Holiday wishes from our home...

Decorating at Z North Pole!! Anxious to have the festive Christmas feel early in our home, we had our trees, decorations, and lights up before Thanksgiving!

Landon decorated his tree and picked out new ornaments for this year. He loves this time of year, just as much as his mama and dada do. He is quite hesitant with talking about Santa....doesn't like to hear that he is coming into his house while he is sleeping. He is very worried Santa is going to take his dogs, toys, blankie, etc. Landon's not trusting that Santa Claus, he's keeping his eye on him!!

Oh Christmas trees, oh Christmas trees!!!

Thanksgiving Week....

As usual, I have to back track to recount our activities. What can I say, the Z house gets busier and busier every week!!

Our families celebrated turkey day a little early, I had to work on the actual holiday, as well as my brother, and quite frankly, it just worked out well with everyone traveling in and out of Phoenix.

Landon could hardly contain himself when his Uncle Ants (Uncle Anthony) arrived to our house to stay the weekend. He couldn't get enough of him....waking him up every morning, climbing into his lap, following him around the house, and if Uncle Ants even got up from the table without announcing it to Landon, oh, the devastation on Lan's face! They were attached at the hip, two peas in a pod!!


Once, Aunt Holly, Nannie, and Kori arrived, the festivities and feasting began.....

Lets start the eating off with lunch at the Arizona Culinary Institute, where my cousin Jackie studies. Three courses of amazing food, limoncello, a tour of the behind the scenes kitchens, and a celebration of my Nannie's birthday, we had to be rolled out there.



Not even 3 years old and Landon has a refined palate for fine foods!


Happy Birthday Nannie!


Inside the massive culinary kitchens.



Our Thanksgiving day came and went so quickly. We had about 20 people, some newcomers to our family, and friends that quickly felt like family. Naturally, the wine flowed like water, the kitchen was hopping with apron clad ladies, football on in the background, laughter at every turn in the house, Landon and his friend Ashton, running, wrestling, and playing. The day was perfect!!


Cooking with Grandma


From left to right, Nannie, Jackie, me, my mom, Kori, and Aunt Holly


With Scot's mom, Donna


Anth's and my usual photo op pose!! Yes, we are close!


Anthony, his fiance, Kori, and her bro, Kyle. FYI- Kyle is a high-society PI and has the most amazing stories...necessary for any party!


The ladies are not big drinkers. Thanks to my husband, he conned us into taking a shot!!


It's no wonder why we love the holidays!! So much laughter and love in one room!


Sans the tight jeans and into sweat pants!

Cheers to the wonderful holidays!!!

Fire, Fire, Fire!

Our boy and his love/obsession for fire trucks, firefighters, and hoses!! He just cannot get enough . He can see and hear a fire tuck siren before anyone else, sees firefighters everywhere we go and has to go say "hi", he puts out pretend fires throughout out house on a day to day basis, calls our dog, Shilo, his fire dog, and insists he is a fireman.

What better place to take Fireman Landon to, than the Hall of Flames. He was very serious amongst all of the retired fire trucks, aware of their importance and appreciating every detail.

Landon's new Fire Station.....

"I do myself!"

The 3 famous toddler words, "I do myself", are in full force in our house. We hear them more and more everyday as Landon's independence grows. With that said, we are going on celebrating 3 weeks of Landon being potty trained....determined to have his privacy to go potty, he insists on "I do myself"!

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At Landon's request to visit the beach, we headed to San Diego for a long weekend to enjoy the city's attractions. Planning on a little "Whatever, Whenever" at The W (or any other hotel for that matter), please let me know if you would like to hear our disgusting tail. In their defense, The W management did rectify the situation and vacay went off without a hitch!

The summer weather was perfect for a lazy day in November of lying on the beach. Of course, we ate well, slept like babies, relaxed, and wished for more!

Our little beach bum!




Dining at The W, after a hard day of ....lying on the beach!


The highlight of Z Trip...Sea World


Who needs a stroller when you have a mama!




Gliding over the bay in the Bayside Skyride...not a care in the world!


Lan has a love for spicy Mexican cuisine. A boy after our own hearts!


Late nights roaming the beach at The Del


These waters seems much calmer after seeing what Sea World has to offer.


Candy before breakfast....only on vacation!


Something about that salty air that instantly relaxes us.


Who forgot to tell us we own a yacht?!

Halloween Weekend!!

A full weekend of Halloween and it is safe to say we got our fix of this holiday....time for the next one! Two nights of trick-or-treating, 2 costume changes, pumpkin patch, a neighborhood block party, and still managed to squeeze in a couples date night with our friends, Clint and Lindsey!

Fireman Landon spent less than 5 minutes in his costume.


Much more fun to collect candy in your hat!


A real family pic.... eyes closed, trying to get Landon's hand out of his nose, all while we are cracking up!


Mama's Boy!!


Hunting for the best pumpkin




Hold my hand and follow me.....




Trick-or-treating was a blast this year, as Lan knocked on each door, rang the bell, and said "It's Me!".

Hope everyone had safe and happy hauntings this year!!!

Fall Spirit: Part 2

A surprising Sunday off of work for me quickly became a celebration with home fall festivities!!


Carving station....



My boys getting their creative vibes going for their jack-o-lantern creations!



Pumpkin coloring/carving


Z Chefs' fall evening menu: grilled sirloin and shrimp, roasted sweet potatoes, fresh green salad, and roasted pumpkin seeds. Alfresco!