Vancouver, B.C

We decided to make a quick weekend trip up to see the new Vancouver, British Columbia temple open house. I am so glad that we did. The temple was beautiful and the kids loved being able to walk around and see the inside.

The hotel that we stayed in had this great pool that the kids loved. I think we spent 3 hours swimming before dinner and another hour after dinner.

The next day even though the kids wanted to swim some more we took off for Lynn Canyon park. We were going to go see the Capilano Extension bridge but when some friends told us about the Lynn Canyon suspension bridge (which was free) we decided to check it out. It turned out to be a lot of fun and we had a great morning hiking around.

Not as big as the Capilano bridge but great for the kids and the price.

We then headed over to Stanley park where we played on the beach and enjoyed the ocean. We could have stayed longer but we had one more stop to make before heading home.

Rylie is performing in her school musical Mulan in a couple of weeks and her costume is a Chinese dress. I've always wanted to get my girls one because I think they would look so cute in them. We stopped off in China Town to see what we could find. We found the dresses in a little shop and enjoyed walking around the area. The kids even got a kick out of giving a homeless man Sienna's leftover sandwich from lunch that she didn't want. The man was asking for money but we gave him the sandwich instead. The kids couldn't believe that he was going to eat someone else's sandwich.

We had a great weekend getaway and can't wait to go back to Vancouver. So many fun things that we still want to do.

Happy Birthday Sienna!

My baby girl has turned 4. What a sad day for mom and an exciting day for Sienna. She has been counting down the days until her birthday.

Sienna chose to have a princess Tiana party and since most stores do not sale a princess Tiana cake I decided to make one. Look how beautiful this cake turned out. I have to give all the credit to my friend Beth for decorating it. She did an amazing job and Sienna loved it.

Sienna was so excited to open her presents but she had to get her pretty dress on first.

Sienna chose to have eggs and bacon for breakfast.

All her friends came dressed up as princesses for her party.

Sienna brought cupcakes to share with her preschool class a few days after her birthday. Here is Sienna and Miss Cindy passing out the cupcakes.

We love having you a part of our family Sienna. Our little butterfly who flits, flutters and skips around the house all day. You bring joy to our home with your sweet personality and beautiful smile. We love you! Happy Birthday!

A new experience

Rylie played indoor soccer this winter for the first time and loved it. What a different game it is....very fast, more contact with the other team and so much fun! The indoor team was made up of 3 different teams so all the girls had not played together but they did a great job and won about half their games. Good job Wildcats!

Fire Station Field Trip

Last week Sienna's preschool class went on a field trip to the fire station. The fire fighters were great and made it a fun experience for all the kids.

Happy Birthday Colin!

Our sweet little boy has turned 6 years old. The excitement and joy he has for life certainly brings us great pleasure and keeps us on our toes. Even though we need to remind him constantly to keep the volumne down we wouldn't want it any other way. We love you buddy!

Colin has been watching Rylie play indoor soccer the past few months and really wanted to play. So we decided to rent one of the indoor fields for his birthday. The kids thought that it was pretty cool to be playing soccer where the Seattle Sounders practice. The coach did a great job with the kids and kept all 15 engaged and running the whole time. They had fun playing games and then having a scrimmage at the end.

Afterwards we went to the party room for pizza, cake and opening gifts.

The party turned out great and best of all our house is not a mess!

Top Ten Highlights of our Christmas Season

We've had a busy Christmas season and here are a few of our top highlights to share with you.

1. Lights and the tree

Austin has wanted to get on top of the house to help Brian with the lights for the last few years. This was his lucky year. It made me so nervous to see him up there. I took the picture and went back inside.

For the past 5 years we have gone to a tree farm to cut our Christmas tree down. This year our cousins came with us and the kids had a great time. After we get our tree they give us hot chocolate and a candy cane.

2. Snowflake Lane

We have gone to Snowflake Lane for the past 4 years. We have dinner and then watch the show. It only last about 15 min. so it is perfect for the kids and it gets us in the Christmas spirit.

3. School activites

Making a gingerbread house at school.

Kindergarten Christmas performance. Sooo cute!

4. Santa

Sienna told Santa she wanted a Whoopsie Doo doll.

Colin told Santa he wanted a Star Wars gun.

5. Friends

Rylie and her friends.

I was able to meet up with some friends from high school while we were in Utah. It was so fun to see them and catch up. I can't believe it has been 20 years.

6. Christmas morning

We let the kids stay up later than usual on Christmas Eve in hopes that they would sleep in a little. They are usually up and ready to go by 6:00 a.m. It worked. We actually got to sleep in until 7:00.

7. Cousins

The cousins in their Christmas pajamas.


Max and Sienna loved getting their nails painted. (Sorry Brett, I'm sure he'll grow out of it.)


Sledding at Nana's and Grandpa's.

Sledding at Grandma's house. Austin played for hours out in the snow. They even went night sledding and didn't come in until 10:00 one night.

8. Our "Griswold" family trip to Temple Square.

9. Grandparents and siblings

Austin and Grandpa on the train.


Nana with Max and Sienna


Grandma and Rylie fell asleep on New Year's Eve.



I love spending time with my sister. We were able to go out to eat at Training Table, shop at Tai Pan and go see a movie. How much better could it get!

I'm so glad that my brother was able to make it up from Arizona. I miss living so far away from my brothers and sister.

10. Snow, snow, snow

I know why Grandma's never move...

Cute quote from Colin....

You know why Grandma's never move? Because if you knock on their door and then they won't be there and it will be a stranger who answers and you won't know where they are.

He said this when we were leaving my parents house and going to Brian's mom's house. It was too cute!