EASTER 2014

We spent Easter in Flagstaff with every bit of family (minus Uncle Andy and Uncle Patrick).  My sister's in laws actually hosted a pot-luck Easter brunch and my Wheeler and Wyatt parents were there.  It's pretty amazing that everyone was so welcoming and on board with that.  It was especially nice to see my pregnant sister and her gang.  Charlie was recovering from a 3 day stay in the hospital and had to cancel his 5th birthday party celebrations - so we were happy to have at least Easter go somewhat as planned and to hold our little ones close.  My dad also got some crappy medical diagnosis, so it was at least nice to get some time with him.  We stayed with my in-laws, played outside, did some Easter egg hunting, played with Grandma's toys (Cameron/Andy lego stash anyone?), and Liberty and I went to Mass at the new-to-me church in Flagstaff.  I was reminded how super casual everyone dresses in Flagstaff (tshirts for Easter Mass?!) and was proud that Liberty and I looked adorable if I do say so myself.  It was beautiful weather and a short and sweet trip.

Liberty's 4th Birthday Party!

Liberty really wanted a FROZEN themed birthday party.  Not since Cinderella had a movie captured her like FROZEN.  I was fortunate enough to have my friend Maria offer up some of her decorations since she threw a Frozen party a few months ago.  As any mother with a daughter knows, FROZEN stuff is sold out everywhere, so the only decoration I could find with the characters was a huge cardboard cutout - the rest we did with a winter wonderland theme and it turned out magical.  So magical in fact, that I couldn't resist having someone with a decent camera come to capture it all!  Julie Griffin took the photos, so I could sit back and soak up my little girl's celebration and all the memorable fun.  So worth it!

I was really feeling the love this day.  My family pitched in so much to pull it together, everyone that was invited came, Liberty spotted this "Elsa" dress for me to wear at Target and insisted I looked fantastic in it....I trusted her...and was giddy I fit into a size small - hasn't happened since high school!, Liberty was so excited to have her best girlfriends come over and she actually remembered to be thankful during present opening time (my parental anxiety moment)....it was just a beautiful day that Liberty enjoyed so much, I'll remember it forever.

Wyatt Family Reunion in Maryland

I don't have the energy to write about this amazing trip - or to edit down the 200+ pictures.  It was very very special - to ride on an airplane across the country with both kiddos, to vacation with super-grandparents, to meet so many extended family members, to sightsee in Washington DC and Frederick MD...I've been a Wyatt for 8 years and a part of this family for 12 years...to say I love them is a huge understatement.  It was a great reunion and some nice quality time making Wyatt memories at the family farm.  Bonus - I got to see MY mom's only 3 cousins - so I got in a mini Wheeler/Brodar/Winter reunion too!

Liberty turns 3!!!!!!!!

Liberty's blue/Cinderella Princess party was a hit - she wore a blue/green dress and headband she picked out, had some of her favorite people over, bounced in the bounce house, decorated cupcakes (her request - but never again!), and enjoyed the generosity of so many friends and family members.  Uncle Andy even flew in from SF again, which is becoming one of the most treasured parts of her birthday parties.  Liberty is a bright, thoughtful little girl now - no more baby... she has been a loving daughter and sister and we are as proud as parents can be.  I'll end up doing a separate blog entry to mark some milestones for our own memory...but for now - the BIRTHDAY ALBUM!

Andy Visits!

happy happy joy joy. Uncle Andy came on an airplane to hang out with us! This was the best news to Liberty who frequently asks him to "come over and pretend with me?" (usually via her play phone). Liberty kept calling Andy her "dear uncle Andy". She also would tell me that he is her "best friend in the whoooole world" - which is a phrase she had reserved for mommy/daddy - but no longer. We swam, combated a haboob, organized the playroom, cooked out, went out to Liberty Market and Postinos and played played played. As we dropped Andy at the airport Liberty said "I miss him. He can come back whenever he wants" You heard her Dear Uncle Andy.

BIG GIRL BED, Peaches, Wyatts - Memorial Day Weekend

This weekend we went to pick apples and peaches at The Farm at Agritopia. This is right next door to our favorite - The Coffee Shop and it was 75 out! Glorious! We had a scone on the patio and Liberty went around to pet all the doggies at The Coffee Shop. After that, the Wyatt's came for a visit and we got a mattress for Liberty's new bed, build the bed, and played at the park. It was a great great visit on our last cool temp weekend. p.s. She slept through the night in her bed bed!!! Naptime the next day was rough since she kept messing with the window shutters and playing with her stuffed animals. Daddy worked on the windows (blackout and keeping closed) so hopefully today's nap goes better! It took her 1.5 hours to fall asleep last nap - but she never did get out of the bed at least:)

Easter!

A very special Easter indeed. After Mass we headed up to Fountain Hills for an Easter Brunch at my mom's house. Joan, Ted and Andy came too - so it was really special to have my entire two families there together. Kelly, Doug, Charlie and Lilly were there too! Even Patrick is home for good. My dad is away spending time with his mom in Georgia, but we skyped with them. We ate, had a great Easter egg hunt, visited and then said our goodbyes. Took Andy to the airport and Liberty to a nap - and then we woke her for Easter round 2 with our friend-family - the Heppner's and Marti's. Another feast of a potluck and a wonderful Easter Egg hunt! It was gorgeous outside, and so relaxing to spend a holiday in the company of great friends.

Liberty's 2nd Birthday Party!

What a party! Elmo, bounce house, all our family (except my traveling dad), and tons of friends...it was such a special party! Liberty was so happy all day long - she woke up to Uncle Andy and ended her day going to the park via her new scooter. And in between we felt the love. My personal favorite part of the day was Liberty enjoying the singing of Happy Birthday to You. We actually heard her singing it to herself on the monitor right before she fell asleep that night. Thanks to everyone who helped us celebrate Liberty on her birthday.

Christmas 2011

This year we spent 4 nights with the Wyatt's and celebrated a great Christmas! Christmas Eve (brunch) was spent at my sister's house so we could exchange gifts with the Wheeler/Helsel side. We also went to 4pm Mass at Nativity of the Blessed Virgin together. Back at the Wyatt's for a to-die-for Pork Green Chilli meal. Andy was home too! So nice to have everyone together! Liberty absolutely ADORES her Uncle Andy, Grandma Jo and Grandpa Ted - and their black lab Murphy. Christmas day Liberty was up at 7am and Santa came through with an adorable baby doll (and a million other thoughtful gifts). We also looked forward to a visit with the Kris and Michael and Mary and Gus who we only seem to get to catch up with in person over Christmas each year. By 2pm, while Liberty napped, Ted's amazing Turkey dinner was ready and this meal was so memorable & awesome. We played together as a family and never even left the house on Christmas day! Monday we met up with Kelly, Doug and Charlie for a sledding adventure. Liberty grinned ear to ear - she's our daredevil. I was so thankful to be surrounded by my entire family (except Patrick boohoo) even if just for a few moments since we are trying to get in a rotation groove for all the holidays since my parents don't call Flagstaff home anymore. Especially with the loss and sickness of other family members this season, it was quite a reminder to cherish these joyful times together. Such a fun time - I miss everyone in Flagstaff but will see you all in January when my new niece is born 1/12/12!

Thanksgiving 2011

This was our first Thanksgiving celebrating with only one of our families...and in a new city. As our family grows and moves locations we are trying to adjust into an alternating holiday thing...which is a big CHANGE for us having been spoiled with both sets of parents in the same town for so long. So this year we had our Thanksgiving meal with the Wheelers in Fountain Hills. The morning of Thanksgiving we went to the Fountain Hills local parade (the only Thanksgiving Day parade in Arizona!) and then we hung out until the big meal at 2pm. Charlie and Liberty napped during the meal so the grownups could sip Asti in peace. We got to speak to Patrick via phone. All the Black Friday Deals went LIVE online on Thanksgiving day, so I shopped via the computer too (and yes I feel bonding with family and shopping can co-exist). Friday, I spent a birthday gift card at Ann Taylor Loft (thanks mom!) while Cam and Liberty did the San Tan playground area. Cameron and I met up with some brand new friends (and their 15 month old) from our neighborhood at the Motor Trend Auto Show at the PHX convention center. We aren't in the market for a new car just yet, but we're pretty sure my Pacifica will die within the next year or two. Saturday, I hosted a baby shower for my sister at my mom's house. Nineteen family & friends gathered to see 33 week pregnant Kelly and her baby girl. The guys went out boating on Saguaro lake. Later that evening my mom babysat Liberty so we could go to a game night with our cool next door neighbors! Sunday, Cameron did some brutal chores (drip irrigation ditch digging anyone?) and then we relaxed and set up our Christmas Tree after an interesting Mass at St. Tims (new translation of the Mass). Hopefully I'll look back at this post next year and think - 2011 was a year of changes...but change can be good.



My cute pregnant sista:

From Kelly's Shower

San Francisco 2011

Each October we head over to SF to visit Cameron's Granddad and Uncle Thom. Last year Liberty was 6 months and took her first plane ride, and now she was 18 months and got the biggest kick out of flying in an airplane! Thom and Derek hosted us in their beautiful new home with a TAKE YOUR BREATH AWAY view. It was also Fleet Week so the Blue Angels were flying around the city - so we spent a lot of time on the deck watching that. In addition to visiting Granddad and Thom, ANDY lives in SF now so we were SO HAPPY to see him. Liberty has a special fondness for her Uncle Andy and he picked us up from the airport and drove us all around the city. Grandma Jo and Grandpa Ted came out too!! We ate out, went to the Farmers Market at the ferry building, visited the sea lions at Pier 39, ate at House of Nanking, watched the air show, visited Granddad and had many meals with him. It was so nice having the 4 generations together. Liberty had a blast (minus the stomach bug that had her a little puky at 1am each night) but we love San Francisco and our family so it was a wonderful trip.

Escape to Flagstaff

With the extreme heat advisory warning in Phoenix, we decided to escape up to the high country and stay with my sister for a couple nights! Hello 85* high and 56* low! It was my first road trip solo with Liberty and our first time staying at my sister's house - it was a TON OF FUN! Liberty just played and played and played with cousin Charlie, ran around OUTSIDE (what a concept!), and even got to see both her grandparents (BONUS!).

Pinetop Golf Tournament 2011

Each year in July we go to Pinetop to remember my Uncle Willie and see all his family/friends at a memorial golf tournament. My cousins Natalie and Robby are growing up so fast and I love that Natalie is a mini-Angie and Robby is a mini-Willie. This year we rented a cabin with my parents and Kelly/Doug/Charlie. It was great to be in Pinetop again and see the *almost* entire extended family. My camera didn't have any battery left so Kelly was nice enough to let me play paparazzi with her camera - man we've got cute kids!

Family in town - FOREVER!

My parents have moved to Fountain Hills! WOOHOO! After a scenic 35 min drive, we can visit with Gma and Gpa, swim, pet Rusty boy - life is good. Here are a couple pictures from move-in weekend with the WHOLE family (Patrick back from Afganistan and Kelly/Doug/Charlie down from Flagstaff). We did the Zoo too:)

From Everyday videos and zoo

From Everyday videos and zoo

From Everyday videos and zoo

From Everyday videos and zoo

Off to Flagstaff we go...

We went to Flagstaff to celebrate my dad's retirement! (WOOHOO for 37 years in the Fire Dept Chief Wheeler!) and to celebrate my nephew Charlie's #2 birthday! (WOOHOO for 2 years of being adorable!)

Didn't get any pictures of the retirement party (boo) since we were chasing around Liberty (the dance floor was calling her). I did however play paparazzi at the Thomas the Train birthday bash.

1st Birthday Party!

I was really touched that all my family and Liberty's closest friends came to celebrate with us. A few shout-outs.
UNCLE ANDY! Thanks for jumping on a plane to be with us this weekend. Everything would have been about 95% less fun without you here.
AUNT KELLY! Thanks for leaving sicky Charlie and still driving from Flagstaff to help me put on the party and love on Liberty.
GRANDMA JO AND GRANDPA TED! Thanks for all the slicing and dicing food prep and all the amazing love you showed Liberty this weekend.
GMA & GPA WHEELER! Thanks for braving the snowy road conditions to celebrate with us. And for the liquor chocolates:)
JENNY AND JASON: Thanks for coming to the party while Jenny was in labor. Welcome to the world baby Reed!
EVERYONE: Liberty is loving all the generous gifts. Thanks for making her 1st birthday such a memorable moment.

Wyatt Visit - Projects, Maggie's Place Event and WW2 Airplanes!

What a fun-filled weekend! Grandma and Grandpa Wyatt came to visit. The men of Wyatt Hydronics installed a water-softner/filter for the house, the ladies played all day. Then, Cameron and I got dressed up to attend a charity dinner/auction to benefit Maggie's Place while we had babysitters. The event was such fun and I highly recommend going next year if anyone has the opportunity. On Sunday, Ted finally got to experience his Christmas/Birthday gift and rode in an SNJ-6 (WWII airplane) at Falcon Air Field in Mesa. We toured the museum and watched the classic planes take off and land - thrilling for us and Liberty-the-airplane-spotter-pointer, and even more so for Ted who got to see the Superstition Mountains and Salt river from a historic plane ride.

Christmas 2010 - 1st Christmas with the babes.

Where do I start describing this special Christmas? I teared up trying to fall asleep on Christmas Eve thinking of how my baby girl will only be 8 1/2 months old once (could it be the cutest age ever?!) and next Christmas she'll be running around! That was my only pity-party. The rest of the weekend was 100% JOYFUL - with two loving families that light up around Liberty and showed her such a good time.

Short recap: Christmas Eve Mass with the priest we can't understand, Charlie saying "Oh no!" dropping toys and Liberty being adorable. Christmas Eve feast by Grandpa Ted and playing with Uncle Andy. Christmas morning at the Wyatts, Christmas afternoon at the Wheelers. Christmas day feast by Gma. Found the secret to perfect naps while traveling - Pack'n'play in the walk-in closet. Musical table, cars, trike, Statue of Liberty Barbie, a million books, a billion clothes. Charlie on a TOMMY! rampage (his love of Thomas the Train is extreme - Uncle "CAM!" is another favorite). Charlie naming me Aunt "BOBBY!". Even Michaela and Baby J came to visit - so the only family member we were missing was Patrick (who thankfully got to call us from Afghanistan!) We love our family and this Christmas was so much fun! Thank you for all the gifts and meals family!

P.S. Santa tells me every year it is "toned down" Christmas and ever year he lies!

Thanksgiving 2010

Our first Thanksgiving as a family of 3 was great! We headed up to Flagstaff and had a wonderful Thanksgiving meal at the Wyatt's. Only thing missing this year was Andy :( Friday I got to do some Black Friday shopping and had a lunch date with Cameron! Saturday we had another feast at the Wheeler's. Only thing missing this year was Patrick :( Liberty sampled some mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, gravy and a mum-mum biscuit (see pictures/video). It was a relaxing getaway with bright sunny weather (still with a high of 45*) and a snow storm on our last day (high of 23*).

Pumpkin Patch with Helsels

We went to the Desert Botanical Garden's GREAT PUMPKIN PATCH FESTIVAL along with Liberty's Aunt Kelly, Uncle Doug and Cousin Charlie! We went in the Monarch butterfly exhibit (1,000+ butterflies!), rode the hay ride out to the pumpkin patch, picked our pumpkin and really enjoyed the day! A few funny things that happened: Cameron put the baby sunscreen on himself (don't recommend it), a random lady asked to take a picture of Liberty at the pumpkin patch and Charlie was more interested in the water bowls than the petting zoo animals.

Fun time had by all!