Day 6

Thanksgiving! My sister Heather and her family drove into Fort Worth the day before to be with all of us for Thanksgiving.  It felt nice to have half of our family together.  Although I could definitely feel the absence of my other sisters, especially Courtney!  Courtney and I are the cooks!  My mom cooks the turkey and ham, but Courtney and I make all the sides, casseroles, and pies!  I will be honest and admit I had to call her a few times for the recipes and to help me when I made a big boo boo on one of the pies!  My sister Jamie was missed but her little doggies where with us representing the Alcocer Family.  We even got to Skype them from Kazakhstan!  My mom, sister, and I pulled the meal all together and we ate some delicious food!  I really wanted a group picture of all the kids but I guess Marcus and Beckett thought it would be funny to have completely opposite nap schedules!  I did manage to grab a picture right before we ate minus Beckett.  Richard also took a nice picture with me, my mom, and sister.  We didn't stay long after lunch and were on the road back to Midland since Richard had to work the next morning!  It was a silent ride back, everyone slept pretty much the whole time.  I really enjoyed our trip to Fort Worth and the special time we got to spend with my mom.  Now that we live farther away from each other, we actually have to make plans to see and spend time with each other.  I am so thankful for my family, they are a tremendous blessing to me and children. 

Day 5

We took Allison to the Galleria twice to shop and visit the American Girl Doll Store.  We went the first time before the Hockey game, but we didn't allocate our selves enough time there.  So we decided to go back the next day and set up an hair appointment for her doll and brunch at the Bistro there.  Allison was hyped about going, she had been saving for nearly three months to buy her own doll Sage, the doll of the year.  Of course we had to chip in a little she was just 30 dollars short, those dolls aren't cheap!  The doll of the year goes into retirement on December 4th, and we got there just in time because there were only 4 dolls left!  The first day we went we stood in line most of the time just to buy the doll, the place was packed!  The second time we went it was much more smooth and not as busy.  Also it was just us girls and this time my mom went with us.  Richard took the boys into the Galleria to play at the playground.  First up we dropped Allison's doll aka Allison off to get her hair done, which she desperately needed.  We also received instructions on how to fix her hair, hopefully this time it doesn't get out of control!  Then we stopped for brunch at the Bistro.  It was beautifully decorated and designed to be doll friendly.  Allison's doll Sage was with us for brunch and had her own seat and tea set.  Allison of course had fun looking around the entire store at all the accessories and has a new wish list!  I cant forget to mention that even the bathrooms are doll friendly.  The whole time we were there Allison had a smile from ear to ear and a twinkle in her eye.   

After a full day!  Richard and I went to a late movie to see Catching Fire from the Hunger Games Series.  So thankful my mom was able to watch all three kids so we could go to the movies, it was such a good movie!!

Day 4

We purchased combo tickets to Lego Land and the Sea Life Aquarium.  We headed back to the Grapevine Mills Mall to visit the aquarium.  This time Grandma stayed at home because the lawn care service and the garage repairman were stopping by.  I was surprised how much fun the kids had there. We got there at busy time apparently because we were jam packed into each room with people, once they staff announced they were feeding the sting rays we decided to go on ahead of the group to get away from the crowd.  That idea paid off and we walked through the whole aquarium by our selves!  Cooper is fascinated with sharks lately and even bought a huge book about the different types of sharks at his school book fair a few weeks ago.  There were two exhibits on sharks and Cooper was thrilled!  We read tons of facts and saw a ton of sharks, we even dared to walk the shark plank!  An area that has glass on the ground so you can see sharks!  Beckett was fascinated and laid on the ground for awhile just staring!  Allison enjoyed the trivia game the aquarium offered to answer specific questions at each exhibit.  At the end of the aquarium there was a large indoor playground, petting sea animals area, and 3D discovery short films.  The aquarium was a success all three kids enjoyed it!

Later that night we went to the Dallas Stars vs the Anaheim Ducks hockey game.  My mom stayed with Beckett and we took the big kids to the game.  Going to the game was one of my favorite things we did on this visit to my moms.  We are a fan of both teams and didn't care who won.  In fact I wore the Dallas Stars jersey to the game and Richard wore his Ducks jersey.  We loaded up on a bunch of junk food and never left our seats because it was a wicked awesome game.  The Stars made 3 goals in 53 seconds!  The game ended and the Stars won 6-3!  Cooper has been begging to go back, he had a blast dancing to music and rooting for his team the Stars!

Day 3

On Day three we got up bright and early and went to the Grapevine Mills Mall for some shopping, ice skating, lunch, and Lego Land!  We started off at ice skating. I left Richard and Allison to ice skate and took the boys with me to shop.  Allison loves ice skating and we try to take her anywhere that has a rink.  Cooper was supper bummed about not ice skating so when we walked past this inflatable ball water activity it seemed like something fun to do.  Cooper accrued an audience trying to walk and balance.  Beckett thought the whole thing was hilarious and was laughing so hard.  After we stopped and got a treat at great American cookie.  My mom and I got some shopping in.  We were on the hunt to find my sister a birthday present and clothes for the kids.  I loved the mall and wish I had more time to shop for myself. 

Lego Land was just as awesome as the last time we went.  Beckett had a blast this time especially since he can walk now.  Cooper played for over an hour in the fire Lego obstacle course and playground.  Beckett had fun at the baby playground and Lego pit.  Allison and I rode rides, looked at the new star wars exhibit, and then she built a race car.  The exhibits are amazing, its wild how everything there is made out of Lego's!  Beckett got sleepy and I left to walk him around and do more shopping he slept for an hour while Richard and the kids watched some 4D movies in Lego Land.  Hours seriously fly by in Lego Land!  We stayed there tell 6pm!

Thanksgiving trip Day 1 and 2

We had plans to drive to Fort Worth for a few days and to spend thanksgiving with my mom.  We ended up leaving early because a winter storm was going to hit the area and we wanted to get out before we got stuck in the storm.  Apparently Midland was hit pretty bad with a small amount of snow but mainly ice and power shortages.  Fort Worth was freezing but nothing iced over and it didn't snow.  Since we left early we had an extra day and a half at my moms.  The first day we came in we went to dinner, unloaded, and went shopping for the thanksgiving meal.  It was fun going grocery shopping with just my mom, by the time we got back it was close to 11pm and we stayed up late chatting tell midnight!

Day two was pretty laid back.  We slept in and enjoyed a huge breakfast cooked by my mom.  We went to church and had a short meeting because all the classes were canceled because of the weather.  We enjoyed a quiet day filled with naps, laying around by the fire, playing with the dogs, and watching Wizard of Oz. 

Guilty plesure and other things..

 I have two guilty pleasure shows on my DVR list.  I don't often have time to watch TV but I allow myself a lunch break everyday for 30 minutes and most times its snuggle time with Beckett.  My two shows are Glee and Dancing With The Stars!  I am not sure if its the music that both these shows have in common but Beckett sits totally still and in my lap.  I also wanted to share that I made this amazing chocolate cheesecake recipe from Pinterest a few days ago, seriously amazing! Check out my dessert board on my Pinterest and make that bad boy!  I ate three slices in one day it was so good!!!

Some days are so hectic and my little B boy adds to the chaos most days.  Some times Beckett drives me crazy, growing pains ugh!  He is so destructive and mischievous right know.  All my sweet boy has to do is look up at me and he melts my heart.  I am really enjoying are days together and its a very crucial time for Beckett.  We are learning boundaries right now.  Beckett has become so curious and has really gotten himself into trouble getting into things.  Last week he got into my quad eye shadow and my blush and destroyed it with the motorized tooth brush.  A couple weeks ago Beckett got a bug bite and had a terrible allergic reaction to it.  I had to take him into his pediatrician because it was swelling up so much it looked like a goose egg bruise!  Any insect bite he seems to have reactions to, like last month when he sat in a ant pile it took three weeks to clear up.  My little guy has brought such a change to our family.  Even though so days I feel so stressed I try to remember that's these days are so fleeting and my baby will grow up faster than I can imagine.

 

 

 

Baby shower..

On Saturday my nephews girlfriend had her baby shower.  I had been putting her gift together for a while.  I have definitely used my sewing skills for this task.  I made my usual gift of washcloths/burp cloths, but this time I made a blanket all on my own with out my sister Courtney here to help.  Although I will be honest and called to clarify a few steps lol!  Allison and I headed to the shower and left the boys with my father in law.  I was so bummed that I left my camera, thank goodness I had Cooper snap the picture of Allison and I before we left!  I also bought a bath tub full of goodies and a rock in play for my new great niece.  So excited to have a girl come into the family, Allison was the last baby girl on the Sanchez side.  I really enjoyed myself at the shower.  When Richard's on his 10 days on I feel like I need a break from the kids and adult conversation!  I loved seeing all the cute girly clothes, bows, and shoes Miss Harper received.  That sweet baby girl will have an entire outfit head to toe for every occasion!  I also really enjoyed siting with Richard's family and chatting with everyone.  Two more months and Miss Harper will be here!!!