This year has been quite busy. Life seems to get busier and busier. With that, it looks as if an annual update will be fitting for us until our kids get a little more independent and we have more time - ha!
January 2012 -
During Ethan's Winter Break and Ryan's time off work, we were able to go up near Payson, AZ to play in the snow. It was crunchy and the kids were grouchy, so our snowman was pretty sad.
Near the end of January, we made a trip to California to go to Legoland and see They Might Be Giants in concert at UCLA. Legoland was definitely a one time experience. Silly age and height requirements made us wish we had gone to Disney instead. They Might Be Giants was a blast - as usual! Ethan made his Mom proud when he bolted for the stage to get free TMBG stickers.
February 2012 -
Eliza got her 1st professional haircut - A Line. Addy can do a better job, so this may not happen too often.
Ethan had a school field trip to the Zoo with his Kindergarten class.
March 2012-
Addy and the kids went to the Desert Botanical Gardens to see the butterflies with Amy & AnaLyn Bowman. Ryan was in Virginia for work.
Ethan enjoyed 2 weeks off school for Spring Break.
We got our home painted by Arizona Paint Company. BIG mistake... never use them. Why? Message us and we'll tell you... it's a LONG story.
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| Before |
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| During (We don't have an after since they never really finished the job... yeah, that good.) |
We took the training wheels off Ethan's bike and started to teach him how to ride it. He still hasn't mastered it for fear of falling off.
Here's why AZ Paint Company never finished the project... they painted the door 4 times and ruined it and our hardware. They replaced the hardware, but still have not touched up the paint on the door.
April 2012 -
Celebrated Easter - Egg hunts with both families and friends from Church.
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| On Easter Sunday in their new Sunday clothes |
A piece of the Gilbert Temple fell as they were putting it up and were handing out smaller pieces. Eliza and Addy went to get a special keepsake for the kids. They love having their own piece of the Temple!
Heap Baby #3 - due April 20th
Here's Addy on the due date. Unfortunately, for Addy, she waited a little longer to make her appearance.
On April 25th, Amelia Jane Heap joined our family.
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| 7 lbs. 15 oz. - 20 1/2 inches |
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| After her 1st bath at home |
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| Grandpa Eric, Grandma Pat & Amelia |
May 2012 -
First formal group shot for Mother's Day
On May 15th, the Angel Moroni was put on top of the Gilbert AZ Temple. Addy let Ethan play hookie to see it. It was a hot day with grumpy kids, but was a moment that we will always remember.
Ethan finishes his year in Kindergarten with a program for the parents.
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| Mrs. Sessions and Ethan |
June 2012 -
Amelia was given a name and a blessing on June 3rd.
Ryan headed to California for work after blessing Amelia.
Addy and the kids stayed cool by playing outside in the sprinklers and at Grandma Louise's pool.
We celebrated Ethan's 6th birthday - we put balloons in the hallway outside his bedroom door. He was so excited when he woke up. The kids played with them for a few hours. So fun!
Ryan and Addy celebrated their 9th Wedding Anniversary.
Ethan had a birthday dinner with his Grandparents. He wanted donuts instead of cake.
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| Gift from Grandma Louise |
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| Gift from Grandpa Eric & Grandma Pat |
Instead of a small party, he wanted to go to Makutu's Island with his best friend (and cousin), Aidan.
July 2012-
Celebrated the 4th of July with the Rudnick family. We LOVE being able to set off our own fireworks!
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| Amelia on the 4th of July - 10 weeks |
Ryan headed to Boston for work, so Addy and the kids had some fun at Chick-fil-A with our friend, Carol.
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| Carol introduced Ethan to 'Where's My Water?'... he's addicted. |
Amelia continues to grow...
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| 12 weeks |
Ryan and Addy started pulling off the baseboards throughout our home in preparation for new tile downstairs and in the bathrooms.
Ethan started 1st Grade on July 23rd.
More preparation for tile - Ryan moved our island 16 inches to make more workspace in the kitchen.
He had to do some electrical work to get the island moved as far as we wanted. Lots of dust and frustration, but well worth it!
August 2012 -
We had tile installed on the lower level and in the bathrooms of our home. No more linoleum! Yea!
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| Living Room before tile |
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| After the island was moved, before the tile was installed. |
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| Living Room during installation - looking good! |
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| Family Room during installation |
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| Family Room done (minus the baseboards) |
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| Living Room done (minus the baseboards) |
We had Express Flooring install the new tile, but we decided to undertake the job of installing the baseboards. It took us a while, but they are BEAUTIFUL!
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| Starting to install the new baseboards |
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| The finished product - under the stairs |
Addy potty trained Eliza in a week. Potty training is a lot easier with tile floors! Easy clean up when there are accidents.
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| Eliza earned her Cinderella coach |
Amelia tried Rice Cereal for the 1st time...
she prefers watermelon!
Eliza started taking dance at Aunt Crystal's.
Ryan and Addy continued to make progress on the baseboards -
Ryan is the carpenter and Addy is the painter.
We make for a pretty good team!
The kids having fun playing dress-ups... one of their favorite activities!
September 2012-
We start our countdown for Disneyland! One of our favorite places to go as a family. We decided to make a trip before Eliza turned 3... you know, when you have to pay for them :)
Addy and the kids went to Tempe Beach Park to remember those who died on September 11th. It was a beautiful day and a great way to teach our kids about what happened before they were born.
Unfortunately, Ryan was in Boston again for work and was unable to join us.
On September 23rd, our oldest niece, Alyssa Isom, passed away from Juvenile Diabetes and Addison's Disease. We headed to Utah to attend her funeral and spend time with family. Our camera battery died, so we don't have many pictures from the weekend. We did get a few shots when our niece, Kenna, took Eliza, Amelia, and cousin, Eliana, to see the horses.
Our trip to Disneyland was planned for the beginning of Ethan's Fall Break. We left Utah for Arizona on a Saturday, did laundry and repacked our bags, then headed to California. It was a LONG trip, but the kids did great! We don't know how we would survive road trips without DVD players.
We celebrated Eliza's 3rd Birthday at Disneyland. She was a lucky little girl and ran into Cinderella, one of her favorites!
The day after we returned from Disneyland, we celebrated Eliza's birthday with her Grandparents at Peter Piper Pizza.
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| Gift from Grandma Louise |
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| Gift from Grandpa Eric & Grandma Pat |
We went to the Phoenix Zoo with Anjie, Aidan, and Eliana Pout.
Amelia decided she wants to be Sunny Baudelaire...
We celebrated Halloween... this year's theme was
Tangled.
Amelia was Pascal (the chameleon), Eliza was Rapunzel, Ethan was Flynn Rider,
Ryan was a Royal Guard, and Addy was Mother Gothel.
It was A LOT of sewing, but so fun!
November 2012 -
On November 3rd, we participated in the JDRF Walk at Tempe Town Lake in memory of Alyssa.
This is the first year that we have done this and were amazed of how many families are affected by Juvenile Diabetes. If you would like to donate to research, please visit
The kids have fun with glow sticks. One of their favorite things to do is to play with Dad after dinner. This was one of the nights they were playing.
Eliza got another professional haircut, but this time went to a real salon. She wanted 'Rapunzel hair' when Flynn cuts it at the end of the movie. Addy wanted a bob. We had it cut so it could do both. Very cute!
We celebrated Thanksgiving day with the Heap's on Thanksgiving Day and with the Bowman's the following Saturday.
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| Eliza and Grandpa Eric enjoying their drinks on the swing. These two are SO much alike! |
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| Ethan & Amelia Amelia is definitely Ethan's mini-me... she looks so much like he did as a baby |
December 2012 -
Addy and the kids attended Ethan's school's Winter Wonderland for a minute. They had a lot of fun going down the 'slide'. They were the only kids who didn't fall off at the end and got the most distance.
Eliza participates in her 1st Dance Recital. She did a great job dancing to Hula Hoop by Alvin & The Chipmunks!
We enjoyed a night at Zoo Lights at the Phoenix Zoo. We have done this for a few years, but this year was the best experience! Not too cold, not too crowded and a lot of new changes - so much fun!
We went to our Church Christmas Fiesta... where the kids got to see Santa. Ethan asked for 2 Lego Batman Books and Eliza told Santa that her cousins just gave her some dress-ups, so all she wants is candy. Easy enough!
We have been enjoying this Christmas season so far. Our kids love to go see the lights all around -
on the grounds of the Mesa Arizona Temple, at the Phoenix Zoo, and throughout the neighborhoods all around us. As we reflect on this year, we remember the many individuals that have completed their mission on this earth and have returned to our Heavenly Father. We also celebrate the many sweet ones who have joined us this year. As we see the lights all around us, may we remember the Light of Christ and how he blesses us each day.
May this Christmas Season and the year ahead bring joy and happiness to you and your family!
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With love,
Ryan, Addy, Ethan, Eliza & Amelia Heap
(and Jack & Edith too!)
