Happened, not happend

I just realized that I misspell the word happened. I always spelled it like "happend". Thank goodness for spell check!

Arizona trip wrapped up

One of the many things I love about the houses in Arizona is that they are all built with solid fences behind them. Audrey and Brighton were pretty much fighting on and off the whole time we were there. One night, they were being really loud, so we told them they could play outside. At first, the loved the idea...and then two minutes of being outside changed their minds.

A lot more happened in Arizona than I have pictures for.

We were in the mall with the plan of going to the Kids Club, me and Audrey used to go to it. Unfortunately we were too late, it had already ended. As we were walking around we walked past the Santa in the mall. Audrey got so excited! She was obsessed with Santa this year, but we hadn't taken her to see one because I was always under the impression that you would have to pay for the over priced pictures that came along with your visit. So we kept walking by. Audrey tried desperately to pull me and Travis back to Santa..."He wants to hold me!" she yelled. She was so passionate about it that I went up and looked at the prices of the pictures...they were way to much for what they were. Then I asked the girl working there (she was NOT wearing an elf costume) if we had to get pictures taken. Much to my surprise she said "No, you can come through the line as many times as you want!". So Travis stood in line with Audrey and Brighton to see Santa. When their turn came up Audrey ran out and jumped on Santa's lap. He had just been holding a screaming toddler, so this was probably a bit of a shock to him. Brighton was a bit more apprehensive, but he joined Audrey and Santa. This Santa was the best one I have ever seen...he had a REAL beard! I am really glad that Audrey could see Santa this year.

A few days before we went to Arizona I checked in with our good friends, Chris and Laura. They live in Canada, so we basically get to see them...never. It just so happened that they were going to be in Phoenix for business the exact same week we were visiting. How is that for coincidence? So we got to go out for dinner and play a game of Settlers with them. It was so fun to see them.

Travis's Mom had a lot of things planned out for us the kids when we were there, and one of them was to do a Nativity scene starring Brighton as Joseph, Audrey as Mary, and Phoenix as baby Jesus. It was a lot of fun, the kids were adorable and we all got to wear costumes.

I also got to visit with my best girlfriend from Mesa, Tatum. It was so much fun catching up with her and her adorable daughters. Tatum just bought a new house and it is decorated so well, she is amazing!

As you can tell, we had an awesome time visiting Arizona.

Temple Lights

One of the benefits of visiting a Mormon Temple during Christmas time is the elaborate Christmas lights they have decorating the Temple grounds. We went to go see the lights at the Mesa, AZ temple. I realized just now that we didn't get many pictures of the lights themselves, but we did take pictures of the event.

Science Museum

We took a trip to the science museum in downtown Phoenix. We rode a train/metro into the city, the kids loved it!

The monkey leashes were an obvious must have...

This contraption was a contest of who could relax the most. Travis was undeafeted (no surprise there), when we hooked Brighton and Audrey up to it the ball didn't move...I am not really sure what that meant.

Look at those guns!

Boat ride

It had been well over a year since we had been to Arizona, but the first thing Audrey says when we mention her Grandpa in Arizona is his boat. So, of course we had to take advantage of the opportunity to go for a boat ride while we were there. As you can see, we had a great time. Audrey and Brighton took turns driving the boat, they were both very proud of that.

Visit to the big A-Z

We went to Arizona last week to visit with Trav's family. We had a fabulous time. I am not sure if you can actually have a soul mate in a place to live....would you call it a "soul home"? It must be possible because Phoenix is definitely my soul-home...I miss it so much. Blue skies, sunshine, warmer temperatures, dry air, the landscape (palm trees, cacti, mountains), the layout of the city...some one stop me! I am thinking we might just have to move back, I don't think I can resist! It will be a few years until we can even think of moving though. Patience is a virtue, right?

More to come from our trip, it is too late to do it all tonight.

Pictures from my birthday

Here are a few pictures from my birthday dinner. We ate at Olive Garden...

We always get a plate full of parmasean cheese for Audrey, she loves it. Can you see it on her lips?

What can I say? I adore this picture!

Me, with my favorite soup!

The big 2-5

Yesterday was my 25th birthday...it was a rough day.

Travis promised me that I would be able to sleep in, but the truck froze and he had to fix that and clean out the tank, so I got up earlier than planned to feed Phoenix. I didn't mind too much because I love that little fella. Then I spent at least an hour calling up customers for the next week, probably one of my least favorite things to do in the world. Audrey was difficult all day (she has been for the last two weeks), and Phoenix decided to take 2 20 minute naps instead of his regular 4 2 hour naps...which lead to a fussy baby. Then we had to get ready for our family pictures (it was the only day we could do it). Travis was late getting back from running some errands, and that meant me getting myself and both kids ready...and we got caught in traffic, so we were 1/2 hour late for our appointment. For the pictures Audrey refused to smile, and Phoenix finally fell asleep half way through (so he is absent in a lot of the pictures). Then we went to pick up some cupcakes from my favorite place, The Cupcake Shoppe , they are supposed to close at 8, but when we got there at 6 they were closed. I must admit, that was a real downer. I should also mention that Phoenix was crying for the whole car ride. Then we went to Olive Garden for dinner. Travis was absent for 15 minutes or so because he was putting Phoenix to sleep. But when he came back with a sleeping baby it was a huge relief. There was a large server who was over some tables close to us. The first time he walked by us Audrey said "Mommy, he is fat right?" I immediatley told her not to say that. The guy seemed really nice. After that every time he walked by Audrey said "He is really big" and I couldn't get her to stop saying that. On the bright side, the food was good.

Then we got home. Both kids were being difficult...again. As Travis put it "You can't change your kids. But you can change their diapers." That made me laugh. I gave Phoenix a bath and then put him down, and he actually stayed alseep. Travis was really trying to make things go well throughout the day, and that definately made things easier. Then I opened my presents. Travis worked out a deal with one of our customers that owns a spa that he would give them the rest of the year for free if I got the same value at their spa. That was by far the best present ever!!!! I love stuff like that, and the fact that he got a great deal on it made it even better. I also got a pink snuggie (both Travis and Audrey are jealous), and some perfume I really wanted. When I first put the snuggie on Audrey said "Mommy, you like Jesus!" I may be wrong in this, but I am pretty sure Jesus did not have a snuggie..but I guess that is a question we can ask once we are in heaven. We ended the festivities cuddling on the couch (me, Trav, and Audrey) all sharing my snuggie. There was definately a lot of stress throughout the day, but the end of the day was nice and relaxing. And I got to spend it with my wonderful family, and I wouldn't have it any other way (crying kids and all).

On my mind

• For my birthday: Should I get cowgirl boots which I desperately want, or a new pair of glasses, which I desperately need? (I was wearing my glasses last week and Phoenix was starring at me like I was a mad scientist).
• I was at the WIC office the other day and the girl typing on the computer had acrylic nails, and the sound of her nails clicking away made me want fake nails so bad. I am not sure if I can resist...
• I want to see New Moon again, who doesn't?
• I can't figure out what to wear for our family pictures which we will get taken on Monday, it always takes me weeks to pick something out for everyone in the family. I was so desperate to find something that would coordinate with a sweater that Audrey has that I ventured out of the clearance section...for the first time in my life! Gasp! And I still didn't find anything.
• I was so happy this morning when I walked downstairs and the kitchen was totally clean! Thanks to my hott husby!
• I really want to play this game for the Wii...it is a sing along with the Jo Bros, Taylor Swift, Miley Cryus, and Demi Lovato...this game has me (and my sister Jo) written all over it! (Jo, ask Santa to bring you this game so next time I come up we can play it!)

Binky Rewind

Since Audrey has stopped using her binky (at least two months ago) her overbite has gone down to a normal level (she can actually bite things with her front teeth now), and the gap in her front teeth has all but dissappeared. When Janae was over, Audrey was telling her that Addison has Spongebob teeth as well, and then Janae looked at Audrey's teeth and said something like "you don't really have Spongebob teeth anymore". Audrey was offended and responded "I do have Spongebob teeth!" You see, Spongebob teeth are very special and they are only for the elite and beautiful crowd (which perfectly describes Audrey and Addison).

So we have seen this huge improvement in Audrey's teeth, and a few days ago Travis wanted to see how Audrey would react if she saw one of her old binky's, so he got one from my hiding place (I don't have the heart to throw them away yet) and he put it on the floor in front of Audrey. I should mention that I objected to this little experiment. When Audrey saw her binky she screamed with delight and immediately put it in her mouth...only it didn't fit like it used to. Travis tried to take it from her right away, but I let her suck on it for 5 minutes (his way was cruel). Then Travis took it away after the 5 minutes and hid it again. For the rest of the day she asked for her binky, and after that she forgot about it again, thankfully.

Dear Neighbor...

Dear Neighbor,

The loud mexican music that you blast through your open garage door makes it difficult for my babies to sleep. Would you mind turning it down? I can "feel the beat" through the floors of my house...even when I am upstairs.

I know that we haven't always been the best of neighbors. Remember the two times in the summer when the horn in our dang Galant went off at 3 am, and we couldn't hear it because we had our fan and A/C unit going...and you had to pound on our front door to wake us up? We are sorry about that...

I am not saying don't play your music, just please turn it down a little bit.

Merry Christmas,

Rachel

Biscuits: Take #20

Before:

After:

After countless attempts (and failures) of trying to make fluffy, and light biscuits I have finally succeeded. The relief society in my ward offered a class on biscuit making, and I was all over that. I learned that it is not so much the recipe as the technique you use to mix the ingredients. If you want a lesson, next time you see me ask me to show you (it would be difficult to try to describe how to mix the dough properly). Oh, and I also made some strawberry jam...which goes perfectly with the biscuits. To quote Rachael Ray, "yumm-o"!

Thanksgiving Recap

Yes, I know, the pictures I (or Travis) got are not great, but they are better than nothing. For Thanksgiving Janae and her family came over to eat dinner (and play games) with us. The food was delish (the ham was waay over done, but the turkey was perfect, compliments to Trav). Audrey and Brighton shared a room at night for the first time ever (now they can have sleepovers!). We noticed that Phoenix is only a few inches shorter than Addison (she is over a year old!).