WAR ZONE

It was a rough and busy week. We just needed to have a way to de-stress. Bells and I came up with an idea. Daddy left and we went out and found nerf guns and water balloons. As she says it, we were going to surprise Daddy. 

I locked the door and left notes on the front door. We were inside hiding. 

(Like the wreath I made? I'll post about that soon)

It took us about 20 minutes to fill up the water balloons and get prepared. She could not stand the wait. 

Just look at her face, she was ready to "surprise" Daddy. 

See the small grenades. I love biting them and yelling right before I throw them. It makes me feel like I am really cool. 

The letter we wrote and left sitting on the table. We were hiding and no joke Bells shot him right in the head when he was reading it. It was perfect. Then we ran outside, where we had all the water balloons hidden. Of course we had some for him, he just had to find them. 

Bells and I waiting for Daddy to come home.

Mission Accomplished! Daddy was soaked!

We had so much fun and it was a perfect way to have some family time and have fun!!

Batting Cage Date

It is no rumor that we are a Sports Family. We are not those people that just like to watch them...

We play them!

We can't wait for Bells to start playing. We are going to be the world's proudest parents!!

We found batting cages right by our house. Miah came home from school and I asked if we could go and Bells got so excited she could hardly stand it! Off we went. 

Miah started out and was right back in the groove.

My husband pretty much rocks. 

Just look at that stance...

Bells was up next and Miah helped her at first....

Didn't take her long to want to do it by herself. With us as parents, I didn't expect anything different. This girl was born to play sports!!!

Just about to open up and smash that ball! Oh it is good to be back in the cage!! As I love to run, baseball is my favorite sport to play!!

Look how happy she was. She had just finished telling Daddy that she could kick his booty in a home run derby!! I wouldn't doubt it!

Yep, I can switch it! Left or right handed, it doesn't matter. 

Just look how she idolizes her Daddy. 

It was the perfect afternoon. We went for some ice cream afterwards and Bells told us, that was just a perfect day!

Firefighters and Dragons

We had a good time at Rio Vista Park, the best part, EVERYTHING was FREE!!

The Firefighters and Police put it on every year and lots of activities are there. They also have a BBQ and it is all FREE! I know I sound cheap but come on, things are expensive these days and you add Dental School tuition...

Bells was having fun throwing a ball around, she wants to play baseball so bad. One more year sweet girl, one more year!

She wanted a dragon painted on her face and gosh darn it, they did a spectacular job! Pink, sparkles and all!

This is after somebody called her a princess...

NO not really, I just thought it was funny. I am not sure what is going on here.

I too got my face painted, added a little bit more of Irish!

Daddy thought it wasn't very manly to get his face painted, maybe next time. 

I do like his scruff though! He loves to tickle Bells with it. That reminds me of my childhood! 

She loves helicopters and she finally got to touch one!

Her favorite part was holding the fire hose all by herself. I was honestly surprised she didn't try and squirt anybody. She is a turd like that!!

We were able to sit in a firetruck and they gave her a hat. 

That made her day. She is still our little Hawaiian baby....Shaka!!!

I thought it was a great way to get the community together and meet the police and firefighters. The kiddos had fun and hey it was also fenced in...free food, games, face painting and your kids were all corralled up!

Afternoon Delight

A little afternoon delight...

That song always plays in my head and when I thought to blog, it came to my mind. Mixed signals, more than likely but it was just a perfect afternoon. 

Just a little bit of hiking and that is just what the 3 of us needed!

This is my daughter 100%.

Isn't she just super cute? 

The only thing you can argue that isn't mine in this picture is her skin tone...maybe if you combine all my freckles, we could be the same color. She is my cocoa goddess!!

She was all ready to go on the hike at this point.

 

We didn't even plant this here but we were hiking and she had her stick just like Uncle Nick and she would dig around in the dirt. When she came upon a Goldabloom! For those who have no clue what that is, it is a pirate's gold coin. She was so excited and we were too!

I think we stopped every 10 feet or so and the hike was around 4 miles or so. 

I do have to admit, I love it! I love the excitement on her face when she finds something new and exciting. She is so aware of everything and loves to learn, which makes these trips a BLAST!!

I believe I was teaching her how to whistle. 

More spit comes out than anything!

Daddy is just awesome! Her favorite place is to sit on his shoulders.

Say cheese!

We finally made it to the top and we had a little picnic at sunset, which was amazing!!

It is so interesting how different a Hawaiian sunset and Arizona sunset can be but at the same time, they are both so beautiful!

I love getting to spend time exploring the new surroundings, especially with my little family and friends! Thanks Nick and Rebecca for tagging along!!

Their Study Session...

They claim that they were studying...

What I call is is snuggling on the love seat while watching Thor.

You guys are pathetic!

But we love you and you are getting amazing grades!!

I guess you deserve an afternoon off but just one!

Just Like Her Mommy

It is no secret that I love to bake and cook. I love how she has shown such an interest in it. Thanks to Grandma Tiger, she can look just as cute as I do while baking. I also had to buy get some utensils that are just her size. Auntie Trista wanted brownies and so she brought over a BOX. I almost didn't let her in my house with that nasty box of just add eggs, water and oil. She said it saves time. My dear friend, not really, I have an amazing recipe for brownies and it add just a few more minutes. But you can subtract minutes for how fast they are gone. 

Bells mixing up the BOX mix. She even cracked her own egg. I turned to throw something away and I hear a CRACK and look around...a perfectly cracked open egg with no shells inside the bowl. She had half shell in each hand. I was so proud! 

Daddy said we looked so cute and we are his favorite cooks...Bells smiled BIG!!

Hey at least she isn't just in her unders, she now wears an apron too! We are moving forward...

Double spooning it...that is Daddy's girl!!

Auntie Trista you Rock and are always welcome to come over but please leave your boxes at home!!

Hawaiian Soul Sistas

What a day!! Bells could nearly sleep or eat for 3 days because her Aloha Sistas were coming to play for the day. The Burnham girls, Bethany, Madilyn and Eliza...all day!

They lived in Hawaii with us and they played together all the time. Mr. Burnham goes to Med School at ATSTILL in Mesa. I called Bethany so many times crying about missing Hawaii and how we need to meet up and how in the world do I get through this? 

The minute these girls walked through the door, the Aloha was felt. Gosh, it was wonderful to hangout with them all day. It was honestly like old times and I have missed like like crazy. 

Bells was so happy and seeing her so happy to be with her friends, well that brings tears to a mother's eye. Her heart was filled with joy and her bones were aching with excitement and energy. 

We played inside for about 10 minutes and then these Island girls wanted to SWIM! Of course they did! We headed out to the pool and played for awhile and we were able to talk and catch up. 

Bethany and fam might be moving back to Hawaii for the rest of Med School. My heart sank but I am also so happy for them. Also we have a place to stay when we want to visit, right Bethany? 

Bells and Madilyn posing for a picture. Have I mentioned Bells won't stop growing, she is a year younger than Madilyn and a whole foot taller. 

I love this picture, they look like serious goobers!!

Speaking of goobers....Bethany dear, what are you doing?

Bells is so loving....who could resist squeezing Eliza like that, she is just so darn cute!

This girl is a dare devil!

Can you feel the love, Aloha and friendship just looking at the picture?

They jumped in over and over again...

Soul Sisters Forever!!

Always a little crack!!

Some say its bad for you but at our house, it is always welcomed!!

Having the girls here really made me miss Hawaii and what it is about. People ask you all the time what  it is like to live there. But you just can't put it into words, its just one of those feelings. I truly know how lucky I am to have experienced it. I remember hearing from a little boy on his thoughts on Aloha....

He said, "Well it should be an ice cream flavor because it is that good."

Well said little guy, well said. 

Really, I miss Hawaii for everything. Today, the food. Tomorrow, its the waves. Then the sunsets, the music, my friends, the beaches, the smell, the view, the culture and the list goes on and on.

Hawaii you are missed more than you know!

Until we meet again...

Thank you Burnham girls, we love you!!

White Coat Ceremony

It now seems official. For him, it was saying "You ROCK, you are awesome and you are on your way to becoming a Doctor."

For me, it was saying "welcome to the next four years of being a single parent and never seeing your husband, yet again rubbed into my face." 

I am just joking with that in a way. 

Do not get me wrong though, I am so proud of him, I even shed some tears. He always impresses me so much. He has worked so hard at getting here and owes it all to himself. 

Last Friday was White Coat Ceremony and it was such an honor to be there. It started off rocky due to a lovely lady taking away Bells' balloon she bought for her Daddy. 

She had told me she wanted to get Daddy a surprise. We stopped by the store and she saw the balloons and picked out the Avengers one. She pointed out all the Characters and told me she would get this because it had Captain America and Daddy is like Captain America because he is just so special today. 

I love my little tomboy!!!

Daddy waiting to receive his white coat....

What a Stud. I do say Dr. Taylor sounds lovely but not as lovely as Mrs. Dr. Taylor!!

Class of 2016

   

The Future Dr. and Mrs. Dr. Taylor

We can't forget the little one

WHAT?? We finally made it here ? 

Scary thought....these guys might get to work on your teeth. 

James, Mike, Miah and Cameron. 

So proud of her Daddy. 

Can you say brown noser? 

You gotta do what ya gotta do? 

Hahaha!

Daddy and Bells

Way to go Miah. We are so proud of you!

Now to get through the next 4 years....

P.S. For those family members waiting for him to graduate for free Dental work.....DREAM ON!!!!

Yes, we are already getting heckled for that...sad huh?