Circus Circus

For Valentines Day we took a trip to Las Vegas and St. George. Scottie had Presidents Day off, so he decided to take an extra day off so we could make a mini vacation out of our long weekend together. It was very relaxing, fun to get away, and nice to enjoy some warmer weather. We spent sometime with our Grandparents on our way down to Vegas, and enjoyed eating at the Golden Corral and watching a piano concert. 

We just love them and are so grateful they live in Sunny St. George. 

 Once in Nevada we visited the Riders and enjoyed letting Maddie play with her cousin Savannah. These two loved each other and we got a laugh that Maddie is a year older than Savannah, but yet they're almost the same size!

Thanks for the hospitality Kels, we loved getting to see you! Glad you live close, so we can come visit. 

 We stayed at Circus Circus one of the nights on the strip and enjoyed the free shows. Our favorite was Dynamic Duo, we had previously watched them compete on America's Got Talent, so it was fun to see them perform in person. We also enjoyed the buffet and adventure dome, I even rode a roller coaster! 

Another strip highlight was coke world. We did the tastes around the world and got to try 16 different sodas that are famous in other countries. The worst was Italy's the Beverly :( YUCK!!!!

Maddie REALLY enjoyed the samples too!

Trying Green Apple. We really liked that one. 

Next stop was M&M world. We tried some different flavors and really liked raspberry. 

Family pic

The sunset from our room! Beautiful:)

We of course pushed the beds together and had a MEGABED. 

Last but not least the world famous Pawn Shop. We recently started watching Pawn Stars and decided it would be fun to go check out the store where the show is filmed. It was fun to look around and to see some of the things we have watched on TV. 

Saw the episode with this baseball jersey. 

Our little get away was just perfect! We enjoyed the time off of our normal routines, and really enjoyed the 70-80 degree weather. Utah must have caught on because the weather has been great since we've been home. I am hoping this means we're going to have an early Spring!

Madison's Birthday Party

I can't believe Madison has been two for two weeks now! I guess that means it's time to blog about it. We had so much fun celebrating, and love hearing Maddie say she's two now.

 Madison's birthday party invite. The party was Minnie Mouse themed.

Here are some of the decorations. Scottie and Uncle Austin were a big help since I had just gotten back into town that morning!

 The Birthday Princess 

 The proud parents 

The fun guests 

 We were so happy so many people came over to show their love for Maddie and to celebrate with us!        

 Madison taking a birthday call

Birthday Cake!!!!!!!!!!

 We all sang happy birthday to Madison and then right on cue she blew out her candle. It was super cute, and I was super impressed. 

Present Time!!! Here is Maddie with her birthday loot.  

 Each time Maddie opens presents she gets better at it, and is so fun to watch.

 One of my favorite things she did this year was to hug each friend after she opened their gift. It was a really  sweet gesture, and gave me time to hide the present and pull out the next for her to open!

 Giving Brooklyn a big hug!

Scottie stole the show by surprising us all with a little tikes basketball hoop. Maddie loves it, and Daddy's plan to make her a basketball player might just work out. 

We continued the party at Kangaroo Zoo and here is Maddie riding over in her new car seat. She loves being forward facing and says, "weeee weeeeeeee wow weeeeeee" as we drive.  

 Uncle Austin giving Maddie some birthday loves. Madison loves him and calls our guess bedroom, "Austin's room" 

Daddy and Mommy hanging out on a blow up toy.

 Mommy and the birthday girl

 Sunday the 23rd was Madison's actual birthday. We had a family party and here is Maddie in the birthday circle.

 The princess sitting on her porcelain throne after church:) LOL

Happy birthday baby girl! We love you so much and are grateful to be your parents. Thanks for coming into our home 2 years ago.

Madison is 24 months old!!!

I can't believe my baby girl is two today! The time with her certainly has passed by quickly, and that can only mean that we have been enjoying every moment...well almost every moment. Sometimes we have "moments," but I am grateful for them because they remind me how much I wanted this girl! Happy 2nd Birthday Madison Sue, I love you.

Then- 2 weeks old

 Now- 2 years old

 This smile kills me!!!- Maddie says cheese and then smiles like this, so cute!!!

 Maddie and Tink have been good friends for 24 months. 

I will be posting more birthday pictures soon!

Fun Things

I have been going through pictures today and realized I haven't blogged about a lot of things. So here are a few pictures of FUN THINGS!!!

Our "Staycation". This past weekend Scottie got off early on Friday and didn't have to go in til 2pm on Monday, so we made the weekend extra fun and called it our staycation. We went to the Cheesecake Factory, went swimming at the rec center, went bowling with the Adairs, Schultz, and Stevensons, out to eat at the Pizza Pie Cafe, watched a movie, went on a run, and enjoyed the extra time with Scottie.

Our staycation bowling group

Jazz Game- January

Play group-We found an awesome indoor play place at City Creek! Maddie with her boyfriend Kingston.

 Counted down the days til Christmas with new advent calender pieces

 Went to Dr. Parker's work Christmas Party and had fun having a fake casino night.

 Went to see the lights at Temple Square with our fellow Ohio friends, the De Jongs

 Had a Christmas Piano Recital- Now have 9 piano students!!!

 Ally Bowcutt and me (below)- November

 Visiting old friends And

 making new friends

 Play Group-Swimming

 Time Out For Women with Jenny and Tracy- What an amazing weekend in November!!!

 The Hogle Zoo

Maddie with Eleanor and Sammy-checking out the bears

 Play Group- Kangaroo Zoo in October

 Maddie with Brooklyn- These two are in separable!!! I am so blessed to have good friends and playmates for Maddie and me too. 

 The Discovery Children's Museum with Amanda and her kiddos- October

 We had such a blast together!!! I am grateful to be close to my forever BYU friend and roomie, Manda!

Canning peaches and applesauce with Sara Whetstone-October

Utah State Fair, went with Morrisseys- September

House Guest, the Glassmans- August

 I can't believe we have lived in Utah for 7 months already! Time has flown by and we certainly have enjoyed ourselves. Life is good and we're blessed.