Our Little Supermodel

Now that our Christmas cards have been successfully delivered to all of their designated mailboxes, I can officially post the photos from our most recent professional session.  You didn't want me to ruin the surprise, did you?  I didn't think so.

The remarkably talented Beth at Lizzie Bee Photography did a great job (again), tolerating my wishes to have "Arizona" looking pictures.  We trekked up to Carefree to an old western town, and even went off roading a bit into the desert (Martin saw his first coyote a mere 100 feet away and almost had a panic attack) for the perfect shot.  

My favorite part of the day was when Beth asked me to squat down for a quick shot with some cool lighting behind me.  Moments after I was done, Peyton immediately assumed the exact same position and said, "CHEESE!"  Yes, PK, you are the star.  Lesson learned.

Aruba, Jamaica, Ooh I Wanna Take Ya

There is nothing better than vacation.  Especially when mom and dad are footing the bill.  My parents are incredibly generous, and for the third time, have treated our family to an amazing week away.  Our previous jaunts (pre-kiddos) were site seeing intensive -- trips to historic places like Rome, Dublin or Scotland.  This time was all about the little ones...and it was so much fun to watch Peyton and her cousin Scott get a taste of vacation.

We departed Phoenix for Fort Lauderdale and boarded the Crown Princess for a seven day trip to Princess Cays, Aruba, and Curacao.  With the exception of a very hot day in Curacao, I don't think there was anything Peyton didn't LOVE.  She loved her suite on board the ship - complete with balcony and full size bath tub.  She loved "the man" who delivered her chocolate donuts at breakfast each morning.  She loved the beach, the sand, looking for seashells, and cruising around in her stroller.  She loved playing with Scott in the baby pool (which they virtually had to themselves the entire time), and she loved seeing Grandma and Grandpa and Uncle Jim and Aunt Ginger every day.  There are way too many pictures to post them all, but here are a few to give you a flavor of our adventure.  Can't wait for the next one.

Not even two and already on her way to 1K on United.

Cheers to vacation!
 

Like Mother like daughter.

Private beach building sandcastles with Grandpa.

Getting ready for formal night

Curacau 

Carlos the Crab

Peyton was very concerned about Carlos.

Moving On Up

I'm not sure I've mentioned it, but the Hellmers moved cross country this year.  Oh wait, I talk about it incessantly on this blog.  Yes, we are still blogging about the Great Move of 2011.  Maybe, with any luck, this will be the last post dedicated to it.  

Either way, what we hope was the final leg of our journey took place on October 28, when we officially got the keys to our new Casa.  After visiting every single house for sale in the Scottsdale area, and becoming increasingly convinced that Martin and I would never agree on a place, we stumbled upon the Dream on Davenport.  Within two seconds of walking in the front door, we both said, "This is it."  After a small bidding war with a doctor, and the world's fastest closing for a short sale (less than 30 days from the date of contract to move in), we are proud Scottsdale residents.

The movers diligently delivered our goods on a beautiful, sun filled day.  Grandma and Grandpa Hellmer were kind enough to drive in from Albuquerque to help...and although I'm eternally grateful that we had packers and movers, I really wish Martin's company would have paid for unpackers.  The crew diligently carried each box into our place, and then vanished, leaving us in a pile of hell.  

But whatever.  The boxes will eventually get unpacked, and the house will someday feel complete.  But for now, we are just happy to finally be HOME.

Let the unloading begin.

"MINE!"

Supervisor in charge of cuteness.

The first three boxes.  Of about 7,000.

Peek a boo!

First new home purchase - a proper family table.

Casa Hellmer

Backyard

Bathroom

Kitchen/Breakfast area

Vagabond

Peyton has slept in 16 different places since August -- and I'm not exaggerating.  On August 1, Martin and began the long and what proved to be treacherous journey to relocating cross country.  It included hotels, living at my parent's house, living in a rental house, two rooms at daycare, and several other stops along the way.  Just in case anyone is questioning me, here is a list (which does not include 7 airplane flights and one round trip car ride to Albuquerque):

1. Crib in our home in Virginia
2. Hyatt Regency Scottsdale during our two week house hunting trip
3. Grandma and Grandpa Richardson's house
4. Hotel in Virginia the week before we moved
5. Our rental house
6. Room 3 at daycare
7. Room 4 at daycare
8. The Richard's house in Virginia for Amber's birthday
9. Hotel in Florida the night before our cruise departed
10. Cruise "house"
11. Private beach cabana on Princess Cays island
12. Lawn chair in Aruba
13. Hotel in Florida the day before we returned home
14. Grandma and Grandpa Hellmer's house for Thanksgiving
15. The Show Low cabin
16. Our new, and hopefully final, house

Poor Monkey has been a trooper through it all - with only a few protests and just a handful of terrified looks at yet another new sleeping arrangement.  This, the weekend of December 1, is the first of what I hope will be many weekends in our house with NO CHANGE.  If nothing else, it's making her adaptable.  Or insane, one of the two.

Her worst night - the first night back in VA for Amber's birthday.  Jet lag combined with excitement and fear of the new location convinced Mommy to let her sleep in bed with her.  Just this once.

Exhausted after a morning of searching for sea shells and building sand castles in Aruba.  This officially proved to us that Peyton can sleep anywhere.

Yet another makeshift nap location - her carseat on the drive from Phoenix to Albuquerque.

Such a big girl sleeping in the bed...the pack and play was just too much for her at the cabin.

Reunited

After a three month separation, Peyton and her best friend since the time she was a baby were reunited for a glorious weekend of birthday cake, matching pajamas and non-stop giggles. Peyton and I flew to Virginia in early November to celebrate Amber's 2nd birthday. Not much would convince me to fly for 5 straight hours with a toddler by myself - so Amber's birthday party weekend had better live up to the expectations1  Peyton was actually a dream on the plane. We arrived in Virginia late Friday night, and although Peyton demanded with all of her might to see Amber (she recognized the house instantly), their reunion had to wait until the morning when Amber was awake. When they finally did see each other, it was as if they didn't miss a beat. They both squealed with delight, ran toward each other, and gave the other a giant hug (ultimately tumbling to the ground). I was worried they may not remember one another, or perhaps be confused by everything, but their reaction was priceless. Of course, both Amy and I did NOT have our video cameras/iPhones cued up and we missed capturing it. But, we took plenty of pictures the rest of the weekend of the girls -- who did everything from make pancakes, decorate tea cups, visit the playground, cruise the circle in the wagon (just like the good ole days), and become the envy of the rest of the neighborhood in the matching play outfits. As a side note, it was definitely strange to be back in the old 'hood. Especially since I stayed at a house three doors down from my old house. (I tried to peak in the windows of our place to see if anything had been changes, but I didn't have much luck). It was wonderful to see all of the old neighbors, and comforting to know nothing has changed.

Peyton picks up a few last minute birthday gifts in Scottsdale before leaving for the East Coast.

First breakfast back together.  It was crazy hair morning - and smiles all around.

Cheers to being best buds!

Goofballs

Pretending to go "night night" which is apparently hysterical if you're 2.

It's birthday party time!

Peyton LOVED the party craft of decorating her tea cup with stickers.  And she took great pride in her work.

Mmmm...cupcakes!

Peyton, Amber, and Brynn - the Sullvan Circle Chicks.

More smiles.

Too cool for school - and loving playing with all of Amber's new toys.

Who doesn't wear matching Minnie Mouse PJ's while making pancakes on a Sunday morning?

Juice box nerds.