Tea for 2 + 2

Last week we invited Lilly and Rubi over for a tea party! It was all Collin could talk about the night before.We told the girls they could dress up if they wanted, and then Collin donned his knight costume from preschool and Weston put on a cape like a prince. :) We started by coloring and decorating crowns to wear. Princes and princesses must be properly adorned, after all!

(I found these wooden swords at a craft fair in December. It was a risky purchase. I could see stitches in my future, but I knew the boys would love them. I was right.)

((Megan took these cute pictures. Obviously. I don't have to tell you that, do I?!))

I love these 3 pictures. Collin and Lilly are two peas in a pod, personality wise. Full of energy and giggles and silly stories.

I love Megan's pictures! How fun is this picture?? I don't even remember where I got this little tea set, but it has provided many hours of dainty "tea" time. 

I made poppyseed muffins and Megan brought egg quiches.  

But the real attraction was the chocolate milk, of course.

And the many scoops of sugar. :)

 I die! This has to be the sweetest thing ever! Miss Rubi taking a sip.

There were lots of spills, but it was a success! I had fun reading to them, The Paper Bag Princess, while they ate, as well as some other books. I'm so glad my boys have these cute princesses for friends. Life would sure be dull without them!

January this and that

The first weekend in January, we drove to Albuquerque to go to the temple for the first time! I dropped Travis off for the 10:30am session and took the kids to Target and Chick-fil-a. Seemed simple enough. Olive had two blow out diapers and I only had one diaper. So I was opening a bag at Target and changing her on the floor in the middle of the store on top of her car seat canopy because I also forgot her changing pad and blanket in the car. Both boys had to go potty and Weston sprayed the whole back of the toilet with pee, then Collin decided he actually had to poop. YUCK! I hate my kids sitting on public toilets. It was a fiasco. Then I decided it would be a good idea to go to Chick-fi-la on a Saturday at 12:00pm. Madness! Pure madness!! Collin got hurt not 2 seconds after going into the play area and was hysterically crying while I'm holding a car seat carrier without so much room as to even set her down! Some people tried to take my table and Collin spilled his chocolate milk all over the floor. I was EXHAUSTED by the time I drove back to the temple to switch places with Travis. Then he took them all to the zoo by himself and endured Olive screaming herself to sleep because she refused to take a bottle without warm milk. The pioneers sacrificed to build and go to the temple. And I dare say we do too. (K, that was a bit sacrilegious. I'm not comparing us to the pioneers... just being funny. Or not. :) 

I really love sleeping pictures. Obviously. 

So darn sweet. 

She was so tired, she fell asleep against my chest. She NEVER does that. I felt so bad when I saw my necklace imprint on her face!

Selfie. Because outfits like this have to be documented for our posterity. I know in 10 years we will look back on this and throw our heads back in laughter. I'm not sure if white wash jeans or flower print leggings are more ridiculous. But I felt pretty silly. And loud. But... I still wore them.

 Two weeks ago, Megan invited Brinn and I over to watch a Kirby vacuum demonstration. I think it lasted almost 4 hours. I'm a sucker for a bad infomercial. I knew there was no hope for me. Just look at that dirt on those filters!! 

I think what really convinced me was that Olive will be crawling on these floors in no time. And it has a lifetime guarantee. And we just spent a bit less on an I-pad that will probably be obsolete in 10 years. This was an investment darn it! :) 

I wasn't counting on another member of our family joining us for a while, but I just couldn't resist. Introducing... Kirby. Cuz, I'm just not that creative. :)

Ever tossed your French Toast in crushed Honey Bunches of Oats? Well, you should. And thank Beach Break Cafe.

 After a looooong week of not seeing Travis (17+ hours spent at the church building that week), we finally got a date night together. Of course, we invited missy moo. Was there ever a more darling baby??!! 

We actually had a pretty yummy dinner at the Coal Street Grill with Megan and Bron, then saw The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. It was a different sort of movie, but I liked it! I liked spending time with my long lost friend too. 

The next day, we met the Kings out at McGaffey for a little lunch and shooting. We have had an amazing January with lots of sun! It's been incredible and a huge blessing. The kids love those BB guns.

Trying for a clay pigeon! I didn't really love Trav's new shotgun... too heavy. What I could get used to?? That 9 mil. Why are hand guns so much fun to shoot?! Trav showed me the ropes on the guns we do own. I'd really love to take a gun safety class.

 I wonder how many selfies I'll be taking with this sweet girl over our lifetimes? Not enough!

We have late church now... 11am!! Praise the heavens! I need those extra hours. I need them to make a double batch of German pancakes in a single 9x13 to see what happens. Well, this... is what happens. Still yummy!

I took a screen shot of this quote I saw on Instagram because I loved it that much. And now to immortalize it on the blog so I'll always see it at least every few years!

I was snarfing on Weston, then thought I'd take a selfie of it. Cuz, I want to remember that I snuggled him! I told him to smile for a picture, and he decided his drink should be front and center. Good thing for digital, right? :) 

Notice I'm wearing glasses? Yeah, Olive gave me pink eye. I know it's contagious, but I really didn't think that would happen! And you know what?! Wearing glasses stinks! I hate it! And I did it for 3 days while putting yucky cream in my eye. No makeup for 3 days. I looked homeless for half a week. I was over it! I will be treating pink eye like the plague next time it hits one of my kids!

 So Olive has hair like Uncle Austin. It just sticks straight up.

Party in the middle. Business on the sides.

Now I ask you. What. Am I supposed to do about this?!

Good thing she's still the cutest baby ever! :)

 Today was Collin's first try at Jui-jitsu. He just calls it karate. He looked so grown up out there with his comb over. I think we're really going to like this! Lots of effort spent on focusing, listening and positive affirmations. The teacher has them repeat, "I am strong! I am mighty! I am fierce! I can do it! Yes, I can!" Sounds good to me!!

Gilbert Temple and Nitro Circus

Last weekend, we came to Mesa for two very big and obviously compatible events: the Gilbert Temple open house anddd Nitro Circus.

Our friends, the Shaheens came for the temple too and stayed at the Evans' house. For that reason, Travis stayed there as well with the boys and I bunked up at my mom's with Olive. Driving in that night, Olive was feeling pretty sketchy about David. Ya really can't blame her. She kept her eye on him and if he got close, the hyperventilating panting started in. 

Our reservations were for 11:30am. We met Marcie, Austin, my mom, Craig and Jefferson there. It was crowded, but well managed. They must have had a million ushers and volunteers. We met in the chapel of the church building next to the temple and watched a 12 min. video about temples. My favorite hymn, Come Thou Font, was the background music and I felt so emotional just being there. The Spirit was already very strong. Then we walked over to the temple and got our booties on. :) 

It was silent walking tour and they had big signs in front of most of the rooms, explaining what they were. 

It was massive and absolutely gorgeous. There was a huge staircase that looked like it was right off of Beauty and the Beast. The main platform split into two, spiral staircases on either side. There were enormous light fixtures in one of the endowment rooms that I've never seen anything like before. And then the chandelier in the Celestial room was breathtaking. The biggest chandelier I've ever seen. Travis's mom told us (they work in the Mesa temple and seem to come across random facts), that the light fixtures alone cost 3 million dollars. There were star, sun and moon designs, as well as Yucca designs, in everything from the staircases to the molding to the ceilings. Beautiful stained glass and wood everywhere. There were a lot of stairs to walk, as I think it was 3 stories. My arms were pretty tired from holding Olive the entire time! I'm so glad we were able to go with the Shaheens and so much of my family. It was an experience to remember for sure. 

All on their own, we noticed the kids had organized a little "dance show". One would hop off the bench and dance a little jig, then hop back on as the next sprung off with an excited grin. It was so darn cute. 

 The babes were babes! So good!

As were were walking out to our cars, we saw a family from Buffalo that we hadn't seen since school! The Stotts! They live in Colorado now, but had come to AZ for the open house as well. So fun to see old friends!

Afterward, it was only appropriate that we show the Shaheen's our favorite Mexican food place... Gecko Grill! Then, Megan and I did a little shopping before it was time to head out to the next big event!!

Paula watched all our kids so we could childless. It was amazing! We actually held hands. When we were in line to grab some pizza I had the urge to look around for our kids and ask them what they wanted. Then I remembered.... we were ALONE!!! Haha!! It was marvelous to just worry about US! 

So Nitro Circus is a motorcycle/BMX stunt show. This is their 3rd tour, but their first time in North America, even though they started in America. I was crazy nervous at first. I kept gasping and covering my mouth with my hands. I reallyyyyy didn't want to see anybody get hurt. Come to find out, that's exactly what my brother's wanted to see! I'm definitely a mother. My mom admitted that she's been praying for them all week! Haha! I loved that. Go Mom. I think they all owe their non-broken bones to her. Luckily, we didn't see any major accidents. But we did see over 2 hours of really amazing jumps and stunts!

On Saturday, we took Lane and Rusty and went to the Children's Museum of Phoenix with the Shaheens. (Right after I grabbed our Jamba's, of course. :) 

 They sat down to a table of paper, markers, scissors and glue, and a few minutes later, Collin ran up to me, so excited to show me his dragon. I have to say, I was impressed with his creativity! He's never done anything like that before.

Being in Phoenix, I remembered my parents getting some really good Mexican food at a place called Carolinas. Turns out, it was just two miles from the museum! Score! Problem is, now I need their green chili burro on an daily basis. Don't be fooled by it's "hole in the wall-ness". It's clean and nummy!

After lunch, Shelley was so kind as to let the kids swim in their heated, neighborhood pool and hot tub. Trav, Bron and I may have crashed that party too. It was such a gorgeous day. Swim suits had to be on the menu.

The Shaheens drove back to Gallup that night and then Shelley and I mozied on over to BJ's to have dinner with our high school besties. Darn stomach flu hit LaRee's family literally right before she was going leave to join us. Mommy duty calls. :(

Jenni is 27 weeks pregnant and it was fun to hear about her pregnancy and catch up on everyone's lives! I love these girls to the moon and back. It was such a fun evening! (Giant pazooki never hurt nobody either.)

Church was sooo good. The Alstons, who moved in kitty corner to my parent's, right after we moved into the ward, are moving out. It's been 18 years. It was neat to hear them bear their testimonies. Then a man gave a really good testimony about his conversion to the church. He said it was really about the missionaries. Then, he simply stated that he used to like his beer with his hot wings. That gave us a little chuckle. But then he said he decided he could give that up. And right after that decision, the place he liked to get his hot wings at, burned to the ground! Haha! How ironic. It was a sweet, simple testimony and a good reminder that you can't judge people. I know I always justify not sharing the gospel with some people with the thought that they probably wouldn't change or want to change some parts of their lifestyle. It's not the case! 

The nursing mother's room happened to be full when I needed to nurse missy moo, so I went to the foyer and hoped no one got offended! Not too long later, my mom walked by and then my dad. It's not every day the bishop has a second to snarf on someone's chicken! (I really need to learn where that phrase started. I just know my Grandmother always said it!)

Speaking of Grandmother... we hadn't seen her sweet face in a while. I guess Marcie is in her stake now, so she picked her up for stake conference this morning. I love that. Of course Marcie thought to call her and see if she'd like a ride! Marcie is thoughtful like that.

It was just moments later, coincidentally that Olive fussed and Grandmother handed her back to me. Then I caught a whiff of something foul and looked at Travis with raised eyebrows. He was offended at the insinuation! It was Olive! There was gooshy poo oozing out of her diaper and puddled between my legs and on the couch. Nice, Olive. I felt so bad about her couch, but I think I got most of it out. Just leaving our mark, I guess.

 This hug melted my heart. Weston is such a lover.

I should have taken a picture at Grandma and Grandpa's house next! It was Grandpa's 88th birthday the next day, so we stopped by to give them hugs and wish him a happy birthday. I'm so blessed with wonderful grandparents. Don't know how I got so lucky. 

As usual, it was wonderful weekend in Mesa. But I have to say, I'm completely over all this constant laundry, packing, driving, unpacking, packing, driving, unpacking, laundry routine we've been in. It is for the birds. Good thing, every trip has been more than worth it.