Another Family Day

Our holiday break was a little uneventful to start, but we have definitely made up for that in the last few days.  I'm not sure about the kids, but I'm counting down the hours until school is back in session tomorrow.  I am ready for life to get back to normal.  I do not apologize for enjoying "MY TIME"...and I get 2 hours (sometimes 3) all to myself Monday-Friday while Thomas and Taylor are at school and Tatum is napping.  Sometimes I get things accomplished and sometimes I sit on the couch the ENTIRE time and watch crap TV...either way I LOVE IT!!

Anyway...I digress!!

Last Thursday we woke up early and since my hubby had scored an extra day off we decided to brave the cooler temps, pack lunches and head to the zoo (making good use of our annual pass).  Our friends even decided to join us...BONUS!!  It was the PERFECT day to go, almost no one there!!  Almost ALL of the animals were out enjoying the nice day and we didn't have to fight anyone to see them.

I'm glad the kids like going to the zoo as much as I do!!

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Thanks to a tiny amount of snow fall on New Year's Day my hubby had to cancel his tee time.  Although I am pretty sure he was a little bummed about that he got to spend the day with the four of us.  And what better way to spend a impromptu family day than with a trip to Chuck E Cheese!!

1lrg 1 topping pizza, 40 tokens, 4 drinks...$33
100 extra tokens...$20

Watching the kids (and your hubby) play tons of fun games for small amounts of tickets...

PRICELESS!!

Places like Chuck E Cheese are a racket...over priced and chaotic, but sometimes that's just what we need.  And it turned out to be the perfect way to start the new year!!


Her "Cheese" face!!  Never gets old!!

In case you are wondering...yes...Thomas was there...he only came around for food.  I barely saw him the rest of the time!!

And because I know you probably wish you could witness the fun firsthand...

Here is a little video for your viewing pleasure!!

Reflection

Although we are still technically 11 days before the new year starts today was the day I felt like reflecting on the past year, so that's what I am going to do!! 

To say it has been an eventful year would be an understatement.  The other day I was actually scrolling through my Instagram account and it made me laugh how one week I was marveling at the weather and couldn't imagine living anywhere else and then BAM...we are planning our move to Colorado.  Funny how quickly life can change.

I'm pretty sure that 2013 saw more tears from my eyes than any other years lately.  I compared it to having a baby...one minute I was fine...one minute I was excited and the next...BALLING!!  Thankfully there are no more tears.  We have embraced our new life in Colorado and are very happy about that!  Mom (me) definitely took the longest to let it grow on me, but I have and in doing so I have made new friends and am very grateful for that.  Thankfully my hubby balances my semi-OCD type A personality and keeps me grounded.  I am not a HUGE fan of change as many of you know.

Kids on the other hand are resilient and nothing proves that more than moving them from everything they know and have known since they were born.  They talk about their friends and family, but are happy to call Colorado their home now!! 

I have been reminded lately just how important it is to live life fully and be happy with everything you are blessed to have.  There are days when I think I could pull my hair out and consider running for the hills, but then I look at my kids and my hubby and remember that there isn't anywhere else I'd rather be...well maybe the spa...haha...I kid I kid!!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!

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I had a busy, but super fun week/weekend!!  This December isn't like Decembers past, but I am embracing all the changes in our lives and look forward to the final countdown!!

From top left:

1.  Thomas showing off his new SPY glasses!!

2.  I bought myself these super cute leggings at Target...my home away from home!!

3.  The temperatures rose a little last week and we were able to take a walk with our friends!

4.  Checkin out the planes before we headed to Phoenix

5.  Miss Independent needed to stop and take a break from walking!

6.  Bout to get ready for the annual cookie party!

7.  Couldn't visit without going to Postino...DELICIOUS!!

8.  Celebrating my sister's birthday!

9.  Airport boredom = random photos by a 1 year old!!

Finally!!!

Although it snowed last Wednesday the kids haven't gotten to actually play in it because the temperatures have been disgustingly cold.  Finally though on Sunday the temperature rose just above unbearable so the kids got to play.  My dad and my hubby even joined them in the fun.  I bundled up to take some much needed pics. 

They made snow angels, build a rather sad snowman and tried to throw snowballs at each other.  Even Riley got in on the fun!!

 

The snow is starting to melt and the temperatures are rising, however I am pretty sure we will have plenty more opportunity to play in the snow as winter hasn't even officially begun yet!

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Freezing temps did not keep us from having a good weekend while my parents were in town.  My mom even ventured out WAY more than I expected with below zero temps...YAY!!  Long weekend trips are wonderful, but they fly by!  I took them to the airport a little earlier and now I have to count down the days until their next visit!

A busy week ahead, but before I get wrapped up on all that I emptied my phone!!

From top left:
1.  Woke up to some serious snow on Wednesday...just in time for my parents arrival.
2.  Cold weather calls for morning hot chocolate!!
3.  Tatum has a rough time walking in all this snow, so it was easier to pull her around the neighborhood.
4.  I have been couponing again thanks to my friend JoJo and I got some great deals at Target...all that for $20!
5.  Thomas' birthday dinner choice...RED ROBIN...YUM!!  
6.  My mom, Taylor and I went to St. Nick's...the most AMAZING Christmas store ever.
7.  My Thomas turned 8 on Saturday and we threw him a little party with his friends in the neighborhood.
8.  To COOL this kid!!
9.  Taylor enjoying a cupcake!

Deck The Halls

I told you I would be back with the "AFTER" of our tree hunting day!  We had to do a little height adjustment on our tree, but after a few feet at the bottom and a foot at the top...

Here she is...

What do you think?  Not too bad huh?!

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It was a fun holiday weekend for the Moore family!!!

From top left:

1.  We took the kids to see Disney's new movie Frozen on Thanksgiving...Tatum did SO-SO!

2.  I'll give you three guesses as to which kid pulled the little Christmas tree over, but I'm pretty sure you only need one!

3.  Again with the destruction...Tatum grabbed an entire bag of tiny beads off the kitchen counter and tossed them on the floor!

4.  Finally got under $2 a gallon!!

5.  Saving big at the gas station makes have a gas guzzler not so painful!

6.  Our beautiful view heading to get our Christmas tree!

7.  Got our permit!!  $10 woohoo!

8.  My daily trip to the PO to mail out ribbon!!  My ribbon sales have helped out quite a bit this year!!

9.  Taylor and her friends pushing the Christmas music buttons at Target...tons of fun!!

And...we are sure to have another FUN weekend ahead as my parents are flying in to surprise the kids on Thursday morning!!  It's been a hard secret to keep, but thankfully less than two days left to keep it.

An Old Tradition New To Us

I would say that since the moment we found out we were moving to Colorado my hubby started talking about our Christmas tree and how THIS year we would be trucking into the woods to cut it down ourselves.  I won't lie and tell you I was super excited about this, but after a very valid argument by my hubby I said..."Let's do it!"  OK...I might not have said those exact words, but this is my side of the story so we'll go with it.

We packed snow gear for the whole family and lunch for the road and first thing around 10am Saturday morning we headed to the mountains.  The kids complained...as expected...the kids asked how long it would take...as expected, but after assuring them it would be worth it they relaxed and before they knew it we were there. 

I have to tell you that it was actually an AWESOME day and I would do it again in a heartbeat.  Oh don't worry there was plenty of complaining and whining, but for once I chose to ignore all of it.  I smiled and laughed and decided that I would make the best out of the day.  My kids are sun babies and the fact of the matter is...it's going to take them a while to understand what cold weather means, but for now I will give them a break.

We came home with a very Charlie Brown Christmas Tree and although I can't put any HEAVY ornaments on it...I wouldn't trade it.

There they are!!  My family all ready for tree hunting!!  Thank goodness for the sled because I'm pretty sure neither of my girls would have made it.

So nice that both Thomas and Taylor can work my camera because it means occasionally I can be on the other side of the lens.

 Isn't that a beautiful tree that my family is standing in front of?  Well that is NOT our tree!!  We thought it was, but it wasn't!!

Another tree that from a distance had potential, but my hubby was not a fan.  So this is also NOT our tree!!

Seriously this girl makes us laugh a hundred times a day.  Point a camera in her direction and this is the face you instantly get!!  Her "Cheese" face!!

 There she is!! 

Stay tuned for the big reveal!!