Mesquite

This year even before all of the chaos with Brian's brain tumor we'd decided to go visit Jeff and Heidi in Mesquite over the Christmas break.  We left on Monday the 26th for a time of fun and adventure.  We've really enjoyed the van as it allows my parents to ride with us.  Megan and my dad still sit in the back and my kids don't want to travel without them.  We were really fortunate to be traveling between storms.  We buzzed down without incident.

The snuggie tail was still a hit.

 Grandpa wore a "helmet" so Brian didn't feel left out.

 The kids were so happy to be together again.

Matt was all excited because "We're on top of the world!!!"  It did look more impressive at night :)

 Andrew chilling at the hotel

 Megan and Mara had to be touching at almost all times.  They were like 2 cats snuggling together.

 Matt had so much fun he crashed.  Notice he's sleeping in Norman's lap :)

 Grandpa spoiled Brian.  They had all sorts of fun together.

 Long fun day means great sleep at night.

 Matt loves blackberries

 Grandpa wore a helmet so Brian wasn't alone.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas everyone!!

We certainly had a white Christmas this year.  My parents came to stay the night with us and we're glad they got here before the storm did.  We ended up getting almost a foot overnight (Ok, like 10 inches, but that's still a lot).  The kids were very excited for Santa to come this year.  It's such a fun age.  They put cookies under the tree Christmas Eve morning and were getting all ready for Santa.  I didn't even think about the cookies being there early until Matt squealed "SANTA CAME AND ATE HIS COOKIES!!! He must have needed a snack already"  I then looked over to see a very happy and quite content Sophie Bean....silly Sophie :)

 We had matching jimmies for this wonderous event.  Getting a good picture was a different story.  The kids started playing with the wrapping paper tubes and they were the coolest thing ever.  This is what we got this year as far as the Christmas tree and cute kiddos under a tree.  We'll just pretend the crazy arm extensions aren't there.

I took Megan and Matt to pick out a present for Norman for Christmas.  When I asked what we should get daddy and Matt proclaimed "A Snuggie Tail!!" then he began singing the snuggie tail jingle.  I'd never even heard of them.  My mom and I went to Walmart randomly on Christmas Eve and I happened to see them after we'd checked out.  Something said to grab them, so back in line I went.....they were a HIT!!! So glad they got them this year!  Megan's other favorite gift was her fairy door.  It's a fabulous pink door you attach to your wall and it allows a fairy to come visit you and leave notes....so lucky!!

 Andrew didn't need much for Christmas.  he was content with the wrapping paper :)

 More Snuggie Tail fun

 Christmas was on Sunday this year.  We didn't have full services, but we did have Sacrament meeting.  The choir was over the program and the primary kids sang a couple of songs as well.  Megan sang a solo on Away in a Manger.  She did awesome!!  I forget that she's only 5.  She just is so mature for her age.  When she started to sing Matt started cheering for her "Go MEGAN!!" oh geesh....only Matt.

This year we even made a gingerbread house.  The kids had a blast.  They did a great job in my opinion.

 Merry Christmas everyone!!!

Jetted Tub

 When we moved in I was slightly excited to have a jetted tub. I'd always wanted one so I thought I'd finally gotten my wish.  Well, it ended up getting unplugged and the dryer was in front of it.  We'd used it as a tub for the kids when the other tub was being remodeled, but it's not been used much.  I finally decided that I needed to hook it up.  It took a while to clean up behind the dryer, but I got it and plugged this thing back in.

I told the kids there was a big surprise at bath time and boy were they ever surprised!!  At first Matt was afraid of the jets and he just sat on the side, but once he got in it was all fabulous and he loved it. There were many squeals of glee and Megan asked "Mom! When did you discover this did this??"  Oh how I love her!

I walked around the corner to do laundry (I turned the jets off to do that) and I could hear them playing.  I peeked back around and they were standing on the side of the tub....they'd walk along the back and then slide back in on the back slope....LOL! Those two!!

Sister Love

Megan truly is a great big sister.  She has been drawing pictures of her holding the baby before I even had Andrew.  Today I was needing to grab something to help Matt really quick.  I asked Megan if she could be really careful and hold Andrew for a min.  The amount of glee on both of their faces.  They love each other so much!!

 Earlier in the day Matt and Megan shredded a TON of documents for me.  It was so nice to leave that to the kiddos.  They had a great time and it saved me a lot of time.

Happy Birthday Matt

Today was Matt's fourth birthday.  I can't believe he's 4!  We started the day by opening presents at home.

 After presents we headed up to Grandpa and Grandma Petersen's and the Box Elder County Fair.  It's so fun to get out and relive some of my childhood fun.

 They had this steer there and he was soooo tame!  Matt ended up being really interested in him and even hopping on the fence trying to crawl up to pet him.  The picture doesn't do his horn span justice. They were huge!!

 The kids went to ride the flying saucers and last minute two kids went in front and each hopped in their own.  I figured my kids would come back, but instead Megan hopped in one with a random girl and then Matt followed along and hopped in with a random boy.  I love that my kids are so social!

 They could have ridden alone, but they chose to ride together.  I love it!!

 This train ride was fun as well.  The guy put out his hand to take the tickets from Matt and Matt just thought he wanted a high five.  Matt giggles and smiles and slaps the guy's hand and then skips on in and hopped in the train.  Luckily Meg was right there with the tickets for both of them.

 They wanted to go on the "Pirate Ship" and I was incredibly nervous.  It was high up and I was worried Matt would freeze.  I told Meggie to wait for him and she totally did.  I was so proud watching them go through.  Matt got hung up climbing up the net and Meg cheered him on and waited for him.  They actually ended up going through this one twice because they had so much fun.

 Matt was barking like a dog until I pointed out he was in a pig...LOL!

 Matt insisted on Cheesecake this year.  Happy Birthday Buddy!