The Highly Anticipated Part Two!

After Christmas we rented a car and drove down to Phoenix to visit Garrett's mom and most of his brothers and sisters. The drive took awhile longer than we had expected because of the construction on the Hoover Dam. But even though it was a pain on the way back, I insisted on going that way home because I have never driven over the Dam. Luckily the way back was much faster and the view was pretty amazing.

When we arrived, the whole gang was there to meet us and the kids were really excited to see their cousins and aunts and uncles. Then Grandma spoiled them rotten with huge Christmas bags full of toys.

Rylynn was so excited to see Grandma!

We were loving the AZ weather! The kids got to go swimming and play outside everyday! They had so much fun at Grandma's house. Some of the highlights were seeing cousins Braden and Logan, going to the temple square lights, and climbing on the lemon and orange trees (not to mention eating said fruit).

Rylynn and Logan loved playing sleeping beauty together. Rylynn made him be prince Philip the whole time. He was such a good sport.

Braden and Rylynn climbing in the orange tree so of course Carter had to try it too.

They all loved climbing all over and playing with uncle Brandon who they don't get to see very often. He was great with them!


Did I mention the weather was nice? It was great especially because Rylynn begs me to wear her summer clothes and swimming suit everyday in Cleveland and for once I didn't have to have the battle!


Swimming in Grandma's pool! I only swim when it is 80 degrees or above outside since I am always cold, so I just watched. Daddy is always the fun one!


We all went to see the Christmas lights at the Mesa Temple. I had never seen them before and I was blown away by how elaborate they were. They rivaled Temple Square in Salt Lake. The kids loved looking at all the different nativity scenes.


The main creche scene was so beautiful. They had a recording of Pres. Hinckley testifying of the birth of Christ and it was very sweet to hear his voice again.

Rylynn in front of the manger scene with Grandma and Auntie (Andrea).

In front of one of the fountains. Logan was not feeling in the picture taking mood.

One New Year's Eve we threw Carter a little birthday party. We didn't do anything too fancy this year, but he didn't seem to mind. I have to admit I think this New Year's Eve birthday is going to be a little hard to pull off each year since I am always so worn out after all the Christmas craziness finally ends. But I promised myself when he was born on that day that I would not let his birthdays stink just because it is during Christmastime, so here is the big number 2!

Carter loved his baseball cake! I made his favorite, banana cake with cream cheese frosting. He is obsessed with bananas after all!

Serioulsy, all this kid needs to be happy is a couple of balloons and some cake.

Garrett got some cute Cars blowers for the party. Carter couldn't really figure out how to use them, but he liked them anyway.

After our AZ trip, Garrett and I dropped the kids off at my parents house and headed back down to Las Vegas for a little getaway for a couple of days in my parents condo. The place was beautiful and it was a little removed from the strip so we didn't have to be totally overwhelmed by all the craziness. We went to a lot of movies, slept in every morning, ate out at amazing restaurants, and hung out on the strip a couple of times. We also got to do a session at the Las Vegas temple which is beautiful! It was especially cool for us because it reminded us so much of the Portland temple where we were temple workers the first year we were married.

You can't tell from the picture, but this is Garrett and I at Mystere by Cirque de Soleil. Garrett's step-mom Terry got us some tickets to the show and it was amazing! We had so much fun.

After about four days, my parents drove the kids down and we all hung out for a couple of days before we flew home. The kids had a lot of fun. We found out about some great things for the kids to see that were free! One of them was this huge fish tank inside of a casino that has all sorts of sharks, cool fish, and sting rays, plus the highlight, a Mermaid! Rylynn was so thrilled! She couldn't get enough of this lady. I have to say I was thinking that would be the coolest job. You get to be a mermaid and swim with awesome fish and make kids smile all day.

Then we went to the Lion habitat and the MGM grand. The kids loved watching the Lions play.

Then we headed over to the Bellagio (my favorite) to watch the fountain show, see the italian glass ceilings, and the gardens. Unfortunately they were in the process of changing the gardens from the Christmas theme to an Asian gardens theme. But Carter was just fine looking at the "big neigh" aka big horse!


Garrett and I watched the fountains three times while we were there. I can't ever get enough of them. They are so beautiful!

They loved the little fountain as much as the huge ones outside. Here is the sparkly "Big Neigh" and the amazing hand blown italian glass flowers on the ceiling.

We had such a great time with everyone and we are so grateful for our wonderful families for all the help with the kids, the amazing food, the fun activities, letting us stay at their houses, and the great gifts! We love you all!