San Francisco (finally)

Okay, so I have been a big slacker about blogging lately and I really don't have a good excuse, I just wasn't feelin it. But anyway I am finally getting around to blogging about our all girls weekend in San Francisco. This trip actually happened about a month ago but better late than never. And now my family can quit giving me a hard time.:) So anyway the weekend was fabulous. It was kid free which was such a nice break ( a big thanks to Rico for keeping the kids safe and happy and the house in one piece while I was gone). We spent lots of time just shopping, eating out at yummy restaurants, shopping some more, site seeing, more shopping, and probably my favorite part was going and seeing the Broadway musical Wicked. It was a great weekend girls and a fun tradition we have going. Here are a few highlights of our weekend.

Every year we have to stop at the Jelly Belly factory and stock up on jellybeans for the weekend. Very fun place to visit. Here we are in front of Mr. Jelly Belly.

Me stocking up on jelly beans. The whole wall is full of all different flavors of jelly bellys. You can't help but go a little crazy in there.

Me and my sister Lisa waiting for our food at the Cheesecake Factory. We ate lots of good food that weekend.


All us girls in front of the Wicked theatre


Me, my prego sister Jill, and my mom in front of the Wicked poster. I really really really loved the show and I realized that I might have been listening to the soundtrack a little too much since I have been home when Tyler started singing along to the songs and telling me which ones he wanted to listen to.

We did tons of fabulous shopping in San Fran (what else would you expect from us). Here we are all trying on shoes at Nordstroms. They had these really cute pink sneakers that we all liked so much we couldn't help but all try on the same shoes, and all buy the same shoes for that matter.

Me lacing up my shoes

Me my sister Lisa and my mom down at the pier. It was fun but freezing the day we were there.

All of us walking around Ghirardelli square.

Me and my sisters in front of the Golden Gate Bridge. Very windy that day obviously. My hair is usually big but it was extra poofy that day.:)

Me and my sisters walking around the Stanford campus. Probably the prettiest campus I have ever been on.

And then I saved my favorite picture for last. This was taken back in Sacramento, where my sister Jill lives, at the end of the our weekend. We really do a lot in a short amount of time and it does wear you out. Obviously, the picture speaks for itself.

Priceless girls.

Thanks for a great weekend girls. I will try and post some of my families most recent pictures soon, or should I say my kids most recent pictures, because I know that is what our families really want to see.

Viva Las Vegas!

Viva Las Vegas! If you read my last post then you know that we spent last weekend in Vegas. We went up there to visit our friends Melissa and her mom Vonnie who was visiting from Ricks home ward back in New York. Vegas is only about a 4 hour drive from Phoenix (three and a half if the boys are crying in the back seat) We had a great time walking the strip, going on top of the stratosphere, swimming, barbequing and just hanging out. It was nice to get out of Phoenix together as a family. Here are a few fun pictures we took of our little getaway.

Me and the boys at the M&M Factory. Tyler was so excited about all the candy everywhere. He loved it!

Rick and the boys on the strip.

Me and Tyler watching the fountain show at the Bellagio

Rick and I renewing our wedding vows at the forever grand wedding chapel. Not really, but we couldn't resist taking this picture being in Vegas and all.

Our family riding the monorail. Tyler loves anything that reminds him of a train. Funny story: We were chit chatting with another couple on the monorail and we were asking them if they knew any good shows to go and see. They told us about one of their favorite shows and then said what became our favorite quote of the trip "It's a topless show but it's not dirty or anything" What?! Rick and I just looked at each other like that didn't make sense, how could a topless show not be dirty? We got a good laugh out of that later.

When Rick thinks of Vegas one word comes to his mind, Buffet! He is in heaven with all the buffets to choose from. Here he is enjoying lunch. I hadn't seen him this happy since breakfast! :)

Tyler loved the buffet as well, especially the dessert table.

One day we were able to go up to the Las Vegas temple and walk around. It was very pretty and we enjoyed it a lot. Here we are in front of the temple.

Rick and Logan at the temple grounds.

Tyler and Logan on the lawn of the temple. I love this picture of them both in their green shirts on the grass. So fun!

Here is a pic of Rick and Vonnie. It's always nice when Vonnie is around because she's not afraid to put Rick in his place when he gets out of hand.:) Rick was the one who introduced the gospel to Vonnie and Melissa. And they have remained good friends ever since.

Tyler with just a few of the many many goodies Melissa got him. Melissa, you spoil him more than any one we know. No wonder ever since we got back he keeps telling me he wants to go to "Lissa's house "

Our family at Melissa's apartment. Thanks for letting us take over your apartment for a few days Melissa. We really did have a great time!

Happy Birthday Tyler!

Tyler turned three this past Sunday! I can't believe it. When I look at him he already seems so much older for some reason. We happened to be in Las Vegas this past weekend visiting our friends Vonnie and Melissa so we got to celebrate his birthday with them. I think he had a great day and loved his presents. We are so proud of Tyler and we are so glad that he is part of our family. We just think Tyler is the cutest and the sweetest and the smartest and the funniest and I tell him that everyday. :)

We had the apartment all decorated when he woke up. He was so excited! Here he is first thing in the morning sitting at the table wondering where the cake was. He just kept asking me where the cake was.

Eating his birthday breakfast. Chocolate doughnuts and chocolate milk. His favorite!

It was a little chaotic in the morning trying to get to nine o'clock church so we told him he had to wait until after church to open his presents. As soon as we got home from church we could barely change out of our church clothes before he was diving into them. He was pretty excited.

Opening more presents

As excited as he was about his presents we did manage to capture his usual serious face.This picture cracks us up because it is sooo Tyler. Have you ever seen such a serious face on a three year old opening presents on his birthday. He acts like it is no big deal and that he is not impressed. Too funny!

Tyler showing off all his gifts. He looks pretty happy doesn't he. Coloring books and finger paints, it doesn't get any easier than that.

Rick showing his excitement for the festivities

Tyler got so excited when we brought the cake over and started singing happy birthday. Little does everyone know that Tyler loves to pretend it is his birthday all the time so he insists that we light matches and sing happy birthday to him on a weekly basis.

Tyler blowing out his candles. He got all three in one shot. You gotta love the Star Trek cake. At 11pm at wal-mart the night before there is slim pickings. Even though he has no idea what Star Trek is he was still excited about it because of the, what he thought was a rocket ship, on top of the cake.

He is not so much into the cake as he is the ice cream. The kid loves his ice cream.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BUD! WE LOVE YOU!