Pie Heaven

50 going on 10

2011-09-05T07:10:00.000-07:00

I met my pies last Sunday for a late birthday lunch for ME! Gosh I've gotten old, but when I am with my pies I am forever young!

A late Birthday celebration for Justin (4) and Jake (2)

2011-07-10T10:39:00.000-07:00

Sweet Jake and Woody take a nap before cake time..

Justin gets to blow out his candles...He did such a good job!

Jake doesn't want to wake up for cake...

Now it is Jacobs turn!

Instead of blowing "OUT", little Jake sucked the air "IN"!!!

Thankfully he didn't burn himself but no amount of pleading could get him to try and blow them out again.

Finally someone stepped in and helped him out...

And just as he was stabbing that big piece of cake, and getting ready to take his first bite...

It slips off the fork and onto his lap. Poor Jake!

Mom had a little fun with Aubrey at Dairy Queen.

Jacob didn't want to join in the picture I guess...

Happy "late" Birthdays Justin and Jacob! We love you!!!

2011-02-28T04:29:00.000-08:00

I met the pies for lunch yesterday at Chipotle- and then we wandered over to the thrift store to look around. While we waited for Mama pie we tried on glasses....

Sweet baby Jake says it is time to go! It sure was a fun time. I "love love love" my pies!

Birthday Pie

2011-02-19T08:14:00.000-08:00

We all got together for a Birthday celebration lunch- to celebrate Rachele's birthday, March 6, and Nic's, which was January 2nd. We threw in Justin's which is coming up in April, and Jacob and Grandpa Don who will celebrate in May. And why not add in Nani for August and Miss Kayt and Aubrey in December. After all we might not be together for all those up-coming days...so we marked them all.

Happy Birthday to all the pies, big and little, near and far.

Sweet Baby Jake gets his 1st haircut!

2011-02-05T03:45:00.000-08:00

What is the very best way to begin a weekend? Taking off early on Friday and slipping away up I-10 to see my pies! I met them for lunch- minus Miss Aubrey who was away visiting Gramma Maas- the lucky duck! We ate lunch first- and then headed over to get sweet baby Jake his very first hair cut! He wasn't too thrilled about it all...

1st Haircut!

After the hair-cut we did a little shopping..the pies and I hung out in the waiting room while Mama pie tried some things on.

I zoomed on back home as the sun was setting...it was a sweet sweet afternoon!

A Star party!

2011-01-30T04:52:00.000-08:00

My sweet Miss Aubrey-pie had a "Movie Star" birthday party and we all had a wonderful time! It was a gorgeous Arizona day and the girls were all so beautiful. Thanks to everyone who came!

Ready for escort duty!

Getting ready

arriving on the red carpet...

stealing the party food!

Happy 7th Birthday sweet Aubrey!

Christmas 2010- Gingerbread houses and Sunshine

2011-01-02T06:08:00.000-08:00

What fun we had on Christmas! We made Gingerbread houses and then went out to play in the park. It was a perfect day with the pies!

Merry Christmas!

For the love of cupcakes...Sweet Aubrey's 7th Birthday!

2011-01-02T05:43:00.000-08:00

Happy 7th Birthday Sweet Aubrey! We sure had fun (or some of us did) with those cupcakes!

Pies and Puppies are some of my favorite things.

2010-12-04T06:26:00.000-08:00

A visit to the dollar store was all it took to inspire all sorts of pie and puppy fun!

Happy Thanksgiving/Happy December!

Lions and Tigers and Pies...oh my!

2010-10-25T05:23:00.000-07:00

Lucky me! I got to spend a day at the Phoenix Zoo with my sweet pies! It was a perfect day. The weather was amazing and we all had such a wonderful time!

Miss Kayt hugging the monkey!

Look what I found in this giant clam!

Kayt the Alligator wrestler!

Wart Hogs!

Even the restroom holds fun for my pies...the hand blowers were ferocious!

My favorite at the zoo? This Vulture- he looks ready for Halloween doesn't he?

Wedding Pie

2010-10-18T05:14:00.000-07:00

The pies and I all flew to beautiful Ohio for Zach and Heathers wedding on October 15. It was a joyous day watching them give their vows to each other. Before the wedding started Justin and Jacob played in the leaves. Are they not just the handsomest little guys in their wedding outfits?

It was a pretty cold day but the girls were brave and beautiful as they took their places.

Miss Aubrey as flower girl.

And lovely Miss Kaytlyn as a Jr Bridesmaid. She looks so grown up!

Heather arrives on her Fathers arm...he has a few words for Zach and Heather as he gives her away (If you need anything- call your Mothers) is what he confided he said. :)

The groomsmen were lucky- they had coats to keep them warm.

Uncle Nicky (Zach's brother) and Aunt Hillary (Heathers Sister)

Aubrey signs the picture book

Snuggling in Grandpa Dons arms...time for bed!

What a wonderful wedding it was...may Zach and Heather find every happiness in their future together!

Stealing some Pie

2010-09-04T06:30:00.000-07:00

It seems like the months just fly by for me in a flurry of work work work. However I recently stole away for a day and a half of sweet sweet pie time.

Is there a cuter baby anywhere?

Sweet Aubrey Pie doing her homework! What a beauty and a scholar!

And gorgeous Kayt- even with a funny face- showing off the "Cheez Doodles" our dear friend Joan sent clear from New York City!! Love those socks!

While Mom was gone for awhile Nonni and the boys played blocks!

We had a wonderful time and I can't wait until the next Pie Time!

Rub a dub dub- two pies in a tub!

2010-08-07T05:43:00.000-07:00

In late July Miss Kayt and Miss Aubrey came to Nonnie's house to stay for a few days, with Gramma Kessler. We had so much fun we forgot to take many pictures but this series in the hot tub says it all- we had a great time!

Some of the best times are with my sister!

Happy Birthday Justin (3) and Jacob (1)

2010-05-05T04:53:00.000-07:00

We had a wonderful time celebrating Justin and Jacobs birthdays. We all had lunch and birthday cake. Jacob sure enjoyed his first taste of chocolate cake!

Easter Pie 2010

2010-04-09T05:48:00.000-07:00

Easter was Eggstra special this year because Zach and Heather drove to Arizona to spend the holiday with us. We had a wonderful time.

Dancing with the pies....

Playing games...

Little Boy Blue....

So many eggs....

More pie dancing...

Jacob eating yogurt....

Nothing like eating yogurt with your hands.

Although I can use a spoon.

Easter egg dying- looks like Justin has all the colors.

And baking sugar cookies along with a now traditional flour fight!

Look what the Easter Bunny left...

A deal is a deal....Easter bunny ears...

And an Easter bunny tail too!

The flight of the butterflies....

From tiny worm to beautiful butterfly. 5 butterflies get released.

Justin really enjoyed his chocolate bunny!

All too soon it was time for some last pictures and goodbyes to Heather and Zach.

They are such a sweet couple.

We will see them in October for their wedding.

Happy Easter Pie!

South Dakota in February!

2010-02-21T08:33:00.000-08:00

We had a wonderful visit with Gramma Kessler in South Dakota.

Gramma has lots of interesting things in her closet- like this china doll that Aubrey is holding.

Aubrey had a curler attack!

Jacob practicing his whistle!

And making some beary good friends.

Is it another bear? or just Grandpa Don.

Keep on Truckin'

Sweet sleepy pies in Gramma's bed.

And snuggles with Gramma

We had a great time!

Christmas vacation at Nonnies

2010-01-02T07:07:00.000-08:00

After Christmas Kayt and Aubrey came home with me for a little Christmas Vacation. We ended up eating lots of burritos.

Check out the great view of the mountains!

There were fun times in the hot tub. Lots of tangerines were consumed here too!

Another burrito lunch...those cravings are always getting the best of Nonnie.

Fun with Uncle Nicky and a soon to be habitat Christmas Tree...

It was sad to see the pie-time end.

Merry Christmas Pie 2009

2010-01-02T06:32:00.000-08:00

We had a wonderful Christmas! Gramma and Grandpa Maas came for Christmas lunch and pie time. We had a White Elephant gift exchange with lots of fun presents. Of course the pies got lots of lovely gifts and had lots of thank-yous to write.

Christmas Eve we baked Gramma Kessler's sugar cookies. Kayt and Aubrey were the decorators.

Jacob was eating cereal- dreaming of the days when he will eat cookies!

Aubrey got a plate of cookies ready for Santa Claus...some carrots for the reindeer too!

Later that night she confided that she really didn't believe in Santa Claus...she was just testing him with the cookies! :)

Christmas morning came and time for stockings.

Not everyone is completely awake...seems somebody was up helping Santa...

Santa ate his cookies but left a banana?

Stocking surprises!

Merry Christmas!

Happy 11th Birthday lunch for Kayt

2009-12-13T09:34:00.000-08:00

I met up with my pies for a birthday lunch for Miss Kayt, who turns 11 on the 15th, and to do a little Christmas and Birthday shopping. We ate lunch at Olive Garden complete with birthday cake. We included Aubrey in the birthday celebration too as she is going to be 6 on December 31st.

Jacob said "me too!" when the cake was served.

Mama said "not yet" and he had to make do with a toy.

Justin enjoyed the cake!

Silly Sisters

After we shopped for awhile we got to pet some police horses and a sweet little police pup that were stationed outside Target waiting for pets.

Jacob flirts with everyone as usual.

Hey where did everybody go?

One last pet and it is time to say good-bye

See you for Christmas my sweet Pies!

I am thankful for PIE!

2009-11-28T08:38:00.000-08:00

I got to spend Thanksgiving with my sweet pies! Although we missed having Uncle Zach and Uncle Nick there, we still had an awfully good time.
Rachele started a new Thanksgiving tradition- a tablecloth that each person writes a thankful message on each year.

After dinner we put up the Christmas tree. It was Justin's turn to place the angel at the top of the tree.

We had lots of fun with Santa hats and sweet baby Jacob.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Just gimmie a kiss!

2009-11-25T05:27:00.000-08:00

Justin and I hung out together last week while Mama pie took Jacob pie to the Dr. Justin wasn't feeling too well as you can see from this picture. But watch what happens.

Attack by the smooching dog duo- Miss Roo and Miss Moo!

That is ketchup on his chin...I can smell it...I just have to taste it too!

Yum! Justin you just taste so good!

Just a little slice of pie on Saturday!

2009-10-11T13:47:00.000-07:00

I had a quick visit Saturday with the pies...I hung out with the 3 older ones while Mama and Jacob went to a craft class.

Here is one of the fabric Pumpkins she made at her class- pretty cool!

I brought fresh picked strawberries from CA- Yum!

It was a fun visit- can't wait to see my pies again!

Pie with lunch and a new pet for Aubrey!

2009-10-03T07:31:00.000-07:00

I met my pies for lunch yesterday in Casa Grande, a little town between our two homes.

We had lunch at In and Out- one of the best places to get an old fashioned delicious burger and real fries!

Afterward we went to a little local owned pet store- just to look! Aubrey fell for the little puppies right away. She is such a puppy girl!

Then Mama noticed the little rats...and she must have flashed back to memories of her pet rat Squirt when she was little because pretty soon the rat was in Aubreys hands...

And the puppy was forgotten. The little guy headed home in his new cage.

They named him "Hotsauce" Last I heard he was being showered with kisses and enjoying his new home.

Another hospital visit for my sweet Jacob pie

2009-09-19T10:03:00.000-07:00

Sweet baby Jacob had to have a bronchoscopy and a couple other procedures that required him to be put under anesthesia last week. I went along to give my dear daughter support. Jacob was a little trooper...here he is with no breakfast in his tummy...in a strange place..and still being a good baby!

And after surgery was over he was awful glad to get back to his mamas arms. She was even more glad to have him back in hers.

Biosphere 2

2009-09-13T07:30:00.000-07:00

I tagged along with the pies girl scout troop # 719 on a visit to the Biosphere 2 up by Oracle Arizona, which is about a half hour North of Tucson. It was beautiful up there- gorgeously green from the recent rain. The Biosphere was amazing and the pies were so sweet. Here is a transparent leaf in the rain forest area.

Aubrey in the rain forest.

Aubrey chatting up some nice little boy? Hmmmm... Click on this one and you will see these two are exchanging cruical information.

The Ocean shore.

walking up the steps out of the ocean area.

Justin trying to pose for me but....I gotta pee Nonnie!

I really do!

And I think the kids enjoyed the Physics Factory interactive show the most. As you can see from the rest of these pictures they had a blast participating in the experiments.

Sweet baby Jacob was just an angel all day!

The making of the Masterpiece

2009-08-23T15:08:00.000-07:00

Lucky me!!! I got to spend a day with my pies. Here is sweet Jacob!

And Justin in a rare quiet moment. He has more energy than should be allowed in a 2 year old!

While I was there I got to witness my birthday present being made. It turned out absolutely beautiful and is already hanging on my bedroom wall! Miss Kayt also gave me a wonderful Van Gogh coffee mug-she knows my habits pretty well!

It was hard to say goodbye and head back to Tucson. I can't wait for the next visit. Thanks for the wonderful gifts Rachele, Kayt, Aubrey,Justin and sweet baby Jacob! I love you all!

A Visit to Nonnie's house!

2009-06-29T07:50:00.000-07:00

My two granddaughter "pies" spent a few days with me last week, while little Jacob was in the hospital. My 4 dogs had a wonderful time while they were here becasue that old treat bag came out quite often. Aubrey was strict though- no treats without tricks!

Here is Lucy-roo showing off her expert ability to catch treats.

The girls got to come to work with me one day. My office had a going away pot-luck event. It included a pinata and Kayt and Aubrey both got to take a swing at it.

They were a big help picking up the candy once the pinata was burst open.

And probably their favorite thing to do at "Nonnie's" is hang out in the hot tub, with popsicles.

The days went way too quickly and it came time for them to go back home. Aubrey made sure to tell each of the dogs goodbye- she is such a little puppy lover!

It was back to work for me but I can't wait until they come visit again!

Random slices.....

2009-06-27T21:34:00.000-07:00

Baby Pie in the hospital again.....

2009-06-27T21:20:00.000-07:00

We just got home from a lonnnnnnnnnnngggggg visit to te hospital with Jacob. He is doing much better now tho! He was diagnosed with silent reflux, apnea and dysphagia. We had to quit nursing and pump milk for him that we thicken with Simply thick so that he can swallow it right. Poor lil guy sure has had enough of hospitals!!!

Grandma and Grandpa Maas

2009-06-27T21:14:00.000-07:00

We went to visit Gma andGpa Maas a couple of weeks ago, the kids all had a great time and Justin loved tolay on the floor and play with the firetrucks. He took the pliers and was pinching Grandma with them and then tried to get the camera too!

Big Helper!

2009-06-27T21:11:00.001-07:00

Kayt has really been a lifesaver... she is SOO much help to me with Justin!!

For Unlce Adam and Aunt Tara

2009-06-27T20:59:00.000-07:00

Thank you for the clothes!!!!

Pietography.....

2009-06-12T21:50:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine came over last week and took these wonderful pictures of my lil guy and the other kids too, she did a fabulous job, I had a realllly hard time not uploading every single picture, they are all so great!! Now, on to the pie.....even a few nekid pie pics...hehe

Onions, potatoes and botany... OH MY!

2009-06-06T19:21:00.000-07:00

In our Botony studies we are learning all about roots. This week we talked about geophytes. We learned what tubers, bulbs and cormes are!! We did a little hands on with peeling an onion (bulb) and inspecting a potato ( tuber). Aubrey wanted to run right out the door to plant a potato! They all got quite goofy with the onion...lol.

3 weeks!!

2009-06-06T19:15:00.001-07:00

Jacob is already getting soo big!!

PIe Diapers again

2009-06-01T08:15:00.000-07:00

While we are talking about diapers, here is what we use. 4 years ago I started a cloth diaper sewing business called Fuzzi Fannies Creations. I made over 1000 diapers in 3 years and sold them! Last year I quit sewing and decided to give my business over to a friend, and she is still making them! www.hyenacart.com/fuzzifanniescreations. So, here is Jacob sporting his teal pocket diaper, newborn size!

Pie Diapers

2009-06-01T08:10:00.000-07:00

I had to come up with a way to change both babies at once, so that I would not need to leave Jacob alone while I changed Justin. I came up with this, and Justin LOVES it! Justin gets to "help me, arm" and then he gets down and I change Jacob. It works great!!

Lots of Pie

2009-06-01T08:05:00.000-07:00

Peanut Pie

2009-06-01T08:01:00.000-07:00

My sweet little peanut pie!!

This was the other night, at 2:30 am, he is soo turned around!!

"ahporn"

2009-05-30T23:34:00.000-07:00

aka popcorn :) Justin loves to help make popcorn. He gets the bowl, and watches as the popcorn pops and falls in. Tonight he decided to try out many different ways of eating the popcorn. He opened the drawer and tried out many diff spoons, scoops, even used tongs to try and eat... it was just so cute!!!

Jacob is 2 weeks old!!

2009-05-30T21:45:00.000-07:00

Pics from the PICU

2009-05-27T20:44:00.000-07:00

Jacob had to go by ambulance Friday night because he was having breathing problems and stopped breathing. We ended up in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit ( PICU) overnight and he had to be on oxygen, IV, heart monitor, o2 monitor and bili lights. Here are a few pics I took with my phone. He is doing better and home now on an apnea monitor.

2009-05-26T21:42:00.000-07:00

Oh, and video of Jacob after his bath.

Jacob's First Bath

2009-05-26T21:26:00.001-07:00

Jacob had his first bath at 10 days old! He enjoyed it so much, not even one tear!

Jacob- One day old!

2009-05-17T13:09:00.001-07:00

Big sister Kayt met Jacob for the first time today. Jacob seemed to love his oldest sister, quieting right down as she sang to him.

Happy "Birth" Day Jacob

2009-05-16T14:07:00.000-07:00

The newest little "pie" made his entrance on May 16 at 6:31 AM. He weighed 8 lb 13 oz and has a head full of very dark hair, like his big sister Aubrey. He also had that adorable cleft in his little chin.

Kate, Aubrey and Justin are all looking forward to Mom bringing him home.

Pie 1!!!!

2009-05-02T23:19:00.000-07:00

Since I rarely can get pictures of Kayt... here she is in her own self taken pic! :)

Happy Birthday Justin!

2009-05-02T23:16:00.000-07:00

Pie number 3 turned 2 on April 22nd! I cannot believe how fast the time went. His new 2 year old words are.. "do it, me" or " I do it" :)

Here he is... in his birthday suit....he he

Missing teeth....

2009-05-02T23:06:00.000-07:00

The tooth fairy came 2 nights in a row!! Pie Aubrey lost her first AND second teeth in 2 days. The first one mom pulled out when it was really loose, and Aubery was so excited about it she pulled out the second, not as loose tooth the verynext day!!

Toothless x1

Little copycat....lol

Note to the tooth fairy....just incase someone tries to DRINK the cup of water...

Toothless X's 2

2 more weeks!

2009-05-02T23:02:00.001-07:00

Pie number 4... is almost here!!!

Lemon Pie or Lemonade???

2009-05-02T22:56:00.001-07:00

Nani gave us a bunch of lemons and the kids all had a great time squeezing them! We decided to make lemonade and sweetened it with Stevia... the kids LOVED it! They ended up having mom finish squeezing the lemons because the acidic juice was making their arms hands itch....

Easter Pie

2009-04-25T09:52:00.000-07:00

I spent Easter with the pies and we had a grand time. We dyed eggs on Saturday and everyone agreed they came out wonderful!

Sunday after lunch we had an outdoor easter egg hunt, using the eggs we dyed on Saturday. Mama Pie and I hid the eggs, and the kids were pretty darn good egg hunters, except when it came down to that last hidden egg.

Some eggs didn't make it back to the fridge. This one ended up in the dogs tummy!

Where IS the last egg Mom????

I hate it when she won't give me a hint.

Happy Pies! Happy Easter!

Look who decided to take a nap in Justin's bed.

Happy Easter!

Our newest little pie :)

2009-04-09T20:18:00.000-07:00

Only about 5 more weeks to go till our newest little pie arrives! We had an US today, he is measuring 13 days ahead of his due date! He's gotta be big and tough to play with his big brother! Here are a couple pics, sorry for the blurriness!

Justin Loves to Sew!

2009-04-09T20:12:00.000-07:00

Justin loves to help me sew, he and I are working on our newborn diaper stash for his new little brother! He finds great joy in taking the pins out for me, and is so very careful! His big sister Aubrey used to have this job, it is such a great tool for small hand/eye coordination!

And a final "cheese" for the camera :)

The Terrible Two's

2009-04-08T17:50:00.001-07:00

Who would have thought two would be so hard? He learned how to open all the baby locks today, and I think that he officially lost all his words, except for NO... he says that one ALL DAY LONG! Mom needed a break so the poor little guy got put in his room to play, and the baby gate went up!

On the playground with the pies

2009-04-08T06:26:00.000-07:00

Kayt, Aubrey and I had a blast playing on the playground equipment at the park near their home.

Happy New Years with the Pies

2009-03-08T08:50:00.000-07:00

Happy New Year and Happy 5th Birthday Aubrey! A little late in the year- but still an appropriate way to begin this blog of pictures of my sweet pies. They are "honey pies", "cutie pies", "sweetie pies" or maybe just a "cream pie" today, but always they are pies!
To introduce them they are:
Miss Kayt who is ten years old. Miss Aubrey who turned 5 on New Years Eve, and sweet Justin who will be a terrible two year old on Earth Day. Pie 4 is on the way and word has it that he will be named Jacob.

December 31st was Aubrey's 5th birthday and we celebrated with birthday cake. This first picture is Aubrey getting a little help with the first bite of her birthday cake. This is a family tradition, but not one the victim really enjoys! :)

Jumping off chairs- a perfect New Years Eve activity!

Here's to a wonderful year in Pie Heaven!