Flag football. Winter 2015.

It felt a bit odd when I registered Lincoln to play flag football outside in the Winter rather than in the Fall, but it turned out to be a wonderful time to sit outside and take in the games here in AZ.

Hut, hut, hike!

On the move.

Ready for action.

The boys huddled up with Coach.

His team, the Sun Devils, ended up in 4th place. Good season overall. Next up: Spring baseball. 

braces!

How is it possible that I have a kid with braces? 

Genetics and a thumb habit have ensured that a nice chunk of our family funds will go toward providing Lincoln with a gleaming, straight-toothed smile. Unlike when I was a "brace-face" in middle school (late-80s), they seem to do orthodontia in phases these days so Lincoln is in Phase 1. He only has braces on his front 4 (top) teeth, which are adult teeth. These will be on for about a year and then he'll wear a retainer 'til he's about 12. At that time, he'll get a full set of braces if (when) he needs them. 

He not yet 9, but he looks so much older to me with the braces on. 

I’ve never seen a smiling face that was not beautiful. ~Author Unknown

Go Super Dad!

Matt successfully ran his first 1/2 marathon on January 18th and he did great, running at a pace of 8 min, 22 seconds per mile. The kids and I were tired just watching the runners. It's very inspirational watching people achieve these amazing goals.

A January morning in Tempe, AZ.
Race time temperatures were in the 50s.

Almost at the finish line!
This is where the kids and I stood to cheer the runners on.

A couple of proud kids with their dad.

Way to go, Matt!

 

100th day of school.

The kids celebrated their 100th day of school on January 14th. The Kindergartners had the opportunity to dress up like they were 100 years old. Cassidy enjoyed wearing glasses, a shawl, a necklace, and using a cane for the day.  She also had some gray spray in her hair. Super fun!

Grandma Cassie.

Walking like an old lady. She gets around pretty well for being 100 years old! 

 

Cassidy with her "100 Days Smarter" crown.

Sweet glasses, Lincoln! 

juggle bubbles (as seen on tv!)

The kids received Juggle Bubbles from their Uncle Dave for Christmas. We spent some time outside last week testing them out. The kids had a blast!

Our bubble blower. 

Look! With these magical gloves, Cassidy can hold a bubble without it popping. 

Lincoln squishing his bubble. Magical!

Big bro and little sis passing a bubble back and forth.

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!