Sammy has now  turned two!  He had a fun birthday.  During the day at school he brought treats for his class and got to wear a birthday crown.  In the evening we had a small family party where Sammy opened many presents (from family nearby and far away).  He had a lot of fun opening the gifts.  His big present from Mommy and Daddy was a train table (it was used with all the pieces & we spent a big chunk of the weekend prior fixing it up).  While he really likes the train set, it could be possible we like it better!  He was not too sure about the cake and candles....  It took a lot of coaxing, but he finally managed to blow out his two candles - however, we first had to stop him from "pounding" them out with his new toy hammer!

Mema took this pictures of the "kids" playing with the train table... 

Following the parade we went to the Phoenix Children's Museum.  We all had a great time playing with the unique exhibits.  One of the best was a giant three story recycled metal "climbing tree."  The kiddos, Mommy, and Daddy all enjoyed manuvering through all the tunnels, stairs, and other by-ways.  However, the kids seemed to enjoy everything.  Grandma Sharon came with, and it was clear she loved playing with the kids in all the exhibits as well. 

This morning we met up with some friends at went to a small neighborhood parade.  The parade started at 8 am to try to beat the heat, but it was still quite hot.  Despite the heat we had a nice time.  Before the parade the kiddos enjoyed playing with bubbles in the road.  The parade consisted mostly of area bikes, ATVs, and horses dressed-up in red, white and blue.  The highlight for the kids seemed a toss-up between waving our flags and catching candy. 

Lizzy and her friend Isa excited about candy.

Daddy and Sammy waving the flag.

Sammy catching candy from a car. 

We have trying to get the kids to understand the importance of the 4th of July.  We have been prepping for it in the house by reading books, decorating, and making special red-white-and-blue art projects (Lizzy is calling them "american flag projects").  Her awareness of it seems to be sinknig in as today while driving she pointed out at least 5 flags.  Here are a few of the art projects we have made.  If we make more I will try to post them.  BTW - if you like looking at the kiddo's art projects, then check out the NEW page above titled "art projects!"

Lizzy's flag - carboard, glue, cotton balls, and glitter glue

Sammy and Gma Sharon working on a "quilt" at the Phoenix Childer'ns Museum

Lizzy's Liberty Bell - she filled in the outline of a bell with glossy flag stickers.

Lizzy's collage:  She and I went through magazines and cut-out all the pictures related to the 4th of July.  She then glued most of them on the cardboard - I only helped her with the last few when she started to "run out of room."

Sammy's collage:  he spent most of his time speareding out the glue on the red paper.  He then POUNDED these few pieces of magazine and paper on to the page. 

Sammy's fireworks:  he really enjoys squeezing out the glitter glue and then spreading it on the page with paint brushes. 

HE LIVES!!! 

After a beautiful Easter church service, we went home and had a small egg hunt in the yard.  The kids loved it.  Lizzy spent most of the hunt bossing Sammy around.  Once Sammy figured out the goal, he had eagle eyes for the eggs.  We then went to Mema's for a nice dinner and relaxing afternoon.

For Easter we decorated giant paper easter eggs instead of real eggs.  I thought it would be neater... I thought wrong...

For Christmas we drove to Austin, TX to send the holiday with Deb, Ed, Joey, and Mema (she flew in from MI).  Sammy and Lizzy both did great on the drive.  They played and were very happy.  The drive there was relatively uneventful, however on the drive back we hit some crazy weather!  Most of New Mexico was very windy and large tumbleweeds were constantly crossing our path.  We avoided most of them, but a couple hit us, including one that wedged into the grill!  Then, shortly before we crossed the AZ/NM border snow started to fall!  We spent ~ 30 minutes driving through snow in the desert.  We did get out and play in it a bit - however, Lizzy said it was "too cold" to play with...   That was a strange weather day!

Liz and Sam smiling in the car.

The tumbleweed that barely missed our radiator!

Snow at the southern AZ/NM border.

A view of the snow from our car. 

We drove 15 hours from Scottsdale to Austin to spend Christmas with Deb, Ed, Joey, and Mema (who flew in from MI).  Here are some highlights of Christmas Day. 

Mema was in town for Thankgiving.  This is the first Thanksgiving in a few years that we celebrated with family, and we really enjoyed it.  Mema made it easy to host as she cooked most of the food (even the turkey) at our house!  While the bird was cooking we took a walk to the park and played.  The kids did great, but our fairly fat and old dog Brandy could not make it back on her own!  She ended up either being carried by Tim or sitting on Lizzy's lap in the stroller!

Tim and the kiddos on a bench at the park.

Mema and Lizzy on the walking path.  Lizzy did not want her picture taken!

Brandy takes a break and rides in the stroller with the kids....

Brandy takes another break and is carred by Tim.  Our young dog Haley had no problems and could have walked for hours...

We did not know if we would be able to go trick-or-treating, as the whole family came down with a nasty stomach bug two days earlier.  However, by Sunday evening we were all feeling a bit better, so the kids went door-to-door "asking" for candy.  Lizzy was a bit more brave than last year and acutally went to the door - however she would not say "trick-ro-treat."  Sammy had no issues with shyness, he would march right up to the buckets and grab handfuls of candy...

Lizzy dressed up as a princess (she called herself "Ariel").  Lexi dressed-up as Snow White.  Lexi is the same friend that we wetn out with last year.  The girls had a fun time together (and looked cute!).

Sam wore the same giraffe costume Lizzy wore lasst year.  Yes, Sam is currently only one and Lizzy was two last year - however it was a bit big on him.  He was going to wear a hand-me-down monkey from his cousins, but it did not fit.