Happy Valentine's Day!

For all my special babes . . . 

 Happy Valentine Faces!

From the loves of my life . . . yogurt with granola and fresh flowers. 

Thank you for my special Valentine's! So blessed that I have so many hearts to be thankful for!

Silhouettes

I love silhouettes. I love the simplicity of the pictures, the vintage feel. Yes, sir, I really love silhouettes.  An artist came to one of the kids' store we go to and I had to have him create for my kiddos.  He cuts the silhouettes by hand, just looking at the munchkins' profiles. It was so cool! I love how they turned out. Don't you?!

Miss Ella Jane Yori

Mr. Karsten Louis Yori

Payson Fun

After New Year's we headed up to Payson to visit Mela and Papa Rich.  The kids love going up and Meggy and I love to veg! There was a little bit of snow left around the house and the munchkins loved playing in it.  We made birdhouses at Home Depot on Saturday and went sledding that afternoon.  We had a wonderful weekend. Thank you Mela and Papa for taking such good care of us! We love you!

On the way up - this was in the car. (Megan took the photo.) :)

Playing in the snow at the house.

Suited up and ready to make birdhouses! They loved those orange aprons!

 Karsten and Ella under construction.

Papa Rich, Mela and little Beans in the snow. 

 Ella ready to head down the hill. 

The muchkins all bundled up in the snow. 

Christmas was a blur . . .

Whew! Five Christmases in three days for the Yori's this past Holiday Season. I've always celebrated Christmas numerous times with different family so running around is nothing new to me - it's just Christmas. :) I love getting together, bringing different friends and family to a house to be with each other. It just doesn't happen that often during the year. I am so BLESSED to have such amazing family and friends. I think of those who don't have as much love and support, and I am GRATEFUL for what I do have.  I have to keep myself focused during the busy times, focused on the reason for the season . . . LOVE, CHARITY, MAGIC. Here's hoping you found some of that too! 

Ella Jane with Uncle Dustin at the Wilson's Christmas Party

 The munchies playing football at the Wilson Home

 Sophie, the blind, amazing dog

 Mark and Mama K at Big Mark's house

 Christmas came early for the kiddos! 

Christmas Eve at our house

 Tay Wei and Ella Jane

 Mark III and lovely Christa

 Mama K and I having too much fun!

Christmas Morning . . . holy smokes! So many presents!

 Little ones with beanies on . . .

 The whole family got new bikes! Ella is suited up and ready to ride!

At the Gleason Family Christmas . . . . one of my favorite places to be ever in the whole wide world! This my long lost baby, Addie May. She lives in Tucson, but holds a special place in my heart.

My gorgeous cousin, Shauna (and Addie May's pretend mom) and her Dad, my Uncle Chip

 This is why I loved Christmas this year - I LOVE this sight. My babes on bikes (including my hubs), plus my little furry baby in my bike basket! It's a new era for the Yori family . . . watch out, we are peddling fools!

Chasing Summer

My MIL had a great idea one Sunday and invited the whole fam dam over to her pool (resort) for swimming and BBQ. As much as I am anticipating fall, I have to say, spending a day in late September lounging, swimming and enjoying the outside is not too shabby. The kids of course had a BLAST. The food was amazing, as always and Sunday Funday with the Family is always my favorite! Thanks, Mama for some end of summer memories - you are the BEST!

And they are d

Fun in the Pines

A few weeks after getting back from Indiana, we (the kids and I) took our yearly, summer trip up to see my Nana and Papa in their summer home in Lakeside/Pinetop. My Mom was in town also, so she joined us, as did my cousin, Shauna, and her two munchkins too. We all decided to pile in Shauna's Tahoe for the trek; it was a tight squeeze, but saved us some $ on gas!  

Right away, the kiddos went to playing. Little Jon was inside the older kids outside - little Jon Boy so wanted to keep up with them, he's such a cutie pie!

Bella and Jon Nordling

My handsome boy, Karsty Do!

On our way up, it started to pour rain! So we all got drenched as we unloaded the car. 

It was such a nice change to get into jeans and long sleeve shirts.

I'm pretty sure Karsten took this picture of his Me-la!

Ella and Kar keeping Jon occupied while we got ready for the day. 

Painting rocks is the BEST thing to do! My Papa pulls out rusty old coffee cans, a bunch of paint brushes and the kids go to town painting rocks, trees, coyote decor . . .

Ssshh, should we tell Ella her tushy is showing?

We went into town for a tiny bit, found a Pony Ride before the rain came pouring down again! 

It was fantastic. Love that rain!

Doesn't he look HUGE on that pony?!

Little Ella Bella.

Bella Boo, not super sure of the pony, so Shauna and Jon walked round and round so Bella felt more comfortable. That's a multi-tasking Mama!

Bella. Is. Such. A. Ham.

The Porch. This is where all the magic happens. 

Lots of reading, drinking, talking, drinking, eating, drinking . . . .

This is usually what happens after every rock paint party - a water hose party!

All cleaned up, snug as bugs in rugs!

My Papa and the great - grandkids after a walk. 

Me-la and Kar - they have a special bond.

My uber-tan Mama and Me! I am so lucky to have her as my Mama!

My Nana and Papa - aren't they fab?!

Shauna and myself with the g-parents. Love them more than anything!

Thanks, Nana and Papa, fantastic trip as always. Can't wait to see you back in the Valley! Loves!