Ten Things to Smile About; December 2013

Ten Things to Smile About: December 2013

Well, true to form I am way, way late on this post.  Again.  But December is so full of goodness for us it is impossible to move away from doing the good stuff to writing about the good stuff.  Any day of the week I'd rather be late to my blog than to miss enjoying life.  We are so blessed to have such a good and plentiful life.  Last month was so good it was hard to pick just ten things that were worthy of a smile.  Happy New Year!

Much to my dismay, I do enjoy how much the kids love the return of Arthur the Elf.   Their happiness does make me smile.

My sweet Athlete being recognized with high honors in his first trimester of middle school.

The beautiful Christmas cards we receive from friends and family.  I love, love, love Christmas cards and save them all.

An overnight in Santa Barbara for a business event.  It was a grueling drive home (5 1/2 hours!!) but it was so fun to see my close friends who I used to see every day in the office

Taking Bob to see Frozen on ladies night.  The cutest movie!


The start of basketball season for both of my boys.  It is a serious time commitment for Mr. Montoya and a lot of work for The Athlete but even I am surprised how much I love to watch basketball.  It's my favorite sport of the year!

Even after five years of fighting for a seat, hearing the same songs and seeing the same production at school I love the annual Christmas pageant.  Now that my first born is too old to be in it the hassle of it is a little less and I can cherish the opportunity just a little more.  I know I will be heartbroken when I don't "have" to go anymore. 

The safe arrival of Nana.  It is always the OFFICIAL start of Christmas when she's here

Touring model homes with my Mom and Bob.  It was fun to get inspiration from brand new, perfectly decorated spaces and someone sweet and sassy was ready to move in.

Seeing the Rose Parade floats up close as they were being built.  AMAZING!

 

Those polka dots were cranberries and blueberries.  All applied by hand!!

Ten things to smile about: August 2013

Part of playing catch up on the blog is being sure that I am adequately documenting the goodness of our every day and my gratitude for every moment.  Every month this year has a draft version of "Ten Things" but first things first.

Ten Things to Smile About: August 2013

My dear friend finding her happily ever after.

And it doesn't hurt that these kids are the cutest things ever.  God Bless this sweet family.

A special sleepover for my darling niece in honor of her 4th birthday.  Sunday morning brought breakfast, some dress up and a dance party.  Love you little B!!

Absolutely everything about our 5th annual family vacay to Yosemite National Park.  E's parents came this year, as well as some dear family friends.  It was truly the best ever.

 

 

 

Riding bicycles through a meadow in the rain with my little girl. 

Learning how to play Spoons for the first time.  Seriously the most fun!

Celebrating my E's birthday

Bob being invited to play on an Elite soccer team with girls from her 5 on 5 winter team.  We are very excited and proud for her.


A day of spa treatments, pool time and a dinner date with E.  It was an absolute luxury that I don't take for granted for even a minute.

The first week of school being filled with enthusiasm for what's to come in 3rd grade and 6th grade. 

 

Ending the month knowing that God has big, wonderful things in store for my precious family.  Having so many reasons to thank Him at the end of the month is a wonderful blessing.

 

This month I am linked to Emmy Mom again and am grateful for her always gracious and gentle reminders that another month is over.  Cheers to a great September!

 

10 Things to Smile About: Emmy Mom

 

 

Simple Math

5 tents

+
6 kids
+
9 adults
+
3 bear boxes
+
2 dozen squirrels
+
200 bees
_______________________

Vacation 

We were a party of 15 in the great outdoors and seriously some kind of crew.  At 11, our first born was the oldest kid and the tiniest camper was two.  The civilized world has never seen dirtier toes or stickier smiles.  There were a lot more marshmallows being served than vegetables and every adolescent squabble was solved with a bike ride.  It is exactly the way life should be.

 

These are the moments that add up to the moments of a lifetime.  It's a simple equation.

 

Ten Things: August 2012

August was a month absolutely crammed full of things to smile about.  Birthdays, vacation and living the good life top the list.  As much as I don't want it to be over I know that we're lucky to have seen it and be able to spend September talking about.

Ten Things to Smile About: August 2012

An amazing family vacation in Yosemite National Park. It was, in fact, our fourth annual and it was the best yet. Horseback riding, hikes, miles and miles of biking. We loved it and I can honestly say that I enjoyed camping. No really. I liked it. A lot.

Cousins enjoying simple fun while we were on vacation.  I absolutely love that my best friend (who happens to be E's cousin) and I have kids the same age.  It is such a joy to watch them grow up together.  These crazies are truly a gift.

My Princess.  She informed me that she was moving to her summer home (aka a tent in the family room).  She moved her favorite books, her dolls and her art supplies into her tent summer home and slept there for a week.  I just love that girl.

Receiving the sweetest, most heartfelt birthday cards from both of my parents and one of my girlfriends.  I feel so very blessed to be so loved and am always especially grateful for a well timed card or words that speak right to my heart. 

Celebrating our goddaughter's 3rd birthday.  I don't love Chuck E Cheese but I do love this girl.  Happy Birthday, B!!!!

Cancelling a couple of trips and spending some much needed time at home.  A missing shoe was found, school supplies were purchased and organized BEFORE school and we went to the beach for the very first time this summer.  Aaaahhhhh . . . almost like we're normal.  Almost ; )

Using said down time to finally download all of our photos from Italy.  All 816 of them. 

Celebrating another birthday with my E

Great starts to second grade and fifth grade for my babies.  If I weren't there myself I wouldn't even believe it's true.

Pinterest projects ({slightly modified} for our teachers on the first day of school

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Back to School Interview ~ The Princess

The Peter Pan collars and Mary Janes are gone.  She's a second grader and she wanted high tops and a new belt for her back to school look this year.  Just looking at this photo of her chokes me up.  I don't know where my little pigtailed toddler ran off to.

In honor of school starting I did interviews with The Princess and her brother.  Thank you Pinterest for pointing me to a free printable that I can use as a keepsake for them, too! 

SGM ~ 8/27/12

Name & Age:  The Princess, age 8
Grade Level: 2nd grade
School: St Edward the Confessor
Teacher's Name: Miss Rego
Best friend: Emily
Favorite color: turquoise
When I grow up I want to be: an artist
Favorite snack: pita chips & hummus
Favorite cereal: Frosted Flakes
Favorite book: Ivy & Bean series
Favorite holiday: my birthday!
Favorite food: chicken tacos
Least favorite food: crab
Favorite game: Monopoly
Favorite summer memory: My Nana visiting from Florida
3 words that describe me: tiny, smart & creative

You are so, so loved baby girl.  Have a great 2nd grade year!!!!

Around the loop

We are back in the land of milk & honey and it's not a bad gig.  I am not complaining. 

After a LONG drive back from the wilderness we happily slept on our down pillows and woke up to watch the Game Show Network on the big ol' TV on the wall in our bedroom.  No complaints from me  . . .

but there is this one thing.

Roughing it makes us better

 

the sunrise view from site 135

Our kids are bright eyed and giggly and beg to ride just two more loops on their bicycles before dinner.  They sit at the picnic table and eat with us and chat about squirrels and tomorrow's hike and the horses they rode that day.

Yosemite National Park ~ Mist Trail

He takes the trash bag to the bear proof cans and she gets more water so I can wash dishes on top of the cooler.  The four of us go to bed at the same time and zip into our sleeping bags and say "good night, I love you".

There is not one thing in the world wrong with high thread count sheets and unlimited amounts of hot water, but at least once a year it's a good, good thing to want to ride your bike around the loop just one more time.

Checking out

No phones. No television. No computers.

Four bicycles.
Two tents.
Just me and my three.

One week.

Vacation . . .

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

The Adventures of Arthur

There are so many gimmicks attached the holidays and our family usually foregoes them. I try really hard to spend time talking with the kids about the joy of giving and the significance of the season being a time of preparation and waiting for the birth of Jesus. We certainly get caught up in Santa Claus and the festiveness that goes along with Christmas, but try not to go overboard.  There is one gimmick that got us and I am so glad.
My kids are seven and nine and have never had Elf on the Shelf. It seems like you need start this before your kids can even read and to do it for always. I missed the boat on it a long time ago and thought the opportunity had passed.  Then I saw the flux of ideas on Pinterest (of course) that show the Elf doing all kinds of wacky things and had to give in. The Athlete and The Princess are just on the cusp of being too big, but they have the best sense of wonder and enthusiasm that makes this perfect for them. We’re having such a good time this week with our new pal, Arthur and the added bonus of The Princess getting out of bed without being asked so she can search for Arthur is fan.tas.tic.  And hearing her say the word "hilarious" is pretty great, too.

I hope your days are merry and bright, too!

He came in for a crash landing and got stuck in the dining room chandelier

Using a holiday photo as a canvas to improve his art skills

He borrowed the dog’s reindeer ears for a dress up party with the Christmas bears



Ten Things - November 2011

I'm late to the party (notice a trend?) but I somehow feel like if I don't admit that another month went by then it won't really happen.  Not true.  I love joining Emmy to recount the months, every month.  Not matter how fast it went.  But this one hurt a little.  Way. Too. Fast.

Ten Things to Smile About: November

The car service chauffeur agreeing to drop off the kids at school on my way to the airport. They were thrilled!

My super slick laptop and my sweet husband who went out at midnight on Black Friday to get it for me.  We can Skype again!! Thank you, sweetheart!

A 2 year old, a 7 year old, an 11 year old, a {darling} 4 year old, another 7 year old, a 9 year old and a 10 year old cousin having the grandest time together.  This makes me smile bigger than most anything that has happened to me lately.  I am so in love with each of these kiddos for what makes them uniquely special and I especially love how much they love each other.

A {free} fancy dinner and seeing Blue Man Group with E and some fun colleagues.

Emily from Jones Design Company offering fantastic holiday printables that I am using like crazy. You're gonna love her as much as I do.  I'm tellin' ya . . .

Telling myself that perfect is overrated (and believing it!!) and ordering my Christmas cards while they were on sale for Black Friday.

Celebrating my eleventh wedding anniversary with E.  I feel so lucky to still be IN love with the father of my children.  Truly.

Getting started on some handmade gifts

Enjoying the loveliest  Thanksgiving that I can remember in a long time.  Table settings, place cards, candlelight and amazing company.  The evening absolutely, positively made up for us not being in Hawaii this year.

p.s.  Anyone that can prepare a meal  for 31 guests that is elegant, delicious and beautiful and still look this great is a hero to me. Love you, Aunt Linda!!

Beginning the celebration of Advent and sharing the joy of giving with my children.  We have so much and Advent is the perfect time to reinforce with them that our bounty must be shared.  It IS the most wonderful time of the year.

Gratitude for my Girl Crush

Just this morning my heart took a turn to gratitude. With Thanksgiving being so close and Christmas literally around the corner I have made a vow to force myself out of our hectic pace and make the time to enjoy all of the goodness that is uniquely mine.

A warm home on a cold, rainy day.

Kids that want to splash in the rain and hold my hand while they're running.

A bath tub full of dirty water and a clean dog begrudgingly being "beautified" by a giggling seven year old holding a comb and a hair dryer.

This IS the good stuff. I absolutely know it and have allowed myself to overlook it a little too often lately.


And then there's my Girl Crush, Emily.


I use her lunch box note cards to brighten peanut butter crackers and apples.


Her JDC|monthly grocery lists, weekly calendars and note cards help keep me beautifully organized and inspired.


The Princess and I made glitter letters this weekend from her November project.


I love her a whole heckuva lot and she has really outdone herself this time.

The Thankful Tree she featured today will be in my home by the weekend. Mark my words.  It has a perfect home on the console table behind the sofa.

thankfulness

I absolutely love this idea and love her for sharing it. Many thanks to you, Emily!

We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude.  ~Cynthia Ozick

Ten Things ~ October 2011

This week found me 3,000 miles from my computer at the end of October and I decided I'd better get this done before Thanksgiving.  Every month seems to be a little shorter than the one before.  How does that happen?!?!?

Ten Things to Smile About: October 2011

Adopting our sweet Hope.  She is so good for Kate and we all think she is an angel.

Great teacher conferences for both of my wonderful kids.  The words leader, exceptional and bright came up more than once.  That is such a compliment and makes me so, so proud of them.

Receiving flowers as a thank you

Successfully making two great projects that I pinned

{via}

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A new season of Cotillion starting

The innate kindness and responsibility that The Princess shows with our foster dog, Lucky

The Athlete's sense of commitment to baseball and how much confidence comes from doing well

Playtime with my itty, bitty niece C

A long overdue dinner and movie night with my E

The joy they get from Halloween

There's a lot of joy to be had in the world.  The big things and the not so big.  Counting them down is not a big thing, but taking the time to count them down and document them before the moment is too far gone is a treasure.  Thank you, Emmy!!!