Visit from Grandma

We had a nice visit from Grandma Daniels last week. The kids especially loved the extra attention and the 'new to them' story books she brought us. We have been fighting bad colds here, and she was so nice to help out by reading lots of stories and helping us out in the kitchen.



We took a trip to the Mesa temple so that she could see it. We took some pictures and then went out to eat at Famous Dave's BBQ. Oh, how I have missed that restaurant! In Texas the bbq was good and plentiful, but Famous Dave's beats it, bigtime. The kids couldn't get enough of the corn bread muffins.


The county fair was this week, so we rounded up the kids and took them to see the farm animals. Noel especially loved the pigs. He wandered around grunting back and pointed at them.

Oink Woink

Mom, Claire, and R. check out the goats.




We also had to take Mom to check out the valley. We drove up to South Mountain and got out at the top to take some pictures. You can see for miles up there. Check out Camelback mountain in the background. Do you think it really looks like a camel?


A trip to feed the ducks. Ducks from all over fly here to nest for the winter. We have seen the most interesting ducks and geese here!


And mom snuck this picture of Claire's dance class. Claire is in the purple leotard on the left. They are so cute to watch! Unfortunately she was sick when she had her demonstration class for the parents, so we haven't been able to see her dance just yet. Hopefully the next time they do one we will all be healthy enough to attend.

We had a really great week despite being sick because my mom was here. We miss you, Mom!

Happy Birthday Noel

After Noel's nap on Thursday we surprised him with Chocolate marble cupcakes and sang to him. No wonder he looks a little dazed in these pictures...

But he got into it when we lit up the candles - so did Claire as you can see!

She helped him open up his presents too.

He loves Thomas the tank engine and airplanes - and he was happy to get them - as was R. the little boy I watch during the week.


On Saturday we continued his birthday celebration by having a picnic and an Easter Egg hunt in our backyard. The little guy was woken up from a nap again to participate and was a little drowsy still, but I think he enjoyed the party.


We had some good friends come over from Glendale to visit, they are also State fans, obviously...


Noel wanted to take a turn holding the new baby. He did a good job and was very gentle.


Anyway, I just can't believe that this little guys turned two! He is such a wonderful part of our family and we just love him. He is very independent, stubborn at times, but loves to cuddle and can be so sweet! We love to watch him dance and sing. He is learning new words and saying new things everyday. His sweet smile just melts my heart!



Here are my two little cheesy grinners on Easter Sunday. They enjoyed opening their Easter treats and having a special breakfast. We talked about the resurrection, watched a video clip about Jesus, then spent the rest of the day watching conference, playing the back yard and napping. We had Easter dinner with some friends from church and played Pictionary. Our kids were the only little ones there and they just loved being the stars of the show!

A couple weeks ago we went to a lovely Easter pageant at the Mesa Temple grounds. I was worried that the kids would be cranky as it didn't even start until 8pm - but they were both entranced by it and seemed to really enjoy it. Aaron was at class and I had R. until 7 that night, so I got there with the kids just in time for it to begin - maybe that helped because there wasn't any waiting. We sat behind the bishop and he tickled Noel's feet and made him laugh right at the start of the garden of Gethsemane scene (way to go, Bishop). But we enjoyed the music and the dancing, the costumes. Both Noel and Claire knew and pointed at Jesus and said oh no a few times, understandably, but were happy when Jesus came back. It was a great way to help explain to them why we truly celebrate Easter. It was an hour - so not too long and I was able to get the kids home and in bed before 10pm.