Halloween 2011

This year for Halloween Ellie had been saying she wanted to be Matilda all year. Once it came time to get an outfit together, her mind started to change. WHY? Well I told her Matilda wore overalls & scroungy clothes with a big red bow. Ellie wanted nothing to do with that kind of outfit. So.... then she decided she wanted me to make her a big tutu and she would be a 

CUTE WITCH. 

THAT SHE WAS.

We call our home "our someday house". Meaning SOME DAY it will be fixed up. SOME DAY.

But with my love for decorating & holidays, I get so excited for this time of year.

Here is some pics of our SOMEDAY house.

This is my sister, Shalae's house. I always love everything she does. She is such a perfectionist in ways I am not. Loved her decor!

Speaking of Shalae- here is Ellie & Noah at my kids craft class.

We live in the neighborhood I grew up in. My parents still live in this neighborhood, too. Each year we have a neighborhood Halloween party.

Here is Ellie & Lucy at the party.

Me & my beehive & beehive leaders doing a face painting booth.

Ellie & Tatum.

Tradition:

Ellie & Taryn sportin their Halloween spirit at school.

Halloween  night at Grandma Cheryl's with the Jon's.

Finally, trick or treating in our neighborhood. (parents area)

Some of my favorites:

It was a Happy Halloween.

Halloween Kid's Craft Class

 Ellie had been asking me to do more kids craft classes. Starting October, I did a few more.

 The kids were so excited to wear a costume & get their craft on.

 We made popcorn hands, spider webs & a witches hat for a snack.

 It was a blast.

Speaking  of Halloween- here's the Halloween printable I made for anyone to freely use. Enjoy!

Little Bunnies 2011

Cutest Little Bunnies!

Brings back memories of when I was little being a little bunny.

Then in high school, I was teaching the little ones & couldn't wait for the day to have my own!

Now that I do, I think this group is the cutest little bunch & couldn't imagine life without them.

They all love MHS.

 I love Mesa High's TRADITIONS!

MHS.

ForEVER the BEST.

Carry On.

THIRTY, FLIRTY, & THRIVING

I dreaded turning the big 3-0... but I had help making it lots of fun!

My mom & sisters & I partied at LGO, Sprinkles, Scottsdale mall, & YogurtLand.

My idea of awesomeness for sure!

Now that's lots of cupcakes!

The next day I went to Red Robin with some of the Cummard girls.

 They also came & heart attacked my house for the big day.

 My b.day was actually on a Sunday this year, so it was more of a birthday weekend, which ended up so fun. 

(Notice Ellie trying to match me..)

My mom let me pick our Sunday meal, so I chose Costa Vida style! Everything was delish. 

"Lance".. (I) made some yummy cupcakes & Ellie decorated our fireplace filled with love- all for me.

I guess turning 30 has its perks!

First Trip to Lake Tahoe

Lance was invited to go on his first business trip in August. (wives invited, too)

The trip was to the beautiful LAKE TAHOE!

 Free food, fun people, free activities...

We chose hour wrap/massages, which were so amazing. 

Down the way from our hotel was a NESTLE shop. SCORE!

If all of that wasn't enough, we saw 2 "celebs" at the airports. One was the goofy guy from "Just Shoot Me" & then Steve Nash.

So FUN.

This was pretty much our first trip without Ellie since... well forever. It was a blast & we were so thankful for the opportunity!

August Randoms 2011

 Kids back in school & college classes not started yet... hmm.. Out to LUNCH it is.

 Ellie started piano lessons with grandma Cheryl. (Ellie's request)

 Ellie also started her first of many dental appointments. YIKES.

 Russ & Shalae took us back to the lake so Lance could come. Him & Elle surfed it up together!

 These 3 can be dangerous together while shopping.

Here's Miss LUCY loving "2 babies"!

Ellie continues to not only love reading, but is way awesome at it. She gets notes sent home that report she is in the  top 87th % in the nation for her age in reading. It makes me wonder where this came from. Cause it SURE wasn't her mama! Proud of her love for reading, though.

1st Day of 2nd Grade for Ellie

We had a great summer. Vacations, hang outs, swimming, sleep overs, etc.! We hated to see it come to an end.

Since school was coming, it was time to SCHOOL SHOP!

We had fun shopping with cousins & also just Ellie & I.

The night before the first day....

Ellie had her outfit all planned & ready to go.

Ellie loves to be FANCY!

Fancy Pants as much as possible.

(Her & her baby got a good night sleep that night.)

 These are all CUMMARD's that go to the same school.

(There are even 5 pre-k cousins missing from the picture.)

Ellie, Molly & Quincy!

The "QTME Gang": (Taryn on the right)

All the girl cousins in 2nd grade.

Miss Fancy Pants 2nd Grader: ELLIE!

Speaking of 2nd Grade...

Check out these hotties! All 1st day of 2nd grade shots.

Lance * Ellie * Suzanne