Snow Day

Although snow is not uncommon around here, to get more than a dusting is a big deal! We immediately bundled up and played outside a few times that day. Even Isla loved it. Unfortunately, the snow was too dry to make a snowman...maybe next time!

Rhema Bible College Christmas Lights

Last year we stumbled upon the Rhema Christmas light display in Broken Arrow. They have over 2 million Christmas lights displayed, and a whole section that plays to various songs. We took the kids over this year to see it all, and it was a huge hit. It helped too that it was only a little cold.

Thanksgiving Feast

Our Thanksgiving this year was pretty quiet. We stayed in home and had Matt's parents over for dinner. Although it was a small gathering, that didn't stop us from enjoying some delicious food!

A few days before Thanksgiving, we had some friends over to decorate cookies. My intention was to make gingerbread turkeys, but when I went to pull out my tub of 100 cookie cutters, Colin informed me we didn't have a turkey one, but I didn't believe him. I searched through the whole container just to find out he was right. We didn't have a turkey cookie cutter. To which Colin emphatically declared, "me TOLD you mommy!" and then we both laughed hysterically. So as a backup plan, we made gingerbread men/indians, and the kids decorated those :)

The night before Thanksgiving we had a little sleepover in the living room, and we stayed up late (9 o'clock!) watching Polar Express. It was lots of fun, and I think we might just have to make it an annual tradition.

Thanksgiving Day was full of cooking and admiring all of my new white Crate & Barrel dishes. We fried a turkey and spent lots of time together. There's nothing better than that!

Colin turns 3

Colin's birthday was monster-ific! We had friends over for a party the night of his birthday, and we had a great time with a red monster piñata, playing toss the bean bag in the monster's mouth, decorating rice krispie treat monsters, and eating a blue monster cake! 

Everyone had fun, and we really enjoyed celebrating Colin's big day with so many friends. How is my baby already three?!

Matt helps Colin take a whack at the piñata

rice krispie monsters before decorations

After shot of cute Megan with her monster

The monster ate Eli!

The birthday boy with a few of his presents

Surprise Visit to Utah!

Back in September, Colin, Isla, and I took a trip to Utah to be part of a surprise baby shower for Kimberly AND attend my cousin Lisa's wedding. The trip was a huge success! It was a quick one, and we tried to see as many people as we could while we were there.

Waiting at our gate! Because delta doesn't have skycap like I was expecting. I managed to tote 2 kids, 2 car seats, 1 suit case, and a stroller from the curb to the ticket counter. Super woman!

Isla and Cooper Kundis

Dessert spread at the shower. We also had a pasta bar. Delish!

Sisters picture after the shower

Isla and Nee-Nana

Karen and Colin

We even made our way down to Springville for a ModBod stuff-a-bag sale. We scored big!

This kid can rock any look

And we Facetimed Daddy lots while we were there

We even had a lunchtime McDonald's date with Kristy, Landon, and Jason. Cute cousins!

And the only picture I managed to take from the wedding/reception

We had an awesome trip, and I'm so glad we got to be a part of the baby shower and the wedding. We sure miss all of our Utah friends and family!

Roadtrip Part 2: Madison, WI & Minneapolis

We left Chicago Wednesday morning and started our drive to Minneapolis by way of Madison, Wisconsin. Our stops in Madison included a restaurant to try deep fried cheese curds and Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream for delicious Wisconsin-made ice cream. And don't forget a stop at a cheese house!

What our walk through the streets of Madison looked like for a few minutes. Super Dad!

Cheese heads!

Cute road trip buddy!

One of the 2 naps Colin took during all 1,900 miles we drove on our trip

 We got to Minneapolis later that night, and the next day met up with the Robisons to explore the Mall of America. AWESOME! One of our first stops in the mall was to Brookstone to try out some massage chairs. Even Colin got in on the action.

The babies, on the other hand, had to sit and watch :)

Another part of the mall includes a huge amusement park. Colin got to pick 2 rides, and he had a great time.

Katie and I with Isla and Kiri, who is 17 days older than Isla. Those babies are so cute (and both love their fingers)!

I think the Lego store was the favorite store for both Colin and Matt

Colin fell in love with Kiri and just couldn't get enough of her while we were there. He kept giving her feet kisses (just like he does with Isla), and basically wouldn't leave her alone. I assured him when they both grew up he could marry her ;)

And then Friday morning we headed home. We stopped for a bit in both Des Moines and Kansas City, then got home late that night. The kids did great pretty much the whole time, but Colin and I both have an even deeper appreciation for the iPad now. In fact, our trip was so great, we can't wait to start planning our next one!

Aug. 2013 Roadtrip Part 1: St. Louis & Chicago

We started our trip off really early Sunday morning, and drove to St. Louis. We went to the gateway arch...

We didn't ride the little elevator (replica seen above) up to the top because it was an hour long excursion, not to mention the long wait, but we looked around the museum and walked around outside and under the arch.

Next stop, we went to Crown Candy Kitchen for lunch, made famous by Man vs. Food because of their "5 malts in 30 minutes" challenge. It was an interesting little joint, but maybe not worth all the hype :)

And then we went to Grant's Farm (owned by Anheuser Busch {free beer with your entrance! ;)} and named after Ulysses S. Grant). You go on a little tram ride through many acres full of over 100 different species of animals. After the tram ride, they have a small zoo and other attractions  where Colin thoroughly enjoyed bottle feeding the goats!

Monday we drove the rest of the way to Chicago to spend a few days with our awesome friends, the Bagwells! Colin loved playing with his new friends, Millie and Louis, and we all loved seeing some of the sites, and spending time with Buck and Niki, just like the old Provo days :)

backyard water fun

trying out the awesomely giant carts at target

train ride to the city!

The Bean

Top of the ferris wheel at Navy Pier (where I learned that Matt doesnt like heights)

We also ate at a Chicago classic, Portillos, and of course experienced Chicago-style pizza. Yum! And have you heard of Chicago-mix gourmet popcorn? Combination of caramel and cheese. I can't say it's my new favorite, but it was worth a try, especially while in the awesome city of Chicago!