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.

Flagstaff - Sledding and North Pole Experience.

This album is of our 2 nights in Flagstaff before Christmas. We went sledding and also went to the North Pole! The album has a ton of videos because my camera was not working in the north pole:)

Labor Day Weekend - Flagstaff, Bearzona

My camera's battery died a few minutes into our BEARZONA outing - so I only have a few pictures of Liberty cracking up with Grandpa and some phone pictures from Grandma and a watermelon-cousin picture from a cookout.  It was a good family filled weekend - lots of puzzles (Lib's latest craze) and playing outside at parks in the 70* weather.  So nice to have Grandparents in Flagstaff and the 1on1 time that Liberty looks forward to.  It was also great seeing everyone together for a cookout at my sisters house (both parents and my sister's family).

From 2012_9_3 Bearzona, Labor Day in Flagstaff

From 2012_9_3 Bearzona, Labor Day in Flagstaff

From 2012_9_3 Bearzona, Labor Day in Flagstaff

From 2012_9_3 Bearzona, Labor Day in Flagstaff

From 2012_9_3 Bearzona, Labor Day in Flagstaff

From 2012_9_3 Bearzona, Labor Day in Flagstaff

From 2012_9_3 Bearzona, Labor Day in Flagstaff

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!

Escape to Flagstaff PART 2

Here are the pictures from my sister's camera of our trip to cool Flagstaff. These pictures crack me up because one of the things we knew we must do with Charlie and Liberty is dress them us as pirates! LOL. They weren't that thrilled with it - but it made for a funny photo shoot because they look ready to make the mommies walk the plank!

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!).

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.

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*).

5 months old and Labor Day Weekend

Liberty is our funny 5 month old. She is ticklish and giggles like crazy. She likes carrots and dislikes peas. She can roll over both ways, cracks up with Aunt Kelly, is a daredevil who loves to swing, and is still our sleeping champ.

Over Labor Day weekend we went to Flagstaff for the first time with her. We celebrated my mom's birthday and spent time with the Wyatts and Wheelers. Andy was also in town - we hadn't seen Uncle Andy in a month and we look forward to seeing him again for our San Fransisco trip in October. Cameron and I even got out for a lunch date (fish tacos of course) AND a movie date thanks to wonderful babysitters. Kelly hosted a cookout and we got to hang with cousin Charlie too! Liberty was also introduced to the Satterwhites and Gustafsons - her biggest long-distance fans:)

Thanksgiving

We had Thanksgiving in Flagstaff with the Wheeler's on Thursday and with the Wyatt's on Friday - lucky us! Both meals were soooooooo good.

Labor Day in Flagstaff

We were in Flagstaff for Labor Day weekend to celebrate Charlie's bapitism and my mom's birthday. And there is no stopping Auntie Becky from taking a photo shoot of the nephews!! Can't believe my nephews Jameson (6 months) and Charlie (5 months) are getting cuter by the day.