Cute Cousins in Utah

Connor and Sadie loved playing with their Utah cousins. Jane was not such a big fan of Sadie being in her "territory", but I'm sure they'll like each other some day:) Connor was in heaven playing Starwars with Ethan and Ashley and even introduced Star Wars to Madi and Avery.

Photos Connor took of Avery on our Lagoon walk.

Adam and Sadie bonded.

We got to celebrate Madi's 5th B-day with her!

Ashley and Jane modeling new sun glasses.

Best buddies!

Provo

Melanie, the kids and I went to Provo to visit Grandma Steed, and hit the BYU bookstore and creamery. My kids were crazy (as usual) ,but I am still glad we went.




Mel helping Grandma eat her yummy BYU fudge.

Sadie running the halls of the care center (I'm surprised we didn't get kicked out!)

Sadie and Grandma holding hands.

Connor and Sadie posing at probably the ugliest place on campus. I could not get them to move to a better place:)

BYU creamery icecream= Happy kids

Girl's Weekend in Utah

Ryan had a work trip in New York City a few weeks ago and Southwest had an amazing sale ($50 each way), so the kids and I took off to go see family for a few days. My sister Melanie was also able to come for a little "girl's weekend." Thanks to Adam for watching Sadie and Tom for keeping an eye on Connor :). Melanie and I did a "mini Spa day" at an Aveda salon at the Gateway in SLC. I got a facial, a massage, and my hair washed and styled. So fun and relaxing! Then we met up with Emily and Nicole for lunch and a movie. After checking into the downtwon Marriott, we went to dinner (which is a funny story in itself) and then a great dessert at Melting pot. We stayed up way too late just chatting and catching up. I wish we all lived closer. I guess we were too busy having fun to take many pics. I just got one of Emilyand Nicole and our great dessert!

Connor's tonsils...

A lot of know that Connor snores as if he were an obese old man. I finally took him to an ENT because I am worried about sleep apnea. He has has strep and tonsilitus several times this year too. The doctor took one look and said for sure he needs them out and probably has what they call obstructive sleep apnea. We have his surgery scheduled for March 23rd. Although I am nervous about it, I think it will be a good thing in the long run. I waited until I was 18 to get my huge ones out, and I have felt so much better since. I don't think I would have ever gotten married if I hadn't had them out. I feel really sorry for Anna my college roomy and my sister Emily who had to endure my snoring for a long time! I hope my little buddy does well.

A Fun Getaway...

For either my birthday or anniversary, (its hard to keep them straight beacause they are so close together), Ryan got us tickets to go see the Lion King in Seattle. I had seen it once before when my parents took me to New York my senior year. That time we bought tickets from a scalper because it was brand new and sold out for over a year. It was great that time...but we ended up with a column in front of us. This time we had better luck with our tickets! We decided to make a weekend of it, thanks to Ryan's parents, and stayed over Friday night in downtown. We stayed at a brand new Hyatt just a block from the theater. Because the hotel had only been open a couple of weeks, there were not many people there, and the service was excellent. I think the employees were bored. As part of a promotion we got free spa access, free breakfast, and a $75 gift card to use at the mall close by. What more could we want? We had a very laid back relaxing day starting with a yummy breakfast (everyone knows I love to eat) , a soak in the hot tub at the spa, then a dayin the city of shopping and eating, and then of course the play. The costumes, music, dancing, and acting, were so amazing! We were too busy having fun to take pictures (ie Ryan doesn't like taking pictures. I was excited to get home and see my kiddos, even though I don't think they missed us much at all...too much fun with grandma and grandpa!

My "Crazy" Sadie

I love my Sadie to pieces, but she really is a handful. These pics were of her on the trampoline the other day. I think they really show why her nickname it "Crazy Sadie."

Christmas Day

Sadie playing with her new kitchen

Connor and his "spotty" family

Ryan and Sadie playing at the Park

Sadie quickly noticed that all of her presents were in green and gathered them in a pile for herself.
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What Santa brought!

Our kids slept in until almost 9:00am! Wow. We are so lucky...especially since we were up so late the night before. We had a wonderful morning. Surprisingly, the kids went really slow with the opening and seemed to enjoy each gift one at a time. Santa brought Sadie the red kitchen with some accessories. For Connor, a "Spotty Dog family" and a cash register. Last year he got a beanie baby dalmation in his stocking that he is very attached to. His request this year was for a family to go with him so Santa brought a mommy, daddy, and baby stuffed dalmation doggies in his stocking. HE was thrilled to see them poking out of his stocking. From mom and dad Sadie got some "Color Wonder" markers and coloring books, a cell phone that records real voices, and some princess figures. Connor got some legos and a race track. Ryan and I decided to spend what we would have spent on each other to buy gifts for a family in need that goes to our church. We had fun shopping for them and it was nice to give. After gifts opening we ate some breakfast and took a walk in the neighborhood to take the kids sledding. Later on Ryan's brothers and I went to see Marley and Me. It was our first outing in days since we had been snowed in and the roads were still really bad, but it sure was nice to get out. We had the perfect day!