MERRY CHRISTMAS

to you and yours from me and mine.

JAJC TAYLOR 2010

(big thanks to Jessica from jessicarichardsphotography.blogspot.com

for the last minute and hugely successful photo shoot)

the happs

yesterday i took my girls to a the ballet at symphony hall.

Ballet Arizona puts on condensed version of their performances for school groups and somehow my bff gets us in too. this is the second one we've been to.

they danced the second half of the nutcracker.

the music, the dancing, the costumes, it was very nostalgic for me.

jill was enthralled too, clapping vigorously after each dance.

camille was less impressed and just wanted to go on stage to be the center of attention.

i can't wait to take the girls to the whole production in a couple years.

speaking of dance...

with the move looming i took the girls out of their class.

they miss it and frequently ask, "is it time for ballet"



it's outdoor weather now in arizona and we've been taking full advantage.

golfing with dad

petting zoo's

the girls love horses.

it is their toy of choice and aren't afraid to ride the real thing.

the state fair

i have two thrill seekers on my hands. i suppose the apple doesn't fall too far off the tree.  they wanted to ride every single one and got bored with the little ones.

this next picture cracks me up.

i may look like i'm having fun.

i'm not.

in-fact i'm about to yell at the operator to get us off the dang ferris wheel. 

it was the tallest one at the fair and didn't have a belt, or a lap-bar, or even a door!!

the girls kept trying to look over the edge or go to where the door should have been to look down. 

jeff was having a hay-day watching me almost have an aneurysm.

never again.

in other news, my grandmother has been in and out of the hospital the last few months. the girls have really actually enjoyed the time visiting the pete's and exploring (i.e. recking havoc) in new places.

grandpa has been a really trooper and taking out his teeth about a million times each visit because that's all the girls want.

grandma is turning 90 this week.

grandpa is 92 and still a firecracker.

i'm thankful for the time i've had with them here in arizona.

speaking of thankfulness...

thanksgiving was spent with the Taylor's.

i didn't get any pics but the food was delish and company even better.

i am so thankful for my family of 6 years.

i found a perfect fit for me with the Taylor's.

just a little ditty

yesterday was a great day.

have you seen this movie?

i took my girls yesterday to watch it.

it is officially my favorite animated disney film.

i was laughing out-loud and i cried twice too.

you should go see it.

it's sooooooo good.

did you watch this game?

me either.

i actually started to

(b/c as you know, this is the biggest game for unr EVER)

i fell asleep in the first quarter.

(i went black friday shopping at midnight that morning

and was emotionally drained from watching tangled. i was exhausted.)

jeff took me to bed.

i woke-up today and found out about the game from the web.

jeff got pounced for not waking me.

i'm headed to watch the game now.

thankful for DVR.

way to go alma mater

fotoblog of jill's party

                                      our jillian had a costume party for her 4th birthday.

                                                    all those cool enough to dress-up

                                                                           crafts

                                                                   night games

                                                             indestructible pinata

                       balloon launch

                                                                                   skull cake

                                                                            sweet satisfaction.



moving status up-date

on 27 march 2010 i posted that we were moving.  the day we signed papers, the new owners told us that we could stay through the summer as they are snow birds and wouldn't be back until the fall. we decided to go month to month in hopes that we would find a place we liked and move. i had the kitchen already packed and our walls and windows decor have been boxed since the day we signed.  no curtains, no family pictures, no toaster, no crock-pot, no winter clothing. no nothing.

as fall approached we found the rental prices dropping. we choose to wait and see how far they would drop after school was in session. sure enough, the prices were right. two months ago i spoke to the canadians (new owners) and they said they wouldn't be down until late nov. so, we stayed.
  
two weeks ago i spoke to the canadians again. the harvest was late due to rain (they are farmers) and they can't make it down until jan. so, we can stay.
yesterday i got a message. the mother of the canadians is ill. the canadians won't be coming until jan 2012. we can stay for another year.  do we stay? do we move? do i un-pack? do i keep it packed and hope to find a deal closer to town?  i am so indecisive i am going crazy with the options...    

Crane Halloween Party

YESTERDAY:

i found a stray cat and decided to keep it.

The local bruja cast a spell on me...

the spell was called,

 "look-as-crazy-as-you-can-in-a-80's-fitness-costume-while-showing-as-much-

mouth-gum-as-possible"

apparently the spell worked.

at the annual crane halloween party

we found-out where jill's witch blood came from.

after eating soup and homemade bread we checked-out

some of the other crazy people.

great tradition.

Q & A with Jillian

Jillian Taylor (4 years, 1 day)
yesterday was jill birthday.
she is now 4.
i am loving this stage in her life.
so many questions.
more comprehension.
helpful and creative.
we celebrated with a day at the zoo.
halloween birthday party coming soon.

favorite color: red

favorite phrase: "mom, take a picture"

(as evidence by the follow):

(note: i do not prompt the poses, facial expressions, etc)

she is incredibly strong and coordinated.

(as shown by scaling the door frame)

favorite animal: red butterfly

favorite movie: James and the Giant Peach

best friend: mommy and sister