BLOG IN PROGRESS! KEEP CHECKING BACK

The goal was to have this blog semi up to date when the Christmas cards went out.  But 3 kids, work, holiday events and life in general make it a challenge to keep up.  But I am committed to sharing our family events on this site, so just check back later as we continue to add to the blog.  Thank you for your understanding!

Events to come:

Katie's 4th Birthday

Rough Fit Rewards Event

Thanksgiving

Christmas

 

Katie's Christmas Play

Katie had her first school play tonight.  It was adorable!  It was for the Pre School and Kindergarden kids.  She sang Away in a Manger, Rudolph and shook her booty to Jingle Bell Rock.  I have to figure out how to upload video on this blog, because you really need to see how cute the kids were.  My camera was a little blurry, but at least you get the idea.

Here she is with Samantha and Dominick before the play

And with Samantha and Cade - the girls are so proud of their Christmas dresses!

I don't think she liked the wreath on her head.  It looked really cute, but I think it itched, because she kept messing with it

The hand movements to Rudolph was really cute - the blinking hands were my favorite part

Child Mary

La Purisima does this beautiful event each November to commemorate when Mary's parents took her to the temple to be raised whne she was a small child.  The Pre-School and Kindergarden children follow a statue of Mary as a child and make an offering to her.  It's adorable, and all the kids get dressed up.  Katie was so sweet in her party dress, she kept turning and waving at me.

Here she is with her class and the statue

And by herself

Waving at me during the ceremony

That's my girl - posing for the camera!

Decon Bube and Ms De la Fuente are ready to bless the children

Getting blessed by Dr. Bube

Katie's Dora Party

Katie LOVES Dora the Explorer.  Having a Dora themed birthday party, then, was a no brainer.  The idea was that the girls in her Pre School class, her cousin Kaylee from Pennsylvania and some other friends would come over and go on a "Dora syled" Adventure.  The basic idea:

There is the pinata in the tree at the front of the house - so after some coloring and eating the girls would head outside to break the pinata (Dora of course).  But OH NO!  The pinata is gone!!  In it's place is a  note that Swiper the Fox took it.  Then the girls has to consult the Map in their backpacks and follow the map to find the Pinata.  But watch out for Swpier (aka Nicholas) he is always trying to seal their stuff.

I had made little backpacks from lunch sacks and string, there was a map inside.  They had to go over Hop Scotch Bridge (the carpet from Katies room) and figure out the riddle from the Grumpy Old Troll (aka Daddy), then go to chocolate tree (the orange tree in the back yard with Hershey's Kisses tied to it) and then get to the pinata (back in the tree in the front).  They then broke the pinata, got the candy and all was well.

It only took a few hours to do all this, was cost effective but a ton of fun to plan and enjoy.  Nicholas was priceless as Swiper - unfortunately, we didn't get any pictures of him ... but I will remember him willing to do that for his baby sister forever.

In front of the Dora Pinata, beginning of the party

Valeria and Makayla enjoy juice boxes

Allison and Riley having lunch

Finding the note Swiper left

With their backpacks .. "Who do we ask for help when we don't know which way to go?"

Crossing Hopscotch Bridge

Waiting to get through the Gate

The Grumpy Old Troll made them solve a riddle:  "Who's birthday is it?"

At Chocolate Tree - here comes Swiper.  We say "Swiper No Swiping, Swiper No Swiping"

Yay!  We found the Dora Pinata

Lauren is ready to pull the string and see if that opens Dora's Backpack full of candy

Katie and the Dora Pinata - that was her favorite part

Mini - Me

Now Johnny and Zachary have always looked alike, but this photo really surprised me at how much Katie looks like me when I was 4.  This is with her cousin Kaylee, who was visiting from Pittsburg, PA.  There is just something about her hair, her smile, etc that is just the image of me as a little girl. As the Mommy, that is really special to see!

Katie's 4th Birthday

Our baby girl turned 4 this year.  Where has the time gone?   We had a little cupcake and ice cream party with her brothers on her actual birthday.

Ready to for us to sing Happy Birthday!

Getting a little help from her brothers

Make a Wish!

Yummy cupcake- the frosting always goes first

LP Gala

Each year La Purisima has it's annual Gala Event.  It's a dinner/dance/fund raiser for the school.  We always have a great time, spend too much money, and hang out with amazing friends.  It's a fun excuse to get dressed up and spend a night with grown ups!

Getting ready to leave the house

Sharing the evening with Tommy and Lety Schaeffer.  What a good looking group we are!

Tracy and Lety

 After the event was over, we wanted to take advantage of no curfew and babysitters still at home ... so we went to JT Schmidts to continue the celebration

Anna, Tracy, Erica and Gina

Tracy with Johnny and Kevin

Halloween Night

It was nice that Halloween was on a Saturday this year - there was no frantic rush to get home from work, pick up the kids from school etc.  And they got to get a good night sleep after the sugar from the day before at school!

We had the Schaeffer and the Websters over to have a little party and then go Trick or Treating. Our street isn't the most happening, but on the other side of the block, they really do up the night.  We took the wagon, a cooler full of drinks, and made our way over to the neighborhood.

Samantha and Katie are ready for some fun adventures - the Princess and the Pirate

Kaiden was an astronaut and his Dad turned his wagon into a space ship!  The girls enjoyed riding in it,  I don't know if they even gave the poor astronaut a chance at all

Trick or Treating - I love when the parents handing out the candy dress up as well - Nicholas was a big help with Katie saying Trick or Treat, and thank you!

The Evil Jester Masks (they coudn't wear the masks the day before at school)

Halloween Parade at School

The kids got to dress up at school and have a parade.  They take their chairs onto the blacktop and make a big square and each class goes around to show their costumes.  They do this every year - it's a fun thing to watch.  A lot of the costumes are very clever and original.  It was exciting to have Katie be a part of it for the first time!
The teachers get in the act as well - they usually coordinate - this year they were a pumpkin patch, with the princpal having a great green wig on - the children really enjoy it.

Since Zachary is the Commissioner of School Spirit, he was the MC for the parade.  Here is is with his ostrich costume (whom he named Felipe - go figure!)

Here is Nicholas and Maggie

And Nicholas and Tommy - in matching costumes.  His mom and I did not coordinate these costumes, nor to my knowledge did the boys talk together.  They both have similar likes and chose the exact same costume (and their Mom's both know that shopping at Party City is the easy way to go at this age!)

Here is Katie in her first parade!

...sitting watching the parade with Hunter, Brendan and Riley

the 7th Grade class - I have enjoyed watching these kids grow up these past 6 years

The Pre-School Parade

After the all school parade, the Pre-School kids get to go Trick or Treating in all the classrooms - it's a riot to watch them go in and out of the classes, especially when one has an older sibling - they get a lot of laughs and hugs - not to mention candy and treats!

Mrs Vallas gave out great treats - pencils and suckers!

Katie had a great time

And after the parades were over, and the Princess Costume put away, it was time for the cupcakes, juice and treats. 

I think she is enjoying it!!