The Sanders Five

I think it's safe to say that I am starting to feel very small compared to my kids. Abby will be able to wear my shoes if she grows one more size and Taylor just looks huge to me. At least I have Baby Christian to tower over yet. Not long and I'll be looking up to all my kids. We haven't taken a family picture in a while, so we decided that Sunday was a good day to irritate the kids and make them pose for a pic.

Daddy's new Ride

When I first married Christian, he had a Honda Goldwing. We sold it when Abby was born and ever since, he has craved a bike. So, this year, we decided to buy him a bike. He decided on a Honda Shadow. It's quite a bit smaller than the Goldwing, but more sporty. We love taking it on our date nights and right now the weather is so great, it's hard not to want to take it out ever chance we get. Not to mention, he looks really good on it too. The kids don't seem to mind their little rides around the block, so I think it's a keeper.

Kissing my little Frog

We had such a great day today, I just had to share. Taylor and Baby Christian helped me in the garden. We picked and shelled peas and we thinned lettuce. At the very end, Taylor actually thanked me for teaching him something new and gave me a big kiss. Christian had been out in the garden and caught the moment. So, here it is to share with everyone.

Fertile Soil

This year has been amazing for the garden. We planted in February this time and have been blessed with an awesome load of beautiful veggies, strawberries and herbs. This year we planted three rows of onions, two rows of lettuce, peas, and beans. We also tried cabbage this year, which I'm not sure about yet. We also did flowers again, on the other side of the garden, and WOW, the colors that are coming through are going to make for great picking in about a month or so.

SOOOOO BIG!!!

So, I'm going through pictures that we have taken recently, and found this one of the kids munching on raisins. Then, in a moment of realization, I saw all three of my children, and thought,"I have no more babies." Where have my babies gone? One is in first grade; One is going to be in kindergarten; And one is going to be in pre school soon. I couldn't believe that time has flown by so fast. What a wonderful time we have had watching these little spirits grow up.

Little Tid Bits

To wind down at the end of the day, I have again taken up little tid bits of crafts. I love making wash cloths and adding applique to flour sack kitchen towels. I have learned to do a chain stitch the bottom of towels to add little color to them. Sounds weird, I know, but it's the only way I can get my brain back to normal after hours and hours of studying.

Easter with the Sanders

It was a happy Easter in sunny Arizona. We woke up to a blue sky and a slight wind, the perfect day to hunt eggs. Our neighborhood hosted an Easter egg hunt for the kids, so that saved us parents the time and energy to fill all those plastic eggs this year. I think between all three kids, they had upwards of 150 eggs to empty by the end of the hunt. Every kid there had a full basket, it was awesome. Except baby Christian, of course, he was more concerned with all the balloons and cupcakes. Happy Easter

Zoo 2009

So we started the year out by visiting the Phoenix Zoo. We just love going to the zoo. We always seem to find something new and exciting when we go. This year, we found the new conservation center that hatches all the new baby eggs, and raises all the babies until they are ready to survive the great outdoors ( inside a cage, that is). But they do it all in front right where the passers by can see. It was very cool to see. The bald eagle was gone, and Abby wasn't too pleased about that considering that is her favorite exhibit. She has been watching Discovery Kids on tv and learns all sorts of things about animals, where they live, and all kinds of other interesting things. Taylor just wants to see the elephants. He loves the elephants, and marvels at how huge they are in real life. Baby Christian, well this year, he actually enjoyed the zoo because he was finally old enough to enjoy it. I think he's going to be like Abby where being outside with nature of any kind is just an absolute must have.

Abby's Christmas Song

Abigail had her first program of the year. The Christmas program was a success, I think. She wore her favorite dress (the little girl in pink is Abby), and sang so loud, her daddy could hear her from the back. She is having so much fun in school. I'm alsmost ashamed to say that I miss having her home. She's off for two whole weeks for Christmas break, yippy for me!!!

Just had to share this!!!

Again, this little man has proved himself to be, well, precious!! We bought these boots when he was still itty bitty, and now they fit. It's all he wears, literally! Last night, he fell asleep in them, and this morning when he finished in the tub, he put them on along with daddy's Indiana Jones hat, and nothing else. He has officially become the little Indy of the family. He sais things like," Jone, Mommy, pueeee!!!" He loves watching Indiana Jones, any of them will do. Takes after daddy in more than just the blond hair and blue eyes. Can't wait to see what he does when he opens his Indiana Jones whip for Christmas.

Baby's First Night in the Big Boy Bed

This is my precious Baby Christian spending his first night in a big boy bed. He has refused to sleep in his crib for the past month or so, so we thought it was time. I'm not sure if I'm ready for this yet, but we knew the time was coming. Now all my babies have their very own big beds to sleep in. I just hope this doesn't create a baby craving!!!

A Palace for the Chicks

Well, I would have to say, Christian has really out done himself this time. Lucy, Polly, and Clara Belle have a place to call home, when they can reach the front door that is. Abigail and Taylor are so excited, they can't wait to start collecting eggs. We keep telling them that the babies won't be ready to lay eggs until next spring sometime. It's still fun to watch the kids get excited about having responsibility (they don't know that though).

TrIcK oR tReAt

Halloween was a great success this year. We had a witches brew for the adults, lots and lots of candy, and some of the cutest trick or treaters around. We only have 80 houses in our neighborhood, and the kids brought home more candy than they ever have. People were giving it out by the hand fulls. All in all a great night for everyone.

New Addition

We have added to our family. Four little baby chicks. Abigail wanted to have chickens because she wants a farm in the worst way. They are all egg layers, so we'll get something out of this deal. Not to mention, those chicks are moving into our dream home out back.

The shelves are finished

These shelves are my favorite part of the office. Christian finished this last month. I have a place for everything now, and no excuses for messes. Dang it!

Building a Coupe

So this is the latest project Christian is working on. It's a chicken coupe. Abigail is getting three chicks this week and she is soooo excited. Shhh, don't tell our HOA;)

Updated

It has been a busy summer for the Sanders' Clan. I started school in August, and just finished my first quarter. I will say that college is nothing to look at lightly, WOW!!! The load has been heavy, but wonderful all at the same time. Christian is being certifed to be a First Assistant in the operating room, so that has taken a HUGE part of his time. Abigail started school, and loves it. Baby Christian celebrated his 2nd birthday on September 21st. We celebrated with Papa Tom and Nana Kathy. Taylor and the baby are home with my while I do my classes online. So, anywho, I can safely say that things have been sooooo crazy around here. Sorry it took so long to update, but consider yourself updated!

Happy Independence

I could not resist putting this picture on my blog. I love old pictures and I found this one on some needle point website. I think it may have had something to do with the war effort back during WWII. Can you believe there was once a time when every one came together to make wartime a good time. So anyway, if you know someone who serves or has served, give them some credit for their service to make your independence possible.

A Good Start

This is the beginning of my back patio. My ever so talented husband has been researching how to do concrete work for about the last year. This was his first crack at it and I would say, it's pretty darn good. It almost looks like rock which was the whole idea in the first place. We wanted it to look like an old roman road. He has three other sections to do until it is completely done which we will start at the end of the summer because working under the Arizona sun is torchure. I wouldn't know of course, I was watching from my air conditioned kitchen. I feel really bad about that, by the way;)

Birthday

Well, Abby is now six years old. I remember when she was brand new and I was still having a hard time sitting from child birth. So needless to say, her party was a success. We had a big BBQ and water games and all kids of fun. Parents came and hung out while their kids played. It was a great time. I was due for a party, I haven't had one since we moved here three years ago. I love having a house full of people and lots of food and fun. There will be more, oh yes, there will be more