Andrea's Birthday

Andrea turned 4 on the 9th and we had a family party the night before.  Having the party the night before really confused her on what day was actually her birthday, so we just agreed that it was on Friday instead of Saturday.  It's a good thing too because it snowed all Saturday, so Daddy was occupied with plowing snow.  But I remember when she was born it was a snow storm and it hasn't snowed on her bithday since, so it was kind of fun to remember watching the snow out the hospital window. 

 

This year she decided on a rainbow unicorn party, don't ask, I don't know where that came from.  I think just looking at Birthday magazines that came in the mail.  So I did my best to make the ceiling into a rainbow and had to get creative with the cake, thank you Pinterest. 

 We played pin the horn on the unicorn, although I think all the kids cheated! Even some of the adults got in on the action.

Andrea recieved all kind of spoils, I think she made out better than Christmas.  A baby crib and baby doll from Grandma and Grandpa Lee. I was worried she wouldn't play much with the baby stuff, but all Saturday whe was busy putting them to bed and giving them baths.

A handmade dress and wooden rainbow and unicorn playset (which you can see in the background of the next photo) from Amy, Eric, Brigitta, and Roland. Aunt Amy must have know a pink butterfly dress has Andrea's name all over it.  And she has played with the wooden rainbow over and over.

Her very own rainbow maker from Grandma and Grandpa Williams.  I must admit, this is pretty cool, it projects a rainbow on her ceiling.  She told me the other night "This is better than my Dream Lite". 

Mom and Dad gave her and outfit, a bath mermaid fountain, and Gator Golf.  I think the Gator Golf was more for Dad, but they both enjoy it!

 Since our Saturday was ruined by snow we decided to celebrate her birthday together on Monday.  We took Andrea to her favorite restaurant, The Garden, and then headed over to the Disney Store for her to spend her money from Grandma "Bell". 

I was very impressed that she didn't ask for everything in sight at the Disney Store. Ryan and I had to point stuff out for her, or show her what we thought she might like.  She decided on a Princess stamp set, and has been getting great use out of it. 

Next we headed to Discovery Gateway.  We took her there years ago, but she was much too young.  Here's a picture of her and Daddy riding in the same car then and now. 

This time she loved every minute of it, and understood every activity.  It was difficult to get her to move onto the next area. 

Grocery Shopping

 Little playhouse

 This next one is my favorite picture of the day.  Ryan and I were sending messages back and forth.  I sent "I love you" he sent this one back....

Playing with the green screen.

And sitting in the helecopter.

 

By this time she was so overwhelmed and tired that it was hard to get her to leave without a big scene.  But all in all she is a very well behaved girl and it's so fun to see her grow.  I love what a little independent spirit she is, and all the laughter and love she gives to us.  

A Much Needed Vacation

Our family has had a rough few weeks, mostly Ryan I guess, but I get to come along for the ride.  First it was a weekend of constant unbearable tooth pain which resulted in not one, but two root canals, paying for that will be lots of fun! Then we had one snow storm after another after another, he had just enough time to rest in between each storm to go out and plow again. 

Long story short, we needed a vacation.  It so happens that the Super Bowl always lands on our Stake Conference, so it's a great week to head down to Cedar City to spend time with family.  I invited ourselves to a Super Bowl party at Matt and Sara's, and promised I would contribute some goodies.  So last Friday we took off, and made quite a big photo detour through some unexplored towns.  I fell in love with Spring City, if you ever have the chance to detour through it I say you should.  Oh, and I want to live in this house when we move there.

After Spring City we traveled through a few other small towns we've never been to, it was a nice little detour.  We stopped just long enough to take a few pictures of the temple in Manti and then finally got back in the right direction to Cedar City.

When we arrived in Cedar Sara had a nice dinner waiting, like usual, and then we just relaxed that evening.  Saturday morning we got up early and headed to St. George, which usually always takes longer than expected because Ryan and Matt find some kind of photo detour, this was no exception.  Luckily, they stuck close to the freeway and took a few photos in Leeds, Harrisburg, and New Harmony.  It actually was pretty cool to tour the remains of the CCC Camp in Leeds. 

 

When we arrived in St. George all the woman and children were rioting "food, food, food" so lunch was a priority, and a first for me trying In and Out Burger.  Then we went to the dinosaur museum, who knew St. George had a dinosaur museam?  Not me.  Apparently a farmer clearing land for a subdivison found dinosaur foot prints which spurred a flock of archiologists.  The museum is built aound one big area of rock which had dinosaur tracks and then several displays of other footprint finding.  It was small, but interesting enough for me. 

They had a small kids area where the kids could do crayon rubbing and practice oragami.  Ryan was very excited to pass on his crane making skills to Peyton. 

 Outside they had a sandbox which we all assumed had some bones or fossils in it, but they must have already been discovered because the kids had no such luck!

 

After the kids playtime was through it was time for the parents to enjoy a tour of the old tabernacle.   

Our tour guide at the Tabernale asked if we'd been to the other historic church sites in town.  To my surprise Matt and Sara said no.  Even Ryan and I had been, a couple times, and so we figured we better make a day of it. 

 

So next we visited Brigham Young's Winter Home.  We had a very cute sister missionary greet us only to say that she was leaving soon, so couldn't start a tour.  But she took some fun pictures for us and visited with the kids while we waited for her replacement. 

After Brigham Young's home we headed out to Jacob Hamblin's home.  It was so nice and quiet at all of our locations, not many other people there so we got a lot of extra information. 

Next we headed to dinner, which was the worst part of the day.  We discovered that Applebees has crappy service no matter what town you're in.  Ryan had some gift cards, so we thought it was worth a shot, but nope, still wasn't worth it. 

 

After dinner we figured we might as well make the church tour complete by stopping by the Temple Visitors center.  The kids learned the the Angel Moroni is not on the St. George Temple but it gets too hot down there and he decided to fly away.  We actually ran into the same Sister who gave us the tour of Brigham Young's Home and she was so excited to see us.  After listening to the statue of The Savior speak she asked the kids if he looked like he was about to give them a hug.  Andrea educated her by telling her that he was a statue and couldn't give hugs. 

Sunday was the Super Bowl and even though it was Stake Conference back home, I thought it would be nice to go to church with their family since I haven't been to church for a while wihout stressing the whole time.  It was nice to relax, but honestly, it makes for a very long church block!

 

After chruch we fixed the good foods and watched the game, a very dissapointing game, but memorable.  Then it was pretty much time for bed for the kids.  Andrea had a fun time this trip sleeping in either Peyton's or Meryn's room with them.  And it was so nice having Peyton fix her breakfast in the morning and I had no idea since I was still sleeping.