Almost TWO party prep!

 It's almost party time! Our little sunshine is almost TWO!  I just can't believe it.

But before I can get too teary eyed the planning has to take place!

All this little girl can think of right now is Minnie Mouse so a minnie party she will get!

I started this weekend with the banner.  I got my idea from Pinterest (of course!) and the creativity spun out of control from there.

Here's the banner that gave me the idea:

And here is my finished product!

I'm beyond happy with it!  And of course we had to hang it up because it's too pretty to just fold up until the party! :)

Here's how I made it:

I got black and pink solid card stock and a few 8 1/2 X11 patterned sheets that reminded me of Minnie Mouse.  I started by cutting hearts with an old Creative Memories cutting system I have. 

I cut them in both the pink card stock and patterned paper.

Then I found a canister in my house that was the circle width large enough to fit the heart within the circle.  I didn't have a stencil large enough.

 I then glued the hearts in the middle of the circles with craft glue.

Next I set out letters spelling 'HAPPY BIRTHDAY EMERY.'  I wasn't feeling like I wanted to hand make each of the letters so I found these cute letters at Joann's.  They were inexpensive and just the perfect size for the banner.

Then I used the craft glue to adhere each of the letter into the hearts.

Next I took two different types of 1/8 thick ribbon and cut 2" inch pieces.  I then took a single hole punch and put a hole on each side of each circle.  Then I began to tie each letter to the next.

Lastly for the Minnie Mouse heads I used a large circle and cut out two smaller ones to make a template.  I then traced it on black card stock to make one solid piece.  I used the same ribbon that I tied each letter together and created a small bow which I then glued on.  Finally I attached a Minnie at each end and in the middle.  The banner was quite long so I decided to attach her name under happy birthday and it actually makes the banner lay flat and even when it hangs.

Yea for Pinterest! Yea for being crafty this weekend and YEA for Emery's party!

(more details to follow ;))

Welcome 2012

 Nathan and I rung in the new year with our last date night of 2011 and our first one of 2012!!  Let's just say we were excited to spend this night without the little ones and enjoy a festive adult night out! (We love you little ones, but this was way over due! :))

 After dinner we headed to the lovely Jessica's casa.  One of my best friends and wbff (work bff :)).

Then we headed to George and Mandy's for the countdown.

Is it just me or did 12pm come so quickly?  We were having so much fun I couldn't believe how the night flew!

I'm lucky to be able to kiss this man each and every new year of my life!

 The ladies!

WELCOME 2012!

2011 was a good year for us but we are excited for a new year!  We will be focussing on our family and the love we have for each other.  Of course this goes along with my other goals to be healthy, happy and organized! :)

Arizona Christmas

When we left Arizona to head to California we left our tree looking like this...

 and when we returned home after a few days with Grandma and Grandpa, we found this!

Santa definitely didn't forget that we were away and visited our house too!  He even left some messy footprints for Mommy to clean up! ;)  That's okay Santa, this is the exact reason I invested in a dirt buster!

Even though it was quite late, the kiddos couldn't go to bed without opening the gifts Santa had left under their own tree.  Roxy too!!

First we opened stockings...

 And then the gifts!!

 As you can tell we were pooped out from our long drive!  The girls were excited to open their gifts but the fun didn't really set in until the next day.

 Phew,  2 Christmas' down, 1 to go…we still have to visit Nana and Papa! We'll save those pics for another day!

California Christmas

It was a very special Christmas but there was a void in each of our hearts this year.  I have not yet mentioned the loss of our Gram in November.  We were so blessed this holiday in being happy and healthy but we were missing our Gram.  We miss her so much and her memories will be with us always!

The first present we had my parents open was a scrapbook of family photos for us to all remember, it was so great to see them recall fun times and memories with their grand children.

Then the mayhem began!!!

Emery found her place on the coffee table, probably because most of the presents were piled taller than her!

Uncle Nathan got a cool new camera for when he surfs and snowboards!  We can't wait to see your cool videos!

Grandma got a framed family picture from our wedding.

Akira was given the ultimate surprise from Grandma and Grandpa…an iPod!!

(She has now officially enrolled in the talent show because she can practice the song she is singing with her iPod, Adelle, over and over and over and over again!).

More gifts….

 And lots of LOVE!  

Emery got a new kitchen and table from Grandma and Grandpa, something she loves to play at school!!  Now she has her own! 

All present opening was put on hold to put these together, she just couldn't wait!

And yes, my 11 year old brother went into Victoria's Secret all by himself to get his sister a gift card!  He's so sweet!

 Christmas 2012 was very special.  All the traditions that I grew up with are being passed down to my children and it was so fun to watch.  My parents are the best grandparents and my brothers are perfect uncles for their nieces!  The love is around us and we are so lucky to be a family!  We miss you Gram but you are always with us!!