The lights in Sedona..................

Chad and I have gone to Sedona for the Christams lights since we began dating. It is so beautiful! We did not take the kids and I was really glad because it was super cold.

Christmas fun with the Rhotons

What a beautiful Christmas!

We had a great Christmas. We were able to spend time with all of our Family. We saw my parents first and then went to Chad's parents. Aunt Shannon and Uncle Shane flew out and spent time with the kids which was awesome. I will be sure to post some pics of all the fun we had.

Cleaning your house while kids are still growing is like shoveling the driveway when it is still snowing!!!!!!!!

it is not Tate................

I found this picture today and it looks exactly like Tate! I never realized how much they resemble each other. I think she is two in this one.

my mom was missing Tate!

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today in Flagstaff.................

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what a night.............................

last night was just hilarious- it all began around 2:00 in the morning when a constant hacking cough could be heard from the children's end of the house. After it kept me up for a good 45 minutes or so I decided to stop being so lazy and get up and give the poor child some cough syrup. I rolled out of bed and downstairs to get some medicine and during this whole time the coughing was in the background. I went to the hallway leading to the kid's rooms and paused- the coughing was gone- I did not know which one was the cougher and I didn't want to medicate the wrong child- I waited in the hall looking into both bedrooms for what seemed like ten minutes and then decided to dump the medicine out (remember I was basically sleep walking) I stumbled back into my bed thinking that whoever it was they were probably fast asleep again and there would be no more coughing tonight. As soon as my head hit the pillow the hacking came back- Chad was lost in stage 15 of sleep (he is the hardest sleeper) and I was debating if I could sleep through it- No- I am just way too light of a sleeper. So- up I go- back downstairs for medicine dose #2- the whole time coughing in the background- I reach the kids rooms and of course- Silence!!!!! I sat on the floor for a while and then woke up after sleeping in the hallway to a cough! I was right- it was Livia all along............gave her some medicine and returned to a full hour and a half left of sleep! Yippee mom!

It is just snow fun!!!!

Snow is here!

Our kids want to play outside all day in the snow. We finally got some white stuff and the kids could not be happier (even though they do not look like it in this pic) They get really upset when it is time to come inside or when we are too busy to help them make a snowman. We even had some of our good friends, the Shepherds, stop by for some snow fun. Growing up, my parents always told me that the snow on the very top of the mountains tasted just like powder sugar so I have been pointing to the San Fransisco Peaks and telling Livia the same story- She begs me every day to take her up there so she can eat the snow. We are supposed to be getting up to a foot of snow tomorrow- keep your fingers crossed!!!!

Please Dad?????

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This is my attempt to convince Chad that Livia is ready for ballet lessons. Please excuse the singing- kind of embarrassing.............

Livia is obsessed!

My little girl only has one thing on her mind all day- she loves ballet! Ever since I took her to the ballet last Saturday she has asked to have her hair in a ballerina bun. I am actually getting quite good at it. She strips down the minute we get home and puts on a tutu. She twirls everywhere she goes. Today I was spying on her playing in her room with Tate and trying to convince him that he was her prince- "NO, La La I not I a puppy!" he would insist. She was getting so frustrated with him. I have to say she is quite graceful. I will try to post a video of her dancing on her toes. I can't figure out how people get video on their blogs.

Monday Night Spotlight! (yes it is back!)

Tonight I am spot lighting two very special girls in our life- Savannah and Shayde!
We just love these twins. I remember the day Nicole came over to my apartment at Campus heights with a pale face and a pic of the ultrasound- "we are having twins!" We were all in shock but so very excited! Nicole and Jay where some of our first friends to have babies and since it was before my own came along, I lived vicariously through them. I remember when Nicole got put on bed rest and Shannon, Tess and I surprised her with a decorated nursery for the girls. Now I can hardly believe that they are in kindergarten and doing math!!!!! They still have their giggles they had as babies and they definitely light up the room when they enter. I especially love how giving they are. They have always shared and I love that example around my kids. Shayde can't even take a compliment without wanting one given to Savannah. I just wanted to spotlight these precious girls and let them Know how much we love them and we are so glad they are in our life.

paaaaalease come home Daddy!

Chad has been gone since Tuesday- I hate not having a husband.... to all of you single moms out there- you are amazing! Since he has been gone I have flooded the kitchen (left the water running after putting some dishes in soapy water), the kids have tested me to the point of me locking myself in my closet for fear I will hurt them (notice the picture of the bathroom?- that was the smallest mess of the week!) Last night Tate pushed Livia into the bathtub after I had just gotten them bathed and dressed for bed (my fault for forgetting to pull the drain) and then the other night I was awakened by a screaming child who fell out of his bed and hit his mouth on his nightstand. There is nothing like opening the bedroom door to a crime scene in the middle of the night- there was blood all over his room and his fat lip has now turned into tiny little cold sores and he is just miserable. I am not saying these things don't happen normally but with my stabilizing-perspective giving husband absent, I just feel overwhelmed! I just got off the phone with Chad and he said his hunter will get one today- everyone cross your fingers he comes home tonight!!!!!

Sugar Plum Fairies!

Saturday was a day of pure magic! It was one of those days that I was just so excited that I have a daughter. In the morning Livia got the complete makeover- even a little bit of makeup! We then met some of our friends at Coco's for some hot chocolate, pancakes and of course PIE! After our yummy lunch we headed over to NAU to watch the Lollipop Ballet. Livia had never seen anything like this before and she actually squealed when the dancers would come onto the stage. It was so wonderful to see how excited she was. At the end they handed out lollipops. We had so much fun- Thank you Di for inviting us!!!!

Decoratons are done...................

I want to play too!

This post is directed at any of you who view my blog but have not yet invited me to yours. Something has happened and tons of blogs I used to frequent will not let me in because I am not "invited"! I totally understand and respect your wishes to make your blog not public but leaving me out?! the nerve! I just want to be in on the fun again! How is that for inviting myself! Just in case you decide to invite me, my e-mail is amberrhoton@yahoo.com.

Love it!

I stole this from Tiffany's blog! It just made me stop and think.

Christmas Books...........

My mother in law bought Livia and Tate this adorable wall shelf and it has made my life so much easier with the books in our home. I went through all of the books and boxed them into categories like- spring, school time, animals, etc. That way I only put out a few at a time and we don't have such a mess. Today I put out all of the Christmas books! The kids were so excited. I especially love these books because they are almost all gifts and have messages to the kids written inside. They love seeing who gave them the book we are reading.

Our Tree!!!!

I made Chad go to get our tree yesterday since he will be leaving to guide a hunt today. We had a heck of a time finding one but the result was well worth it. The last pic is actually our family at Little America. I will be sure to post pics of the decorated tree once we finish!

TOO MUCH?!?

I recently have been thinking about how close Livia's birthday is to Christmas and how it seems like she is expecting gifts daily lately. I think the hardest challenge is to not spoil your kid. I have asked her to spend some time with me in her room so we could find some toys she could donate to good will since she has received so much for her birthday and Christmas is around the corner. I also thought this article was really helpful in giving some pointers- her name is Dr. Stacy (a pediatrician and mother) who has a great blog I check out every now and then:

"Thanksgiving is over, our stomachs are full of good food, and December is just around the corner. That means that it's time to start thinking about Christmas. And Chanukah. And Kwanzaa. And what we are going to be giving our kids for the holidays.

But with the recent toy recalls and the news that dangerous toys are still on the shelves in stores, it's hard to figure out what to buy our children. That plus the fact that they already have so much stuff. Do they really need another toy?

Perhaps this is the perfect opportunity to start instilling the value of "gift giving" instead of "gift receiving." Not only will you not have to worry about the safety of the toy and whether your kids will actually use the toy but you can teach them the spirit of giving. And you will be able to do an activity together - as a family.

Children of practically any age, even as young as 2 years, can learn the importance of giving to others. I think it's very important for our children to be directly involved in the gift giving - or it won't mean much to them and they won't derive much pleasure from the experience. Donating money probably won't have much of an impact on them. But baking cookies and delivering them to a shelter will.

Some families like the idea of gift giving but don't know where to start. I know families that take one day of Chanukah and, instead of giving gifts, do something for others. Some families make meals at a homeless shelter every Christmas Eve. It doesn't matter what you do, as long as you do it. The possibilities are endless.

Here are a few quick, simple ideas --

For younger children:

Bake cookies and bring them to a shelter (make sure your shelter accepts homemade food)
Make cards and deliver them to the elderly or a hospital
Help make decorations for a local shelter or hospital
Get a group together and sing at a nursing home
Help pick up trash at a local park
For older children --

Volunteer at a homeless shelter, either making meals or sorting canned goods
Start a canned food drive in your community for a local shelter
Hold a bake sale and send the money to an organization of your family's choosing
Make a meal for a family in need
Go through old books, toys and clothes that you don't need anymore and donate them to a local charity
These days it is very easy to find volunteering families for your family by doing a quick search online. You can search for "volunteering activities in _______" (your town), search on Volunteer Match by city, or check out a teen and preteen website called Do Something. Or if your family is interested in a particular cause, such as disaster relief or homelessness, search by the topic online. One last useful place to look is at a local church or synagogue."

I am really going to make an effort now that Livia is so impressionable about the art of gift giving this year- It is such an important quality to instill in your child.

A laugh!

So I have been taking care of puking kids for the last three days and let's just say I am a little loopy! Yesterday I was Christmas shopping online and Tate came up behind me and started tickling my back. It felt so good- I swear it was equivalent of going to a day spa! He stayed forever content with giving me attention that I so desperately needed. It wasn't until later in the day, when I went to take a hot bath, that I noticed that it was not Tate's Little finger tickling my back but the tip of a black ink pen! There were scribbles all over the back side of my white t-shirt. I should have taken a picture! It was worth it if you ask me! Mom's never get attention like that.

Molly Mcbutters is growing up!

I don't know why we call her Molly Mcbutters- but we do! She looks just like my sister's baby pictures if you ask me. I just adore her............Rach & Grant are you sure you don't want one more after this? seriously- you guys just have adorable kids!

Uncle Clint's hunt.....

While we were busy this weekend having a Fairy Party, Chad and Uncle Clint took "Da Boys" down to the ranch for a little male bonding time. These pictures are just precious! I especially love how they rigged the car seats to the back of the four wheelers. Hopefully CPS does not get hold of these pics!! They had so much fun. I am so glad Chad got a son!!!!!

a very fairy Birthday!

Forest Fairy Party!

Livia's birthday party was just pure magic! It began with a beautiful Fairy story and then the girls were off on their own journey of becoming Fairies! The transformation began with fairy makeup, fairy skirts, head dresses, wings and ended with their fall flowered wands! Thank you everyone who helped- Tess, Kellie, And Nicole. We had such a special time.

yet another silly quiz............

Livy's 4th Birthday!

Livia had a great birthday! I am so happy to have a girl that loves girlie things. She was so excited to have an appointment at the spa to get her nails done. My cousin Jenny works at the spa my sister inlaw runs so while I got "my hair did" Livia was pampered and fussed over- by the way- Thanks Kellie for the nail stickers- so thoughtful! OF course in true four year old fashion, Livia picked off all of her nail polish on the drive to go out for a birthday lunch- I guess it was one of those the thought that counts moment! happy b-day baby girl Livy! you are such a beatiful little girl! I love you so.