Snow falls in Peoria

So chilly today with the wind howling like a lost dog. The clouds smothered us with their thick chilling puffs yet the sun seemed to peek out occasionally and kiss the wind.

This moment though was magical. Allisandria and I decided to step out in the weather and face the cold by making a few returns at Walmart. As we pulled into the parking space it happened. Little flakes of white began kissing the windshield. I rushed to et the video. And so here you are witnessing this little holiday dream. Arizona snow falling.

Christmas continues

Sweet aunt Marideth and her family got the girls this sweet fairy kitchen. Thanks guys she is now complete with her kitchen stuff

Funny

Why I love these girls

Christmas Morning

After a rough night with our Christmas Slumber Party, Bella woke up at 4:30 and only fell asleep for another 45 minutes. Then we were awake, her and I trying to kill time. Finally at 6:00 I decided it was time for everyone else to wake up. I put Johnny Mathis on my ihome and walked into the bedroom. Dave said "TURN IT OFF!!!" bah humbug right? Who doesn't want to be woken up to "It's the most Wonderful time of the YEar"?
Allisandria eventually woke up and this is how the morning went:
The Letter and empty plate....That was the first thing Allisandria asked about when she woke up..."Santa ate my cookies in my home?"

Just before opening presents

New Toys include: Pink Rattle, cell phone, stackable rings, A walker, and purse

pia helping her use the cell phone

opening up her Cinderella Barbie

Allisandria was such a good helper to Anabella with her gifts. But Bella did pretty good ripping the paper.

Daddy's favorite presents:

NCAA 2011 Football XBOX game...perfect timing when our xbox craps out on us again and I just sent it back to get replaced. Sorry honey, you will have to wait a while to play your new game.

a couple ties

socks

golf stuff

clothes

Mommy's Favorite Presents:

Pretty Down East Basics necklace from my girls

iPod Touch...Yesssssss!!!

ipod accessories

shirts

Pia's Favorite Presents:

Dress up shoes

Kitchen pots and pans set

table cloth and place mats for her tea party

disney's Cinderella Barbie and clothes

Pillow pet

treats

play food

Anabella's First Christmas:

walker

toys

her own stuffed doggie so she stops taking pia's

her own snuggly

pillow pet

her favorite dried fruit

All in all it was a fabulous day. I loooove spending time with my family. We went to see Tangled and the girls were great! It has been a wonderful Christmas Weekend. Allisandria even loooved hearing the Christmas story. She doesn't sit well thru stories, so that is a big deal.

Hope you all had an amazing Holiday!!!

Anabella's First Christmas Dress

look how cute she is....i rarely round brush her hair, but on sundays...I need to do it more often. She is so good at letting me,,,I am just lazy.

Just Sayin...

seriously?

i like her... alot.

She is so photo genic (sp?)

This was Allisandria's when she had her first Christmas. It only got worn once, so I decided to keep it. It is still just as cute!

the ginger bread house!

Each time she put a candy on the house...she slipped on in her mouth...i guess that is the whole point of a candy house right? build it then eat it...

Bella Rose

The girls

tap to edit

Merry christmas to me...and happy birthday too

I got my iPod touch!!!!!!!!!!! :0)

Christmas eve

Well it is just after 11 and we just finished putting together presents and santa ate his cookies and the raindeer ate their carrots.  I am so excited for tomorrow morning.  So magical in a 3 year olds eyes.  The bigger she gets the more she learns about the meaning of Christmas, and the more we get to create fun family traditions.
Riggio Family Traditions
1. Christmas PJs
2. Gingerbread house
3.  Christmas eve clam chowder and bread bowls
4.  Christmas brunch...eibelskeivers and ice cream
5. Leaving cookies and carrots out for santa
6. Read the christmas story and put together the nativity together christmas morning.

It has been so fun getting excited with allisandria about christmas.  I have had to remind her constantly that santa won't bring her dressup shoes if she isn't good.  Sometimes it works...that is a whole other saga though.

I am so happy to be together with my little family.  I loooove having a small Christmas with them and starting our own family traditions.  Even though I miss being up in the NW sometimes for the holidays, I get anxiety just thinking about being up there with the kids and doing everything for the holidays.  It is hard traveling with the kids and I like laying low on Christmas eve and Christmas day not having to go anywhere.

I love this season of service and giving.  I hope I can keep this spirit all year long...

Well off to bed....until tomorrow.


Xoxo, Tricia

Inspiration

Inspiration to me is a miracle...just from these two pictures I can think of 3 things I want to make...its been about a year since I have crocheted, and I have a little itch for it.  This can be a nice Sunday activity!   I want to make the yellow...I don't knit though...


Xoxo, Tricia

Relaxing

I just can't say enough how happy I am to have put my etsy shop on vacation mode for this month.  I truely am enjoying taking time with my kids, Christmas bussel, and relaxing during the day!  Even though I am not fulfilling orders, I find myself busy with getting presents together to ship in time for christmas.  I love blaring the music.  It definately sets the mood.

Allisandria has now decided that naps are for the birds and so I don't get a break from her during the day...somedays I want to cry and somedays I am okay.  I find myself getting annoyed of my own voice telling her not to do this or not to do that.  I have a slight constant head ache in the back of my head every day that gets pulsing everytime I yell at her. I hate it!  Solution...? Reading my scriptures in the middle of the day instead of bed time.  A much needed release and boost of encouragement.
Motherhood was not pushed on me at all...it was a choice.  My choice.  Even though I want to hide under the bed or even just make a phone call in peace, its my life I chose.  I wouldn't change it for the world.


Xoxo, Tricia

Translation

Allisandria, " oooh pretty orangeamemts".  (Ornaments). That's is why I have not beat her to the pulp yet with her terrible 2's,  she says the cutest things.


Xoxo, Tricia

Milestone

Bells army crawling at 10 months. ...no need to worry any more dave....shes perfectly normal.


Xoxo, Tricia

Lunch break and the stretch home

Its hard to find good A&W fast food here in AZ.  Dave and I miss that about living in Logan.  There is a goof one at the cabazon outlets in palm springs.  We stopped there for much needed food and there ever so delicious Freezes.  Yummy.  Anabella was freakin out!
We made it home...thank goodness....that last hour I think we all wanted to die.  Its hard traveling with little ones.  Good thing I brought my book so I could escape for a bit.

Xoxo, Tricia

On our way home

I am sad, yet releived!  Excited cause now I get to be all about Christmas music!!  Disneyland really helped jump start the holiday for me.  Thanks Disney!

Now I can get back to holiday crafting that I have been waiting to do for after my trip...stay tuned it is gonna be good...a little preview...?anyone get the better homes and garden magazine? I love that thing.

Xoxo, Tricia

Last day of disneyland!

We enjoyedour last day here at the happiest place on earth. I cried again today as we entered the park and waited on line to see mickey.  The christmas decorations were so amazing. Especially when they magically had snow fall from the sky.  Here are just a few pics from my phone. ...there are many more on my actual camera.  Today we got pictures with mickey and minnie, and snow white, sleeping beauty, and jazmine. Pia was so happy to show minnie her very own minnie skirt....there ate lots of pictures of then together comparing their dresses.  So sad to leave...this place makes me so happy.


Xoxo, Tricia