Feeling the season so far...

This is my first Christmas season being home based. I was worried at first that it would be hard to get into the festive mood because I wouldn't be seeing parents at school, and other school related stuff but this year has been pleasantly surprising. I have been listening to Christmas music since before Thanksgiving and we put up our tree before the turkey day as well. We have watched a wide variety of Christmas movies, played with our borrowed Fisher Price little people Nativity set, had Family Home Evenings centered around Christ's birth each week, and sang a lot of Christmas songs. I feel more Christmasy this Christmas I can honestly say than in many years past. It is also exciting that Sterling is getting excited ( or maybe a little scared) about the thought of Santa. He has not really wanted to see the Santa guys in real life, and the movie santas can be a little confusing I've decided... there are so many different ones, but I have a feeling he's going to be excited Christmas morning... only time will tell. As far as Gwen goes this year, she is in love with the glowing lights on the tree, looking at a couple Christmas board books we have out, and pulling off a few low tree ornaments. All and all I am so thankful for another Christmas season that has and will be shared with my little family.

Happy Birthday to the man I love.

Happy Birthday Matt!!!

I can't believe I have been lucky enough to be with Matt to celebrate 6 of his birthdays. We were fortunate enough to be able to celebrate not only on Saturday (his actual birthday) but on Friday night as well (thank you grandmas and grandpas!!). Matt and I went to a nice dinner, just the two of us, then zipped on over to see the movie "The Blind Side". It was so nice to see a great movie with the most handsome man and not have to worry about feeding anyone, diaper changes, or anything else but to just have good conversation and adult company.

Friday was followed by a busy Saturday. The morning started out with one of Matt's favorite breakfasts... B's and G's (biscuits and gravy) with eggs and candle adorned biscuits. We all sang Happy Birthday, ate, got ready to get out the door then dropped the kids off at grandma's house. We got the oil change (hot stuff), both got a pedicures (Matt's idea), then went shopping at the coldy Cabazon outlets. We picked up the kids, hung out with one of my super sister in laws (kym) then finished things off with a little winco shopping. wooo.

I just finished making the San Antonio style cream corn for Matt's birthday dinner later this evening and hope everything turns out just right for my hubby.

I am so thankful to be married to Matt for so many reasons there is not enough room to write. But anywho I just want to wish my favorite guy a happy happy birthday.

Exciting news!

Gwen decided to walk today. Yep, you heard me. She has been standing now for a couple weeks pretty steady and she had even taken one step here and there a couple times but today was the day.
She didn't take a long nap and I thought something might be wrong... nope. We played in our playroom and she took 3 step towards me. I thought that was interesting. Then she did it again. Then she took 5 steps. Later in the evening she was practically crossing the room by herself. When she does something she apparently DOES something. Our tiny little girl is on the move=).

Thanksgiving 2009

Thanksgiving, thanksgiving it comes once a year ... a time to be thankful for all we hold dear... thanksgiving thanksgiving a wonderful day ...thanksgiving thanksgiving let's all shout hooray! (old preschool song) =) ... here are a few shots of our thanksgiving day.

I spy a big three year old....

Happy Birthday Sterling!!! I love you so much and can't believe you are such a big boy. I think the "tender three's" have started and I love them so far.

I am now a super fan of collages (thank you Kym =) ), so lets play a game.
... I spy...
Pizza
A little girl who can stand
A little "hunk"
One red rocket
A talking Buzz Lightyear
and
A big happy Sterling boy

The boy I love =)

Just a couple shots of a awesome little Sterling Woodruff Caress!

Happy Happy Birthday Sterling Dear!

I love my first born son for so many reasons... but here are just a few of my favorite things...

1. The way he sings! (especially, but not limited to, Give said the little stream, Itsy Bitsy Spider, Twinkle Twinkle little star, I am a child of God, Skin and bones, and slippery fish (octopus).

2. The way he apologizes. "I sorry_______ or just sorry followed with a kiss.

3. His amazing energy in the morning.

4. The way he just loves his sister.

5. He still takes naps! Good long ones.

6. The way he acts out movies.

7. Next to Matt, he gives the best hugs and kisses.

8. The way he prays. So sincere and sweet.

It seems as if over night my bubs has turned into a full fledge big boy. I love him so much and look forward to a bright future for my little guy. =)

Halloween 2009

Happy Halloween!

Dressed and ready to go.

Yes, I know I look fabulous.

Buzz holding buzz... catching some zzzzzzzzzzzz.

Grandma Caress holding her itsy grandbabies.

Lets go get caaandy...

Daddy taking Sterling around the lot.

Mommy trying to get in a picture.

This is one of the thing Sterling loved that whole evening...creepy to me, fun for him.

Ending the evening with a foot rub from Papa Caress.

Halloween...We started the day by doing some neccesary grocery shopping (Sterling wearing his Buzz wings of course) with Grandma Haas. We went home and Sterling boy would not nap. The whole time was thinking "YOu NEED to Nap or We ALl won't Enjoy the HOLIDAY!" but alas, he did not nap. I got the kids dressed after Matt got home from a loooong day of work and we drove over to my parents to trick o treat. Of course on the way what should happen but Sterling falls sound asleep. Yicks. But we woke him up, gave him a little lollipop and all was well. After going to My parent's house we went to a trunk o treat at the Palm Desert Stake Center. We met Grandma and Grandpa Caress there along with Aunt Kym, Uncle Chris, and Lincoln. Sterling had a good time. He said Trick o treat at each car and thanks afterwards. It will be interesting to see what we will do next year.

Where do I start...how about... Happy Halloween!

Pre Halloween festivites at the Santa Rosa Ward Party.

BOO!

Aunty Kim with Pirate Lincoln

Hands are yummy... who needs candy?

Daddy with GwenniBOO!!!

Mommy cat with tired Buzz.


LOLLLLIIIPPPOP!!!

This year Halloween took on a whole new level of excitement... Sterling was into the whole idea of pumpkins, candy(especially lollipops), costumes. We have now read Where the Wild Things Are I don't know how many times and Big Pumpkin. Halloween was finally fun again because I saw it again through the eyes of my little guy... and Gwen was pretty darn cute too!

Here it is...My etsy store...

So I've been a little busy... Back in July I had this urge for some reason to try to create something, possibly to sell... and I wasen't sure what to do... So I looked at some pictures online... did a little cutting... a little sewing a little glueing and boom....

the Birth of Boppin' Blooms . I've been creating now for about 2 months and have made over 50 clips of different varieties. Gwenyth is my happy boppin' muse and I love it. I hope you will check out the store and give me some feed back. And if you live local just talk to me and we can not worry about those shipping costs. =)
http://www.freshcaressblooms.etsy.com/

heat+water+family=fun

we love to swim.

The Wild Animal

All the Haas ladies and kids at the park.

Cute Juarez fam

The pink flamingo Gwen loves now...

This is how we spent most of the day... Gwen in the baby Bjorn and Me carrying an umbrella to give us some shade... it worked very well.

Sorry i know it's sideways but worth the head turning.

how they grow...

Gwen at almost 4 months old.

did i mention she likes to roll around??!

CHOOO CHOOO!

roller paint

I have no neck = )

cozy time