My Big Girl

I snapped this picture of Madisen the other day because I thought she looked so adorable. She seems more grown up every day. She really enjoys reading books; with me, to me, or to herself. She's also getting more inquisitive. For instance the other day, she was asking when we were going to dance. I said, "On Wednesday." And she said, "What does Wednesday mean?" So I tried to explain the days of the week- but it's a little abstract. I'm working on a project to hang in her room so she can get a better grasp on it.

Pink Jeep

Last week our cute neighbor Rebecca shared her pink Jeep with Madisen. Rebecca was a little timid about it so she was glad to have Madisen take the wheel. Madisen was NOT timid... she just punched the gas and was going over the rocks and all over the driveway.

Since the Jeep doesn't have a fantastic turning radius, we took the girls to the end of the street where they could have some freedom. I love this picture of them riding off into the sunset.

After a while Caitlyn was starting to feel left out. She kept pointing and saying 'ride'. So Rebecca obliged and let Madisen drive Caitlyn around for a bit. You can see what Caitlyn's favorite part was- the phone! We're so glad that Rebecca shared with us! THANK YOU!

Our Little Star!

This is Madisen's favorite song right now! She sings it all of the time and wanted to see herself on the computer! (Please excuse the short bangs, she cut part of them herself so I had to make the rest match!)

Another Milestone

Last Saturday Bill was in another triathlon here in Las Vegas. The girls and I didn't make it b/c of a stake Relief Society event that I was attending. But he did great and I'm always impressed when he finishes these major events!

Oh So Helpful!

Every time I sweep the floor both of my girls come running to 'help'. I have to dance around them to get the dirt swept up, encouraging them to not step in the piles I'm creating, and quickly sweep up the piles before they are spread across the floor again. So here are my helpers sweeping after I swept. I love that they want to mimic EVERYTHING I do!

A Surprise for Grandma & Grandpa

Last week Bill had some training for work in Oklahoma, so the girls and I decided to surprise my parents and visit them for the week. We left on Sunday afternoon and listened to the afternoon session of conference on the road. The girls were the PERFECT road trip buddies! We made it in just under 7 hours both ways- nothing short of a miracle!! Thank goodness for portable DVD players, fruit snacks, and songs like "Who Stole the Cookie from the Cookie jar?"!

WARNING: picture overload...

Monday was a day to relax, visit Aunt Kellie at work for lunch, and host a family history based FHE for our extended family.

On Tuesday we went to Boondocks, a new family fun center at the point of the mountain. We thought the kids climbing area would be perfect since it was too cold for the park, but the girls were too afraid to do more than you see below. They didn't want to climb to the top & go down the super fast slides.
However, Madisen did enjoy the plethora of video games. It was exciting to her b/c she's never really played video games. I appreciated that there were enough age appropriate games that she was 'challenged'. And she liked collecting the tickets which she redeemed for a broken pen and a sucker for both her and Cailtyn.That evening we got to walk down to the Jordan River to feed the ducks. Madisen loved throwing them the bread, but Caitlyn took a more timid approach and by dropping the bread on the dock and watching it fall through the cracks.On Wednesday while grandma was at work, the girls and I went to visit one of my dear friends and former college roommates, Brooke, who just had a baby. Here is Caitlyn checking out 1 week old Haylie. Madisen & Annie (Brooke's 2.5 year old) were fast friends. They quickly discovered they both love princesses, dressing up, and eating fruit snacks. Even Caitlyn got to put on a fancy skirt.That afternoon we toured the Sweet's candy factory in Salt Lake with Aunt Kellie, Aunt Tiffany & baby Caden. We all received a bag of taffy at the conclusion of the tour- a highlight for my girls! I know- the hairnets are just our style! It was an educational tour, if you live in UT & haven't been it's a MUST do with the kids!

Gramdma & Madisen playing an oldie but goodie, Twister.

On Thursday we got to visit my grandpa at his drug store. Many of you know that I grew up working for my grandpa so I really feel at home in his store. It's fun to watch the kids explore the aisles and get to choose a treat from grandpa, just like I used to do when I was little.

That evening we found ourselves at the bowling alley. Madisen got to bowl for the first time and she was so elated every time her ball knocked down some pins. But she was no match for grandma who was the grand winner, beating Ryan by 2 points- an impressive feat!! She says that her college bowling class had to come in handy some time. Catilyn even tried rolling the ball once, but it's still just a bit heavy for her.

On Friday we explored the new Aquarium in Sandy. It's a little small, but still fun- perfect for young attention spans. We saw Utah native fish, 2 starfish, an octopus, and some stingrays. The kids also got to enjoy story time. We met my Aunt Sherry, her daughter-in-law, 2 grandchildren, and my high school friend Melody with her 3 kids there.

Caitlyn was a little unsure of the sting-rays that were swimming by. But I love the picture in the lower left of my mom & her sister with their grandkids. Don't they look too young to be grandma's?

Melody & I with our 2 oldest kiddos.

That night my parents took the 3 grandkids to Wheeler Farm. We were hoping for good weather all week b/c I knew this would be the highlight of the week, they both love animals right now. On Friday we just gave in and went even though it was pretty chilly! My dad said that when they drove up Caitlyn said, "Horse". Here you can see the kids watching the employees performing their evening chores. Madisen was pretty fascinated with the cow milking and is quick to say that she drinks cow milk, but Caitlyn drinks Soy Milk.

While my parents had the kids, my sisters, brother-in-law, and I got to see the new Emma Smith movie. We thought it was incredible, inspiring, and insightful. I highly recommend it! I have always admired Emma Smith and this just deepened my understanding and admiration for her. Plus it's always a good reality check to realize that things could be worse and we need to endure better!

Family Night Walks

Since the weather has warmed up Madisen & Caitlyn have really enjoyed riding their bikes in our back yard. And we have a new family 'tradition'. Each night after dinner Madisen asks if we can go on a family night walk. We take the bikes out front and go to the end of our street where we round the corner to a long paved area that's like our own private biking path.

Here she is sporting her helmet and her 'casts' on her knees as she likes to call them.

Caitlyn of course wants to be like her big sister, oh and she wants to do it herself!

Surprise!

Last night Bill and I had the pleasant surprise of attending the Danny Gans show at the Mirage. A few weeks ago we watched our friends' kids while they attended the show and they repaid us by watching our kids while we went. (They had some connection to FREE tickets so it was even better!) We have lived in Las Vegas for nearly 3 years now & have yet to attend a show on the strip. We've both seen 'Mystere' at Treasure Island, but that's it. There are few shows that are clean enough to merit seeing, but this one was FANTASTIC. We thoroughly enjoyed the ENTIRE show! Danny Gans is a talented impressionist who sings and acts. He does voices from Kermit the Frog, to Jimmy Stewart, to Rascal Flats, and Tom Hanks- pure talent!

(P.S. Christy & Bob, we decided that this show was right up your alley.)

Even though winter is very mild in Las Vegas, I'm just as excited to pull out the spring clothes as I was when I lived in Utah. There's something about the bright and pastel colors, short sleeves, sandals, capris, shorts, and floral prints that just makes me want to turn cartwheels outside. I love these girls in their spring clothes!!!

Aunt Kellie came to town!

This pas weekend we were lucky to have my sister Kellie come for a visit. She stayed from Wednesday night to Sunday night and the girls were SO disappointed when she left. They both love her dearly and think she is their full-time playmate. Caitlyn calls her 'mommy', but if you ask her where Kellie is, she'll point to her. In fact, when Kellie is around this momma's girl wants nothing to do with me! (Notice where she is in ALL of the pictures.) Madisen was eager to play with her from sun-up to sun-down. She woke up EVERY morning at 6:25 ready to play and there were too many nights that she went to bed late b/c we were having fun!

We threw Kellie a 'Surprise Party' when she arrived on Wednesday. Complete with cupcakes, a few homemade signs, and some gifts.

On Thursday we played at home for a while, went to the park, and watched a movie while the girls napped. That night we had a girls night where we celebrated a few of my friends' birthdays. I love this picture of us while we were waiting for our Pizookie to arrive (if you've never had one- a LARGE cookie smothered with ice cream- you're missing out!).

Friday we did some shopping, met Bill at In-N-Out for lunch where the girls loved playing 'Tagurit' (Tag, you're it) on the lawn while bird watching, and played in the sand box. Kellie was sweet enough to watch the girls while Bill and I went to the temple. (Madisen REFUSED to go to bed until we got home... she was just having too much fun with Aunt Kellie. Who wouldn't rather stay up and watch movies?)

Saturday was a day for some more birthday shopping and after nap time we took Madisen to see 'Dr. Seuss's Horton Hears a Who'. I gave this one 2 thumbs up!! Definitely a must see!

We picked up Caitlyn we took a quick hike to the top of the peak at the park near our house. It has a spectacular view of the entire city!

Thanks for coming to visit Aunt Kellie!!