Easter 2014

A little preeaster fun at Walmart saying hi to a Easter bunny. We have never done much involving this furry guy but the girls wanted to day hi to him, well all but sweet Emma. She was "cared" (scared) of him! 

Easter baskets are simple in our house but full of things each girl would like. Chiara loved her scarf and new hairbrush, mayah was happy to get a new hello kitty watch, Leah freaked over her angry bird necklace and earring holder, and Emma loves anything purple! We bought each girl their own box of band aids....trust me on this parenting idea!!! And if course each one got glow sticks for our trip to Alpine in July!!!! (Can't wait!!)

We go to Easter service Saturday night with my parents so we can enjoy this time together Sunday as a family. Our girls are only young for a little while and trying to have a joy filled Easter morning while rushing to get ready for church seems ridiculous! We live watching them hi around the house looking for eggs in their pjs. Emma had no memory of last Easter so this was her first time all over again!!! She saw the first eggs when we all came down the stairs and said,"this is awkward!" So cute! 

Of course when nanny,grampy, great grandparents, and "uncle" Scott (or cot) get here we egg hunt outside! Scott and I hide these eggs and we try to make it a big more challenging.

Then gifts from nanny and grampy to top it all off.....

The most exciting was that nanny was taking her four girls to a little production of Aladdin!!!

Our sweet mayah spent most of the day in bed with a fever (she was diagnosed with strep the following day). She was such a trooper to come out of bed to egg hunt and enjoy a couple parts of the day. 

Another wonderful family holiday!!!

Scientifically speaking

Another trip to the Phoenix science center, though this one was a bit shorter than normal for us. It was a major school field trip day. If David and I were not already convinced to homeschool our girls for the duration of their schooling this trip would have pushed us there. 

It was not only the behavior of the children but the lack of involvement and correction from the adults supervising them. 

Due to the hectic nature of the exhibits we took in a show in the planetarium that no schools were seeing. It was the Arizona skies show and all four girls enjoyed it! We learned a lot about the constellations and planets. Of course there was talk of Big Bang and such but it just provided good conversation after about what the bible saysverses scientific   theories. My girls get it and I love that we are there to have these conversations with them.

After our time at the science center David treated us all to lunch. And we can't go to the Cheesecake Factory without also going to the pet store....where we found chiara!!!! It was another great family fun day!!!

Family Fun Day - AZ Game and Fish Event

Another year attending this fun event, though this year the youth day was a bit overcrowded for our liking. 

The girls enjoy practicing their fishing, seeing all the reptiles and birds, and maybe getting a chance to touch a lizard or tortoise. 

I am so happy that David does this with us every year!! I know the girls love that too. 

Hello 21st Century!

I guess it was about time I made my way here....I had been fighting having a smart phone for years. Mostly because of hm utter disgust with how distracted people seem with them. However, running my business and my life has gotten a bit easier with it. 

My sweet husband bought me an iPhone and I will admit that it is awesome! I am blogging from it right now! 

I wish I took a photo of my awesome case that has my logo on it, which was designed by the talented Lindsey Black (prayforsantana.org)!

Hopefully having this app will make blogging easier so I will be back to it....then again the app does not create more time. 

Our Newest Addition

We are not quite ready for a puppy, but we decided to bless the girls with an adorable bunny!  They named him Vanilla Bean and he is starting to adjust to being a D'Amato. In the week we have had him he seems to have gained some more weight and his favorite activity is moving his "beer" house around.  

 "Bean" as Emma calls him really enjoys his night time love with Mayah.  It helps her relax and stay calm.

 Vanilla Bean with his toy

In his Shock Top Beer Box "home"

Gettin' Our Country On!

We gifted Chiara tickets to see Lady Antebellum for her 9th Birthday....she is so into music and loves country! She had on her new outfit we bought her, including her cowgirl boots, and off we went! 

She wanted dinner at Paradise Bakery....it was so-so, but she was happy.  Who wouldn't be with a cookie like that!

Hanging out before the two opening acts started.

My Beautiful nine year old and me. 

(I do want to add that my amazing husband bought me a gorgeous new belt and a buckle for the occasion!)

One happy girl with her Daddy

Lady A started with "Compass" we sang loud for Nanny to hear us!!!!!

There was a little platform about 5 rows in front of us and they sang RIGHT THERE!!!!!!  AWESOME!!!!!!

Chiara had no idea what an encore was or how cool it was really going to be.  Definitely a band worth seeing live.  Of course I split my time singing and watching Lady A and watching my sweet girl enjoy every moment!  The whole night was simply perfect.

Dissescting Owl Pellets

Having some home school fun completing a mini study on owls we did by dissecting owl pellets.  The girls enjoyed it and we found lots of different bones.  So glad David was here to enjoy the experience with us too!

 Leah's finding

 Daddy helping with Emma's pellet

 Chiara hard at work investigating

 Emma is mostly along for the ride, but always says "take my picture"

 Chiara found a fully intact pelvis.  Cool.

 Mayah enjoyed this investigation a lot.  She had 2 skulls in her pellet!

 Part of the skull Leah found

My scientists!