Festival of Colors

To end James' Spring Break we went to the Festival of Colors in Salem, UT. I decided that MaryKate wasn't old enough to join in the festivities, but James went ahead and got colored. It was pretty crazy, we feel like it gets crazier every year. Here are a few pictures of the aftermath.

Defrosting in the Sun!

After months of a cold Utah winter we are officially defrosting in the Phoenix sun. James has a short internship at the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale and while he works hard, MaryKate & I play at the park. It has been so nice to be warm... really warm & play outside. James had yesterday off and because it was a sunny 91 degrees we went with my brother Phillip & his family to play at the splash pads. Phillip has a little boy 10 days older than MK that she adores. Two word summary: So Fun!

It's A Girl!

On Friday we found out that our Baby #2 is a girl. She is healthy and long and very active. From the minute the baby was pictured on the ultrasound monitor, MaryKate said over and over, "Hello Baby!" It was very cute. She has no concept of the little baby being a boy or a girl. But we know she will have so much fun with a sister that is less than 2 years younger than her. Plus we are excited to not have to buy any new clothes or gear for Baby #2. The frugal side of me loves that. The girls will share a room, so now the pink can stay. We are open for your opinion on girls names. Let us know if you have any you love or better yet any you despise! One thing is certain: her name will not be Ashley... regardless of our love for Full House & the Olsen twins.

Happy Groundhog & Presidents Day!

I love February because although it is still horribly cold, it has lots of holidays! Granted Groundhog Day & Presidents Day are not typically celebrated. James loves any excuse for a party or bbq. So as a family we celebrate them. Check out below to see how. (Maybe we can convince you to start a few new traditions too!)

This year James & Ryan celebrated their 5th Annual Groundhogs Day BBQ and I made my second groundhog cake in honor of the event. It was very snow on Feb 2nd this year so I decided to go with a more winter looking cake than last years. I made an Oreo Ice Cream cake. It is delicious if I do say so myself!

Click Here for the Oreo & Fudge Ice Cream Cake Recipe

Then yesterday on the 21st we celebrated Presidents day. We had a fabulous day! In the evening we had a BBQ with friends & this was the dessert I choose to make in honor of our Presidents. It is a Molasses (Gingersnap) Cookie with cream cheese frosting & is actually so yummy. Click here for the recipe. After we ate we found a President Trivia Game on line & quizzed our knowledge of our founding fathers & presidents. Because I'm a nerd, I found it so fun! Click here to see how much you know about our Presidents.

Yesterday really was the best because James has been so busy with Grad school that we never see him. But he worked & studied like crazy on Friday & Saturday so he could spend the whole Presidents Day playing with us. It was awesome! In the morning we went sledding with our friends, Mike & Amy & their kids. It was MaryKate's first time ever!

She couldn't get enough. At first she touched the snow & said over and over, "Brrr... It's cold."

Then James took her on the sled & she squealed over & over, "Wee! Wee! Again!"

This is MaryKate with one of her favorite friends & her first snowman!

The Amateur Quilter

My sister Becky, who is a fabulous quilter started this quilt for MaryKate when I got pregnant. In the 2 years that have transpired since then, Becky has had 2 babies, making it nearly impossible for her to find the time to quilt with 4 little ones. At Christmas the quilt pieces and design where passed to me to finish. After making a few final pieces, sewing all the pieces together, quilting each block, & binding it I have one finished imperfect quilt and a blister on my middle finger & thumb. Holy cow... quilting takes a lot of time! When MaryKate is a sassy teen & questions my love for her I will point at the quilt & enough said! For all you quilters out there, bless you for your patience. I hope to sit near you at church or the doctors office while MaryKate screams irreverently. I nearly cursed 3 times while making this & that is not like me. Anyway, thank you Becky for all your help! You're the best!

P.S. James' Valentines post was very, very kind & made me cry... just if you were wondering. I hope you all have someone that finds their own ways of making you feel loved like that. And I hope you had at least one delicious Valentine treat!