AZ Science Center

The library gives out culture passes every day to different places in the valley for free admission.  I have NEVER been able to get one and we go to the library a lot!  Stephen went to the library one morning and just happened to get there a couple minutes before they opened.  So, he was able to get a culture pass to the AZ Science Center for two free admissions.  So, I had him take Kensley on a date.  She had SOOOO much fun and couldn't stop talking about it.  So, the other day, I was at the library and they had another one still there so I grabbed it!  Kensley was so excited to go again, and Stephen wasn't as thrilled, but still willing to take her.  This time I made him take the camera.

I think Kensley looks so grown up in this last picture.  She is so full of energy and always happy.  We are so happy that she is part of our family!

Merry Christmas Banner

I am the Activity Days Leader in my ward and today we might "Merry Christmas" signs for the girls to hang up.  I have to bring Pyper and Kensley with me to all the activities, which is generally a pain.  Kensley is constantly begging me to do the activity with the other girls.  This time, I told her that I would do the craft with her when we got home so that she would leave me alone and let me help the other girls.  She was SOOOO excited and wouldn't let me rest until I helped her!

Presents!

It just occurred to me that every picture we have of Pyper is with a dirty face. :o)  I promise she wasn't dirty all day!

Happy Second Birthday, Pyper!

I made chocolate cupcakes with peppermint swirl frosting.  It was pretty good...but I am still searching for the perfect cupcake!

I put Pyper in her high chair and then told Stephen we needed a lighter for the candle.  I thought this would be easy, but it turns out we didn't know where one was.  Pyper got extremely impatient while Stephen searched and searched.  Finally, after about 15 minutes, he found a lighter in our car.

Things were quickly starting to unravel at this point. Pyper had pretty much had it and just wanted to eat a stinking cupcake!

And, here is the full melt down:

FINALLY!

Now we have a happy birthday girl. :o)

Happy Birthday, Pyper!

Pyper is two years old!  The day started out with doughnuts and a balloon....She is getting so big!

Let it Snow!

Every night until Christmas, at 7 and 8PM, The Tempe Marketplace has "snow" fall for 8 minutes next to their giant Christmas tree.  We decided to make an outing of it.  The kids had lots of fun, even though Pyper wasn't sure what was going on!  In case you go, don't be like Kensley and try to catch the "snowflakes" on your tongue, though.  They are gross and taste like soap!

Before we went and after we went, Kensley had been complaining of a headache.  I didn't really know if anything was wrong with her.  She never complained while playing in the snow, but immediately resumed complaining on the way home.  She kept saying she was cold.  It was a little chilly, but she seemed colder than she should be.  When we got home, I finally gave her some Tyelonol and took her temperature.  She had a slight fever, 101, and I sent her to bed.  By morning, she was fine.  Weird.  I guess it was the 5-hour flu?

Here Comes Santa Claus!

My niece, Lacey, worked for an orthodontist who does a huge Christmas Party every year.  Santa is always there for the kids to get their pictures taken with him.  Kensley has always been afraid of Santa and so we haven't had a picture of her with him for a few years.  This year, I made her do it and she wasn't happy about it.  Pyper was a little nervous about it as well, but she didn't cry.  She just got a worried look and tried to pretend it wasn't happening!

Santa was very friendly and was able to convince Kensley to move in for a closer picture.  He even got her to give him a high five, but I didn't catch it on camera. :o(

It was a super cold day in Mesa, kind of rare around these parts.  It was even raining a little.  So I was kind of miserable, but the kids had fun and there was hot chocolate.  Kensley enjoyed the arts and crafts and a few games before we left.  She was disappointed that I didn't let her make a snowman.  There were piles of snow in the parking lot, but she didn't have gloves on.