Maggie's Birthday

This princess turned 4 today. She has been talking about her birthday for months. Preschool was canceled due to illness (bummer because she had cupcakes and rings to share) so instead we borrowed a friend and went to the Children's Museum in Salt Lake. When we got back, Grandma and Papa Matthews came over with happy meals for lunch (she loves "Old McDonald"). She then spent the next couple of hours playing with the sticker book and princess castle she got from them. When dad woke up (working nights this week), we did cupcake/candles and presents. The barbie clothes and shoes were a huge hit and our livingroom floor was soon taken over by barbies. We had chicken pot pie for dinner (favorite) and ended the night was watching The Little Mermaid. I can't even begin to express my love for her. She is the sweetest girl you will ever meets and tries she best to be nice to everyone.

**The magic never ends when it comes to mermaids.

Sam's Birthday

This sweet boy turned two this month. We started the day with a room full of balloons and a Mickey Mouse Birthday Balloon on his chair. In the morning, he got to open up one present, which was a shirt for him to wear (though it took him a few days of convincing that it is worth wearing). We spent the day doing things he likes, going to story time, Costco for samples, board games, lots of books, a long bath. It seems like a typical day, but I tried really hard to not be distracted with other things during the day and simple enjoy him. We had cereal for breakfast (and lunch if I had let him). That night, we had all the Northern Utah Matthews family come over for pizza dinner. It was so fun to have our first family birthday party. All the cousins were so sweet to him and excited to share their "boy" gifts for him. We love this happy, kind, helpful, yet silly boy of ours. And we kept him alive for these first two years, so that is an accomplishment in itself.

Sam has been talking about having a football cake for so long. He loved it. I made another sheet cake since there were so many people. I died the white frosting green to make a football field, but I didn't have enough so I threw on the left over chocolate and bit of white that I did have, swirled it together, sprinkled green sprinkles on top and surprisingly it looked like a camouflage cake. Not what I planned, but he love it just the same (sad I didn't get a picture of it).

Phoenix in the Winter

Mike had a pretty crazy week at work coming up so we decided to pack the bags and head south with the geese. Our best friends from medical school are in Phoenix so we thought we would soak up the warm weather while we can. We first drove down to Cedar too stay with Josh for a night to help break up the drive. Most people thought I was ambitious to drive two kids and a dog 11 hours by myself, but with the help of brown paper bags filled with goodies and a few movies, we actually had a fun time. Here is a photo dump of our trip.

When everything is Disney, meals were a blast for these kiddos.

Met at the splash pad with Rondy and her kids. That was the coolest park I have been to.

I can't believe it is February and we are in swimsuits.

Pretty sure this cement slide took a quarter inch off my shorts.

How do they not get sick?

Selfie!

Sam lasted about 2 seconds . . .

. . .but he would have done this 20 times.

Went to dinner at Organ Stop Pizza. Strange combination, but way entertaining. The kids loved the music, light show, and watching the pipes and drums.

Girls doing a dance show for the seniors. Yes, Maggie is wearing a blanket like a toga because she had to go to the bathroom right when I was ordering dinner and let's just say, we didn't make it. I am sure watching a fluster mother deal with poop flooded the other ladies of memories of them living these "wonderful"/smelly moments.

 Sam's way of showing affection.

After nap time snack/show routine. A picture for each day we were there.

 Phoenix Zoo

We are riding a camel! You can put a check next to that on my bucket list.

And feeding giraffes. Their tongue is so long.

To top it off, you could walk around in one of the monkey cages. 

Sorry for the boob grab. . .seriously Sam, wait until after the wedding.

Christmas Break

Christmas was a blast for us. Mike was working nights that week, which actually worked out great. One Christmas Eve, the kids made and decorate cookies for Santa along with coloring pictures for him.

 We had our traditional dinner of what "Christ would eat". I put that in quotes because growing up, that somehow morphed into clam chowder in bread bowls. This year for us, we had grilled salmon, bread, olives, and grape juice.

 Here is the tree after Santa visited. Santa even came bearing gifts for the pouch.

Growing up, we always took a picture of the kids sitting on the stairs right before the rush to the tree. I love how I can continue this tradition with my kids, and that I have stair to actually do this.

The kids were so happy over all the little things about Christmas. I love this photo of Maggie because this was her face literal all day.

 Sam loved every minute of it also. He still pulls out his socks that he got from his stocking and says, "Santa?!"

It only took 1.5 hours to completely enjoy all his toys and have stuffing scattered all over the room.

 For New Years, we went up to the Cabin with a few of the cousins. I couldn't keep Sam inside because he just wanted to go sledding and go on the snow mobile. Maggie was all giddy with Jane and Hazel and a suitcase full of princess dresses (yes, even at the cabin).

*I am going to have to do another Christmas post with all of Mike's photo. It really messes me up now that he takes photos with his phone.