Celebrating the New Year with Grandpa and Grandma O

Grandpa and Grandma O (or as Megan now calls them, Grandpo and Grandmo) came to visit and spend New Years with us.  We had a fun time with them.

On Friday, they took the three kids with them to the Desert Botanic Gardens.  The kids enjoyed spending the day with them.  The Gardens had an exhibition of statues that were very colorful.

Taking a little break

Grandma and the kids

Everyone liked the statues

That night, we played Utter Nonsense which is a fun party game that they gave U for Christmas.  You have ridiculous sayings that you have to say in accents ranging from Pirate to Mime. We had a lot of fun.

Matthew liked to help out on people's teams.

Megan was acting the part of a Grumpy Old Man.

The next day we went to the zoo. 

Taking the Safari Train around the park.

The rest of our party

M&M enjoyed playing on the animal statues.

The animals of Arizona area was a big hit and the kids took lots of pictures, including everyone's favorite animal here.

A big toad.

Sarah enjoyed using Grandma's phone to take pictures and then add things to them.

"Four little monkeys hanging in the tree..."

Grandpa treated anyone who wanted one to a ride on the carousel.
Megan, Grandpa and Me. 

Matthew insisted on riding a Cheetah

He also wanted U to ride one as well.  It looks like U's jaguar is running away with him.

Grandma treated people to Stingray Bay and we got to pet them and learn more about the rays.

Matthew hopping across the logs in the creek.

 On New Year's Eve, they joined us for church and dinner at our friends' house.  Then we came back home and visited until people were ready for bed.  Sarah and U made it to midnight.

Is it time for bed yet?

We were glad that GrandpO and GrandmO could come and visit.  We joined them at the hotel for breakfast and more visiting before they left New Year's Day.

Happy New Year!

Science Center

Matthew's birthday happened to be Star Wars day at the Science Center so we headed there to check out the offerings. It was a popular day: we saw some friends from church and Matthew's kindergarten teacher. 

One favorite experience was seeing the Death Star explode. After they got everything set up, the employees ran away quickly. One even dropped his radio and didn't go back to get it. A kid asked, "Why are you guys running?" They replied, "Because we made a bomb!"

We received a nice welcome from Yoda.

Matthew and Megan flying planes.

Matthew and Megan with a Jawa, Scout Trooper and Imperial Officer.

Megan is excited for Chewbacca's award.

We enjoyed a Tour of the Empire in the planetarium.

Symbol of the Empire. Every now and then, the Rebellion symbol would flash on the screen. We really tried to get a picture of it (and have about 19 pictures of the Empire symbol to prove it) but were not successful.

Megan and Matthew enjoyed playing in the snow.

The birthday boy.

Megan shows the BB-8 that she built with Matthew.

Megan and Matthew with 2 Jawas, a R2 astromech droid and a Scout Trooper.

Matthew showcases his Wookie roar.

Matthew giving 5 to some of the judges.

U doing his Wookie roar. Kylo Ren didn't like it and covered his ears.

Megan and Matthew with Kylo Ren. Matthew told him that he has a Kylo Ren toothbrush. Flattering, I'm sure.

We designed tracks for Ozobots to follow. It was fun although they didn't always do that was drawn. Me and Matthew.

Sarah with her track.

Megan and U.

Matthew's 7th Birthday

Matthew turned 7!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He celebrated in grand style and also enjoyed a trip to the Science Center for their Star Wars day.

Who is that? It's Matthew!

Excited kid! He liked his Lego balloon.....

.....and his Legos (and Paw Patrol vehicles).

He loved building his lava Lego set. He got the whole thing put together on his birthday.

Poké Ball cake.

"Happy birthday to you!"

Blowing out the candles.

Christmas Activities with Grandma and Grandpa A

Grandma and Grandpa A came to visit for a bit around Christmas. We enjoyed lots of fun activities and celebrating with them.

Baking cookies.

Putting together Megan's puzzle. This was no small feat!

We looked at lots of Christmas lights. Here the kids are with Santa.

Grandma, Grandpa and Me with the kids.

Matthew's favorite "silly" pose.

Sarah posing with our Christmas tree.

Grandpa, Matthew and Sarah decorating cookies.

Grandma and Megan.

Sarah and U.

U's cookies. Notice the cookie with the broken arm?

My cookies.

Grandma's cookies. See the one whe decorated like the inside of Mickey? She was a decorating machine (she'd eaten a few of her creations at this point).

Sarah's cookies.

Grandpa's cookies.

Megan's cookies.

Matthew's cookies. He was very proud of his Liberty Bell.

Sarah went out to lunch with Grandma and Grandpa at Sweet Tomatoes. She's writing in the notebook they bought her.

Playing the Ungame. Thanks to Grandpa for some memorable entertainment.