DPP 2012 // 12.6.12 // Grandma Visits

Grandma Visits

Grandma Diane flew into Houston from Northern California for a week long visit.  We are ALL enjoying her being here and she is loving spending this wonderful time with us.  Today we went to our favorite restaurant in the Houston area, El Tiempo and then we ventured on to reveal the big surprise to the children and Grandma, we had tickets to The Story Tour.

DPP 2012 // 12.5.12 // Essential

Essential

I have used essential oils for years to bring down fevers, settle tummies, get rid of headaches and calm nerves.  But just recently began using EOs with a diffuser.  I have lots more love for essential oils now that I have this diffuser and can't wait to dive into studying about more of the benefits of essential oils. 

DPP 2012 // 12.4.12 // Sleepless Cutie

Sleepless Cutie

This little one would not go to sleep.  And I guess its obvious it didn't bother us too much.  I tried to put her down at the "normal" time and she just wasn't having it, Nick tried again a bit later and still she was awake.  So we just went with it.  When you have 7 children, a happy awake child is actually a positive.  (Now if it was every night that would get old, but once in awhile, fine.)  We were able to spend time with this wee one that became a big sister while she was still a baby (at 13 months) and she was the center of attention. 

DPP 2012 // 12.3.12 // Checkers

Checkers

An evening game of checkers.  Téadora and Jericho are playing against Dillon.  I get a bit teary eyed to see these 3, once my babies, they have earned the title of middles in the last few months.  Our checkers board (rug) was picked up at a Cracker Barrel shortly after hitting the road.  

DPP 2012 // 12.2.12 // Advent

Advent

Advent is here, Jesus is coming.  This Advent we are spending time in our traditions...Christmas story books, Jesse Tree devotions & Little People Nativity.  Plans are in the works to birth some new traditions this Advent, just waiting for the perfect time to reveal them.  

Here is a post from last December, sharing a bit of our Advent & Christmas.

DPP 2012 // 12.1.12 // Me & Toothless

Me & Toothless

A rare capture, my eldest girl and I.  She has two less teeth than she did a day ago, she sticks her tongue through the hole.  As we walk she holds my hand...if I let go, she grabs it again.  Oh God, please help me to cherish these ever fleeting moments.  

December Photo Project :::: 12.20.11 & 12.21.11

12.20.11 :::: Summer Camp Friends

Reconnecting with old friends is one of the many perks of traveling fulltime.  Loved meeting up with Kristen (another like-minded mama) & her family.  I hadn't seen Kristen in over 8 years, but we stay connected through Facebook! 

12.21.11 :::: Morning Goodbyes

Still in our pjs, coffee in hand, a little sad about saying goodbye, but feeling so blessed having spent an entire week living life together.

December Photo Project :::: 12.17.11 -12.19.11

 12.17.11 :::: Nativity

12.18.11 :::: Biggest Pizza Ever (Before) 

 12.18.11 :::: Biggest Pizza Ever (After)

On 12.18 the Lendes and the Moris had our Christmas complete with a 24" pizza....needless to say it was not too much pizza for us.

12.19.11 :::: Cousins

December Photo Project :::: 12.15.11 & 12.16.11

12.15.11 :::: Fairytale Town

12.16.11 :::: Hiking Auburn State Park

A few days into our week with E, Uncle Serg & Baby Lucca and we have already had so much fun.  Spent an afternoon at Fairytale Town in Sacramento, E & I loved sharing this place with our husbands and children, we had wonderful memories of going there as children.  Then the next day E & Serg brought us to one of their new found treasures a hike in Auburn State Park, so beautiful.  

December Photo Project :::: 12.14.11 :::: Driving

Comfy boots, good tunes and riding in the passenger seat on our way to spend a week with our most favorite family of three.

December Photo Project :::: 12.13.11 :::: Pizza & Grandpa

December Photo Project :::: 12.10.11 - 12.12.11

12.10.11 :::: Besties

12.11.11 :::: Grandma Love

12.12.11 :::: Friends

December Photo Project :::: 12.9.11 :::: Morning View

North of Ventura on the Rincon Parkway I woke up to waves crashing and this view.  Oh Pacific Ocean how I have missed you.

December Photo Project :::: 12.8.11 :::: Alone

In a family with six children there is always someone to play with.  But it is when they each take their alone time that they truly melt my heart.  These little people, living right before me, I am SO blessed to be a part of their lives.

December Photo Project :::: 12.7.11 :::: Anticipation

Lights, garland, candles, Little People Nativity, Jesus Storybook Bible & various renditions of the story of Jesus' birth ---- we use these things to help prepare us as we anticipate the coming of our Savior.

December Photo Project :::: 12.6.11 :::: Crazy Hair

This boy made me a mama over 9 years ago.  He has a huge heart, loves his siblings with all his might and would give his all for the right cause.  He reads more in a week than I read in a year and will stop at nothing to keep his long hair.

December Photo Project :::: 12.5.11 :::: Lego Building

We spent a wonderful day at LegoLand California.  Good weather, good company and many memories made. This was our second time going to LegoLand we would wholeheartedly recommend it for families with younger children.  And if your a homeschooler, check out Homeschool Mondays, saved us HUNDREDS of dollars.

December Photo Project :::: 12.4.11 :::: Dad & Daughter

We made it to California and spent the day with my dad and my 11 year old sister Alana.  It was a fun day filled with good conversation, Wii playing, eraser sharing and food eating.  Want to know something crazy??!!   I only met my dad for the first time just a little over 2 years ago.

December Photo Project :::: 12.3.11 :::: Giggles

I wish photos had sound.  I want to capture her almost 4 month old giggle and remember it forever.  Her biggest brother Aidan can make her giggle ALL.DAY.LONG, they have the most amazing bond...I pray it will always be that way.  It seems like with each child we all just ooogle over them more and more.  Nick and I fight over who gets to hold her and multiple times a day we bring everyone over to see just how stinkin' cute she is.  Lyric don't ever doubt that you have seven people that love you MORE than you could ever imagine.

December Photo Project :::: 12.2.11 :::: Desert Campfire

After driving 515 miles through New Mexico & Arizona we stopped for the night in Quartzsite, AZ.  Quartzsite is home to about 3500 people in the Spring, Summer & Fall, but come Winter the population can grow to over ONE MILLION!  We arrived just before sunset and pulled into the Hi Jolly BLM area (where you can boondock for 14 days - for free).  It being early December there weren't many RVers there which was nice for a quick stay.  We hope to go back one winter when Q in its full blown craziness, which is usually January/February.  This was our second time in Quartsizte, our first was in March 2010.