Happy Birthday, Amber!

My baby turned 11 yesterday! How time keeps on flying! For her birthday, we went to the Az Science Center on Saturday. Jami, Duane, and Van joined us at home for pizza, presents, and ice cream cake. Yum! I had taken quite a few pics at the Science Center, but for some reason, they didn't upload onto my computer from my camera. Boo! But here's what I have:

This year, Amber got a Kindle Fire HD for her main bday present. She was sooo excited! Grandma sent her $25 in amazon moolah for fun games/books, and Nana put $25 cash in a birthday card! Plus another $10 cash from Grandma Robertson and $10 in amazon moolah from Auntie Shelley.....this girl raked it in! =) Amber also got the Fablehaven box set, a cover for her Kindle, a puzzle, and a sewing kit. Happy Birthday, sweet girl! 

Shyla's 1 Year Stats

I'm a bit late posting, but still wanted to share. I took Shyla to our new doctor umm...last week? The week before that? Not sure. lol Time is kinda hard to keep track of sometimes. Anyways, the point is that I took her. Here's her stats:

Height: 33in - over 98%

Weight: 23lbs - 60%

Shyla is both our tallest and heaviest baby thus far. She's a full 3in taller than Paisley was at 1. Wish I remembered Amber and Jade's stats at 1. Too bad. Here's what Shyla's been up to:

Peek-a-Boo

Pat-a-Cake

Eating everything (except potatoes. She refuses to eat potatoes in any form - even fries)

Shoes

Shyla can unlock my iphone and then knows how to send texts and take pictures with it

She also really likes using David's ipad

Nods her head if the answer is yes to any question

Says "what" if I say her name just right

Crawls around stores barking like a dog

Plays with barbies and ponies by making them "dance" while she sings

LOVES water! Shyla gets very excited for bathtime and loves to blow bubbles in the water

Has a temper (like any red-head)

Is allergic to something - I think strawberries?

Stands on her tiptoes to reach things up high

Shyla is a thrill junkie. She LOVES being "dropped" and thrown and spun. Loves it!

DONE

Unpacking that is. We are officially done unpacking! Took 3 weeks for David and I to work up the motivation to clear our room - but we did it! And our house is 100% clutter-free! I'm totally loving it. I love having so much space for everything. =) Here's the proof:

Even the closet is nicely organized!

On Saturday morning, I drove a couple miles before the sun was up to pick up my first Bountiful Basket. I've wanted to participate for awhile now, and now just seems like a good time to do it! I'm actually pretty impressed with how much I got for my $15. I think I'll keep getting one every other week. Also on Saturday, we met Alex and his kids at the Phoenix Zoo. It was 29 degrees out when we got there. Sooooo cold!!! Our Arizona blood isn't very thick, but I don't think many people would be very comfortable in 29 degrees. We had fun though walking around looking at the animals - most of which were still sleeping. lol Lunch at Ruby Tuesdays then home for a little nap before cleaning up the house for company was a good way to end the day. I'm sad I forgot I had my camera in my purse the whole time we were at the zoo. =( Oh well.

Our house cleans up so beautifully!

This is what was in my basket. The only thing I won't be able to use is the cantaloupe. No one here will touch it. lol Guess I'll have to go be a friendly neighbor....

Last up - I finished Jade's room today. Sewed and hung up her curtains and traded spots with her desk and ferrets. 

Kids Being Kids

The kids (and me, too!) are really enjoying having a HUGE yard to run around and play in. They spend all afternoon out there once their homework is done. I super love all the cheerful noises they make out there, too!

Now that Amber's in 5th grade, she was able to choose between band, choir, or music (our school has no orchestra). She chose band and is learning to play the clarinet. I got her a rental for now - not going to buy a new one if she's not going to stick with it....

Finished (and not) Projects

I super love our new home! So so much! I really enjoy working on improving it and cleaning it doesn't make me grouchy cause I know it's our home. That and also because David bought me a Dyson for Christmas which is soooo easy to use! =) Here's what I've finished this week:

Painted the front door RED! I love it sooooo much I'm going to paint the 3 backyard doors red as well! 

Isn't it gorgeous??

Finished the family room. At least until we're ready to rip out the closets behind the couch.... 

I also finished painting the kitchen and hung the blinds back up. Yellow is such a nice cheerful color for a kitchen!

And here's what David and Dee have been working on but have not finished yet:

Finished pulling down all the extra walls 

Put in a new backdoor with a window to let in light! This is one that I will be painting red. =)

More House Pics

Ummm.....I feel the title is pretty self-explanatory. =)

Locks of Love

Amber decided she was ready to chop off her hair and donate it to Locks of Love. The last couple places she and I have tried to do this, the salon didn't send the hair but gave it to us to send ourselves. However, my friend told me just a couple months ago that Ulta cuts it for free and sends it in for you! So off to Ulta we went yesterday afternoon. Amber ended up with an adorable A-line bob that suits her just perfectly.
 

 

 

Home Improvement

So we've been working very hard to get our new home put together and cleaned. I think it's paying off. Still have some more work to do, but it's coming along quite nicely. Here's some pics:

Family room

Jade's room

 

Current guest room but will be Shyla's room soon

Amber's room

Paisley's room (and temporarily Shyla's)

Living room got new carpet

Guest room being built 

Kid's bathroom

Kitchen