The Quiroz Family

Valentines 2012

2012-02-14T08:49:00.000-05:00

Happy Valentines Day!!

Jenny before school this morning, all ready for Valentines Day!

Jenny's Valentines to exchange with her classmates. She and I worked on them last night. She also picked out some York Peppermint Patties that are taped to the back of each Valentine.

Aiden also dressed up for Valentines Day! He was not too happy about having his picture taken though. I may ~~or may not~~ have bribed him with some chocolate to get him to smile for this picture. Haha! He and I are going to make Valentine cupcakes today! Jenny will get to help us decorate them today after Girl Scouts.

Jenny's Valentine gift from Jaime and I.

Aiden's Valentine from Jaime and I.

We hope you all have a great Valentine's Day!

Blog Catch Up

2012-02-09T23:45:00.001-05:00

Wow - it is already February 9, and this is my first post for 2012. Rather than trying to blog everything that we've been up to, I'm just going to post a few pictures from our 2012 so far. Here goes....

Cooking with Daddy

Aiden's turn to help cook!

Christmas 2011

2011-12-29T11:40:00.000-05:00

This year we celebrated Christmas at our house a little early since Jenny spent Christmas Day with her mom this year. Aiden didn't really understand the difference, and Jenny was very excited that we were going to get to open gifts early and also because Santa came to our house early too!

We did everything just the way we would have done it on the actual Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. On our Christmas Eve we baked gingerbread cookies for Santa, set out the cookies a milk for Santa, and then read The Night Before Christmas and The Christmas Story before putting the kids to bed.

Santa was up very late this year getting all of Aiden and Jenny's toys set up and their presents wrapped ( next year, remind me to wrap gifts a few days before Christmas Eve!). At our house Santa doesn't wrap gifts - he brings them unwrapped, opened, and already put together and ready to play with. Any gifts at our house that are wrapped are from Jaime and I, or from someone other than Santa. That's how it worked when I was growing up, so that's how we do it now with our kids. Something new we started this year, was having Santa only bring 3 gifts each - the same amount of gifts Jesus was brought when He was born. :)

Aiden's stuff on the left; Jenny's stuff on the right.

Aiden was the first to wake up the next morning, around 9:00am. He woke Jaime and I up, and then we woke up Jenny. The kids began playing with their Santa stuff and then we opened gifts from each other. Once all the gifts were opened, we ate breakfast and everyone got dressed so we could go outside and let Aiden ride his new bike.

Santa forgot to bring Aiden a helmet...oops! Don't worry, we have already purchased a new one for him. Aiden was not too impressed with his bike at all. He liked it at first, but got frustrated with the pedals so he gave up. We haven't had a chance to really try again, but we will try again soon!

Jenny on the other hand (who needs a new helmet), rode her bike without training wheels by herself for the first time!! We have been working with her on this for a few weeks so it was nice to finally see her do it on her own. She was very proud of herself too! We're hoping to get her a new bike this Spring once the weather warms up a little as her bike is getting a little small for her.

After bike riding, we came back inside and the kids played some more with their new stuff. While they played, Jaime and I made lunch. We had ham, dressing, green beans, asparagus, mashed potatoes, and rolls. After lunch the rest of the day was spent playing with all of the new toys the kids received. It was a wonderful day! I hope you all had a great Christmas, too!

Gingerbread Train

2011-12-21T12:30:00.000-05:00

Macy's Pink Pig 2011

2011-12-21T12:25:00.000-05:00

Earlier this week Jaime and I took the kids to Lenox Mall in Atlanta to ride Macy's Pink Pig. This was our first year going, and was also the first time I had ever even heard of the Pink Pig. I was surprised to learn that the Pink Pig has actually been around since 1953!

We took the MARTA train to Lenox Mall to avoid traffic and so that the kids could ride on the MARTA train for the first time. Riding the MARTA might have been their most favorite part of the day.

Jenny on the MARTA Train

Her teeth crack me up! :)

Outside Lenox Mall. They thought this fountain was so cool!

Once we got inside the mall we went to get our tickets to ride the Pink Pig. Once again, I didn't realize what a big deal this tradition is. So when I saw the line and the lady told me we would have to wait in line for about an hour, I was shocked.

Jenny tried to take a picture of Jaime and I. :)

This is the original Pink Pig - for history on the Pink Pig, check out this website.

On the Pink Pig

The ride only lasts a few minutes and is set up to look like a storybook that tells you the story and history of Priscilla the Pink Pig. After you get off the train everyone gets a sticker and then you can go through the gift shop.

The kids had their picture made with Priscilla.

We all had a really great time and will probably go back again next year. I don't think we'll wait until so close to Christmas to go though. The Pink Pig opens at the end of October and runs through January 1st, so we will probably try to go earlier next year to avoid the large crowds.

Christmas Tour of Homes

2011-12-15T19:03:00.007-05:00

Today I am linking up with Kelly from Kelly's Korner Blog for her Show us Your Life Christmas Tour of Homes! Head on over there to link up!

We put up our tree on Thanksgiving Day. It actually had been up a few days prior, but we finished it on Thanksgiving Day. Between Jaime's work schedule and Jenny only being at our house every other week, it is difficult to find a time where we are all home together to do it.

We have had the same tree for the past few years, and every year I say that I'm going to get a new tree. Finally, this year we bought a new one. It is taller and wider than our old tree, and I like it much better. Space for decorating is a little limited at our house since we live in an apartment, but I like the way it turned out this year. :)

This is a handprint snowmen ornament that Jenny made last year in Kindergarten.

This poem is attached to the ornament.

I participated in an ornament exchange this year and this is one of the ornaments my exchange partner sent me. :)

This is another ornament sent to me from my ornament exchange partner. I love this verse!

Our tree stand. My mom purchased this stand a few years back, and gave it to us. I love it! I can't decide if it needs a tree skirt underneath or not though.

All I Want for Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth!

2011-12-14T23:41:00.001-05:00

In the last few weeks, Jenny has lost two more teeth! The Tooth Fairy has been at our house a lot lately! :)

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Jenny's Gingerbread House

2011-12-14T23:37:00.001-05:00

Last Friday Jenny's class made gingerbread houses at school. All of the parents were asked to send in an item for them to use to make their houses with. We were asked to send in a box of Golden Graham cereal. She brought her gingerbread house home from school that afternoon. She was very proud of her hard work!

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Elf on the Shelf

2011-12-14T22:27:00.000-05:00

Our Elf on the Shelf's name is Edward. He first came to our house last year around Christmas. This is his second year visiting our house and the kids love him! We read the book, The Elf on the Shelf, on the night before Thanksgiving and Edward appeared at our house for the first time this year on Thanksgiving Day.

When Aiden and Jenny woke up Thanksgiving morning, Edward was hanging out in the stuffed animal net in their room! It took them a little while to find him, but it wasn't too long before they found his hiding spot.

Since then we have read the Elf on the Shelf book several times. Sometimes I read it to the kids, and sometimes Jenny reads it to us. Even Aiden has most of the words memorized and can "read" most of the book too.

Edward helped himself to some cookies and milk!

Part of the Elf on the Shelf tradition is that you are not supposed to touch the elf. Last year this was a bit of a problem for Aiden, and he ended up touching him several times. He had just turned two years old at the time, so we didn't make much of a big deal about it. This year though, we try to remind him more often that he isn't supposed to touch Edward. A few weeks ago we watched the Elf on the Shelf movie that was on TV. There is a part in the movie where their elf, Chippey, gets touched and loses his magic. After seeing the movie, Aiden is very serious about not touching Edward. I've even heard him remind Jenny a few times not to touch him.

So far, the Elf on the Shelf has been a lot of fun for Aiden and Jenny. They both love waking up and trying to find his newest hiding spot. I hope this is something that they will both enjoy for years to come.

Christmas Card 2011

2011-12-14T11:26:00.001-05:00

I am linking up with Faith's Christmas Card Carousel.

This is also our last Christmas card with only two children in it. Next year little Sophia will be in the picture too!

Merry Christmas, friends!

Happy 3rd Birthday Aiden!

2011-11-30T13:57:00.000-05:00

Aiden turned 3 on November 29. Aiden has always been a good sleeper, and on his birthday he slept in until nearly 11am. Since I don't usually wake up until he does, he and I (and Daddy) all got to sleep in that day. After we all got up and got ready we went out for a late breakfast/lunch.

Afterwards we asked him what he wanted to do next, and he said he wanted a balloon. So his Daddy and I took him to Kroger to pick out a balloon. The balloon Aiden chose was a Wow Wow Wubzy balloon. Aiden played with the balloon the whole way to the cash register where we were going to pay for the balloon. As soon as I had scanned it (we went through self checkout) and completed the purchase I turned around only to find that the balloon now had a hole in the side of it and it was quickly falling towards the ground. At first Aiden didn't really understand why his balloon wasn't floating. Once he realized that there was a hole in the balloon and it wasn't something his Daddy or I could fix, the meltdown started. We went back to where the balloons are to try and get him another, but apparently that balloon was the last Wow Wow Wubzy balloon in the store. Aiden wasn't thrilled at first, but once he realized they also had Batman balloons, he was fine.

Later that evening, we went with my parents to take Aiden out to dinner. We took him to TGIFridays. I didn't bring my camera so I had to use my phone instead. It was pretty dark in there so the lighting wasn't great for picture taking.

Haha!

The servers we singing happy birthday to him in this picture.

Happy birthday, Aiden! We love you!

Aiden's 3rd Birthday Party Pictures

2011-11-27T14:32:00.000-05:00

Christmas Cards!

2011-11-25T22:58:00.000-05:00

One of the things I look forward to during the Christmas season are all of the Christmas cards I send and receive.

I'm using Tiny Prints to design our cards this year. They offer a large selection of holiday cards, it was difficult to pick a favorite design! Here are a few of my favorites:

I love the polka-dots in this one and the option to have more than one picture.

I love the colors in this one!

I love the idea of a round card like this! This would be great to display on a Christmas tree.

This is my first time using Tiny Prints, but I love all of the different card designs and options. If you haven't already ordered your Christmas cards yet, try Tiny Prints!

*I received 50 free holiday cards from Tiny Prints as compensation for this post, though, all opinions in this post are mine.

Pictures with Santa 2011

2011-11-23T13:48:00.000-05:00

Jaime and I took the kids to the mall last night to have their picture made with Santa. Aiden told Santa that he wants "the biggest Power Ranger he has ever seen in the whole wide world". Haha! I know I'm biased, but Aiden is the funniest kid I know!

Here is their picture from this year... (Aiden is almost 3 and Jenny is 6)

Picture from 2010 (Aiden had just turned 2 and Jenny was 5)

2009 (Aiden was 1 and Jenny was 4)

Fall Photo Shoot

2011-11-20T13:31:00.000-05:00

A few weeks ago, we had some pictures made of the kids. We have never had their pictures taken professionally before (other than the ones that Jenny has made at school). I was very surprised at how well Aiden and Jenny (especially Aiden) behaved! There is no way I could have gotten Aiden to pose and do so well if I were the one taking the pictures.

Our photographer, Lizzie Lemoine Photography, was amazing! She was so patient with the kids, and really knew how to keep them interested in having their pictures made. I am really impressed with how well they turned out!

Christmas Card Giveaway

2011-11-03T12:05:00.000-04:00

Looking for Christmas cards? Head on over to Whitney's review blog, Glamorous Life of a Housewife, to enter in her giveaway! She will be giving away 25 cards to 3 people! Don't miss it, she'll be announcing a winner tomorrow (Friday)!

Thankful Thursday

2011-11-03T11:53:00.000-04:00

Keeping with what I started last year, I am going to do a "Thankful Thursday" everyday in the month of November. You can read last year's Thankful posts here, here, here, and here.

I am thankful for...

1. This blog. How it enables me to express my thoughts, and share our stories with you all. I am also thankful that years from now, I will have a place where I can look back and see what our lives looked like.

2. Our apartment. Even though it is smaller than I'd like, and I would prefer a house, I am still thankful that we have a roof over our heads.

3. Mornings with Aiden. I love spending time with Aiden early in the morning when we first get up. I love the time we spend with him sitting in my lap while we both wake up and get ready to start our day.

4. The car rider line. I am thankful for the time that I get to spend with Jenny when we are in the car together on our way to or from school. Most of the time, it is just her and I in the car so it gives us extra time to talk about her day.

5. Technology. I am thankful for how it helps me to stay connected to my friends and family.

6. Baking with Aiden and Jenny. We don't bake as often as we did before, but when we do, it is so much fun!

7. Waking up beside the best man on earth every single morning.

8. Strong friendships old and new.

9. God's Word and the promises that He brings.

10. Health. For me and for my family.

11. Aiden and Jenny. I love the joy and laughter they bring into my life!

12. The little baby girl who will be joining our family in April. A true blessing from God!

13. A wonderful family who loves me unconditionally.

14. Good music. My favorite right now is Adele!

15. Twenty-four years worth of incredible memories!

To be continued.

Happy Halloween!

2011-10-31T22:13:00.000-04:00

Happy Halloween from our favorite Power Ranger! I took these pictures before we went trick-or-treating. I didn't try to take any while we were trick-or-treating as they usually don't turn out well once it gets dark. These pictures crack me up! Aiden definitely has a little personality...and attitude. Wonder where he gets that from?? Haha! Aiden really enjoyed trick-or-treating this year. We went with my cousin, her husband, and their three boys. Jenny trick-or-treated with her mom this year, which is why she isn't in any of these pictures. She was Batgirl again this year. She'll get to trick-or-treat with us next year, along with Aiden and the new baby! :)

It's a....

2011-10-31T14:00:00.000-04:00

GIRL!

If you look closely, you can see her little foot in the one above.

Front of her face.

Pumpkin Carving 2011

2011-10-28T13:35:00.001-04:00

Soccer Players

2011-10-16T13:14:00.001-04:00

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Pumpkin Patch 2011

2011-10-15T13:19:00.000-04:00

12 Weeks!

2011-10-03T13:30:00.000-04:00

How Far Along: 12 weeks and 2 days

Size of Baby: .5 ounces, and about 2 inches long

Total Weight Gain/Loss: Since my last doctor appointment at 10 weeks, I have not gained or lost any weight!

Maternity Clothes: None yet. I don't expect to wear many as I didn't wear them with Aiden. But, I've heard that every pregnancy is different, so I may need them more than I expect!

Gender: We find out the gender on October 31 at my 16 week check up. Personally, I am hoping for a girl since we already have a boy. But, so long as he/she is healthy, we will be thankful!

Movement: None yet. We did get to watch the baby move around today on the ultrasound, but I still can't feel it. With Aiden I was around 16-18 weeks when I felt it, so hopefully it won't be too much longer.

Sleep: I have been sleeping really well. After a full day of keeping up with a two year old, and sometimes also a six year old, I am usually pretty worn out at night.

What I Miss: Nothing really. I'm sure in a few weeks I will be saying that I miss wine, but for now, I'm doing good.

Cravings: Anything and everything! This morning for breakfast I had a hot dog and then a grilled chicken ceasar salad from IHOP. Crazy, I know!

Symptoms: Besides being tired and hungry all the time, I haven't really had any other symptoms. I was sick last week for a full 24 hours, but Jaime was sick the very next day so I'm not sure if it was morning sickness or a virus. Either way, it was horrible and I'm glad I haven't experienced it since then!

Best Moment This Week: Earlier today getting to see the baby on ultrasound. The ultrasound makes the whole thing seem so surreal!

Now for the ultrasound pictures....

Baby's First Picture

2011-09-28T08:46:00.002-04:00

Last week I went to my first doctor's appointment. I also had my first ultrasound done!

Everything looked great, and I was measuring right where I should have been at that time - 10 weeks and 2 days.

Aiden went with us to the doctor, and at first, I think the ultrasound scared him a little. I kept trying to smile at him and assure him that I was fine and it didn't hurt me.

The baby's heartbeat was a strong 162 BPM. :) I am due April 14, 2012.

I go back for another ultrasound on Monday. This ultrasound will check for signs of Down Syndrome.

I am debating whether or not to do weekly blog updates starting at week 12. I have seen a lot of other blogs do that.

The heartburn has already started. Looks like I'll have another hairy baby. :)

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Roll Tide!!

2011-09-24T19:12:00.002-04:00

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