McCormick-Stillman Railroad...WOW!

Another tip from IheartMesa.blogpspot.com. Levi is obsessed with trains, so this outing was more to check it out, but was shocked at how AWESOME it was. We waited for an hour to ride, but there was so much for Levi to look at and see. They even had characters walking around. The best part was it only cost 2$. The kids were totally free! I figured it would be kind of a lamo train ride, but it was better than some Disneyland rides! I still can't believe how cheap it was for such a fun ride! They had a mile of just lights, character, scenes, and tunnels. Levi was glued! Dan even came out of it saying that it was pretty cool. Which says a lot. What a fun two nights to prep us for our trip to Utah on Wednesday and some more family filled fun. I can't say it enough, I LOVE CHRISTMAS TIME!

Levi is terrified of the characters. I thought he would be ready for Disneyland someday soon, but we may have to rethink that one. He would not even get within 20feet unless I picked him up!
The little train:)



Levi loves tunnels! Especially ones covered with lights!
The mile ride looked a lot like this below the whole time!

The boys by the train station
So worth the hour wait and 4$ total.

Thank You IHEARTMESA.BLOGSPOT.COM

So I got a tip on Saturday of a blog a few moms in Mesa put together sharing different activities/events going on in Mesa. I checked it out and planned a couple fun days. For starters we hit up Christmas lights for our Sunday night activity as a family. The blog gave two places that tons of people apparently go to! Holy cow! One even had Santa and elves there. They are streets blocked off and all the houses are completely decked out (like on the movie Grinch decked out!). Levi loved it and it was such a fun night! I LOVE Christmas!

Santa try number two... Levi proceeded to tell Santa over and over that Zacky is sad.

That is better
50 foot snowman
The fun neighborhood decked out in all sorts of different themed houses
tons of people!
Levi's face says it all. This place was a dream for a little kid. His excitement gets me all excited to bring him to places like this!
He loves trains. So the next day we planned a trip to ride a train!
Zack and the beached Santa

The Perfect Shot

Tonight we took the boys to Bass Pro Shop to see Santa. I tried the mall already and they let Levi sit on his lap, but wouldn't let me take pictures and charged 17$ for one 5X7. So, we heard about Santa at Bass. Not only did they give you a free print, but I took my own, and Levi spent the next half an hour looking at all the animals and fish around the place. The picture was everything I hoped for:) I got tips to take Zack to Santa not facing him so he would not see him, but I actually think it is funny to see how the kids will react. The picture says it all!

Levi cuddling right up to Santa. What a sweet kid!
Levi and I checking out the fish.
Afterward we ate at Freddy's. Zack was getting so mad when we would not share our lemonade with him. Here is his reaction when you took too long getting him some:
Levi shoveling in his yummy ice cream!
We had a lot of fun tonight as a family and can't wait to spend many more of these during the next few weeks full of family! This is what Christmas is all about;)

When Bada Comes To Town

This past week Dan's mom, or "Bada," came to visit! We loved having her here, and are so glad we only have a short break till Christmas to see her again! Levi loved all the fun activities we did and enjoyed the extra attention:) Our first adventure was going to Tucson to visit Dan's uncle Jerry and aunt Kathy. It was fun minus the food poisoning that came Saturday, so we headed home early! But, we hit up the Zoolights there on Friday night and went to the fair on Saturday. The food sickness luckily didn't get the boys and I, so we didn't have to deal with the sick babies on the way home! We went to the Zoo one of the days before Bada left.

Here is Zack with his glow in the dark necklace uncle Jerry got them.

Family Zoolights pic
The crazy busy fair! Fun things to look at though!

The boys afterwards. Levi passed out and Zack trying to hit the light away from his eyes:)
Our favorite..ZOO
This time I got to help Levi feed the giraffes! It was a little yucky.

Petting the goats. As you can see, Zack had no idea what to think of them.
Love you Bada

Can't wait to see you again! Thanks for everything!

Happy Birthday DANO!

Yesterday was Dan's birthday. Since he already got his presents for the most part (an XBox), the boys and I wanted to do something for him. So, being cheap we made him a big card and printed goofy faces of the boys and put them on it. Then we secretly headed out to the mall and got him a box of chocolates. We hide them in the closet and waited till the next morning, his birthday. He was at work so we swung by and got him a huge balloon that sings "Happy Birthday," on our way to his work. Since I am not allowed in there, I had our neighbor who works with Dan bring it to him. Since Dan works in cubicles, I wanted to embarrass him and Jordan hit the button so the balloon sang loud for everyone around him to hear him:) I think I was more excited than anyone for this! Too much fun for me! Later we grabbed some Costa Vida, a favorite, had cake, and watched the new Robin Hood movie. It was a great day! I am very blessed to have such a good guy in my life. He works so hard for us and he is an AMAZING dad to the boys. We love him so much and are so glad he keeps our family in perspective of the things that are really important in this life, which is each other and the gospel. We love you sweetie and hope you had a good day!!

Here are the things that were brought to him at work:

Yummy dinner!
I could not find my other candles, so I improvised..27+1 :)
As close to a family picture as I could get!
This is Levi's hand. Many know already but, I thought I would post a picture of his burn. On Sunday, Levi was helping me make mac and cheese. He loves to cook so it is not uncommon for him to be on the counter helping me stir things. I went to drain the noodles in the sink, and Levi turned away from the burner. He slipped and put his hand back to catch himself and stuck it right on the sizzling hot burner! I immediately stuck it in water and the poor guy had his hand in water the entire day. He even fell asleep with his hand in the water (no he did not pee the bed). I took it out once he went to sleep. He has been fine since! He loved the attention at first and now the bandage he wears going outside to play is starting to get in his way. I felt so terrible for him, and felt like a terrible mom! These things happen I know but it gives you a little perspective on what our Heavenly Father feels when we get hurt, or watching the Savior get crucified. I could barely handle a burnt hand without tears! I am so grateful for the experiences I have and the growth that comes from them. I am not happy about his hand but now Levi asks before each prayer to say that his hand will feel better. He is such a sweet boy and I love him so much. He is doing well though and it is healing quickly thanks to those sweet two year old prayers!
These are the treats Levi helped me make to hand out to neighbors! Easy and fun for Levi! Not to mention tasty:)

When The Twin Sister Comes To Town

This past week, we had Kellie and Emmery here. McKay was able to come for half the week, which Dan was happy about. They got all there nintendo in for the holiday break:) It is always so much fun when we get to see them, and I am so grateful to my amazing family and the way they seem to know what each other needs. I have the best family in the whole world! I snapped a few shots throughout the week, including the ones already posted a few days ago. But, here are the rest to summarize our week full of fun!

Zack getting into trouble...

Zack crawling up the stairs to get into trouble. I was not happy the day Levi showed Zack where the stairs were. Zack climbs on anything he can so naturally he climbed right up those steps with ease.
We took a trip to the zoo before McKay took off back to school. Dan had to work so McKay took Levi on the camel ride. He would not have gone otherwise! Thanks McKay!

My monkey
I loved McKay's face in this one:)
We got to pet the stingrays! Fun but slimy!
You kind of had to make Levi!
We also went to the lights at the Mesa temple, which is five minutes down the road. The weather does not put me in the Christmas mood, but the lights sure did!
I miss hanging with this girl, and can't wait to do it again! Love you guys!
My boys. Man I am a lucky girl!

We went out to eat and I just liked Levi's "cheese face."

This is Levi's reaction the day they arrived. He was obsessed with Emme. Sorry for him smothering her Kellie, but it was kind of cute!
Two teething babies...
It is so much fun to have them so close in age!
Emme's first carousel ride reaction. She was a little nervous towards the end. I miss you guys already and can't wait to see more of our families in a few weeks!
PS: All family is invited anytime to our 78 degree weather...Sounds good compared to your 30 degree weather right?!