the holidays 2014.

We are so grateful that we were able to fly to Michigan to celebrate Christmas and to ring in the New Year with our families and friends this year. When we arrived, we enjoyed temperatures in the low 50s -- not what we were expecting.  A few days in, however, we felt the more frigid winter temps.

One disappointing thing about our trip: no snow for the entire two weeks that we were there!

Santa Cassie. 

Lincoln & Cassidy showing off their new Disney Infinity game from Santa. 

This is the kind of excitement that brings tears to a mother's eyes. Cassie was so excited to get the Elsa doll that she had asked Santa for. I'm so glad the big guy came through for her!

A couple of princesses. 

One of the best things about being in Michigan is when the Mitchell/Gough cousins are able to get together. Here they are below:

Riley, Lincoln, Sam

Nicole, Alli, Zoe, Cassidy

Boys will be boys.

Here, we are taking our annual family picture.
At this point, I was setting the camera up on the tripod. I've inadvertently deleted a whole series of "good" family pictures. I think my parents have them on their computer, though. For now, a candid is what I have to post. 

 

Yia Yia, Pops, Linc & Cass ready to head to church on Christmas Eve.

After church at Granny's house with Uncle Dave on Christmas Eve. 

Christmas Day at Grandma's house. 

Tumbleweed Tree.

Chandler, AZ has a unique Christmas tree lighting tradition that began in 1957 -- a tumbleweed tree. Apparently Chandler is the only city in the southwestern United States that has such a tree. We couldn't pass up the opportunity to attend the parade of lights and tree lighting ceremony in early December. 

Nearly 1,000 tumbling tumbleweeds are collected each year to make the tree. They are sprayed with white paint, dusted with glitter, and are adorned with Christmas lights. 

A pic of the tree during the day.
Unfortunately, our vantage point during the actual tree lighting ceremony was terrible so I didn't get a nighttime pic. 

Before the tree was illuminated, there was a parade of lights which entailed local dance groups, girl scout/boys scout troops, local service people, etc. The parade ended with Santa's arrival on a Chandler fire engine.

It's fun to see palm trees decorated for Christmas. 

Santa Lincoln dancing in the street.

Matt holding Cassie up so she could see folks parade by.

Gotta take in the lit cacti that we see here in the desert.
We have actually seen Christmas lights on real cacti in front yards in our neighborhood. Love it. 

Another Christmasy cactus float.

We continued to get in the mood for Christmas by making cookies.

The kids tried something new this year -- Nutter Butters made to look like Santa! 

The finished tray of Santas.

Awwww.

Gifts have been chosen for other children in need, cookies have been given to neighbors, letters to Santa have been written, and Charlie (our Elf on the Shelf) has been found all around the house. Cassidy especially enjoys talking to him and asks him to say certain things to Santa when he sees him each night at the North Pole.  

The kids visiting Santa to ensure that their wishes were heard. 

We are ready for Christmas and are thrilled that we'll get to spend it with our family and friends in Michigan!

now we are six.

I find myself saying the same thing as each of my kids celebrate their birthdays each year -- I can't believe you're .  And it's true. I really can't believe how quickly time is moving. 

One of my favorite bloggers/authors, Gretchen Rubin, summed up the feeling perfectly when she said, “The days are long, but the years are short.” That is parenting in a nutshell.

It's been six years since Cassidy Lois graced us with her presence. We started her birthday celebration in November when Granny was here visiting. The celebration continued on her actual birthday (12/15). She enjoyed celebrating with Rice Krispy Treats at school. She opened some gifts via Skype/Facetime, allowing us to feel closer to our families than we actually are (technology can be a great thing). She said she'll miss being five, but I think she'll quickly get used to being six. 

Pink frosting on a mint ice cream cupcake for the birthday girl. 

Showing off some birthday gifts in front of the Christmas tree.

More gifts! 

Hulk Mad!
Lincoln got these Hulk fists for her. 

Captain America protecting himself against the Hulk.
I know these toys will result in tears as someone gets hurt, but they sure are cute. 

EasyBake Oven! 

The kids made their first batch of chocolate chip cookies with the EasyBake Oven.
Next up: Pretzels. 

 
Cassidy continues to be extremely sensitive, very curious (she has to touch everything), and quite imaginative. She can still be slow to warm up to those she doesn't know, but at home she is LOUD. 
Kindergarten has, I think, helped her come out of her shell, which is great. 

She still loves her little blankie. 
She does not love when Little Blankie seemingly writes messages to dad on her whiteboard. 
She idolizes her brother.
She is lovely. 
Happy Birthday, Doodles.  

Orange juice, anyone?

We have a lovely citrus tree on the side of our house. When we first moved in, we thought it was a lime tree, then we thought it was a lemon tree. We finally have mature fruit on it and have discovered that it's actually an ORANGE tree! How lovely.

I bought a small manual juicer and can make tiny glasses of fresh-squeezed OJ. I'm going to need something more sophisticated to make a full jug of juice, however.

Our orange tree!

The kids harvesting oranges. 

Miniature golf.

Cassidy expressed interest in going bowling for her birthday this year (she's never been). We've decided that we'll try to go while we're in Michigan for Christmas. Instead, we took advantage of the nice weather here while Granny was visiting and played miniature golf.

Our little lady getting setting up for a hole-in-one (or 5 or 6).

Matt, Linc, and Cass posing for mom.

Is this good form? 

Should the putter really be that high off the ground? I think he was wailing the ball! 

All in all, this was a very fun family outing with just a little bit of bickering (between brother and sister), frustration (mostly from Cassidy), sweat (from all of us), and just one lost ball (mine).

Turkey Day!

Granny flew in to visit us here in Chandler this Thanksgiving. As always, we are grateful that our families are willing to travel to see us as we move about the country.

We experienced warmer than usual temperatures on Thanksgiving Day. It was about 80 degrees (normal temps would be in the 70s). Not too shabby. This year was a bit different from last year when we spent Thanksgiving in Michigan and ran the Turkey Trot in Detroit as snow fell and people wiped out as they turned corners on the somewhat icy running route. Variety is the spice of life!

Taking advantage of the weather this year, Matt grilled the turkey and it was a delicious success! Not so successful was my attempt to use the garbage disposal for sweet potato skins. They clogged the sink, thus leaving us with 1/2 sink to use on Thanksgiving Day and a plumber here the next day to clear out the disposal. Good times.

My two favorite Lions fans proudly showing off the turkey.
p.s. Matt was most grateful that the Lions pulled out a win against the Bears today. Phew!

While Granny was visiting, we put our Christmas tree up and had an early 6th birthday celebration for Cassidy, whose birthday is in mid-December. 

Granny, Lincoln, and Cassidy

Cassidy with her first birthday treat of the season -- a gingerbread girl!

Cassidy opening a gift from Granny.
I included this picture so I could remember the kids wearing shorts Thanksgiving weekend!

Cassidy showing off her new My Little Pony play sets.
Who doesn't love Pinkie Pie, Applejack, Sweetie Belle, etc.?

Fall ball 2014.

Lincoln enjoyed his first season of baseball here in Chandler. Moving here at the end of March, we missed the Spring season so he was happy to get back into the game this fall. He played in the Chandler National Little League and was on the A's this year.

Lincoln and Cassidy heading to the baseball diamond. 

Lincoln ready to run on 2nd base. 

 

At this age, the kids still have the opportunity to play all positions.
Here, Lincoln is donning the catcher's gear. 

Ready to swing.

Lincoln in action.

Grandma and Cassidy enjoying a game in the warm September weather.

Up next: Winter flag football. Lincoln will play in Jan/Feb. He can't wait!