Viva Las Vegas

Coby had last weekend off...so we decided to meet up with Grandma and Grandpa Brown for a overnighter in Las Vegas. We had so much fun with them...Alayna was so excited to go to the M&M factory, Coke factory (which she had heard about), and go to the water show at the Bellagio. It is all about Blue...Alayna's prize from Grandma was a big, stuffed, blue M&M.

We did a soda tour of the world...which was really fun. Some were good, some were bad, but we had so much fun.



Alayna trying the "Beverly" from Italy...it was horrible...as you can see!

Benson definitely did not miss out on the fun (unrestrained soda drinking...that never happens)!

We had so much fun with Grandma and Grandpa...I wish I had a picture of the soft little baseball bat and ball that he got from the M&M factory as his prize...because Grandma probably pitched the ball to him probably at least a hundred times...he loved it!! Now that we are home...I am the one throwing the ball a hundred times a day. He hits pretty well for a two year old - and every hit is a "HOMERUN"! Thanks for spoiling us and for a fun weekend Grandma and Grandpa!

Reunion

We were able to meet up with one of Coby's favorite mission companions and see the cute new addition to his family - Alayna wanted to know if we could keep McKay...and how come he wasn't our cousin...they definitely bonded.

Dustin and Coby served 6 months together...here are our families together.

Just taking it in...so precious!

Birthday Boy!!

A couple of weeks ago - Benson turned 2!! I can't believe my baby is so grown up! He enjoyed crepes for his b-day breakfast!

We were lucky to have Grandma, Grandpa, and Kali here -to go to the zoo with us and then we went out to Randi's were she treated us with Cotton Candy!! What a yummy b-day treat!



Benson has wanted a "bike like Layna" for a long time...now we just have to get him to pedal.

We made some minion cupcakes - Benson loved them!!



He just went for the "no hands" method...that's my boy!




We love Benson so much!! He still wants to "snuggie" with his mom - which I love...but only on occasion because the rest of the day is all about Alayna and whatever she is doing, he is right there. He is kind and always quick to give "loves" when he sees someone sad. He loves to talk on the phone to whoever will listen. He wants to be so big - where has the time gone?!

Gone Fishin'

Kelsey wanted to take the kids fishing..they had a blast, but the fish weren't biting...

But we still had tons of fun anyways!

Santa Clause came to our House!

Benson was so excited to get a firetruck - he had been talking about one forever.

We had to get the kids up early because we had early church...but he was still excited!

We decided it would be better if Benson woke up Alayna...so he went and whispered that Santa came and she was up immediately!

Assessing to see if Santa brought her what she wanted...

He did!! She wanted a camera and a camera card (even though her camera doesn't need a camera card).

Christmas Eve

We had an awesome Christmas Eve with the Krause's...Benson enjoyed helping Kyle build a gingerbread graham cracker house. We were lucky enough to have the missionaries join us for a yummy carne asada dinner.

We also got in some Gingerbread cookie decorating for Santa - Alayna was real proud of her Gingerbread cookies...and was really excited for Santa to try her creations (yup, nerds and gummy bears)!

We did some present exchanging and we all got spoiled really bad!!


Alayna got a Blue (her absolute favorite color!!) Wii...she was beyond excited!!!

We love the Krause's - it is so wonderful to share the holidays with family - and they definitely helped make ours a Christmas we will never forget...Coby and I also got a fun surprise - a one night getaway to a nice hotel in Scottsdale - babysitting provided! Which we redeemed and had such a fun time spending time with each other without the kids (a first!!!)!

Night in Bethlehem

Our ward Christmas activity was called, "Night in Bethlehem"...to say it was amazing is seriously an understatement...it was just incredible. We were supposed to be dressed up...so we wrangled up some headdresses - ehh pillowcases. (Don't mind Benson's eyes - he is recovering from pink eye and the ointment makes your eyes a little shiny...)

We loved going from booth to booth and testing food (paying with our shekels). Alayna loved seeing the seer (our Bishop), the Roman Guards, but most of all - the beautiful live Nativity.

It was actually a cold, rainy, chilly night in AZ - so we did a lot of this. It was definitely an unforgettable Night.

Christmas Cheer

We were so impressed by how beautiful the Mesa temple is at Christmas.

We were so excited to have Emily, Randi, and Kelsey join us for an evening out.

Trip Home: Complete!

We were so excited our new nephew Kyler was born two weeks early so we could meet him before we headed back.

So precious!!

We loved spending 10 days with our families...they loved us, spoiled us, and made us realize how terribly we miss living closer to them!

This is how we travel...wiggling arms out of harnesses, then wiggling arms out of shirt - this is how we roll :)

Child's Play

Grandpa getting attacked at the Children's Museum.

Benson taking charge at the construction area.


It was real serious business...



We love the Children's Museum - it makes for some intense play!
Thanks Grandma, Grandpa, and Uncle Pressie for going with us!