'Tis the Season

It has not slowed down here, but we didn't expect that it would. We're busy because our life is full, so we're tired but we're smiling. In general, I wouldn't recommend closing two real estate deals, starting to move and planning the details of a home renovation over the holiday season...but we have been fortunate in every way. The timing makes things complicated, but this is just how the pieces came together. So far we've been able to fit in everything we wanted to do for the holidays, and this Christmas should prove to be just as great as ever!

Today has been our only free day with no meetings or plans on the agenda for probably this whole month. We did a lot of packing and a lot of narrowing down plans for renovation materials, and we stayed in our pajamas for a long, long time because we could. It was heavenly. The camper trailer has been packed full of bikes and all the large recreational things from the garage, and it is now parked comfortably next to the casita at the new house. It fit like a glove in it's new spot, which is just another reason why I believe that this house was meant for our family. We sold a washing machine on Craigslist while we were over there and took care of a few other odds and ends, and then we took the troops south to Mesa.

While searching for a place to eat before checking out the lights at the Mormon Temple, we stumbled upon a park full of food trucks. It was right across the street from the Temple, so we walked over after finishing our various steak sandwiches, mac and cheese, etc. I'd always heard about the Temple lights but had never, ever been. Of all the Christmas festivities we've done this month, I think I've enjoyed this night the most. If you've never seen the lights, it's definitely worth the trip. It was such a nice family outing.

Taking selfies while D put the cover on the trailer.

Little mac and cheese monster!

I'll back it up right now and review the week that we just completed. D took off on Monday, and I had to work in the morning, so the boys kicked off the week with my parents. After that, our week proceeded in the usual way. I did take the boys on our own little Christmas light tour on Monday night after visiting with some out-of-town cousins at O.H.S.O. I found our light tour to be less fun than when Dylan is the guide, but it was still worth the effort. I know the boys enjoyed it. G and I visited his school for his class Christmas party on Wednesday morning, and we stayed out all day until we finished swim class in the afternoon.

Bubble baths at Nonna's house are their favorite!

Christmas crafts with Nonna!

Gavin cut out, colored, and pasted the wheels on this car. We have quite the crafter on our hands.

Opening his Millennium Falcon, a gift from Grandpa for his birthday.

One stop on our Monday night light tour.

School Christmas party

This little goofball was more entertaining than the swim lesson.

Dylan made it home in time on Thursday to get the boys from school and then took them directly to Chick-fil-A. They were so happy to see their dad. On Friday morning, they all went down to the gas station for donuts and made it back home pre-7am. I was thankful for the time alone at home, even if it was just a half hour. Then, I was off to the new house to meet with various people while Dylan stayed back with the boys and took care of the fun job of having our septic tank pumped.

From there, Gavin and I made it to an early get-together at John and Fran's house for an epic pasta making session. Fran had her daughter and sisters-in-law over to stuff noodles and make ravioli in preparation for their Christmas festivities, and she was kind enough to include me. I had a great time and brought home a pan of the delicious pasta, myself. Gavin was super shy around the other kids but eventually opened up to John and turned into quite the chatterbox. He told John, "When we move to our new house, my lucky little brother will get to sleep in the bunk bed with me. " I did a full 20-minute session in their state-of-the-art massage chair, and eventually we made it home in the mid-afternoon. We took a second trip out in the early evening for grocery shopping and errands, and then wrapped up the night by stopping at our favorite neighborhood for Christmas lights. I enjoyed the light-viewing experience a lot more from the passenger seat.

Pasta makers!

My two little turkeys giggling their hearts out all through Safeway.

But the highlight of the night was watching the rocket blast off from Vandenburg in the western sky. We were putting the kids back in the car after checking out some Christmas lights when Dylan saw it blast off and told me to look. I didn't know whether to be excited or scared. Was it aliens? Or a missile/nuke? He caught the whole thing on video. Our minds were completely blown watching this occur, but the other people walking around the neighborhood didn't seem too fazed by it. He sent the video to his buddies who confirmed the SpaceX rocket launch from LA in a matter of minutes. So, basically, it was a dream come true for Dylan to witness this because he holds a special place in his heart for Elon.

And that brings me to today...which has already been reviewed. We have a fun-filled couple of days ahead of us, and I plan to enjoy every minute. Best wishes to all for a very merry holiday.

100% Christmas

The Christmas festivities are in full force, and I'm loving it. We are so busy that it makes my head spin, but far be it for me to complain. I am juggling 100 things at once, but they're only good things. However, we must get straight to business when it comes to the blog. I have no creative power for anything other than a direct re-cap of our week. We may have a billion checklists related to all things Christmas, a certain special somebody's 2nd birthday and a house renovation underway...but nothing has ever stopped me from staying updated on the blog, and that's not about to change now!

We came home from New Orleans on Saturday and Dylan picked up an extra day trip on Sunday, leaving the boys and me to our own devices.  At this point, I don't remember much about the day except that Graham was in rare form. He would not sit with Gavin in the RZR when we went for a walk. He also wouldn't let me carry him, and I forgot his shoes. So, he spent a good amount of time running barefoot on the dirt road, chasing after Gavin. Totally fine.

Gavin's been asking me to take his picture a lot recently. This was one of those times.

When Gavin got out of the vehicle, Graham asked for a hug.

Graham didn't like getting a push from G on the swing.

But G had a grand ol' time spinning around on the swing.

You should see this guy bounce. It's the cutest thing.

On Monday, we did our final walk-through at the Sunnyside house and followed it up with a trip to the title agency to sign papers. We had our boys in tow, and Old Republic had set up this huge Christmas candy room. The boys were thrilled, and it kept them occupied while we signed our name 200 times. The candy thing was totally unexpected but unbelievably awesome. The two Gs sat on the floor behind us with their candy while we got to business. They ultimately trashed the carpet, but everyone was gracious and forgiving. I think they were just glad that the boys didn't hold up the doc signing process, for the most part.

Here we are just perusing the selection.

By Tuesday, Dylan was off to Vegas for fun work. The boys and I took care of our usual business. I'm thinking poor G2 has some molars coming in or something because he was back at it with intense tantrums by Wednesday morning. He spent the better part of an hour crying after he woke up until ultimately he was appeased by being perched atop the counter with a piece of bacon and a packet of fruit chews. Breakfast fit for a king.

Gavin crafted this very special airplane with scissors, glue and markers all by himself!

We took a trip to the new house where I was happy to see the SOLD sign!

I dropped off a load in the garage- almost moved in!

And then we hit Trader Joe's

When we got in the car for errands on Wednesday afternoon, Gavin complained of being SO cold, when it was really quite warm outside. I took off my shirt in Trader Joe's for him (I had on my workout clothes underneath...don't worry), and he wore it through the store and at the gym. When I picked the boys up at the Kids Club, the attendant said G hadn't gotten off the couch the entire time. By the time we got to swim lessons, he was not feeling good at all and had begun getting warm. So, we skipped swim, and G slept for the afternoon. He claimed he was too sick for school on Thursday...but I think he really just wanted to go to Nonna and Papa's house for the royal treatment. I decided not to call his bluff since fevers tend to come back in the afternoon, but he actually was fine all day and was well enough for the Christmas musical at night!

I picked up G2 after work on Thursday and we went to Panera to meet up with everyone. It was the first of two times this week that he has sent me a strong message that it's not worth it to take him to sit-down restaurants. He was crazy and really very ill-behaved!

Eventually D made it back from Vegas and met up with us, and then my parents arrived with a healthy G. Everyone else took their turns eating, and after G got dressed in his Sunday best, we headed to Impact Church for The Scottsdale School musical.

"I don't feel sick anymore!" he told me.

Truthfully, I wasn't so excited for the school musical. It's our third time at it, and it always starts too late for Gavin. It's a little overwhelming for him, and he just kind of stands there and doesn't get into it. Then we have two tired cranky guys to wrangle home. But this time was different, and I was so happy he ended up not being sick and could participate! He really got into it and sang and did the hand motions, and it was so cute and delightful to watch. We came prepared with PJs and toothbrushes, and both boys fell asleep on the way home, as expected. It was a long day, but it was so awesome to see him perform.

The room where they wrangled his class before the show had begun.

Waving at Daddy. He was so excited!

Dylan had promised donuts upon his arrival home, but delivered waffles with strawberries and whipped cream instead. I thought it was a good substitute, but G didn't forget the donut promise. We still owe him...

On Friday, we got together with our reno team at the Sunnyside house to firm up plans. G filled the time by taking photos with my phone, including this one. Actually, the boys were pretty well-behaved while we met with the contractors. I packed them a lunch and a bag of toys, and they were good to go until they got antsy toward the end. I spent hours upon hours over the weekend looking at ideas so we can order materials and finishes. Hopefully demo will begin soon!

By Friday night, D and I could be found at the Hangar One Christmas Party. I dusted off my ugly sweater from about a decade ago. What a fun party! Games and bikes and fire pits for s'mores, an open bar and a food truck from North. I had to miss the party last year and sent Dylan by himself, so I was happy to be a part of it this year.

Too much fun on this mini bike.

The hangar dog. She won second place in the sweater contest.

The boys, of course, were happy to spend the night with Nonna and Papa while we were at the party.

We left bright on early on Saturday to pick up the boys from my parents' house. Then, we immediately headed back north for the Carefree Christmas Parade to meet up with Elaine and Luke. In years' past, it's always been a nighttime light parade, but they moved it to the morning "for safety reasons" this year. It was definitely less exciting but WAY less crowded, which made me happy. We played in the snow and walked around for a bit afterward before hitting up BluBurger for lunch. (Where G2, again, was a complete disaster.)

3 boys in a wagon

My sweetest little beast.

Santa, where are you? He was not in his workshop.

Playing in the snow!

Hot cocoa for the parade!

On Sunday morning, Gavin's teacher in his class at church put together a nativity pageant, just for the 4-year-old class. So, we skipped the service to attend. It was so, so cute. Gavin was a sheep and Dylan volunteered to be a cow since there were not enough kids in the class that day. He has the same teachers almost every Sunday, so it was nice to go in the class and get to know them. Miss Kathy is so sweet and gave each child a coloring book and gift when they left.

We didn't forget to get a donut for Graham after the service!

On Sunday afternoon, it was off to cousins' house for gingerbread house decorating. An annual tradition that we look forward to every year! We love getting these boys together and watching their shenanigans.

Cutest little Santas I've ever seen.

A picnic on the floor for this bunch! Minus an over-tired Graham who refused to cooperate.

Whew, we have a lot going on, and it's been tons of fun...with only more fun to be had. I'll be back when I can to recap the latest adventures!