baby girl all dolled up ready to win the hearts of many...I don't even want to think about it. I am trying to enjoy her in the "now".

So as I reflected on her...listened to the talks of General Conference...things stuck out to me. Simple things I have always known, but today gave me a new meaning. A new Testimony of them.

Being a True Minister of Jesus Christ. Men and Women partaking of the blessings of the Preisthood. It is just as much a woman's obligation and responsability as it is a mans. We have to be worthy to recieve those blessings...have faith. The men have to be worthy to administer it...to recieve the blessings from it.

Never really realized how huge that is. In everything we do...we have to be worthy of the Priesthood to be a true Minister of Jesus Christ...to give that service.

Next...the Holy Ghost. Something I think we all take for granted or think lightly of at times. We, as members of the Church differ from other churches because we have the Gift of the HOly Ghost. He is the 3rd member of the God Head. He serves as a witness of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

The Holy Ghost has the power to influence anyone...anyone who seeks Him. The Holy Ghost can testify to someone of the truth of the Gospel...can testify to your neighbor that there is something special and different about you.

Having the GIFT of the HOly Ghost, is something bestowed upon those who are baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints by the laying on of hands. We Recieve the Holy Ghost as a constant companion as long as we do the following:

BAPTISM- Baptism is an Holy ordinance preporatory to recieving the Holy Ghost. It has to be recieved upon the principle of Righteousness.

DESIRE- You must want to SEEK the constant companionship by...

INVITEing- the Spirit in daily prayer, inviting and asking for comfort and guidance from the HOly Ghost.

OBEY- Listen to the promptings and warnings. Keep your mind and heart quiet so you can be aware of the still small voice...surround yourself with goodness...The Spirit cannot dwell in unholy places...Don't be distracted by the cares of the world...let the ways and the teachings of Jesus be your first concern.

In the sacrament prayers we are promised that we will have His spirit to be with us...as long as we keep the commandments. What a great promise...easy yet hard...

Isn't it true that the Church involves itself in so much service...nothing is paid. Christ served His whole life.

In the temple, we serve the dead by doing their work that is neccessary to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven

In Church on Sundays and any other day it requires, we serve the members of our wards and stakes.

In our Homes, we serve our family. The Family....Where we shape our children. where we are responsible for teaching them the principles of the Gospel. Those are things that invite the Holy Ghost to be our constant companion. I feel pretty lucky to have that gift. I need to listen to it more. I need to seek It's guidance more.

Do not turn the Spirit away, It will advise us of what we need to do, will give warning, peace and joy, and bring forth Righteousness. Cool right? We get that...Lets use it...Every day.

Everyday when I wake up...I anticipate the arguing, the disobedience, the naughty mouth, the craziness that fills my day...that is so negative. I need to embrace the good things, the dancing, the cleaning up, the playing, the sweet things. That will help me to listen to the promptings of how to deal with the other stuff. I know my days are better when i pray in the morning for the strength to not yell...as loud...then maybe eventually it will be to not yell at all. I pray to be effective in my discipline istead of reacting. I have a great responsibility that happens to be a pretty cool one. I get to raise 2 beautiful little girls...I don't want to screw it up. I know I am doing something right when she asks to read The Book of Mormon, and when she sings, "Jesus Wants me for a Sunbeam". They can learn at any age...I just need to listen to the promptings of how to teach her.

I love that I belong to a Church that wants me to focus on my family and wants me to better myself before I can better other people. What a great gift it is to be able to teach those who want to learn more. I may not be a smart one, and words may not come as fast...but I know what I know in my heart...it just doesn't come out right all the time.

I am who I am because of the choices I make...The things I decide to do...Luckily those choices for the most part are good ones...cause I seek the guidance of the Holy Ghost, he prompts me when a friends needs to talk, or when it is time to have a princess dance party so my daughter knows what she can become. I like being me. Imperfect, but trying.