Our Little Presidents

It all started out with one little President named Grant then we added Lincoln (aka Stinker) and now we will be making it 3 little Presidents.  The new Mr. President will be arriving around July 27th.  Please feel free to throw in your vote for names because there are now only 42 names to choose from.     

Saturday Fun

Saturdays we have been getting out of the house and enjoying the weather (even if it is cold).  The boys are learning to be good hikers and come along for the ride. 

Montezuma Castle

The boys enjoying Montezuma Castle. 

Montezuma Well

 

Hiking Day

 

 

Grant exploring with Mike trying to find the perfect sword (aka stick).

 

Linc didn't want his picture take once he got in the backpack I guess.  He eventually fell asleep half way through the hike.  Poor kid he just looked so uncomfortable. 



My Superhero Turns 4

Grant has really been into Superheros lately so we decided to throw him a superhero themed party.  Since Christmas Grant asked everyday if today was his birthday.  I guess 4 was a big birthday for him and he couldn't wait.  Grant's birthday fell in the middle of the week and Mike surprised us on coming home.  It was a great surprise because the kids had been sick and I was at my wits end. 

We had Grant's party on the Saturday following his birthday.  He invited a few of his friends from preschool and from our neighborhood.  I made everybody capes and masks for all the kids.  We had a few girls coming so I made them all Wonder Woman capes.

   
The kids arrived and received their capes and masks and then were given a lunch bag full of lunch goodies.  Grant requested a honey sandwich for lunch so that is what all the kids had.  (I bought the custom tags off of etsy for a few dollars and they turned out great.) 

   

After lunch we played pin the superhero on the city.  The kids thought it was great.  Only a few of the kids actually missed the city. 

  

All the kids showing off their superheros.

Grant loved his cake.  I wish I could take credit for the cute idea but I actually found it on pinterest.  Thanks to the marshmallow fondant that I had stashed in my freezer I was able to pull the cake off pretty quick. 

Mike was in charge of the last activity because it was a superhero obstacle course.  It was supposed to be a nice day but the it was windy and cold.  The kids didn't care because Mike had set up an amazing obstacle course.  The kids LOVED it and actually ran the course several different times. 

 
We decided to give Grant a bike for his birthday.  He was NOT excited about it at all.  He had his eye on an orange gun at Walmart and was completely devastated when he didn't get his orange gun and got his bike instead.  He eventually came around and he loves his bike now. 

Cam & Esther come for a visit

Cam and Esther came for a visit just after Christmas.  It was fun to have them and the boys loved having them around.  We took a hike one day down to Sycamore Creek Canyon. 

Throwing rocks in the water.

 

Christmas Morning

Christmas morning was way too exciting for our boys this year.  They loved it and couldn't wait for Santa to come.  We were worried that Grant would wake up in the middle of the night and see his gifts.  However, he was exhausted enough that he didn't get up.  Grant was the first to wake up and we brought him into our room and waited for Lincoln to wake up.  Once Lincoln woke up it was time to see what Santa brought us. 

Time to go see what Santa brought.  Grant super excited.

 Lincoln found his stash.  He loved his Elmo guitar.  It was the best and worst present.  He would walk around playing it all over the house.  The worst part is there is not a volume control and Elmo gets pretty annoying after awhile. 

Taking the buggy for a ride in the house.  Grant was so excited to drive it and caught on really really fast. 

Opening presents. 

 Test drive outside.  The boys loved it and couldn't wait to get back from church and ride it all over the neighborhood.

Ready for church.  We had a little trauma when we got to church and the Elmo guitar couldn't come into church along with the shield.  Lincoln cried all the way into church because he had to leave the guitar in the car.

Christmas - Gingerbread House

The boys loved to make our gingerbread house.  I think they mostly like eating the candy while making it.  When the time came to finally throw away the gingerbread house I had to do it when Grant wasn't around because I think he would have kept it forever. 

(Yes, Lincoln has candy all over his face) 

Christmas - Jingle the Elf

We started a new tradition this Christmas year with the 'Elf on the Shelf."  The boys loved waking up in the morning trying to find Jingle our elf.  Jingle had lots of great hiding spots.  Grant was so sad to see Jingle go on Christmas day he kept asking where Jingle went.  Linc would get so excited when he spotted Jingle.  He would point to him and just start jabbering. 

The Wedding

One of my best friends, Dianne, got married December 17th. The boys and I flew to Utah for the special event. It was such a great weekend. The wedding was beautiful and Dianne looked amazing. Her and Bryce look so happy together and I think they are just perfect for each other. I got to meet Bryce while I was in Utah in May when Dianne had just started dating him. He seems like a great guy and Dianne is SOOOO happy with him.  Thanks for letting me be part of your special day!!!!






Lincoln was so crabby during the wedding. However, as soon as he heard the guitar play he couldn't be happier. He just sat there and watched and watched. Thankfully the guitar player didn't mind too much.

Santa

We took the boys to see Santa in Clarkdale the first Saturday of December.  Grant was so excited.  We got there early so we didn't have to wait too long but that didn't work out because Santa was about 30 min late.  The boys got to make ornaments, drink hot chocolate and eat cookies. 

Thanksgiving

This year we had Thanksgiving at our house.  Every year we rotate between my family and Mike's family.  It was my family's year so I convinced everybody (well minus a few) to come to Arizona to enjoy the warm weather.  It also helps that Travis lives down here and it is always us traveling to Utah for holidays. 

We had a completely full house but it was so much fun to have everybody here and together. 





   


Grant had a Thanksgiving feast at preschool and this is what I sent.  During the feast they had to list a few things that they were thankful for and Grant listed chickens.  I guess my turkey looked more like a chicken than a turkey to a 3 year old. 



Here is our table settings for our Thanksgiving dinner.  I should have snapped a picture before it was time to eat but I was busy in the kitchen making food and completely spaced it.