Dza Dza!

I'm sorry for being so far behind!  Between writing for Arizona Foothills and my other blog - sometimes I can barely squeeze in time for this one!

My dad came to visit a few weeks ago, and of course, we had a great time.

We visited the art museum... 

Took a ride on the Dolly Steamboat...

And had a good time chasing Dza Dza!!  

Caleb and Bubbie!

Have I got a recap for you!  Anita and Caleb came in on Monday, December 19th and stayed through December 26th.  It was a busy, fun filled week!

Monday night was J's preschool Christmas program.  It was adorable and awkward.  J didn't really sing, but that's okay.

It looks like he was at the mic - just a great camera zoom :) 

Post concert cuddles with my boy 

And post concert ice cream at Scooptacular! 

Caleb loved the dogs.  He had so much fun. 

We visited the history museum in Mesa (for my writing job) 

Panning for gold! 

And the kids were on TV - they thought it was hilarious. 

Some sweet cousin cuddles 

Learning about desert plants 

Yes, I had to show off my Christmas dinner...again :) 

We had lots of meals out.  

Attempting to get a good photo of Bubbie and her grandkids. 

Shawn and his Mama 

Caleb being a monkey.  (The boys both got angry birds shirt - what a phenomenon!)

It was a great visit, and as always, so sad to see them go.  The kids played so well and just wore each other out.  Jeremiah and Sarah actually shared a room so Caleb and Bubbie could sleep in their own room.  After a couple of bumpy nights, they got used to it and actually enjoyed sharing a room.

Stay tuned, we have lots more going on and more photos and updates coming soon!  The Rolands are very busy :)

Christmas!

This Christmas was fantastic.  Anita and Caleb (my MIL and nephew) came down for the holiday and it was a lovely visit and celebration.

Christmas Eve Night - New jammies!

After Anita and I stayed up til nearly midnight wrapping all these gifts! 

Caleb, excited for things to start! 

Jeremiah was so excited!

Sarah was excited too!

We started by reading the Christmas story.

And opening baby Jesus. 

The kids put our two baby Jesus' in their places 

Then, it was gift time! 

Jeremiah was absolutely spoiled! 

So was Sarah. 

Jeremiah was thrilled to open this - a Buzz Lightyear!

Sarah loved all her gifts, too. 

Caleb had a great Christmas :) 

Shawn surprised me with a cookbook from "America's Test Kitchen." (I also got a laptop - who hoo!)

Shawn got a blanket, some grilling stuff, cologne, and "Insanity" - a workout program.  

I cooked my first ever turkey and made mashed potatoes, gravy. cranberry sauce, and baked beans!

We even had a kids table!  *toast*

After dinner, a dance party! 

Hope your Christmas was beautiful and merry - Happy Birthday, Jesus!

Grandpa Dan!

Grandpa Dan came to visit - he hasn't seen Sarah since last year (when it was freezing and Sarah had pneumonia), and this year was much, much more fun!

Jeremiah and Sarah were so happy to see him!  They loved playing with him - Jeremiah couldn't wait to beat him up.  

 Sarah had to sit by/next to him the whole time.  When he arrived at the airport, she ran into his arms and yelled: "Grandpa Dan!!" 

We visited the Farm at South Mountain (of course!) 

 Tumbleweed park... 

Grandpa Dan gave a lot of shoulder rides.   

 Grandpa's an engineer, so he printed off some designs of machines he's created.  Jeremiah is extremely interested in any type of machinery, so they spent time time discussing what each machine did. 

We went to the Railroad park for the Christmas Lights  

 And had fun just hanging out! 

We love you Grandpa Dan!  Thanks for coming to visit! 

Dza Dza!

My Dad came to visit last week and we had a fun time!  Unfortunately, one or more of us (not my Dad, thankfully) were sick during the whole visit.  BUMMER!  But I did manage to get some fun photos of our adventures. 

We can go outside!  In the afternoon!  YAY!

We always have donuts when Dza Dza comes to visit.  This little

princess enjoyed her pink sprinkles donut in her lovely dress.

We also always visit the Farm at South Mountain for breakfast!

The kids loved chasing Dza Dza around!

We went to the 'old mall' and of course the kids got to ride some of the rides.

I found those sunglasses at the Disney store for .99! 

She wore them throughout the mall....what a diva!

We stopped for snowcones!

And of course, the train park.  Sarah rode in the 'cattle car' for the first time.

And she didn't freak out!

And we went to Chuck E Cheese.

On Saturday evening. 

Yes, we are crazy.

The kids won a bunch of tickets and of course, junk.

We also visited our favorite, Scooptacular, EVERY DAY. 

My Dad loves ice cream!

We loved the visit!  Thanks for coming to see us!