Temple Open House and Grand Canyon Camping

We had a really fun week last week! Paul took some time off and we were able to spend lots of family time. I loved it! Earlier in the week we drove to Phoenix and went through the new Phoenix temple open house. The temple is beautiful. I loved all of the gorgeous art work in the temple and being able to be there with my family. The baptismal font, the ordinance rooms, and the celestial room were beautiful! 

Later in the week we left for the Grand Canyon! We met Rebecca and her family there for a fun camping trip. We were excited to have some camping equipment this time around. We couldn't wait to try out our new tent. It was so nice! We brought lots of good food and had fun roasting hot dogs and marshmallows. We cooked one night for the group and had a pasta dish. Rebecca cooked for everyone the next night and made some yummy pizza on their coleman stove. 

We were able to do a few kid friendly hikes. The views are breathtaking. We played games with the kids like Guess Who and Uno. We explored around our campsite and saw lots of deer and squirrels. One day we saw a huge buck with a big set of antlers destroying someones tent! He looked pretty mad so we kept our distance but we felt bad for those campers. Susie absolutely loved playing with her cousins and they were all so nice to her. Braden really took to Addie and Kate, too. 

I'm so glad we were able to go and make some fun memories! 

We went to the Grand Canyon for Susie's first birthday as well. She's grown up quite a bit since then! 

PS: Braden is FINALLY walking!!!! It is so awesome!!!

West Kids

I've been thinking how grateful I am for all the good examples I have of good mothers. It's so nice to have a support system and good friends who you can talk to how the highs and lows of being a mom. It's not an easy job but I'm grateful I get to do it! Here's an update on the kids:

Susanna is doing great in preschool. It's cute when she calls me "Ms. Brianna". She has 2 more years before kindergarten so I wasn't sure how she was going to do with the curriculum but she is doing pretty well. She is getting better at writing her name:

Susie loves to play Memory, Candyland, and Chutes and Ladders. LOVES  it. We play at least one of those games, multiple times a day. She is also so good at puzzles! This morning she wanted to do a 100 piece puzzle we had. I kept telling her to pick another one out because that one was too hard for her. I finally gave in and she did it! I was amazed. She loves to watch movies and Daniel the Tiger and Curious George. She would watch TV all day if I let her. And eat sugar. Good thing I'm in charge. She is a good listener and a good little girl. She can be whiny and emotional sometimes, too. :) She loves to snuggle and read books with Mom or Dad. When Paul leaves for work in the morning she waves goodbye until the garage has closed all the way yelling, "Bye Dad! Have good day!!" When Dad comes home from work she talks a mile a minute, telling him all about her day. 

  

Braden is my little crazy man. Susie was never big into getting into things and throwing tantrums. Braden is. We have baby proofed as much as we possibly can because if we leave anything open for destruction, it will be destroyed. He will find it. He will make a mess. And when you stop him from his fun, he will thrash and scream. On the other hand, he is a really smiley little boy! My mom calls him Mr. Smiley. He has an adorable laugh and is a good smuggler when he wants to be. He is SO close to walking. What is it with my kids? They take forever! Right now he is 14 1/2 months. Any day now..

Braden just started folding his arms when we pray. I love it. It is so adorable. I need to get a picture of it. He loves being outside. Whenever we go to the park he starts to squeal with excitement when I am parking. When I hold him, one of his legs acts as a tail. He kicks it vigorously whenever he is excited or happy. He gives great kisses. If he sees Paul or Susie give me and kiss, he comes up and gives me one too. 

Susie loves to find rainbows after it rains. We got a good picture of one the other day! 

Birthday Fun

We had a great week celebrating Paul's 28th birthday and listening to conference! We tried a new waffle recipe for breakfast on Paul's birthday that I still can't wait to have again! We opened presents and had cake. Paul got to pick his favorite meals to have throughout the week. I've been excited about a big surprise I had! I found a Groupon for a helicopter flight in Sedona. Paul loves helicopters so I couldn't wait to surprise him with it! We had some awesome friends watch Susie and Braden and we headed down to Sedona, which is about 45 minutes south of Flagstaff. 

The experience far surpassed my expectations. It was pretty much the coolest thing ever! Paul sat next to the pilot where there was no door to keep him for falling out. He thought that was pretty cool. And scary! I'm so glad we got to do it. Happy birthday Paul!! 

Susie love to help me in the kitchen. She didn't like the cheesecake batter as much as she was hoping though. :) 

Before the helicopter took off:

After we took off!!