it's been too long...

Land of blogs, oh how I have missed you! I realized that it has been almost a month since I have posted anything. What a shame, I have had sooooo much to say and so little time. I promise that I will post something fabulous soon. But for now we are off to see Santa! Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday Jesus.

My little Teacher

Well, a few weeks ago I was a bit freaked out about Miss P's class report on Community Helpers. In my defense I haven't done an oral report in years let alone never having helped my own child prepare for one! Of course there was nothing to be worried about, she had it under control. If I may say so myself, she was awesome- not that I am biased in any way. She was poised and confident, unlike myself and the other nervous parents watching from the back of the classroom. She was the only student who chose to talk about teachers and acted the part to a tee. Thanks Grandma W for the wardrobe! In the end she received an A+ and I am as proud as can be. I am so blessed to be the Mom of fantastic kids, who are teaching me something new every day. (This photo was taken with her teacher)

the simple things

ahhh, the simple things in life are what i love. today for example is a typical saturday with not too much going on, but somehow one simple thing has made this day extraordinary. yes, today i got my hair cut! to some a haircut may seem routine and uneventful, just one more thing to cram into your schedule or even just avoid it all together and go with the everyday pony tail. i love haircuts. there is just something about them that makes me feel rejuvenated and refreshed. that may be due to the fact that i am by myself in the hair salon for at least an hour. my hair snipping saint, shannon doesn't mind if i talk or not and if i do it is not about rocket science or even potty training. all this to say, make time to enjoy the simple things. i know that i have today. who knows i might just go crazy and paint toenails with the girls- simply fabulous!

i love you

i love you- three little words that can melt any one's heart, especially a mom! that is exactly what happened to me this morning. after the morning school drop off it was only little miss r with me in the car and that's when she said those three simple words that changed my day- i love you. oh, i could have cried! and if you know me you may be surprised to hear that i didn't break down right there in the preschool parking lot! i did however call logan right away to share my joy. i pray that you too can have that affect on someone by simply letting them know how much you care about them. maybe just a simple thank you to a veteran today. so my challenge to you is to share the love with someone today! it will more than likely bless you too. :)

the incredibles!

isn't dress up fun? i think that is why kids, especially mine love halloween so much. of course there is the candy, but you have to dress up to get it! i even dressed up to a degree so that i could join in on the fun. i do admit that i was not too excited about halloween when the subject first came up, sometime in the summer. my girls are planners and were already discussing costumes in july. i was dreading yet another princess costume, while cute, a bit boring when that is what my daughter has chosen the last three years. i was so excited that my girls finally decide to moved on to a different genre of costume- superhero! who doesn't love a superhero? you can't go wrong with dual identity, spandex and a mask. it was settled, my girls would magically transform into not a lone ranger superhero such as superman, but a super family. after all no one else has your back like a family member. yes, i am now the mom of three superheros a.k.a the incredibles. there is no doubt that my girls will now answer to the names of violet, dash and jack-jack. i can see where your mind is now traveling, but the stop the train! NO, logan and i did not participate in dressing up as mr. incredible and elasti-girl- we know our limits and those of spandex!

we had a fun night at our church carnival which included grandparents, a cousin, a little trunk or treating, train rides, bounce houses, face painting, popcorn and sno-cones. it was a awesome night that i hope my incredibles will remember for a life time. i know that i will.

I'm going to Disneyland!

I'm going to Disneyland! Isn't that what everyone says right after they have won a championship game like the Super Bowl or the World Series? Well, that is what we have been saying around our house lately, thanks to Payton and her sponsors. Before you start to think that my kid is in some sort of rehab-let me explain. Every year the school puts on the Fun Run which really means a good old fashion Jog-a-Thon. Each child gets monetary sponsors in hopes of raising funds for the school. Surprisingly enough Payton was the big money earner this year and won the Grand Prize- a trip to the Big D (translation: Disneyland). Of course we had mixed emotions about the whole thing with Daddy being the Principal and all. Kids can be mean when you're related to the Principal, especially when there is a prize at stake (I speak from experience). Anyway, we are pumped for our trip in the undecided future and are proud of Payton for getting her sponsors and running 35 laps! Thanks to all of you who made this possible!

busy, but blessed

okay, so it has been awhile since i have posted anything and i must take a minute to do so even if i really need to be out the door right now! so much has been going on in the heyer home that it seems as if we had not a second to just relax and take a breath. logan is now in a master's program, which much to his dismay includes writing papers and homework. the girls have been busy with all of their activities such as karate and just the busyness of school and projects. tomorrow payton has her first oral report in front of the class. i am praying that she does not nervously giggle the entire time like she has been doing while practicing at home. i know she will do great! maybe i am the one who is really nervous- after all this is my first time to help prepare someone else for an oral report. this mom thing can be scary at times, not knowing if i am really helping her or holding her back from becoming the greatest orator of all time!

anyway, despite our crazy day to day lives i have been truly enjoying my kids and love the stage that we are in. i may not be saying that tomorrow or even an hour from now when someone is complaining or fighting over who gets to brush their teeth first or what color cup they each get for snack time. but that is when i will remember how rylie was pretending to be a dinosaur and started chasing her big sisters around the house, the good night kisses and declarations of their undying love for the best mom ever (maybe i should record that for future use) and all of the smiles that come in the quietness of reading a book together. if i could only bottle that up and keep it forever, i definitely would- maybe i just have! i hope that you will hold on to the little blessings that come up in your day too. well back to the real world of car line and pick up time.

stay tuned for halloween photos. trust me they are 'incredible'!

sisters, spas, shopping & starbucks

About two weeks ago I was blessed to go away for the weekend with my best friend, who just also happens to be my sister. I am not even sure of where to begin, we had so much fun. Heather lives in the So Cal area and we do not get to see each other as much as we would both like, but we talk on the phone all the time, which is nice. We decided a few months ago that we needed to start a yearly tradition where we get together for the weekend without husbands, kids or work and do something fun. Thus, Sister Weekend was started!

For our first ever Sister Weekend we decided to go to the Napa Valley and check out the spa scene. On Saturday we went to the Golden Haven Hot Springs Spa and Resort in Calistoga for our day of pampering and relaxation. We had massages, took a mud bath, went in the mineral jacuzzi and had a blanket wrap. This was a new thing for the both of us and I am so glad that I could experience it with Heather. I think that we just laughed our way through the mud bath. We also did a little shopping and became quite familiar with the Calistoga Library's bathroom- what a life saver!

In the end the weekend was fabulous! When else do I get to hang out with a close friend, go to the movies twice, eat ice cream for dinner, have late night pizza, stay up talking into the wee hours of the morning and get to sleep in- all in the same weekend? This was an adventure that I will never forget. I can't wait until next year! Love ya HJ.

Just About Us

So I guess that I would be the logical choice for the Heyer Highlight of the week since I am next up in the birth order train. I know that you could technically just look at my profile to check me out, but I did think of a few more things to share that do not fit into any set categories. So without further ado, I introduce myself- Holly Anne.

All about Me:

Love oatmeal chocolate chip cookies (which are currently baking-yum!)

Wheel of Fortune is my favorite show! I make the girls watch too- it's educational :) It is my hope to some day be a contestant and kick it with Pat and Vanna.

Orange is my favorite color

Love mafia movies (The family loyalty is awesome or brutal depending which side your on.)

I am a jeans and T-shirt girl

Favorite sport to play is softball, but enjoy watching football

Love photos! I even carry a camera in my purse- you never know when you will need it

I married my High School sweetheart

Jealous of my husband's truck (I miss my Tahoe)

Will soon be skydiving for my birthday (with my Dad!!)

Now that I think about it I may as well highlight Logan at the same time. After all he is my other half and we are a pair- of what I am not sure yet! So allow me to introduce the man of the family, my hubby- Logan.

All about Logan:

Enjoys hunting with his Dad and the girls

Wears lots of camo

Loves football (prefers college teams to the pros)

Is an awesome Dad! Those girls have him wrapped around their little fingers and he loves it

I think he secretly wishes he could sit on a John Deer mower and ride all day long

Passionate about his job and influencing kids for Christ

Big drinker- Pepsi and Kool Aid are his down fall

Not great at telling a joke, but has an awesome laugh

Loves to read

Is the best husband in the world!

Okay, so we are not too flashy, but hope you found out something you did not know before and that is what it is all about. Oh, by the way the photo is not too current, but one of my favorites- when we were young- those were the days.

Miss Payton

For us parenting began when our precious Payton Anne entered the picture nearly 7 years ago. Time sure does fly. She is such a joy to us and I would love for you to get to know her a bit better. So this week our Heyer highlight is all about Payton.

All About Payton Anne:

Named after the football player Walter Payton- we think she deserves the nickname "Sweetness" too

Loves to sing and clap! (she can even remember songs from the radio that she has heard only once)

Her favorite day of school is Thursday- chapel day

She is not a morning person (thank the Lord for uniforms!)

Not a fan of homework (who really is?)

Likes cheese pizza with no cheese

Enjoys swimming and has gotten really good this past summer

Enjoys dress up and all things princess

She always has a plan

Payton is fun to be around. She always has a song on her lips that is truly a reflection of the joy in heart. It would be no suprise if she was leading worship at church or ended up in the music business one day. We can't believe how quickly she is growing up and changing daily. This year she is in First grade and will be 7 soon. We are so thankful that she is our girl and hope that you have enjoyed your sneak peek into the life of Payton.

Fall has fallen

Can you believe it, Fall is here? That seems so strange to me. I thought that summer would somehow last forever and the girls would never go back to school, but it did eventually happen. I only recently noticed that Fall was here this weekend, crazy me. The weather has still been warm and where we live the seasons sometimes creep up on you. Okay, so I realize that I may be rambling on a bit, but I think that I am still in shock. However, at our house there are some tell tale signs that Fall has fallen.

If you know me at all you know that laundry is my nemesis. It sometimes erks me that we have an entire room for this chore that is not my friend. And what is the deal with the washing machine and dryer? They are a classic dynamic duo, however they are missing a partner in crime-the machine that folds and puts away the clothes! I have for too long been this partner and am not enjoying the job- I don't even have a fancy cape or anything, but if I did I would have to wash, dry and put it away! Will it ever end? No, probably not. All of this to say that Fall is here and he has shown his face in my laundry room. As seasons change so does our clothing. Socks, sweats and long pants have now entered this villainous cave of laundry land. Although these items only aid my nemesis in his evil plot to surround me with Tide they are not the enemy, but merely a reminder of all the fall fun to be had.

I am eager to bundle up against the brisk Fall air with hopes of watching a Friday night football game under the lights, jumping into a pile of leaves with my girls, taking a trip to the Pumpkin Patch or spending a Saturday afternoon in bed with a good book. So Fall I welcome you! Even if you bring little socks that will more than likely become lost in the dryer.

Miss Madison

So here we are moving up in the ranks of birth order in the Heyer highlight of the week to our middle child- Madison. We love this crazy little lady and hope you will get to know her a bit better from the following.

All About Madison Paige:

Loves Mickey Mouse and does not go anywhere without him (she even asked her teacher if he could be in her school photo!)

Kicks booty in Tiny Tigers Karate class

She is a super fast runner

Enjoys going to Preschool and being a helper to her teacher

Makes the best silly faces

Loves the windows down and the wind in her face

Has the potential to be a Top Model- she has the moves and is not afraid to use them! (start praying for us now before the teen years hit)

Loves to make people laugh any way possible

She is our best sleeper and enjoys a good nap (that's my girl!)

What else can I say about our Madi, she is a spunky little firecracker with some serious personality. Life would not be the same without her around. She is the only four year old I know who can rock an outfit made up of a pink tye-dye skirt, Bears football jersey, camo vest and pink boots. We love her so much, hope you enjoyed a peek into the world of Madi.

Miss Rylie

Well, I suppose that this whole blog thing is really meant to be about the girls, so I thought that I would highlight one at a time. Let's start with our youngest, Rylie Joy.

All about Rylie Joy:

Loves to climb on anything (including in the toilet, on the table or up the bunk bed ladder in record time)

Loves water, whether it be in a bath tub, swimming pool or toilet (is there a theme here?)

Loves to read books

Is a true artist and will color all day long on any surface with pen, crayon or marker

She's a lefty (Grandma's so proud!)

Loves shoes- all we hear is 'shoo shoo'

Can hold her own in a wrestling match with her sisters

Likes to eat cheese, but hates milk

Runs around with her hands flailing all over the place

Is a snuggler who gives lots of hugs and kisses

It is so fun to be able to stay at home with Rylie, she is awesome. Although she does not go to school we do go to MOPs (Mother's of PreSchoolers). This picture of her was taken on her first day of MOPs. She was so excited when I got out the camera and told her we were going to take her picture on the porch, just like the big girls did on their first days of school. She just kept saying "cheese, cheese, cheese" walking throughout the house on our way out front. She better get used to the photos because as many of you know I love to take them!

Family Fun Day

The weekend is officially over and I am avoiding making Monday's lunches, still hoping that the night fairies will magically appear and everything will be ready for the morning. I must be dreaming! Maybe I am just tired from our fabulous family fun weekend.

In our attempts to salvage a bad vacation experience this summer Logan and I decided to try and do some day trips as a family. We were able to go to the San Francisco Zoo, which was really fun. Although, that was back in July and we had not been able to find a good day to take another outing. Our wait was finally over this weekend with, wait for it.... not one but two family events!!! Both a success with no blood, broken bones, major meltdowns or hospital visits of any kind. I even have the smiling photos to prove it (Logan too!).

Friday night was our first adventure- the A's game. Every year Logan's parents get tickets for the A's fireworks game and it is so fun to go, eat lots of junk and stay for an awesome fireworks show. The girls and I had been planning our menu for days leading up to the game. In the end we settled for a well rounded diet of hot dogs, soda, cotton candy, soft pretzels and malts. Throw in a few friends and it was a perfect night.

Event number two was a bit more low key, but still fun none the less. This morning (Sunday), after a day of recuperation and getting everyone ready for the early service at church, which is an event in itself, we headed off to the Lindsay Wildlife Museum and Animal Hospital in Walnut Creek. We had never been even though it is so close to home. The girls were able to see a mountain lion, eagles, hawks, falcons, tons of rodents and snakes. Not to mention all of the 'stuffed' animals too.

So in the end our weekend was a hit! Hopefully our next family outing will come sooner than later. For now it is back to reality of the week to come. So I think that I will sit a little longer eating my chocolate chips and give the fairies another half an hour to show up.

My Life in the Bathroom

In the attempt to become a more organized Mom I have been reading a book called Absolutely Organized: A Mom's Guide to a No-Stress Schedule and Clutter-Free Life by Debbie Lillard. Okay, so I have not mastered this book or even finished reading it yet! But none the less I am making progress. This all to say that I have been attempting to keep a schedule with all of my house work that I love so much :) Well, today was Tuesday, my day to clean the bathrooms and I started thinking about my relationship with this little room and what it has meant in my journey thus far as a Mom.

I believe that life as a Mom begins and will more than likely end in the bathroom. Let me explain a bit. Where a majority of women learn that they are pregnant revolves around the bathroom. You are either peeing on a stick or puking in the toilet- and so motherhood and your relationship with this little room begins. Further along in your pregnancy you frequent the bathroom more often than not and curse your doctor for all of the water you are required to drink. This is where the true 'potty training' begins. Before you even have children you now know where every bathroom in your city is located and which ones have the good toilet paper and seat covers. I am certain that you could go into any Target store and ask the mother of a toddler where the bathroom is and she would know!

The bathroom has not always been my close companion. I have cried over failed potty training attempts and thought that I would never see another room in the house again. Although, it never fails that I keep coming back :) Some days it is my quiet escape from crazy kids, a hiding place or a private office for important phone calls. I certainly have a long road ahead on this journey called motherhood and I am positive that I will spend many more hours in this tiny sanctuary called the bathroom. So for now I will settle for a clean toilet every Tuesday and remember to be thankful for the reason that I came to appreciate this special room in the first place-without the puke this time around!

Here it goes....

Okay, so I guess that I have officially joined the world of blogs! I am not quite sure what this world will hold for me yet, but I am willing to jump in with both feet (or hands?) and start typing away. It is my hope that this will be a fun way to express the every day ups and downs of the Heyer family. So hold on tight because here we go.....