Pizza & Ponies

Sidney, being the second child was very excited for it to be her turn to have a Birthday party.



She requested pizza so we decided to let the kids make their own.



The little kids and



the big kids both had a great time making them.  And eating the cheese and pepperonis along the way.  I was glad that we decided to do different food for the adults.



Sidney loved everyone singing Happy Birthday to her and we kept the fire up high so we wouldn't have any hair catching fire this time.



Everyone enjoying the cupcakes.



Did you know Snowman wrapping paper does not have to be used just at Christmas?  Sidney was excited about her snowmen and didn't realize that her momma was slack and forgot to buy wrapping paper.



She asked for a My Little Pony, which the toy section on our base has none of so Brian and I drove all the way to Ramstein AFB to get this Baby Pony.  It was worth the drive to see her so excited about the Pony and her new Fancy Nancy PJs.

Three Little Girls

I really do love having three kids.  Especially three girls.  Especially three girls with the cutest little toes.



Especially three little girls who let their momma dress them in coordinating outfits.  Wonder how long this will last?



Especially two little girls who treat the baby of the family like the Queen of the house.  And again ...Wonder how long this will last?  Maybe they won't care when she takes their toys/clothes.  A momma can dream.

Cowboy Ending

Carolyn had her last day of preschool the week before last.  They had a cowgirl party to celebrate the school year.



All the kids from her class.



Sidney thought that she should be apart of the class as well.  She almost looks tall enough to join them.



Musical Cowboy Hats wasn't Carolyn's favorite when she was the first one eliminated.



Never fun to be the first one out but she had her Dad to make her feel better.



Carolyn loves to do crafty projects.  I loved watching her, get serious listening to the teachers directions and trying to do exactly what she was told.



Hard to believe she will be in Kindergarten next year.  I took her to her orientation last week and she is very ready to go to her new school.

But for now she gets to spend the summer with her little sisters.

Pacey

Payson's 5 month old picture.



Carolyn has nicknamed Payson - Pacey.  Which makes me have Dawson Creek flashbacks but it suits her.  Don't you just want to squeeze her cute little cheeks.

Our Sid

You keep me on my toes Sidney Katherine.



At the ripe old age of three, your are still as spunky as ever, but now I have learned (sometimes I'm still learning) how to handle your strong, spunky personality.



I love that you are our middle child.  You make sure that you will never be forgotten amongst the chaos of our house.



I admire that you always seem to know exactly what you want.
You have an opinion on everything, especially your clothing.
You are the best cuddler and still are very attached to your lovies.
You love to dance around our house on your tippy toes singing whatever song is in your head.  My favorite is your lovely rendition of

"I'm a Princess, oh yes I'm a Princess... Dreams come truueee, dreams come truueee."



You most definitely are "Our Princess". Happy Birthday Siddy!

Nerja, - El Fin

We tried many different paella places while on vacation but our favorite was



The all you can eat Ayo's Paella.  I would love some of this right now.



I can't have too many beach pictures of Payson.



We noticed last year on our cruise that there are tons of peddlers on European beaches.  The Nerja beach was just the same... we were offered massages, some sunglasses, bracelets, watches, beach cover ups, you name it you could buy it.
This guy though had the best marketing of any of the peddlers.  He proceeded to put on a show trying on all his merchandise and pranced up and down the beach.  My husband was very disappointed that I didn't buy anything from him.  But who wants to buy a sarong that has been worn by a sweaty man.  He was very entertaining though.



On one of our last nights we were brave enough to take these three to a really nice restaurant.



The restaurant was smart though and put the people with the kids outside in an area by ourselves.




It was a wonderful meal and the kids did great.  Our friends Margaret and Brandon also happened to be traveling in the area and joined us.




I love my little adventurous eater.  Carolyn will eat anything.  She has her daddy's stomach.



Our view from the restaurant.



Our final night.  Sidney posing.



I made the family walk down to the beach right off the Balcony of Europe because



I wanted to see this building.  I love this shack by the sea.



I think I could live here.  Love the colors!



I don't think I can say it enough how much of a big helper Carolyn is with Payson.  Just today I was trying to get something done and Payson was fussy.  Carolyn kept her happy while I got what I needed to get done.  She really loves her little sister (Carolyn calls Sidney her medium size sister.)



A few more beach pictures..




We had a great time with the Grimm family!  I am glad they can put up with all our craziness.



And one last family picture.  Now Brian has declared Spain his favorite country.

Nerja - Part Dos

Our apartment was up the hill where the white buildings are.  The walk down to the beach wasn't bad but the walk back was a work out.



Each day we would walk past this house.  All of the houses had bougainvillea growing down the side of them.  So pretty!



We were high rollers. HA and rented lounge chairs each day.



Came in handy during nap time.  Sidney slept everyday on the beach.  It was nice.



And sometimes the Daddy slept while babies were wide awake.



Payson and Kamryn, they are pretty lucky that their first beach experience was in Spain.



They both were great beach babies.



I managed to keep a bathing suit on Sidney this year.



I love that the girls seem to enjoy the beach as much as Brian and I do.  We would get to the beach about 10 and not leave until about 4.



One more picture of sweet Payson.  I have decided that I would like her to just stay this age.  She sleeps through the night, smiles all the time, is content whatever we do and is super snuggly (is that a word?).



Another late night out eating tapas.



To entertain Carolyn sometimes we would let her hold my point and shoot.  So we have tons of pictures like this and



this lovely picture of me. HA



But she also took this picture of the church in the square of Nerja which I really like.



Family photo off the balcony of our apartment.



The Grimms took this picture on one of the first evenings we were there.  We missed this red moon coming up over the water.  And then for the rest of the time we were there every night Brian and I would keep watch outside and try to catch a glimpse of it coming up.  We never did.  Which I think is a sign that we have to go back here someday.