A trip to the dentist

The girls were due for a dental checkup and Ryder need to go for the first time.  We had Haley with us so all 5 of us rolled into the dental office and caused quite a stir.  That's just how things are with 4 kids and one of them is Ryder :)  Thank the sweet Lord for Haley girl.  She is the sweetest caretaker and helps out so much.  

Reese went first to show Ryder how it's done.

 

He wasn't feeling it.

 It looks worse than it was.  He did great and his teeth are in great shape (thanks to my teeth brushing obsession).  Taking 3 kids to the dentist was a wee bit painful to my wallet.  The girls got sealant in their 6 year molars that just came in and the grand total for everything was $760!  Yowza!

Christmas Eve & Day 2012

We sure did have a fun filled Christmas.  I was so busy helping the kids with everything that I feel like I barely got any good photos.  We celebrated Christmas Eve at Mimi & Papa's house and opened presents with everyone.  The girls got their Next Generation dolls with carrying cases and a white horse they promptly named, Arabelle.  It was an amazing evening and we had so much fun together.

Then it was back home to get ready for Santa's arrival.  

Here is our Christmas tree all decorated, waiting for gifts to arrive underneath.

Santa left 2 bikes for Reese & Ryan and a new Jeep for Ryder.

They were SO excited!!

 Ryder was still waking up.

Then we headed to Grandma & Grandpa's house for an afternoon of fun.  We went on a long bike ride, ate Mexican food, and opened up all our gifts.  The highlight of the day for me was getting the Vitamix blender I have been drooling over.  To say I was excited was an understatement.  Best. Gift. Ever!

Ready for snow

We're planning on going to Pinetop after Christmas and spending New Year's in the snow.  We borrowed a jacket and bib set from the Dobsons for Ryder.  He was so excited when Jenny dropped them off and couldn't wait to try them on.  He was walking all over the house in them and tripping in his big snow boots.  It was the funniest thing I'd seen in awhile.  He started to lose his steam and decided the kitchen floor would be a good place to take a nap.  I felt so bad that he crashed right there but he really seemed comfy.  He must have been because he slept there for two hours!  I'm totally mom of the year for letting him sleep there the entire time, but I didn't want to move him and disrupt that amazing kitchen floor nap.

Elves love chocolate

Cottie & Lilly got into my stash of Ghiradelli chocolate squares.  Big trouble for these two.  Nobody messes with Mama's dark chocolate!

Reading buddies

Cottie & Lilly thought it would be fun to read one of our Christmas books together.  They have good taste.  It's a new Pete the Cat book we got this year.  Pete the Cat Saves Christmas.  The kids love the book and now it looks like C&L do too.  I love having two elves.  It's just too darn cute.

Cottie & Lilly's Joyride

Reese's Christmas masterpiece

Cookie Time!!

I love making sugar cookies.  It's so fun to bake, decorate, make a huge mess and watch the kids cookie creations come to life.  Auntie Jess & Mimi came by with the boys.  We tried to take a photo of Mimi with her boys but Will & Ryder weren't getting on so well.  They love to fight over her attention.

Time to get started!!

 I have so many awesome helpers!

 Especially Captain Underpants.  That face and those eyes slay me.

 This was serious cookie business.  I really had to concentrate.

 Typical Ryan was all up in the mix.  She loves to help but she is such a monkey on the counters and it freaks me out.  All of our kids are like this but she & Ryder take it to the next level.

 My little oven helper.

I didn't take any photos of the finished products.  Mostly because they came out of the oven and we frosted them immediately, then ate them even faster.  Believe me when I tell you there were some beauts that the kids made.  Sugar overload for sure!

Remax Infinity party

Fun night out at Inspirador in Downtown Chandler.  We got all gussied up and partied with our co-workers.

Rachel babysits

 The kids love Rachel and beg us to have her over to babysit them.  I was downloading photos and I found these pics of their fun Thursday night.  Crazy kids!!

Auntie CeCe's 12/12/12 birthday party

Alexa sure knows how to plan a party, even when she's pregnant and chasing a toddler around.  She threw together a last minute shindig for Auntie CeCe's birthday at the Farm @ South Mountain.  The weather was beautiful outside and the food was so yummy.

Little stinker man came with me.

Alexa brought homemade jams for everyone and mini pies.

Lexington & Ryan found ways to occupy their time.  They played in the dirt,

climbed trees (well, only Ryder was climbing trees but that's because he's older & part monkey)

posing in trees,

and more posing,

Then we asked some nice stranger walking by to take our photo.  I just wish most people knew how to snap a photo without cutting off all our legs and leaving a ton of headroom.

What a fun filled day with some great women!  Happy Birthday, Auntie Cece!

Here sis, let me get it...

Oh my heavens!!  Teeth are seriously falling out left and right over here.  The tooth fairy has visited 3 times in one week.  That's our record so far.  Reese's other tooth was dangling by a thread and Ryan considered herself the expert since she had lost her just days before.  Reese was so patient to let her try. I do NOT pull teeth out.  This is Cory's job (and now Ryan's).  Thank goodness for a husband and child with a strong stomach.  This stuff makes me weak in the knees.

She finally got it the next day right before bedtime.  Now all she wants for Christmas is her two front teeth :)

Applesauce & baby Jesus

Teddy Bear Tea

We did our annual Teddy Bear Tea at the Ritz Carlton and it's so fun to have this as one of our annual holiday traditions.  It's so nice to get dressed up and enjoy yummy tea, hot chocolate, scones & sandwiches.  It's a great way to get into the holiday spirit!

Alexa & Lexington came into town and joined us for the first time.  Lexington was a great age for it and she got her money's worth eating the sandwiches.  I tell you that little girl can eat!  She is too cute and Reese & Ryan love her to pieces.

Sweet little Ryan.

Sweet little Reesey.

Aunt Marilyn brought Cambrie for the first time.  She had fun but was terrified of the big teddy bear.

The kids gathered around to hear a story & sing Christmas carols.  Ryan was really into it!  Jingle Bells was her favorite.

All of us together.

Can't wait for next year!!