Temple Lights

I love to go to the Mesa, AZ temple to see the Christmas lights.

We were at my sisters house in Mesa, so they watched the kids while we went to the temple.  We forgot our temple bags and David forgot his recommend, but we did get in to do initiatory work.  It sure is hard to get to the temple.  I am so glad that we made it, the Spirit was wonderful. We then went back to get the kids and see the lights.

Cutting down the Christmas Tree

As newlyweds we started a tradition to cut down our Christmas tree. Saturday we made the trip up north, and there was snow!!!

Alayna was so happy to be able to play in the snow.  She told us before we left that there would be snow.

The kids liked eating the snow.  The weather was nice, not too cold.

Of course we made a snowman, but the snow was a little icy for rolling the snow balls.

Gideon helped cut down the tree.

Our dog, Duke, even helped pull the tree back to the truck.  Until he got stuck, so it lasted all of 3 minutes. We had a fun adventures.  It is great making memories with the kids!

Our Kids

On Wednesday we found out that our Baby is a Girl. Alayna is an April baby, so I have all the girl stuff.

Gideon love to play with this toy.  Isn't he cute in his new sweater vest?

Miss Alayna, hmm, we love our big sister! She loves PJ's.

Coming Holidays

As we were leaving Wal-Mart today the store greeter gives the kids stickers and tells us when Santa will be visiting the store.  (He looked like he might be Santa:) So when we get to the car Alayna says that when we get home she is going to her room to play and wait for Santa.  Oh, how come the nice greeter had to talk about Santa?  A little pre-schooler has little concept of time and how long she will be waiting for Santa.

I won’t deny that I am excited for the coming holidays, but I am glad that I have two months to get ready.  One of my favorite holiday traditions is mailing and receiving cards.  I have always loved receiving any type of card in the mail.  There is something special about hearing from family and friends.

I love photo cards.  Shutterfly is a great site for creating photo cards.  This past year I used Shutterfly for making Mother’s and Father’s Day cards.  Which are now taped to Grandma's walls.

Here is the link for their holiday cards: http://www.shutterfly.com/

David is already planning our Christmas family photo, wow.  This is our cards from a few years ago.

I will be using this site for creating this year’s Christmas card: http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/christmas-cards

And in a few months when the baby comes, I probably will be using this link for my baby’s birth announcement. 

http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/birth-announcements

And that’s my little plug for Shutterfly’s photo cards:)

Arizona State Fair

We got to go to the fair this last week. Alayna loved the fair last year and really wanted to go again.

We rode the rides.

Went to the petting Zoo.

Played in a fun toddler zone where mommy rested.

 

 

After riding the Ferris Wheel Alayna told David, "That was Awesome!" 

We had a fun time and enjoyed the fair food a little too much, David is still talking about his funnel cake.

Siblings

It is so much fun watching these two play and work together. They have their moments, but at the end of it all I think that they might just really like each other.

Grandma and Grandpa's Ward Party

On Friday night we went to my parent's ward party. We went to David's parent's party the weekend before. We like Halloween parties.

Alayna got brave at the end of the night to go down the slide.

The Nerd and her dog.

The football player and train engineer.  The football player needs a Cheerleader, but I don't know if a pregnant cheerleader would be good:)

It was a perfect Arizona night.  And the kids got just the right about of candy from the Trunk or Treat. Alayna loved being with her cousins.

Where do you like to sleep?

This is where I found Alayna sleeping the other night when I got home from a RS meeting.

The Lost Rabbit

David saw a rabbit out  of the kitchen window on Saturday.

It wasn't the neighbors that lived on that side of the house, so we brought the rabbit home. Alayna camped out by the bunny.  David went and posted lost rabbit signs.

About three hours later someone called for the rabbit.  It was the neighbors on the other side.  Alayna was very sad.  Now we are working to help her have good behavior to get her own rabbit.

The Train Park

Friday night we went to the Train park with cousins. Alayna loves her cousins and Gideon loves trains so they were both happy.  I put Gideon in his engineer overalls, but he won't keep the hat on.

We road the carousel.  I got a little dizzy.

This is the car Alayna and Jaxon rode in.

The silly kids.

I like the open air ride.  Gideon cried each time the ride stopped.  And then on our way home the car had to brake down.  Luckily David is pretty handy with cars and using the GPS we found an auto store within walking distance from the gas station we were stopped at.  I got to entertain to kids in the car while David did the repairs.  It was only about an hour, amazing how entertain squirt bottle can be.

My Little Chef

Daddy and daughter making dinner together.  Nice that mom had a night off.

Alayna loves to help in the kitchen.  Last Sunday she was a big help at making pizza for dinner. 

Trains

We bought a used train table and Gideon just loves it.

He can sit and watch the trains go around and around.

New Beds

Alayna got a new bunk bed for keeping herself dry all night.

Gideon is now sleeping in the toddler bed.  David has been busy taking down beds and putting up beds.

New Addition

Baby #3 due April 20, 2011!

Alayna can't wait to hold her "baby sister".

Summer Fun

We love swimming!









Gideon is pretending to sleep on the bottom of a bookshelf.









Playing in the backyard with cousins.

I just love him in overalls.

Sidewalk chalk!

What again?

David found this snake in our garage last night....
it was only about six inches long and not in the house like our last snake. Why do snakes come to our house? Thanks to Jeff for coming over to get the snake. And "No, Alayna we will not have a pet snake."

Is summer over?

Gideon can fall asleep any where if he is really tired, on the changing pad or on the floor. But now he is 18 months old things are changing.

We love the rain! A couple Saturdays back we went out and played in the rain. In our pajamas!