Instagram: December 2016

Happy 9th Birthday Easton!!! He spent the day watching and playing basketball, got to have delicious Guadalajara for dinner and celebrated with grandma and grandpa to end the night. I can't believe this boy who made me a mother is 9! Where does the time go?

Easton wanted a BYU cake this ear, but then threw in a little cowboy love when he chose the Nora Fleming mini to go in the plate. #poinsettiabowlishisdreamgame #ifhecandecidewhotocheerfor

Cute Kendree lost another tooth on Sunday. I can't believe how big she is getting. Almost every night I tell Ronnie that I want to freeze time (except the 2 year old, she can keep growing and get to 4 already. Why are 2 and 3 year olds so hard?)

My #happyhint for the day. When you make pancakes, make a TON and freeze the leftovers for even easier dinners or breakfasts. This is one of my go to meals when Ron can't make it home for dinner and if I have frozen pancakes to pull out, it is even easier. Also, I use a cookie scoop and get pancakes all the same size and perfect for the kiddos.

Apparently, this is your shopping list when you turn 34. A few notes: 1. Mom jeans are just jeans for the mom of the family (me) but reading that when I looked at this list made my teenage self cringe 2. Those large hook hanger sticker things are actually Command Strips size large, but I could not remember the name of them for the life of me when I added them to the list. 3. DDP=Diet Dr. Pepper i.e. The nectar of the gods.

Easton and Kendree had their school Christmas programs this week. They both did great and mom learned to get there early so she could have a decent seat. (Easton is the blurry face in the front row with the pinkish looking shirt).

Hallee and I hanging out at the big kids school Christmas program. She has evolved into an angel baby. So chill and go with the flow.

A friend asked me to play the piano at her sons preschool of their Christmas program. Devynee got to come to a rehearsal and was so inspired that she had her own "program" that afternoon at home. She was very specific about what songs I needed to play and what would happen. I just concentrated on playing the songs from piano books I'm fairly certain I mastered in the 4th grade. #atleasticouldsightreadthem #turnsoutpracticeisimportantwhenitcomestopiano

Aunt Sarah came to visit when she got to the area during her Christmas break. We loved spending the day with her!

Four out of five Lopez children approve of Santa. The other one would have nothing to do with him and kept her eye on him the entire time he was the the ward Christmas party so he couldn't sneak up on her.

Hallee with Santa. She just asked that he help her continue to sleep thru the night.

My side of the plane. What that smile on my face is not telling you, is that we woke up at 2 am to make our 5 am flight.  The kids did amazing and we made it to Vegas with no problems.

Ronnie's side of the plane.  The kids were so excited to fly!

We had a two hour layover in Vegas. I was a little worried about keeping the kids entertained, No need to fear! The nicest guy who does magic tricks and balloon animals offered his services and entertained the kids the entire time! He had been on our first flight as well and must have taken pity on us. Seriously though, talk about spreading the joy and giving of himself. Two exhausted parents were so grateful.

The night of the 21st, Ronnie, Easton, Hallee and I went to the Poinsettia Bowl to watch BYU and Wyoming play.  It ended up being a reunion of friends which was my favorite thing of all! Cheryl and I have known each other for 15 years now. I love this lady and am so grateful for her example and friendship. The rainy weather made it so we got a good three hours of conversation in and it was the best!

It was so fun watching or kids enjoy each other's company. Easton and Logan are two peas in a pod and were cheering their hearts out. Allie was a great help with the babies - such a sweet girl!

Emily and I were also able to catch up for a few minutes. It was so great to meet Harper, I loved getting to see all of my old friends!

Kendree did her own hair today! She got tired of waiting for mom to get around to it and did a pretty good job!

Merry Christmas from our crazy, happy family! So grateful for all we have and all of our family and friends!

Today's highlight (or lowlight) was the tasting of frog legs at a local restaurant. Ron talked it up to the kids and then ended up hating it the most.

The actual highlight of today was visiting family members graves. The kids had a great time looking at headstones, placing flowers and asking a million questions. Also, Dev worked on her poses (obviously).

Vacations are for napping.

The girls got to go to Build-A-Bear this week. Devynee chose an "Elsa" bear but then dressed her in sparkly rainbow and named her Snowflake. She got her bear glasses to be just like her and insists she takes them off every night at bedtime. Kendree chose a rainbow leopard and named her Poppee (double e so it would be like her) and dressed her in clothes that match some that Kendree owns. I will say that the employees there really do make the whole experience pretty magical. It was a great night for these two!

Great Aunt Sandy took the girls for mani/pedis today. The girls loved it! (Mom enjoyed hers as well).

And then we do this. California really is pretty great.

A little tide pool exploring this morning.

Lunch at Ruby's on the pier and some beach time. The kids could have stayed here all day. Brynlee was in heaven digging and the big kids jumped waves and dug for shells. #halleewastheretoo

We finished the day poolside. Hallee was happy to kick and stretch on the sidelines and my little fish swam and swam and swam.

Fitting that little miss Hallee is the star of my best nine this year. #2016bestnine

Happy New Year (eastern time)!

Christmas at home

We had a mini Christmas before we left for California. We had already written Santa and told him find us at Grandma Lopez' house, but we opened all other gifts so we wouldn't have to take everything with us on the plane.

Easton turns 9!

Easton turned the big NINE this year!  He was thrilled to go to Guadalajara for lunch and open presents afterward.

Mom was able to make a BYU cake and we added a little Wyoming flair with the plate mini.

The next weekend, Easton had a few friends go bowling. We let him invite 8 friends assuming that a few wouldn't be able to make it given that they only had about a weeks notice but it ended up that everyone came! The girls loved bowling on their own lane next door.

 Easton and his friends came back to our house to have some pizza and cake. It was a wild bunch, but nice boys that had a lot of fun together.