¡Explora!

We had a fun time at ¡Explora! today. It's a "cool" science museum here in Albuquerque similar to the one in San Francisco, Exploratorium. Makenna really loves it there because there are so many fun things to look at and touch. I always enjoy myself as well. I always did like my science classes, so I guess I am somewhat of a science nerd. :)

Tall Makenna
Fat Makenna

Lots of Makennas!
A little scary...
Doesn't know what to think!
Makenna's favorite thing is the recycled crafts area
Petting the fire dragon

First haircut

This is a great before pic!! Look at that hair!!

After- So handsome!

I don't know why it was so hard for me to do this! It definitely needed to be done! His hair also looks a lot lighter now. I know the after pictures look like a ghetto haircut from mom, but I swear in real life it is very proportional and cute! :)

Fun in the Yard

We got this sweet trampoline for free yesterday! We love it because it's a lot smaller than a normal tramp and low to the ground- so fun for little kids!
I came outside after nursing Jace for like 10 minutes and this is what she looked like... I can't wait for the yard to be done!!! Hopefully in a month it will be done....

Our daughter "Giselle"

Her name is Giselle (from the movie Enchanted). Don't call her Makenna or she will be sure to correct you! She has been doing this for about a week now and is very good about always correcting us! Oh, and my name is Ariel. She seriously calls me Ariel all day long- not mom. She's so funny...

Mother's Day

For Mother’s Day we decided last minute to head up to Scott’s parent’s house for a little visit and because Scott had some work he could do while we were there. We had a really great time seeing Scott’s parents and our other family that live up there. I am so blessed to have such great in-laws. Makenna had a blast with all her cousins playing in the dirt, swimming, and not to meantion falling in the water ditch! Good thing I had extra clothes!

Cute cousin Lizzy and Jace. Lizzy just loved to hold him and asked me all day long if she could!
This is my silly mother in law. She put these pink extensions in her hair for school to help raise money for cancer. (She is a high school teacher.) She is so funny!

And here is my mother. Just wanted to tell her happy mother's day and that she is a wonderful mother and friend. Love you!

I don't want to leave Scott out because he was such a sweet husband on mother's day. Thank you for spoiling me- you are the best! He gave me the movie Enchanted- I just love that movie!! (I am a dork) I am so blessed to have such great kids and a great husband.

Merry Christmas!!

So my mother-in-law found our long lost camera the other day! I've been so sad ever since I lost it because it had our Christmas pictures on it, but now that we found it here they are!

Makenna the angel
All the kids dressed up for the nativity and Scott the wiseman
Cute cousins
Opening presents
Lovin her new hat and sunglasses

Our 3 month old

I got some good smiling pics of Jace today! He is a very happy little guy. He will smile back at just about anyone that smiles at him. He is such a good baby. He is sleeping through the night now which is lovely. I can see that Makenna and Jace are starting to grow this bond with each other. Sometimes if Jace is crying and I can't get to him I'll tell Makenna to go make him happy and then he'll stop immediately and sometimes even laugh at her- I love seeing my kids that way! I can't wait until they can really play together! Jace's new thing is sucking on his lower lip as you can see in that last picture... it's pretty funny!

Makenna put these on Jace the other day and he didn't seem to mind! I think he was born to be cool.

Not the greatest pic, but you can see his pretty eyes and gorgeous long eyelashes...

Cheapo

Ok, so I've always been cheap ever since I can remember. I never, I mean never, buy anything full price- I just go straight for the sales racks! Having a new house doesn't help. Let me just say there's not a lot of extra money right now! So I've been to garage sales before, but never had much luck. That all changed about 3 weeks ago when I hit up a couple AWESOME garage sales! We're talking cute kids clothes at 50 cents each, an awesome toy I almost bought the other day for $20 I got for $2, and a sweet spring horse for Makenna for $10. It was from this day that I became obsessed. I looked on craigslist for the "good" garage sales and scoured my neighborhood every weekend since trying to find amazing deals! I just can't get over the fact that I can buy something for so little that is worth much more to me! So I think I'm officially.... a cheapo.

Makenna and Brody on my "amazing find!" Was I ever going to buy a horse like this? no... But that's beside the point!!

My new favorite recipe

This recipe is just like the title says... SO YUMMY!! Just thought I'd share...

Unbelievable Chicken

INGREDIENTS
1/4 cup cider vinegar
3 tablespoons prepared coarse-ground mustard
3 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
1 lime, juiced
1/2 lemon, juiced
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
ground black pepper to taste
6 tablespoons olive oil
6 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves

DIRECTIONS
In a large glass bowl, mix the cider vinegar, mustard, garlic, lime juice, lemon juice, brown sugar, salt, and pepper. Whisk in the olive oil. Place chicken in the mixture. Cover, and marinate 8 hours, or overnight.
Preheat an outdoor grill for high heat.
Lightly oil the grill grate. Place chicken on the prepared grill, and cook 6 to 8 minutes per side, until juices run clear. Discard marinade.