School break

The kids have been enjoying there Christmas break from school and are already excited for the summer!  I told them they are one school semester down and that they have a whole other semester to complete before summer comes.  I love winter break because its just long enough for the kids to get a good break from school duties and they get to play with there Christmas toys!  The only downer is its usually to cold to enjoy any out door activities, although that hasn't stopped my warm blooded children from bundling up to spend time outside.

This Christmas Allison got a bike and Cooper got a power wheels jeep.  These two presents have been such a hit in the Sanchez house.  There hasn't been a day we haven't gone outside.  Allison has never owned a bike, in fact scooters have been the only wheeled thing she cared about for years.  When Cooper got a bike for his birthday she was set on having a bike too.  It only took her 30 minutes to figure out how to ride a bike with out training wheels.  Cooper of course knows how to handle his jeep and loves driving around the yard.  Beckett is having the time of his life siting back and enjoying a ride from big brother!  We let the kids ride there bikes to the park one day when it was warm and we all spent a few hours play there.

 

 

Another Christmas present the kids have enjoyed is the Disney Infinity game.  We bought the kids this game as a combined gift, we also bought them characters to go with this game.  Everyday they have been playing.  Its not to hard the kids don't understand it, but its difficult enough its a challenge.  Total thumbs up on this game, the only thing I noticed is you cant play two player in a characters world unless you have two players from that world.  Meaning you cant play different Disney characters from different worlds.  If that made any sense.. 

The marker maker set was another awesome gift we bought the kids.  They spent two days making there own marker colors.  Everyday the color pages after pages with each other.  We also bought each kid a board game.  The game they play the most is the Headbanz.  Its serious such a fun game to play!  The kids play by them selves and we have played together as a family.  I really want to buy them the Disney version of the game.  Allison also got a Kindle for Christmas, we downloaded a ton of books and third grade reading programs on it.  She loves it!!  We also had a play date at our house this break.  Allison's piano teachers children are the exact same ages as my kiddos.  Allison and her oldest daughter played quietly for hours and then Cooper and the twins where all over the place!

We ended this break by letting the kids pick one special activity.  Allison choose to go roller skating with her friends and Cooper choose to play laser tag with his family.  Lets just say we had a totally blast at each thing.  Allison and I had fun with her girlfriends and there moms skating.  I cant forget to mention Allison was the winner of the limbo!  At the Cinergy complex Allison decided to spend her own money on the air obstacle course.  I cant explain how terrified her face looked while she was up there.  Cooper was taking pictures of Allison and himself while we waited for Allison to finish.  Laser tag was so much fun, we have to go back again!!  We had such a blessed Christmas and a much need break from school etc.  Its time to buckle down and get ready for the second semester of school!

 

2014

 

Its hard not to reflect and look back at the past year when a knew year is upon you. 2013 was a big year for our family.  Our families experienced a baby boom!  My sister Heather started off the year with her son's birth in March, then my niece had her son in April, and my sister Courtney had her twin girls at the end of August.  Our baby had a big year of first!  Beckett learned how to crawl in February and tuned the big 1 in July.  A week after his first birthday he started walking!  Allison tuned 8, and was baptized into our church!!  Cooper turned 5 and started kindergarten.  We survived two soccer seasons with both kids playing.  We took many trips this year our first big one was to California and to Disney Land!  We finally got to visit my mom and step dad in there new house in Fort Worth.  We had fun at hurricane harbor, Lego Land, and just spending time at grandma's and papa's house!  We ended up back in Fort Worth the next month to visit my in laws time share and spend time with my mom again.  Richard and I celebrated 11 years of marriage.  We moved back to Midland and bought a house and renovated some of our house.  Richard turned 30 and I threw him a big party!  We got to celebrate Thanksgiving with my mom and sister.  We've enjoyed hosting Christmas with my sisters and then Christmas lunch with my in laws.  Its been a wonderful year with many blessings for our family.  I've learned how fast time flies and I've seen my kids grow a lot this year.  I definitely see the true value of family with time spent together and memories made. 

“Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans.”
― Allen Saunders

I love this quote because I am so guilty of making plans and having this perfect idea of how I want things to go.  Sometimes I have to remember to enjoy the journey.  I am excited for this new year, I rarely make resolutions because I always have goals I work on.  But I hope this year I remember to spend a little more time on me.  I get so wrapped up in my kids lives that I feel like I am running on E.  I know its important to recharge my batteries every once in a while to be a better me.  I've set a goal to treat myself to something every month whether its to get my nails done, read a book, enjoy a milkshake/Starbucks in silence, or get a massage.  I have a feeling 2014 is going to be an awesome year because I plan to make it memorable!

New Years Eve

The beginning of our New Year's Eve was a pretty normal day.  After I dropped Allison off at piano lessons our friends from Hobbs the Poling family came to Midland to spend some time with us.  I feel so blessed that we've made such good life long friends with this sweet family.  I enjoyed every minute of there visit.  On Richards way home from work he picked up Allison from piano she stayed longer for a play date with her teachers daughter. The dads chatted and watched the little guys why us girls cooked in the kitchen and also chatted.  Dinner was fabulous and the desserts were perfection, cant ya tell I am a foddie!  After dinner the guys were watching a movie while the little boys were playing with each other.  The ladies cleaned the kitchen and chatted for a long time.  I sure have missed my friend and our daily chats.  We even had some great laughs while we looked at our wedding album and Allison's baby book.  Our friends left at 9 to drive back to Hobbs for a New Years Eve party and we headed out to our church family New Years Eve dance.

 I wasn't sure if our kiddos would make it tell midnight but they surprised me and stayed up!!  We had an absolute blast at the dance.  We got a chance to see a ton of our friends that we haven't seen since before we left to New Mexico.  Richard and I chatted all night with our friends and the kids danced, ate, and ran around with there friends.  The church had a projector with just dance videos playing songs like ghostbusters, what does the fox say, and gnam style.  All the kids were trying to copy the moves it was truly awesome to watch, Allison and her friends were totally into it.  Cooper mainly break danced, he has pretty sweet moves!  Beckett even danced his heart out, poor guy was so sleepy but insisted on staying up as long as mommy or daddy was holding him he was happy.  We almost didn't make back together as a family before midnight!  Cooper was running around with a few of his buddy's and we were looking for him and then Allison got lost in a crowd of people.  15 seconds before midnight I noticed Allison found Richard and the boys so we were able to count down together!  Cooper even got a kiss on midnight!!  Our friend Ryan and his girlfriend, plus Ryan's brother Brandon hung out with our family towards the end of the night.  Cooper was dancing with her most of the night and at midnight she gave him a kiss on the check.  I cant even describe how red Cooper's lil face was awe!!!  We were even invited to our friends midnight polar dip, they have a pool and count down to midnight and everyone jumps in the pool!  We were a little to exhausted to do that but maybe next year lol!  It was such an epic night, 2013 has been a GREAT year!

bye bye pappy

 

All three of my children have been pacifier babies.  Allison was pretty attached to her pacifier which she called paci.  My Alli-cat had most of her teeth by the time she was 10 months old.  We had planned to take her pacifier away but decided to wait until after her first flight to California when she was 11 months old.  A week after her first birthday the pacifier went in the trash and Allison never looked back.  Honestly she didn't care or notice.



 My baby blues AKA Cooper James was a little more attached to his pacifier which he called pappy.  Cooper was a late teether, by his first birthday he only had his front four teeth and it stayed that way until he was 20 months old.  We were so worried about his teeth not coming in that we took him to the dentist for x-rays.  Cooper was much older than Alli when we took the pacifier away he was 2 1/2.  That kid was addicted and loved his pacifier.  Those were the days before pacifier clips, and let me tell you we had at least 10 pacifiers all over our house.  We tried on several occasions to take his pacifier away but it didn't last long.  Finally on Christmas eve some how we couldn't find a single pacifier and at that moment we decided Cooper was done with the pacifier.  It was tough at first but after a few days of Cooper looking for his pacifier, and asking for it he eventually got over it. 







My BB boy was another pacifier lover.  We only bought one set of pacifiers, and thanks to the handy pacifier clip we never lost any.  I made all of Beckett's pacifier clips.  Beckett was so use to his pacifier clip he would tug on his shirt to look for it or to remind me to clip it on him.  As a baby Beckett was totally laid back, and such an easy going baby.  Boy how things have changed.  He might be the baby but he definitely doesn't act like it!  He has an opinion and he is not afraid to tell you!  Things changed when he started walking, once he became mobile he developed an opinion.  Beckett is a stubborn smart kid.  I have to remind myself how mischievous and defiant Cooper was, man he use to drive me crazy.  This stage is such a game changer and a molding time.  I made a choice to not take Beckett's pacifier away while we were in the process of moving and that was a mistake, a that point Beckett was still pretty laid back..  I feared taking his pacifier away, but I could tell it was holding back his speech and communication skills.  A couple weeks ago I had to go to Hobbs for an orthodontics appointment.  I was in such a rush get the kids ready for school that when we left the house that morning some how when I changed Beckett I never clipped his pacifier back on.  Now we had been limiting his use to only during naps, bed time, and while traveling.  But I knew we would be gone the entire day so I decided this was a opportunity to take the pacifier away.  The craziest thing happened Beckett never asked for it or seemed bothered with out it.  Days passed and everyday I would tell Richard we made another day with out it.  I was so worked up about taking the pacifier away, it turned out not to be a problem at all.  I cant believe my baby is so big, in a week he will be 18 months old.  

Christmas Day!

 

Christmas 2013 was a much different Christmas then 2012!  Last year we were so sick with the flu it didn't feel like Christmas at all!  I remember being so worried about baby Beckett with his constant fevers and sluggish personality.  This year was almost perfect.  Richard had to work so we were up at the crack of dawn to open presents at 5:30am!  I love the excitement and the reaction of Christmas morning, it such a fleeting moment.  Richard stayed until 6 and then went to work.  I opened boxes for hours.  I loved Cooper's reaction when he saw what Santa left him.  I enjoyed listening to Allison say how much she loved everything she received.  Beckett literally played with every toy, he was so quiet.  I finally made the kids stop so I could make breakfast and then for them to eat.  At ten my sister in law called with news that my brother in law was sick and asked if we could move Christmas lunch to our house.  I said of course and then began the craziest two hours.  We had so much wrapping paper and boxes laying around it took me several trips to the dumpster to clear everything out of the house.  Everyone came over at 12 and Richard came shortly after.  I enjoyed everyone's company so much.  It was so special to have everyone here.  Lunch was so delicious the ham was excellent!  I love having a full house.  Growing up with three sisters and know that were all married and have children I am use to a big commotion.  Having a lot of people over here was almost soothing and made it feel more like Christmas!  I was almost sad to see everyone go.  The rest of the day is kind of a blur.  Opening more gifts, playing with there new toys, taking Allison out to ride her new bike, and eating more good food. I even got to facetime my mom and sister and all long phone call with my aunt.  Even though I was totaling missing my sisters and mom, the day was pretty darn near perfect!  What a wonderful time of year to celebrate the gift of the savor.

 

 

 

 

Christmas Eve

 

 

This Christmas Eve will have a special place in my heart.  Richard had to work and Beckett was up at 7:30.  I had one last Christmas movie for the kids and I to watch Home Alone 2.  I made breakfast and we watched the whole movie with out interruption.  I had all three of my babies surrounding me on the couch intently watching the movie, it was perfect.  The entire day was wonderful.  I bathed all the kids, did some laundry, washed dishes, and cleaned house.  I got to have a long chat with my sister Courtney.  I also baked most of the entire day in between things.  I made sugar cookies for Santa with both big kids.  I made chocolate puppy chow, peppermint brownies, and chocolate cheese cake. 

At the end of the day we went to eat dinner and open presents at my sister in laws house.  Dinner was absolutely delicious, funny side note I had so much food stuck in my braces lol!  Then it was present time!!  My favorite part of watching the kids open presents was watching my great nephew laugh at this dancing chicken, awe it was the cutest thing ever!  The kids loved these race motor cycles that there Aunt and Uncle got them.  I got a new crock pot, I need a new one since Beckett broke my old one.  How blessed we all are with so many gifts.  After all the festivities we went home and my poor Beckett who was hours past his nap went straight to sleep while we decorated cookies for Santa.  The kids went to bed and the parents stayed up way to late preparing for Santa's arrival.

December wrap up

Its hard to believe the month is nearly over.  I was just telling Richard weren't we just in Fort Worth, wasn't it just Thanksgiving.  This month has been a busy one.  We've enjoyed celebrating our Christmas traditions with each other.  Frosty our elf on the shelf came back again this year the day after Thanksgiving.  Our elf is not mischievous he basically just moves around everyday and reports to Santa every night.  The kids were so excited every morning to find were Frosty had moved to.  Towards the end of Frosty's time with us Beckett finally became aware that he was around and would start looking for him too.  When he would find Frosty he would laugh!!  This school year I am the room mom for Allison's class.  Which means of course that I was in charge of her school Christmas party.  I told Richard that I never want to be the room mom again lol.  Its just to much dang work, and people aren't always willing to help.  I think planning the party for me was just to much added stress to the already busy Christmas season.  The party did turn out to be a success. The main event at the party was the Christmas photo booth I made.  The kids would dress up and I would take there photos.  Then I printed out the pictures and I also made frames for the kids to put the photos in and take home.  They also got to play some Christmas games and eat a ton of goodies.  Poor Cooper missed out on his Christmas party this year, he was home sick.  But I was able to stop by his kindergarten class and pick up his goodies.  I was also in charge of creating our church children's Christmas presents.  I went simple since there are 72 children and I decided to buy Christmas bags to fill up with goodies.  It took me days to buy and put together, and I also glittered all the children's names on each bag!  I was relieved when I was done and all the gifts were distributed!  In between all these activities I managed to make some Christmas crafts.  Pinterest was a big help for Christmas craft ideas I made a framed wrapping paper tree, a Christmas card wreath, and a wreath for our door.  We were fairly consistent every night by reading verse from the bible, watching Christ related videos, and adding to our giving tree every night.  Allison and I continued with watching Christmas movies every night and everyday we jammed out to Christmas music.  My favorite music was listening to Allison practice her three Christmas songs these last two weeks.  We were also able to attended Richard's work Christmas party thanks to Richards parents for babysitting.  Richard was in charge of taking couples pictures at the party, it was a fun way to get to know everyone since Richard's the new guy to this facility.  A few days ago we managed to get Richards parents to babysit again to sneak of to the movies to see the new Hobbit movie.  What a blessed busy month of December we had.  I am hoping January is a slower month so I can relax!!