here's what's happening in Mesa....

Who is this baby?!?!?!?

Baby Sam!!!

He is coming to town! Although he looks nothing like this anymore, I can't wait until he is here and I can hear him talk and giggle and give him kisses and he makes me laugh so hard! I had so many old pictures of him on my computer that I was looking through tonight, and I can't wait to get this baby (ALMOST 2 year old!) in my arms!!!!
See.... he totally doesn't look disgusted being with his lovely aunt!!! I just love that little booger, and the older he gets, the funnier he gets. We're excited to see Mark too!

(And Ash comes soon after...)

What's been going down?

Mid February Kiki King and I went on a hike with the Riters. We had an enjoyable time. Mostly hanging out with this adorable baby:

UGH!!! Aren't her eyes just to die for!!

And we had some really good chats. It's so refreshing being with such good friends who just....get you!
Cece LOVED hiking! She is such a good baby!

We made it to the top. And I thought the sign was a little cheap....

Then on the 2oth THIS little girl brought in her 26th birthday in style with bow-and-arrow and all!!
We called her Katniss all night. She had this for a primary lesson and we had an evening full of archery, pounce and singing to Whitney Houston at the top of our lungs!

And.... we sounded JUST like her.

We got my mom the cutest Arizona necklace. The cutest.

It was placed in this cute box with Audrey's name spelled wrong.

Audrey wrote the names.

Audrey is a 4th grade teacher.

Audrey must have been busy.

I got a cute new jacket. Why not take attractive pictures in the dressing room to get approval from my sisters?

This little baby comes home in 4 weeks. I think Sunday I'm gonna start a chain link.

Can't wait. Much like baby Sam, I can't wait to get THIS 21 year old baby in my arms and have him over for sleep overs again! Aaron and I love it!

Wearing this shirt like I have no other.

Unfortunately, Aud and I don't wear them out together. Maybe we will, maybe we won't.

And:
I just completed my first ragnar event. This is how I felt all weekend. Besides running nearly 20 miles. I smelled, I was tired, I needed a bathroom 24/7 and I had a constant headache.

And I would do it again in a heartbeat!

Details about the ragnar to follow, I know you are just dying!

You're doin' it Peter...

So, I guess I'm missing Nay more than usual today, probably cuz it hit me, 6 weeks to the DAY until he comes home.

We're just a little excited. Kinda.

In the middle of January the sisters headed to the happiest place on earth to cheer Kate and girls on in the Tinkerbell Run! (hence the title of the blog-actually that is from hook, but none the less...)

The night before the race we headed to dinner to this awesome Italian place so the girls could carb up! We met up with Jen and Garrett, who we could not love any more!!!! Right, left sided sista??!!?

That next morning was the race. The girls had to get up VERY early to start (the race had to be finished by the time the park opened)

Aud and I being such awesome sisters got up and made signs and waited, waited and waited...

Aud and I don't do well in these situations. We always get flustered, angry with the spectators and start crying cuz we're afraid we missed our sister-

but this time....
We didn't!!! She had her best run too! She got her best time and I'm so proud of her!

Kristie and Natalie did awesome too, I'm so proud!!!

Then while the girls went to take a nap and get ready, Aud and I wanted to conquer Disneyland.

The ladies met up with us and wore their medals the whole day! I would too!!

We went on all the rides and there was barely any lines! It was a magical day!
On Pirates. Katie is the best at finding the Hidden Mickey's. We LOVE doing that!

Since our hotel was so close we went back to the room to take a nap so we could go back to the magic kingdom at night at live it up!
Natalie, Me, Aud. We were so excited to get the night started!

We FOUND him! "I've been waiting my whole life to meet you" --probably was quoted a time or two this trip....

And of course why not attractive pictures on rides??

And of course why not spend 14.95 on this bell candy apple! (don't worry, I didn't but when I take my little girl here in her bell attire---I totally will)

The next morning before we headed out we stopped by storytellers cafe to have their DIVINE buffet breakfast. The best part is the characters are there and they come and visit you while you eat.
And it FREAKS Katie out so bad that she screamed SOOOO loud! It was hilarious!

See they creep up behind you!

Aud and I had to take a little snapshot. And you can't tell but we bought matching Minnie shirts cuz you do logical things like that at Disneyland....

Saturday February 11 Katie and Kristie had a girls only (no adults invited) Valentines Day party it was So fun and Kristie makes the best anything.
I won at the romantic movie game. This is how I felt.

Possibly realizing I don't have a life other than watching romantic flicks.

The theme was hearts... naturally.

The sista's and Katie's Kardashian shoes made their debut too.

So, when we were little (and I mean like Coolidge days, I was 5 which meant Aud was 8) Aud made me do photo shoots. She would pose me and my mom would take the picture.

Now it was my turn, I had her pose by the M&M's.

Isn't she adorable?

Katie won the other game too! You had to match BFF's. This was right up Katie's alley--- she is so good at that stuff!

Valentines day was awesome. I was awaken to candy and the romantic movie of "John Tucker must die"

Seriously, my husband is the greatest.

babies and birthdays

Yay!!! The end of January and beginning February is a busy time at our house! Aaron's crazy busy with school but we made time to celebrate this little baby's 26th birthday!

We started out by getting him new glasses. He looks oh so studly in them!

Tuesday the 31st was his birthday and we met his family and Curtis and Jessie at Joes Farm Grill for din-din!

I made a delicious texas sheet cake with candles formed in the letter A, how creative!

Or lack of planning to have 26 candles....

He is on his way to a lean mean muscle machine!

Sunday just before Super Bowl we celebrated Aaron's birthday at my parents house

which led to this:
baby socks???

Thanks mom.....he really does love them!

He got so many presents from everyone---I tell him everyone loves him so much!

The dang boy makes it pretty easy for us to love him!

This is a total Askins thing, all the presents I got him scattered about....

We FINALLY turned into this century and got NOT OLD phones.

We have been having so much fun not understanding how to use them and taking useless photos like this:

I'm lucky enough to live so close to this baby!

She is a mirror of her daddy and the cutest girly alive

Look at baby Cecilia's eyes! Oh I just love those cheeks!

Before the Super Bowl, Aud and I headed down to Brooke and Brittany's to see the blessings of babies Ava and Reese. They were such special blessings and those babies are both so adorable.
Baby Reese. Baby Ava was preoccupied in her daddy's arms sleeping the day away :)

Lastly:

This little baby is coming home SO soon! Like many people, this little boy will forever be this old in my mind. No matter how tall, old or married he gets. He will still be the little boy in his underwear playing legos and watching Nick Jr. or playing legos and watching Lord of the Rings....

pretty much this boy will always be playing legos....

March 29th come quick!

Jan 2012 SHOOTOUT

January 21, 2012 The Palmer clan headed down to the thriving metropolis of Maricopa for the lovely shootout!

We brought Kristie along and had the most enjoyable time!

Aaron did really well. Even hit the explosive target when the park ranger was near!

Oh Tony. You will always be good for a laugh, and we love you!

And I think he finally found out Katie's "neck tattoo" was fake.

Aud REALLY enjoying shooting. It was freezing outside! We had to build a fire!

Kate.

Kristie, her first time shooting and she did awesome. I love that Katie is standing so close. Yikes!

So I'm the bomb for shooting this. I don't get how you would shoot this in war. I hope I never fully understand!

Total babe.

The park ranger. First he was really impressed how nice of a family we were, being clean, and friendly. Then, just as he was about to leave Aaron shot and hit the exploding target, a loud BOOM happened.

Then the sheriff had other things to tell us.

Like don't do that again or you will be forced to leave.

Nancy!

So Tony brought these mannequins. After we hit one, we had to head out to see the damage.

Mainly because it was on fire and we thought it best to go put it out before the sheriff came back.

The boys were so proud.

We had a blast! We love spending time with the family! My next buy:

Aaron a nice gun and some ammo. Look out world!

And I love that Aaron looks like he is 12 in this picture.

And I love that Aaron looks like Mickey Mouse too. Cute!