Max's Birthday

Max turned 4 on May 24th! I can't believe he is four years old now. We had a fun weekend to celebrate his special day. On Friday we took him birthday shopping. We have been telling him for a long time that he was getting a bike. My mom wanted to get him a nice helmet, so while we were waiting for Eric to go bike shopping we went helmet shopping at Al's. Al's was having a sidewalk sale and had all their bikes out front. As we pulled in Max got exited about the bikes, but I informed him we were getting a bike somewhere else. However, after got Max a cool helmet with red flames on it, we still had time to waste, so we took Max outside and told him he could ride those bikes around until his Dad was ready. Soon Max fell in love with a little blue Specialized bike. He was buzzing all around the parking lot and doing really well for never having rode a "big boy" bike before. Then Dad called and we headed to Walmart to buy a bike. I can't imagine that Max knew anything about the prices or quality differences of the bikes at the two places, but he "claimed" that the bikes didn't work at Walmart. He tried four different bikes, but said none of them worked and he couldn't make them go. Eric and I finally gave in after a few tears and went back to Al's and bought our 4 year old a top-of-the-line bike. I couldn't believe we were spending that kind of money on a bike, but once Eric saw Max jump right on a wheel around the parking lot we both knew it was worth it! He loves his new bike and rides it alot!!!

Saturday we went to Hoogle Zoo with cousin Chase and his family. Max was very excited to go. We saw all the animals, sang happy birthday with cupcakes, saw the bird show and rode the carousel. All the kids were so good the whole day.

Sunday we had little parties at each grandma's house with cake and ice cream and a few gifts.
Gma Karen got him a basketball cake and we did a pinata at Gma Donna's.Max is very excited to be four. He has told me a few times that he will never be 3 again and wonders when he will be 5 and how big will he be then!?! Before his birthday he told be a few things that he would or wouldn't do once he turned four, but I think he's realized that he's not that much different. He is such a cute kid and I love being his mom. He makes me laugh everyday and he is my little buddy and Ali's best friend.
Happy Birthday Max, I Love You!

Birthday Pictures

I got the kids pictures taken last week at Kiddie Kandids for their birthday. Max is a little early, but I wanted to get them done at the same time. They turned out so great! I must admit that I do have the cutest kids!!!

1 Year Old!

Ali Girl turned 1 on Thursday, March 26th! I can't believe she is already one. The year has gone by so fast and she has been a joy in our family. Of course she didn't know she was having a birthday, but Max sure did. The first thing out of his mouth that morning was, "Is today Ali's birthday?" We didn't do much to celebrate, but Max wouldn't let the day go by unnoticed. The day before he and I went shopping for her. We got her a little tikes slide. Max picked out some sidewalk chalk and bubbles and helped me wrap them. He wanted her to open them first thing in the morning. We were going to build the little park while she was napping, but he couldn't wait and we did it right after breakfast. That night we had birthday cake (Max insisted that it was pink and that we put all of the balloon candles on that he picked out) and Ali ate her own all by herself. Then we went swimming, which is both kids favorite activity. Both mine and Eric's parents were out of town that weekend, so we might have a little family party for her later. She is such a cute girl and I love being her mom. Here are a few cute video's of her dancing and climbing into a little chair. She is so proud of herself!
I love you Ali - Happy Birthday!!!

California!

Thanks to wonderful wonderful in-laws we just had a great presidents day weekend in California. We were hoping for 70 degree weather, but coming from Cache Valley, low 60's with sprinkles even feels amazing. We had alot of fun and the kids loved spending time with Grandma and Grandpa and instantly made themselves at home in their home.

Friday morning Eric and I went for a run along the ocean. What I wouldn't give to be able to run along the beach each day instead of my basement treadmill. Then we went to the Inspiration Point Beach. Ali was dying to get down and walk, but as soon as she felt the sand on her feet, she was done. Max loved running away from the water and digging in the sand.
That afternoon we went to K1 speed track (adult go-cart track). It was serious business. Kent and I ended up with a bad crash at the end. He ran into the side barriers and I spun out. I guess he learned his lesson to not try to pass me up! (Actually he was trying to lap me...)
Saturday we went to Sea World. If truth be told it is Eric's favorite place. It was such a beautiful day and both kids were so great all day long.
We saw the Shamu show, feed and pet the dolphins, watched the dolphin show, saw sharks, manatees, polar bears, and penguins. I think the kids favorite part though was the "Pets Rule" show with cats, dogs, ducks, birds and a pig. Ali was so excited through the whole show.
Sunday we beach hopped. The boys looked for crabs at Inspiration Point beach. Then we went to Balboa Pier and rented a Suri (cart with peddles) and rode around the boardwalk. They also had a park right on the beach that the kids played at. Then we went to Huntington Beach and and lunch at Ruby's Diner out on the pier.
After lunch we went to the Science Discovery Center. Max had fun trying all sorts of different things. He saw his first 3-D movie. It was about dinosaurs. According to him it was a little bit scary and he had to cover his eyes a few times.
Monday was hung around the house and packed up to leave.
It was such a relaxing, fun weekend. I hope Kent and Donna can say the same! Thanks to them for having us. Thank You Thank You Thank You!!!

I Have a Walker

Just shortly after Ali turned 10 months, she decided she was going to be done crawling. Her favorite thing was holding fingers and walking. Luckily for my back I discovered the treadmill worked great. On Sunday, February 8th during church she started taking off, then we made her practice and practice. Within a week she was no longer crawling and was even standing her self up to walk. It seams like everything Max does, she has to do too. She is walking so cute. I love to watch her toddle around.

Merry Christmas!

Christmas is always such a fun time of year. With kids it is getting funner and funner. Max was really into Santa this year and knew all about him, his reindeer, his sleigh and bag of toys, and what you had to do to get your present from Santa. He even willing sat on his lap this year! Ali however was scared to death.

We spent Christmas Eve at my parents this year, all of us together for Christmas since 2003. Max was a wiseman in the Nativity play.

Christmas morning at our home was so fun. Max opened presents for us all.

Then we went back to my parents for breakfast and presents, then to Eric's parents for another breakfast and even more gifts! We really were spoiled!

The day after Christmas, we played with our new toys, Eric and Max shoveled all the new snow and Ali turned 9 months old!

I got this from Kiesha's blog...
Copy and paste it into your blog, bold the things you've done and have fun!

1. Started your own blog 2. Slept under the stars 3. Played in a band 4. Visited Hawaii 5. Watched a meteor shower 6. Given more than you can afford to charity 7. Been to Disneyland 8. Climbed a mountain 9. Held a praying mantis 10. Sang a solo 11. Bungee jumped 12. Visited Paris 13. Watched a lightning storm at sea 14. Taught yourself an art from scratch 15. Adopted a child 16. Had food poisoning 17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty. 18. Grown your own vegetables 19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France 20. Slept on an overnight train 21. Had a pillow fight 22. Hitch hiked 23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill 24. Built a snow fort 25. Held a lamb 26. Gone skinny dipping 27. Run a Marathon 28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice 29. Seen a total eclipse 30. Watched a sunrise or sunset 31. Hit a home run . 32. Been on a cruise 33. Seen Niagara Falls in person 34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors 35. Seen an Amish community 36. Taught yourself a new language 37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied 38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person 39. Gone rock climbing 40. Seen Michelangelo’s David 41. Sung karaoke 42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt 43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant 44. Visited Africa 45. Walked on a beach by moonlight 46. Been transported in an ambulance 47. Had your portrait painted 48. Gone deep sea fishing 49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person 50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris 51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling 52. Kissed in the rain 53. Played in the mud 54. Gone to a drive-in theater 55. Been in a movie or on a TV show 56. Visited the Great Wall of China 57. Started a business 58. Taken a martial arts class 59. Visited Russia 60. Served at a soup kitchen 61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies 62. Gone whale watching 63. Got flowers for no reason 64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma 65. Gone sky diving 66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp 67. Bounced a check 68. Flown in a helicopter 69. Saved a favorite childhood toy 70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial 71. Eaten Caviar 72. Pieced a quilt. 73. Stood in Times Square 74. Toured the Everglades 75. Been fired from a job 76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London 77. Broken a bone 78. Been on a speeding motorcycle 79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person 80. Published a book 81. Visited the Vatican 82. Bought a brand new car 83. Walked in Jerusalem 84. Had your picture in the newspaper 85. Read the entire Bible 86. Visited the White House 87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating 88. Had chickenpox 89. Saved someone’s life 90. Sat on a jury 91. Met someone famous 92. Joined a book club 93. Lost a loved one 94. Had a baby 95. Seen the Alamo in person 96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake 97. Been involved in a law suit 98. Owned a cell phone 99. Been stung by a bee.