New Year and Emmy's baptism

We decided after spending the holidays at home, we would venture up North to Utah for the New Year and to celebrate with Sara's oldest cousin, Emmy, as she decided to get baptized.  (more information)  We spent the first few days with Cameron's family playing in the snow and then headed up to Heber to spend a few days with my family.  It was bitter cold, but we had a blast.  It was especially sweet to be there to support Miss Emmy and fun to see everyone.  

 Sara absolutely LOVED playing in the snow.  She loved eating it, throwing it, stomping in it.  When I asked her if she'd rather live in some place warm like Arizona or cold like Utah she said, "by the beach".  So we're still a long ways off, but she is definitely my sunshine girl.

 We all went bowling because it was just so cold outside and we had fun.  Sara loves to bowl and even decided to bowl like a big girl this time without the ramp.  Luckily we didn't drop the ball on any toes!

 We love the Dairy Keen in Heber City, Utah.  It has a fun train table, legos, and delicious ice cream! It's always a stop on our to do list when we visit my parents.

 I went to a BYU basketball game with my Dad.  The Cougars won and it was fun to spend the evening with my Daddy-O.  I remember watching the BYU games at church when I was little because they had a huge satellite in back.  We got to the game extra early just to watch them warm up.  It was a great night and I'm glad I got to go.  Thanks for sharing your  ticket with me, Mom.

 Darin and her kids were there when we visited, so Sara and Carly were inseparable.  They played so well together and just love each other.  They're only 3 months apart and Sara's got about an inch on Carly in height, but Carly's feet are about 2 sizes bigger.  I'm excited to see these girls grow up together and stay the best of friends.

 We had a great family picture taken at Emmy's baptism. It was so nice to be there and my brother did a great job baptizing his little girl.  Emmy is the oldest grand child and first one to be baptized.  It was a really special day.  And Sara even said in the car on the way home after, "Wasn't that just the best day?  I'm glad I got to see Emmy be baptismed."

And here is our final family pictures taken outside (as you can tell, we're all freezing)!  After this, some of the kids, Aaron, and Nana ran out on to the lake.  It was frozen over and covered in snow.

Christmas 2012

We decided to stay in Arizona where it's nice and warm for Christmas this year.  We had a really great holiday!  I will say, it definitely felt like we were missing out a bit when I talked to my parents, brother and sister on Christmas.  But we had a great day.  We invited some friends over for dinner and Sara had a blast with all her new gifts.  Here are a few pictures we took of the day:

 My mom made Sara an amazing craft box full of different crafts and art projects.  This girl could cut, glue, glitter, and color all day.  This box is perfect!

 She loves her Cabbage Patch doll Ellie I found online from a local woman for only $15.  It was such a great deal on a 1996 Olympic Kid.  Sara loves her Ellie doll.

 She got a pink Razor scooter from Santa and has been cruising around almost every day.  One of the great things about living in AZ!

 Santa asked her Daddy to fix up the Jeep our neighbors gave us a couple years ago.  She is so excited to drive her and our neighbor friends around.

This is one of my favorite pictures EVER!  Sara and our cute neighbor girl, Halle, are the dearest of friends.  They love each other and it is so fun to watch them play and grow together. 

 This was the site before Sara saw it.  A dollhouse given to use by very generous friends (Thanks again!!) and I made Sara a ballet barre out of PVC pipe and spray painted it pink.  She is in love with it!  I had another friend make some vinyl letters that say "To Sara, Love Mom" on one bar and "Dance Your Feet Silly" on another bar.  It turned out great and was a fun project.

All in all we had a great Christmas and I was happy we got to spend the holiday together with the 3 of us.  We hope to continue some of the new traditions and old traditions of our families every year.

Trip to Utah, Sara Turns 4 and Halloween

So this is my lame attempt at cramming 3 blog posts in to one.  But it has been a crazy month. I feel like as soon as October hits we are non-stop until after the first of the year.  Maybe it's because of all the holidays, but I feel like it has more to do with the fact that it isn't a bazillion degrees outside, so when we're not sleeping or running errands - we are OUTSIDE!  This is my favorite time of year in AZ, which is why we've decided to stay home for Thanksgiving and Christmas this year.  I am so excited to be able to really enjoy this whole fall/winter thing.  Anyone that wants to come visit is welcome.

Early in October, Sara and I took a trip out to visit my parents in Utah for a couple of weeks.  Cam joined us for a few days and we had a blast.  Here are a few pictures of the trip:

 This is Sara and her cousins, Alison and Eve playing dress-up.  They are such beautiful princesses.

 Sara and her cousin, Eve, had a great time together all weekend keeping themselves busy during General Conference.  It was so fun to spend the weekend with Aaron, Annika and the 3 girls!

 One of Sara's favorite things in the whole world is the carousel and she was so excited she could ride it all by herself.  Why she chose the rooster?  I have no idea.  Cock-a-doodle-doo!

While my parents were at a wedding in downtown SLC, I took Sara to the Church History Center.  They had a really fun play area for kids.  Sara loved playing in Nephi's boat!

We celebrated Sara's 4th birthday just a few weeks after we got home from Utah.  She was so excited to turn 4 and was talking about it for months.  She shares the same birthday as one of her best friends, Chloe.  We did a low-key family thing and then a little get together at Peter Piper Pizza for her and her friends.  Can't believe my little girl is already 4!  She is such a joy and a treasure heart.  I love being her Momma.

 I made Sara an Alphabet Photobook for her birthday and she loved it.  She couldn't believe her picture was on the cover of a book!

 She got her own digital camera from Grandma and Grandpa and dance class from Nana and Papa.  She is one happy little girl.

 Sara and her friends Savannah and Nixin riding the teacup at Peter Piper's.  I was getting nauseous trying to keep up with it spinning to take a picture.

 By special request, Sara had purple cake, pink frosting and pearl sprinkles for her treats. 

Halloween is exactly 1 week after Sara's birthday and she went as a ballerina this year.  She loves her dance class and was very excited to wear her ballerina costume to the ward Trunk or Treat and trick-or-treating.  Here are a few pictures of her at the Ward Trunk or Treat:

 I absolutely love this picture and can't wait to see it in their wedding video someday. :) This is Sara and her friend, Weston dressed up as Woody.  They are so cute and such cute little friends.

 My little dancing girl

It's crazy to think this little treasure heart of mine has been ours for 4 years.  She is an absolute joy (99% of the time) and I couldn't imagine our lives without her.  We are the greatest of buddies and she goes with my everywhere.  She is fun, creative, silly silly silly, and full of witty remarks and amazing negotiation skills.  I have no idea where she gets it.  ;)  So excited about whatever this year will bring.  Never a dull moment with this busy body around.

and PS: Here is our attempt at getting rid of the nap... Guess that means I have to stop getting clothes out of the dryer for more than 30 seconds.

A few of my favorite things...

I remember last year (when I was still blogging) making a list of my favorite things after going to a 'favorite things' party, with the intent of turning it in to a blog post.  Apparently, that never happened.  The party was really fun and I learned so much about other people and their favorite things, I thought it would be fun to share.

On a recent trip to California, Sara was watching Sound of Music (one of my favorite movies) and I was reminded of this list.  I tracked it down and have decided to do what I planned to do last year and that is... a list of my favorite things.  I'm sure you have some of your own favorites, but here are a few of mine: 

1.  Let me introduce to you, one of my dearest and treasured friends... Acne.org treatment gel.  I've been using it for about 3 years and I could go on forever about how amazing it is and how much I love it.  But the truth is, you just have to try it to believe me.  It's been life changing.  No, really, it has.

2. The show Parenthood.  I absolutely love the characters in this show.  Someone recently told me they thought this show was totally unrealistic having that many problems in one family, but I disagree.  that's what makes it so likeable and relate-able.  I haven't personally experienced a battle with cancer or my daughter going off to college, adoption or being a single parent but lots of people do or will in their lifetime.  The family is endearing and easy to love.

3.  Sara's preschool.  I cannot say enough good things about her preschool, Busy Bee Preschool, by Ms. Nicole.  It was recommended to me by a few friends and it has been absolutely perfect for Sara.  She is in her second year and loves it!  I am amazed at the crafts, activities, work sheets, and field trips her teacher provides - not to mention her love and patience with each child.  I have referred several others to her as well and they have all been super happy with it.

4.  These should be called chocolate covered 'sin'ammon bears because they are so delicious.  Every time I go to Utah, I have to go visit the BYU Bookstore to buy a pound of these babies.  I limit myself to one pound and try to make it last a few days.  They are absolutely heavenly.

5.  I have traveled all over the US to several major cities.  I have been to 40 of the 50 states and lived in 8 of them.  Of all the places I've traveled to and lived in, Chicago is my favorite.  There is so much to see and do, the downtown is full of character and history, as well as art and shopping.  It's just a really, really cool place and I'd love to live there.

6. TJ Maxx is one of my favorite stores.  I love finding really cute stuff for a really great price.  I get more compliments on my clothes from TJ Maxx than just about anywhere.  Of course, I know the quality isn't great and my clothes don't last forever.  But until I can afford to spend more money on clothing, I'm always happy and suprised with the cute stuff I find there.  And their home store is really great too!

7. PicMonkey is my favorite web-site for editing photos.  You can do some really fun things with them like adding backgrounds, text, or crazy colors.  It's a really fun and mostly free way to make your pictures look great and fun too.

I have LOTS of favorite things, but these are the ones I can think of at this very moment.  I'll post more another day.  What are some of your favorite things?