Michael the Great!!!!!

I usually just post about my kids or my crafts. Today I want to pay tribute to my wonderful husband. I am very lucky to have him in my life. After 11 years together I still feel lucky to call him my husband. He is absolutely the greatest dad out there. He loves his kids, wants to play with them, even helps take care of the kids. When we first had Hayden I traveled at least 2 weeks of the month. Leaving my newborn was tough but if I did not have him I could of never made it. I also think he gets dad of the year for traveling by himself on an airplane to California with 2 kids age 1 and 4 all the luggage, strollers, car seats, etc. When I tell people that they can not believe he did that. But best of all is after all of these years he still loves me and I still love him. He even still brings me flowers. We are such a good balance for each other. We fit so well together. I feel so blessed to have him in my life and look forward too many years together.

Craft Projects & A Flood!!!!

OK, all of you have inspired me to start crafting again. The only problem is Mike and I are on a tight budget. So I need to use things I have around the house (or my Mom's house). As most of you know my mom has an enormous craft room which we are so blessed to be able to use. This weekend I headed down there to craft and the kids wanted to spend the night with Mima and Pepa. I think Hayden just wanted the famous Pepa Flapjacks, and lots of ice cream. Thanks Dad, haha.

I wanted to make Ava birthday party hats, but did not want to buy any. Since we are not having a party and just having family over I didn't want to spend too much. So I searched on line and found how to make some from chasincherrios blog. They are pretty easy and the best thing is they cost $0. I had hats from Hayden's party left over and recovered the hats with ribbons, scrapbook paper and trim we had. They are adorable and Mike is amazed at these. Hope you like.

Next on the list was Ava's Valentine day outfit. Betsy made her the cutest overalls for Halloween and I wanted her to have some for Vday. My lovely sister has been saving overalls from Jack and gave me two pairs. These turned out real cute, picture does not do them justice. If you have a chance make sure you check out Betsy's blog, snipssnailsandmommytales.blogspot.com. I have always wanted an apron and my sister again stepped up and taught me to make it. Along with my mom we made the apron and it has a vintage look. It reminds me of something my Grandma Slack would wear.

Last but not least I started to make Sam's bday present. I made him a sippy cup. It has Mickey Mouse with his name. Looks great. Now we need to get him to learn to drink from one. I am also making him something else for his bday hopefully it will turn out great. It has turned out to be a bigger project then I thought. But all is worth it for Sammy.

Hope everyone had a great weekend. We all did except for the little mishap at Mima's were my kids almost flooded her entire house. Short story, Hayden wanted to have a little swimming pool inside and proceeded to fill up Mima's bathtub. Then Hayden and Ava wanted all of the toys to go swimming, along with books. And the 20th anniversary Disney World book that can not be replaced. As I come into the bathroom Ava is soaked, the water is to the brim of the tub and they were actually proud of themselves. But kudos to the best grandparents around they did not loose there cool and let me handle the situation. Even though they almost had to have a remodel in the bathroom. Sorry again to my parents and isn't it fun to have grandkids.

Hope you like the projects and I will keep you posted on all the other projects I have been inspired from you in the blog world.

Dinner Time!

Ava with her second helping of Fish!!

Tilapia with Pico De Gallo on the side

Saute Spinach with mushrooms and garlic

Hayden pounding his fish.

I am not sure about you all but dinner time around my house has always seemed to be a fight. When Hayden was little we did not do a very good job of having him eat what we ate. I tell myself it was because he had no teeth so he could not chew too well. Who knows the delusions I tell myself to not feel like such a bad mom. Hayden use to be one of the worst eaters, but he would eat junk all of the time... So when little Ava appeared we were not going to do this with her. We only offered her what I cooked for dinner, and what can I say she eats anything. Or at least will try it. So in the past couple of months we have really taken a hard line with Hayden and made him eat what I make for dinner. I am proud to say I am no longer a short order cook. This week he has had Italian pot roast, Oven Fried Pork Chops, Eggs (did not feel like making a meal), and Tilapia with pico de gallo. Yes you read correctly fish. This is now one of his favorite meals. He even asked me for fish tonight when he woke up this morning. People had told me when he gets hungry enough he will eat. Guess what he will. Hayden even says wow this tastes good, i.e. he hated butter but he tried it at at Mima and Pepa's and now loves butter. So we are very proud of Hayden. Mike and I are also glad to have a family dinner with no more fighting for someone to eat or being sent to their room. Dinners are pleasant around the Fruia house. Moral of the story: It is true they will eat when they are hungry whatever it is...

A FIshing we will go A fishing we will go...

For Christmas Mike gets both of the kids a daddy present. SO this year he bought both of the kids a fishing pole. Ava is a cute Dora pole that will float if it falls in the water, but Hayden got a real pole with his own tackle box. Needless to say he was pretty excited. On Saturday when the weather was 80 degress unlike today where we are freezing, we took the kids to the fishing pond in our neighborhood. They had a good time learning how to fish and cast the line. Ava just wanted to dip her pole in the water but hey she's not even 2 yet. We did not catch any fish this time but next time Hayden is going to catch a 59# fish. Wow how do the fish tales already start?

Resolutions!!!!!!!!

OK so I'm not big on New Years Resolutions but this year I am actually going to make some. Don't get me wrong last year was not a bad year by far (I am one of the most blessed people out there) but I could of been a little better about some stuff. And this year I am going to try to actually keep my Resolutions. So I figured by blogging I could be held accountable. So I need all of you blogging friends to help and continually check in on me.

Here they are:
1) Be a better wife and mom. Need to remember to not nag as much and praise all of my family for all they do.
2) Stick to a budget.
3) Get Healthy and make my family Healthier!!!!!!
4) Stay more organized!!!!
5) Remember everyday how blessed I am and thank God for all I have.

So it has been a couple of days and I am off to a good start. So wish me luck. And Happy New Year.

Ava Ava Ava!

For Christmas my dad made both of the kids presents. He made Hayden a train box to store his polor express train, and Ava a dress up Armoir. This morning I went up stairs to see what Ava was doing and she was playing dress up. She had her tiara upside down and refused for me to put it on correctly. She is such a diva and we are not even 2 yet. Oh My!

Happy Birthday Hayden!!!

Hayden is now 5!!!!!!!!! Happy Birthday Son we love you so much!!!!!!!!!!

Christmas Pics!!!!!

Decorating the Tree

Seeing what Santa brought

Merry Christmas the tree is done!

In our new PJ!

I love my Aerial Bike! Thanks Santa.

Look what Santa Brought!

Hayden with his WallE

Christmas Eve After Mass

Ava giving Kisses to Baby Rella

Opening Presents

A visit with Santa

Happy New Year!

Ok so I've been gone from blogging for about a month and I am so sorry. December has just been about the craziest month we have had this year. But its also been the best month. As most of you know we took a family vacation to Disney World all in all 22 people. We had such an amazing time. Since we are such Disney people it always amazes me to see Disney through our kids eyes. Hayden is in such awe of the place it almost overwhelms him. He loves it but he is definitely our timid kid. He wants to observe before he starts anything. Ava on the other hand is ready to go before you even tell her what it is. Now that we have met the princesses she thinks she is actually a princess. Mike and I were talking last night about how she can already name all of the princesses and she is not even 2. We are very blessed for being blessed to be able to share in Disney with our family. It is such a magical place and when you are there you really believe Magic can happen.

We then came home in a mad dash to get ready for Christmas. I had all intentions of trying to get everything done before we went, but of course that did not happen. But as Mike says the big guy coming whether we get shopping done. The best part is really seeing my kids understand the true meaning of Christmas. We have a Nativity set (thanks mima) and Hayden was able to tell us the whole story and teach Ava. It makes you really remember the true meaning of Christmas when your 4 year old talks about it. Ava and Hayden would walk around the house singing Happy Birthday Jesus. How blessed are we?

This year my sister and I had to skip the annual Christmas Cookie Exchange. We just ran out of time. But we are in full force for next year. Too bad its only a year away. Sorry everyone.

We also went to Houston for the weekend after Christmas. We drove in Christmas night and stayed until Sunday. We woke up the next morning and celebrated Christmas on the 26th, Hayden couldn't believe he had another Christmas. Between my family, our family, and Mike's family I think he thought it would never stop. That is what is so great about Christmas it is not celebrating on Christmas but being with your family during the season. We also saw Mike's Grandma (who had a stroke) and she seems to being doing much better. She is able to talk and is getting some movement back in her right side. We hope you all keep her in your prayers.

After we returned home from Houston we had Hayden's 5th Birthday. Since we celebrated at Disney World with Donald and Friends we decided to have a family party at Main Event. We went bowling and as with our family it got pretty competitive. The kids had a blast. Hayden is such a big and strong boy. He has such a wonderful heart he loves all of his family. When he blew out his candle on his cake and made his wish, he wished for his family to always be together on his birthday. We have enjoyed watching him grow so big and turn into a little boy in front of our eyes. He is such an added blessing to our family.

I will post pics soon when I get them (Sue took all of the pics).

My family wishes you all a very Happy New Years and many blessings in 2009.