Santa Claus is coming to town...

We had our ward Christmas party and Santa stopped by for a visit!! Of course I forgot my camera...so these pictures are courtesy of my cell phone camera. Tate wanted nothing to do with Santa...he would wrap his arms around my neck and squeeze tight while saying..."I no see Santa Mommy...I no see Santa." Even the bribe of candy couldn't get him on Santa's lap. Then...after about 10 minutes I told him it was almost Mallory's turn and he says..."I see Santa Mommy!!" So...he did!! He didn't cry or anything...just climbed up on Santa's lap and smiled!! Tate and Santa and Mallory!! So CUTE!!!

Anna and Santa!! She is such a cutie!!!

We love Christmas and LOVED LOVED LOVED seeing Santa!!

How to REALLY camp...

What can I say...this is how the Vance family camps!! Let me tell you...it WORKS!!! Mallory, Anna, Tate and Sydney...braving the great outdoors!!

Warming their hands by the fire!!

Zac, Anna, Mallory and Bailee

Roasting marsh mellows!! We may not really camp...but we do use REAL marsh mellows!!!

Here comes the BRIDE(S)!!!

So during the Thanksgiving break all the cousins were together and talking about their parents wedding days. We all pulled out our dresses to show the kids and Anna and Tate decided to get some practice for their own wedding days... What a BEAUTIFUL bride she makes..

Hopefully on his actual wedding day he will choose a Tux...and not the gown!!!

I don't even want to think about this happening for real......

Tree Time!!

Once again the Hoidays are here!! I can't believe how fast this year went...but it is here!! We pulled out the ol' Christmas tree and had a wonderful time decorating the bad boy!!! Hope Everyones Holiday Season is MERRY!!! My kiddos and our tree!!

Tater boy hanging an ornament!!

Anna...what a ham...she loves the camera!!

Mallory loves to decorate the tree!!

Me and the clan...

The breakfast of CHAMPS!!

This was a few months ago...but its a keeper!! What a good mom I make!! Whats a better breakfast than chips, chocolate and capri suns? At least they were happy!!

Halloween...Vance style!!!

Halloween was FABULOUS...once again!! We started the festivities with a haunting Halloween parade at the school. The kids LOVE this tradition...and so do I!! Then it was home to get ready for the night!! We went back to the BEST street...Grandview!! They close it down every Halloween and they have fun games..cotton candy..snow cones..popcorn..homemade root beer..apple cider and trick or treating!! SO FUN!! So this year Jason and I got to go trick or treating with SPIDER MAN...THE QUEEN OF HEARTS and a VAMPIRE!! Let me tell you..it was a hit for everyone...but our little Spider man was loving life...three simple words and someone gives you candy...WHAT A NIGHT!!! Anna and her teacher Mrs. DeBacker!!

Here comes Anna....

Her Royal Highness...Mallory

Her majesty approaches...

Our scary and terrifying little VAMPIRE...

Striking her pose...watch out...she's HUNGRY!!!

Her beautiful Highness...THE QUEEN OF HEARTS!!

This Queen can definately MELT my HEART!!!

The world is safe in his hands...SPIDER MAN

Tell me he is not the cutest SUPER HERO EVER!!!

Taking a piece of his candy!!!

I VANT TO SUCK YOUR BLOOD~~~

The whole crew...all ready to go!!

Spooky siblings!!

SNOW CONES!!

COTTON CANDY!!!

Anna's Loot!! She totally scored!!

All tuckered out on Hallows Eve!!!

FYI...I'm Failing...

So...this little cutie has informed me..multiple times..that she is NOT going to be a mom. I always just shrugged it off and let her say it. The other day Mallory and I were playing zoo animals with Tate in Tates room. We were all roaring and rolling around on the ground and having a blast. I turned to Mallory and told her she was going to be a great mom...she looked at me, straight faced and said..."I'm not going to be a mom...remember mommy?" I finally asked her why she didn't want to be a mom...and HOLY CRAP I wish I hadn't. She informed me that she is not going to be a mom...because all moms do is YELL!!! Let me tell ya...not a stellar mom moment right there. Of course...being the quick thinker that I am...I thoughtfully explained to Mallory that moms only yell when there kids are being NAUGHTY!! I think she got it!!! :)

Halloween Time!!!

I am a HUGE Halloween LOVER!! The scarier the better!! I love all things Halloween!! So each year when we carve pumpkins I try to make it fun!! We do Pizza and Pumpkins each year...our little family tradition!! This year I decided to make our own pizza...and to make them Halloween themed!! I am NOT a perfectionist mind you..and I am NOT creative...but I try... And I think that counts!! I am actually really excited about how this WHOLE CRAZY night turned out...PIZZA, PUMPKINS and ALL!!! 3 little pumpkins all in a row...(Anna's...Mallory's...Tate's)

Our Halloween loving Family!!

Bubbi and Daddy carving Tates first pumpkin!!!

Mallory and Daddy carving Mallory's creation!!

Daddy...Anna...and her creation!!!

Daddy and Mally...

EEEWWWWW!!! Hating the pumpkin guts!!!

Tater boy making his Pumpkin pretty!!

Adorable little Anna!!

Magnificent Mallory!!!

All the kids waiting for the pizza...(Zac...Mallory...Bailee...Anna!!)

The "GREAT PUMPKIN" pizza...(remember...not a perfectionist...but still fun!! you can't see it...but there is a green stem on top.)

Our "MONSTER" sausage pizza....(I kinda like this guy!!)

And last but not least...Our"MOSTLY GHOSTLY" pizza!!

Not to bad huh!?!? I had a fun time making these and the kids seemed to have fun eating them up!! The night was a success!! HAPPY HALLOWEEN TO ALL!!!!

Baby it's cold outside!!

We are TRUE Arizonians...The weather drops into the 60's and we break out the SNOW BEANIES!!! Cute little Mallory!!

Tate and his Buddy Shaycee!!

I sure do love my kids!!!