Happy Birthday Mike!

Mike celebrated his 34th birthday yesterday. Tyler really wanted buy Mike Wolverine cupcakes at Sam's club, but he settled on helping me make plain old yellow cupcakes. I made dinner (a birthday treat because it rarely happens), we got Starbucks hot chocolate, and then played a little wii. How different a birthday is when you are older, not much excitement. We will have dinner out with friends on Sat. for more of a celebration. We are so grateful for Mike. He is such a good husband and dad. I wish there was a way to make the day more exciting for him!



Austin was such a mess after this!
Tyler insisted on the cupcake with the 4 candle.

Everything is better in my head

I decided to make valentine cards for Tyler's class and Tyler and Austin's friends. I had to do some of just Tyler for his class, and then some of them together. I made two hearts and wanted a picture of them together, holding the paper hearts. One heart was ripped right away, and no decent picture was taken, so the laying down one will have to do. Tyler would hold the heart, but wouldn't smile. I guess his class will get a serious valentine. The card was so cut in my head...

By the way, it is sad when 13 degrees feels okay because it is sunny out. Tyler declared he didn't need a coat when we went to the store because, "Mom, it feels fine. " Am I a bad parent to just let him dash into the store coatless?

Tyler's two favorite items

Tyler has loved his blankie since birth. I don't know what would happen if we ever lost this thing. His latest obsession is Transformers. He knows all their names, and who is an Autobot or Decepticon. I just don't get excited about little boy things.

Brotherly Love

Tyler and Austin have a new favorite game. One of them gets on the ride-on firetruck and the other pushes. They LOVE this game, and laugh the whole time. It is pretty much the cutest thing in the whole world.

Last night Mike was getting Austin ready for bed, and he heard Tyler praying in the bath tub. Tyler was thanking the Lord for bringing him Austin. It is times like that when you just want to melt from the cuteness.

Quick trip to Utah

I took an ULTRA quick trip to Utah to help my mom. Mike got to play Mr. Mom- so good for him. It was way too quick, but I did get to eat at my all time favorite Cafe Rio.

Here is a picture of my brother-in-law after a wardrobe change. You must get into the part when you play guitar hero.

My 2 year old nephew likes to play Little Einsteins. Watch out for him- you will have to play with Rocket all day long.

He also has the biggest (cutest) lips!

Here is little Ava- so glad to meet her. It makes me want a little girl even more!

Tommy- I won't further humiliate your friends by posting their picture on my blog. Although, I am very tempted. Shame on you!

Umm, it's been awhile...

Tyler and his cousins Tate, Lucas and Caleb at the Mesa Temple

Tyler and his cousin Tate ate the turkey drumstick on Christmas Eve

Austin stayed close to Daddy

I played Mary for the Christmas program

Tyler did the traditional "olive fingers"

Tyler insisted that he (not Austin) play baby Jesus

Christmas morning Tyler opened his cool Optimus Prime voice changing helmet

Then, he opened a treasure chest that Grandpa made for him.

Horrible picture, but this is Tyler's and my favorite new game (thanks Laura) GO DDR!

Austin discovered the joy of slides in AZ

Tyler had a great time keeping up with his cousins

Austin's cousin Lucas showed Austin how to slide head first

Mike showed Tyler how to jump off a swing and get a wood chip splinter

Tyler misses his cousins every day now!

We had a great vacation. First, Mike and i dropped the kids off in AZ and went on a cruise for my Granma's 80th birthday. We went to Mexico and had a great time. I will post some pictures of that later. We missed our kids after a week and went back to AZ for Christmas. Tyler had the time of his life playing with his cousins all day and into the night. ( Although he was very grouchy and off schedule) We had a fun, relaxing Christmas and headed back to freezing cold Illinois after almost 3 weeks of partying. Back to reality...