Getting Spoiled

We were so spoiled when MomMom and PopPop Al came to town on Valentine's Day.

So of course, we had to "heart attack" their bedroom door.

But, seriously, these short visits are killing me. After my month in Maryland this past summer, these short ones pass too quickly! But, we are so glad they came.

We kept busy with manicures for Mom, Laney, and me, a trip to the Capitol Building (which is GORGEOUS) and Temple Square, playing games, and a movie!

I loved this picture that my mom took. Mom and Al have been to a lot of Capitol buildings and he was impressed with ours. I have to say I was too. I had never been there before. Steve had one of his proms there. That would have been fun.

We were able to sneak in on a session. I was surprised at how intently the boys were listening to all that was happening below.

Stopping for a few family pics.

After the Capitol building and lunch, we took a quick jaunt over to Temple Square.

Below is one of my favorite things at Temple Square. This display is of Jerusalem during Christ's time and different parts light up corresponding with the button you push. I would love to take my scriptures there one day and see the different places as I read about them. Nerdy, I know.

I just had to throw this picture in that my mom took. I love this little girl of mine!

After I returned home from the airport I was sitting cuddling with Ethan and Alayna, Steve was in the chair, and we were talking about our fun time with them. Ethan turns to me and says, "I bet you cried." Of course I told him that was silly and I never cry. The look on his face was priceless! Of course I got a little teary. Goodbyes are hard!

Come back any time!

Please!

Jump On It

This was the year for a friend party for Ethan. (My children only get them every other year.) He was so excited. He came down with a list of close to 25 friends. I had to tell him that was a few too many. He thought it would be okay because his plan was to be outside.

I had to tell him that at this time of year you can't count on the weather so we had to plan an indoor party. I tried to tell him we could use the church and then we could play some games, but not football like he wanted.

At this point, he wanted Plan B.

To take a few friends, limited by the number that can fit in my van, to Jump On It.

Boy, am I glad he did. This was by far the easiest party for me ever!

I had his friends come over after school and we fed them pizza, cake and ice cream! I was surprised at how much these boys didn't eat. I remember when my brothers would eat my mom out of house and home.

Because we were not staying here at the house, I opted to not really decorate. But, I couldn't not have something.

Even the cake Ethan wanted was easy.

I asked the boys if I could take a picture of them right at the beginning...good thing I did because they would have been too hard to corral once they started jumping. Consequently, this was the only picture I could take of them together.

Jumping on it was so much fun...

with flips!

Sliding.
Paying football. (I have to admit I didn't want to have Ethan bring his brand new football, I was sure it would get lost. But, I let him make that choice.) And boy did they have fun with it!

More flips!
Even Goldilocks loved it!

They all got a little sweaty so Tyler put cold water his head in the sink to get cool.

He's No Frosty

This winter has been the mildest winter I can remember.

This is the only snow this winter so far...in the middle of January.

It's crazy!

But, you know how kids are. They want to play even if it is just a light dusting. So, this poor little guy, while he's no Frosty, he was the best we could do.

She was happy.

It Doesn't Get Cuter than This

She loves raspberries as much as I do!

Taking Mommy's shoes

When did she get so grown up? I really was looking!

Birthdays are Fun

for Tyler and Ethan.

We went out to eat on Saturday for Ethan's birthday breakfast. This year he picked Denny's instead of their usual One Man Band. Yea! More variety. The kids love this tradition and look forward to it each year.

I love his freckles!!

Today, of course is his actual birthday. He was a little disappointed that he had school but he got over. I started out the day for him with his breakfast of choice, chocolate chip pancakes.

We did our regular family party tonight, on his actual birthday. His friend party is this coming weekend.

Birthday hugs from Mom and Dad.

Ethan's delicious birthday trifle cake. His one unusual request was to have marshmallow fluff in it.

I didn't use all the fluff, so tomorrow in their (Ty and Ethan) lunches they want a peanut butter and fluff sandwhich. Um...okay.

Laney still loves to sit on laps. And, Grandma loves every minute of it.

TYLER'S BIRTHDAY

Tyler's birthday was in January. It was on a Sunday and he wanted to go to Grandma's house to celebrate. Birthdays are so much more fun with tons of cousins around.

Boy is he such a tween. I made him take a picture with me!

He wanted the same trifle that I had wanted for my birthday: Peanut Butter Brownie Trifle.

He wanted clothes this year. At least he has good taste.

The highlight of the evening, playing Just Dance on the Wii with aunts and uncles, and cousins.

Wonder Twin Power

It's so funny to me that Paige is such a huge part of my life and yet my friends here have never met her.

Until recently.

I was so excited for Paige to come out here with her daughter, Brenna in the middle of January. Originally it was going to be Tobin but that didn't work out. Maybe next time.

My status on Facebook the day she was coming: wonder twin power activate! So excited to have my twin (and her daughter) here for the next 5 days!

I felt a little bad that she was coming out here and it wasn't for some "event." That we were just going to hang out, but seriously we had a blast just being together. We don't need the pomp and circumstance.

The three of us...

had so much fun just talking and hanging out together. Even if they did gang up on me. haha. It was totally justified.

Paige and I went out to lunch with her college friends. I had a blast and could have seen myself being friends with them too. They were so kind to include me in the conversation and I didn't feel like an outsider, at all. Paige was so happy to see them. I would have liked to have heard a few more stories. Maybe next time.

When we got home from lunch, we found this:

Brenna was so sweet to help Alayna with her homework. That means I didn't have to fight her. I have slipped in my efforts to have her do it right after school and it has been a struggle because she is too tired. I have mended my ways.

One of the nights we took them out to eat at one of our favorite places, Cafe Rio. In fact, before Paige arrived Ty told me we had to be sure to take her there. Afterwards, we went to Maggie Moos, our very favorite place where Paige took this fun picture:

The two Paiges:

Paige and Alayna Paige

And, you can't have the kids dressed nice for church and not take a few pictures:

Oh, and us too.

Paige, I miss you! Please come back! In fact, just call me when you are at the airport and I will come and get you.

While she was here we did a lot of hanging out, eating, working on a scrapbook, and playing games. I loved that the kids played Just Dance on the Wii. I wish every game allowed all the kids to play at once. Even though she's not in the picture, Laney was playing too.

One other thing that we did while Paige was here was to celebrate Ty (past) and Ethan's (future) birthdays. She was about two weeks late for Ty and two weeks early for Ethan. She loves my children so much. She is the best aunt any child could want. Can you see the love she has for them in this picture?

Come back!!!

My status on FB the day she left: seriously, I feel like I blinked and Paige is gone! Don't forget the house across the street from us is for sale.

Um....Paige, it's still for sale.