Celebrating a 3 Day Weekend

So here is a recap of our 3 day weekend. Nothing too exciting but hey I think we kept busy and had a good time enjoying each other. On a quest for Max to find one book that he loves to read we went down to the Main Library hoping to find a few non-fiction books that would catch his interest and just fall in love with the way you can just get lost in a library.  This one is much bigger with 2 floors and lots and lots of book. Well we found the nonfiction section read about lice, snakes, dinos, sharks and megalodons. Max still not happy with the selection because there was not a entire book dedicated to the megalodon. I still had fun

Next stop was to visit dad at work. You guys there it is in all its glory the Sign RED MOUNTAIN MOTORS.  Seriously check them out when looking for your next car.  They will find it for you.

Lilly loves this Miata. She will be sad when it sells. Max's turn to try it out.

Sunday was Sunday, Woke up for 8 am church. Enjoyed our meetings. I had a presidency meeting that afternoon but all was lazy, quite, relaxing and good. 

On Monday we headed out to Fat Man's Pass. I have wanted to do this hike for awhile we tried once and never found it. This time I went with friends so they could show me the way. They kids where happy to hike with friends. I didn't hear them complain once because they were having such a good time.  (note to self best way to hike is with friends.)

Finally we made it to the Fat Man part. Yeah I'm not fat, that little space is quite narrow I was a little scared to go through but I made it out unscathed. 

 

All the kidos made it trough no prob. And Max had fun climbing every rock he could.

After stopping at QT for some much needed refreshment, we set out to get house cleaning done. I hadn't showered yet when I got a text inviting us for a pot luck at the park for dinner. Since I was not willing to cook we picked up a pizza and headed over for some more fun and since it was at the park why bother with a shower. We played until dark then headed home for showers and bed. We all slept well that night. Not a bad way to spend a 3 day weekend in my book.

Happy New Year

We are still in January so you bet this counts as my new year post. I got home for California on the New Years Eve So I really didn't have plans for a party. I was more in the mood to be with Kevin and the kids. So that is what we did. Pretty much no rules we bought a cheese ball chips and salsa. The kids were glued to their screen games and Kevin and I watched a movie in the other room.  I think that was the first time we have done that. Well come 10:00 pm we decided it was time for games. We played Farkle and Spot it.  Before we knew it, it was almost midnight.  So we switched on the TV and watched the ball drop form NY.  All of us made it to midnight and then quickly crashed into beds.

 John, Shannyn and the cousins made a drive all the way out to our house on New Years day just to say HI. Gosh I love them. But to be fair I did bribe them just a tad. I brought home Tommy's Chili from California so they pretty much couldn't resit.  The rest of the day was chill and we got ready for 8 am church on Sunday.
Love LOVE 8 am church. It just works for us. We are morning people and we love to have the afternoon open.  We played more games. This time Banana grams and then took naps. Heaven I tell  you.

Luke was pretty excited to bring home his sparking new CTR ring. He could tell me all about it. It means choose the right, to do good things. That's right buddy always remember that. Really life can be that simple.

Well after we got a week of school under our belt and everything back to normal. Mandy came to town. I hadn't dared hope that it would happen since she had already tried to come out 2 other times since their move. But she made it and it was glorious and fun reunion.
The best buddies together again.

And the girls were up to their creative play. They were all so excited to have a sleepover and be with their friends.  The house was a mess and loud and I wouldn't want it any other way.

 Later that night we headed out to the Glendale Giltter & Glow event. I have literally been planing to go to this for a year. So I had high hopes that it would go well.  Let's start off by saying that the balloons are beautiful I loved seeing them and being with friends and family is made it worth it.  As much as I love the above two things the night was a little rough but we got through unscathed. First I hate going to new places in the dark and Kevin should never rely on me as the navigator. Lets's just say we made a few U turns. Second, never take my kids on an hour drive without feeding them first right at dinner time. Third it was crowded, really really crowded. I got to see the balloons and that makes me happy. Plus the kids thought the shuttle bus was the best part. Here we are as a family in front of one balloon.

While we were waiting to board our shuttle bus I had to snap a pic with BFF. So glad she could come and that we could host her and her family. Crossing my fingers that she can come back soon.

January 12

I'm in it. Another year of 12 on the 12th. 

1. Lilly is making her lunch today.
2. It is still surprising how long my hair is, so when I can braid it. I'm impressed
3. Luke dose not love to go on errands with me but to make it tolerable he is allowed to have a pajama day.
4. On his own accord Luke started to draw on the chalkboard. Story line a fireball spitting octopus.
5. Afternoon reading time. I love that we have us time everyday. 
6. Time to prep for the week. preschool and relief society.
7. Max was excited to share his drawing with Luke when he got home. A little man in underwear with a huge mustache. They laughed for so long.
8. To continue with the silly mood lets stick marshmallows on our teeth.
9. More of Max. He his giving me a hard time about reading this afternoon.
10. Family trip to the library. Luke studying his picks.
11. Current family read aloud is My Father's Dragon.  Such a fun, delightful story. I don't know how I have missed it all these years.
12. Just because it is historic we are watching the national college championship game.

A Little Escape

Sometimes you just got to get out of town, I'm so thankful that my parents don't live too terribly far. So off we went after a new set of tires we were California bound. We spotted the Waffle Love on the way. I love the art work on that thing.

So when we arrived we had some lazy days and did nothing. I'm talking pajamas until noon, more movies, TV and games. Eating at Porto's bakery. We did get dressed for that one and Papa did take Luke out to the pool to try out his new Christmas toys. 

We made it to the new Discovery Cube at Hansen Dam. It was okay. I'm glad that we got in for free using our science center pass.  On the the plus side it was fun so show the kids were I used to work as lifeguard for a summer.

On Sunday night Mom hosted a scone party and invited friends that we grow up with. Lots of them were in town for the holidays so it was fun to catch up with them.  Kinda mad that I didn't take one picture  because it was quite the gathering.The house was packed. During that week we made it to see Grandpa and Grandma Candy and also a visit to Grandma Lola. It is nice to have some one on one time with them.

We had enough lazy time so we went out to Vasquez rocks. My kids love this place and ask to go every time we go to CA. 

When max is climbing rocks he thinks he is pretty big stuff and asks me to take his picture a lot and will even through out a few poses.

Uncle Matt came along and I was glad for it. He was fun with the kids and he was the only one that would take him to the very top. I couldn't look when they were up there. Both Lilly and Max were very proud that they made it to the top. I about died but I knew they were safe.

Probably my most favorite picture of the day.

The next morning we headed back to AZ to be with Kevin and to be on our own beds. It was sure nice to take a break.

Christmas Cheer

Like Christmas every year it was wonderful.  Starting things off right with our candlelight Christmas Eve dinner. Followed by our talent show. This year we had a string ensemble playing Jingle Bells. I was smiling ear to ear thinking off all the possibility here.

Ending our evening with the Nativity. I think this the first year that Lilly was not Mary. Mary was played by Hannah and Joseph played by Porter who only wanted to eat gram crackers. Lilly played a great angel and Max a wonderful Shepherd. Luke was a was a wise man and made sure he had a gift for the baby Jesus.

Everyone quickly went to bed to bed in hopes that Santa would come. The night was funny because I couldn't sleep. As soon as I fell asleep Luke came running having to go the the bathroom. Then he was awake for awhile. Lilly came in at 6 AM on the dot saying that she had been awake for 1 hour, waiting. We were all pretty excited.

We switched things up this year and had our tree up stairs. So naturally that is where Santa left all the presents. Kids were so excited to get out there. First thing to see was Lilly's new blue bike that she had asked for. Pretty happy girl. It fits her just right, just weird that it is a good size for me too. She is growing up.

Luke was very happy to get his hot wheel boat that had a squid, deep sea diver and a shark.

Max must have been good, he got his wish of Mine Craft the PC version.

Kevin had a great surprise for me this year. He got me a swim pass to the pool. I'm so excited to use it when it is a little warmer and I'm thinking about signing up for a triathlon just to put it it good use. (love Luke's happy little face right here)

I got Kevin the perfect gift. The Harkins movie cup and t-shirt. He loved it. And after all the presents were opened this is what it looked like.

After Christmas morning naps we headed over to Amber's for food and to talk with Kyle for his mission in Milwaukee  The kid has knocked off some weight and it was great to see that he is loving his mission.