I know it's been a while!!!

Max has just been growing, learning and developing his wonderfully sweet and charismatic personality.
Since moving to Rock Springs, Eric has gotten to get back into church basketball...which he LOVES!!!!
We celebrated Eric's birthday with Julie and Carli with a day of shopping! :)
Max has made quick friends and is adjusting so wonderfully to Nursery! Eric had to go on business, so Max and I stayed behind and visited friends. We got to hang out with my college friend Cathy and her daughter Devin...he watched movies, went out to eat, cooked, went to church with the Prophet who smiled at Max...yea, pretty much your average weekend!! Then we went to stay with Meradith and Jason until Tuesday when Eric was flying back in town.
He is so coordinated and athletic...he went to gymnastics with Lucy...they really have a love-bully-love relationship...
This was his second time at the little Gym...he loved it so much!!!
Lucy is quite fearless and has great natural balance!!! Look at that tutu...
Scarlett...ridiculous...who can handle how cute that shirt is? Puts my outfits to shame!!!

Max loves to hop, jump, spring and bounce!!!
....and bubbles...he L-O-V-E loves bubbles!!! These bubbles were invincible...they never popped!!!

Disneyland 2011!

So, there's nothing like Disneyland to remind you that life is good.


The girls all had Minnie ears and Max wanted in on the action.
Split screen from a year and a half ago to now.
In front of the Disney castle.
Max and Max!
Such a stud I have!!!!!
Toon town!

California Adventure...by far my favorite!
Max loves Woody and Green Man!


While we waited for our turn to go on Tower of Terror, we caught a street show with Monsters and Incredibles and Green Men!


We all went to the Blue Bayou for lunch on Jody's birthday.Yo-ho-yo-ho...a pirates life for me...


I was tired of Max being left out of the Disney Magic, so I got him a Prince Charming costume.

Which do you like him with Jasmine or Cinderella?
Max loves chocolate...You've got to love how well they're taken care of at Disneyland!
Audrey & Max...so, so, so cute!

I love these two together!!!!Max with his backwards sword hold!!

All the sweatshirts at Goofy's kitchen.

Happy birthday to Camille, too!

Giants, Phillipsville & 10,000 Buddhas 萬佛聖城,

So, after my dad left for a conference, my mom, brother and I decided to take a little road trip up north. It started out as just something to do...but it morphed into what can we do that Peter won't be able to do soon since he'll be a dad in less than 8 weeks!

My mom loves redwoods and hiking...so, we drove up to a northern California State Park called the Avenue of the Giants (Giant Redwoods). Before we got there, we drove through a little town called Garberville to get some lunch for our hike...it was my favorite part because it felt like my family was just hanging out with me in Kemmerer, Wyoming.


When we got to the Avenue of the Giants, I was tickled to see that it was in Phillipsville. I've often wanted to someday have a home with a title...like Pemberley...not that I am seeking a similar estate, only in ideology. So, Eric and I had once discussed names that would more properly suit our humble home...I had actually suggested Phillipsville and was brutally rebuffed for it's lack of je ne sais quoi...well my friends...After the afternoon of hiking we headed to a hot spring jacuzzi. Max loved that he had a little pool to himself.
For dinner we went to this little restaurant called Walter's Cafe with the most wonderful sushi selection...the "Fire Dargon" while difficult to pronounce was spectacular.
On the last day, we drove through Talmage, California (about 2 miles east of Ukiah) to visit the 10,000 Buddhas 萬佛聖城, it was amazing and very peaceful...unfortunately, Max was literally chasing the peace out of the monastery. My parents have a vase full of Peacock feathers that Max was constantly (and unsuccessfully) trying to pilfer...he was delighted to see a beautiful collection of feathers...
that poor bird was petrified of Max!

Birthday update!!!

We have been traveling and haven't updated in forever!!! We can now no longer give anyone any grief for being blog slackers!!! Here are a few pics from Max's 2nd birthday party.

I made SpiderMan cake pops...the inspiration came from Candice in our ward who dropped off Christmas cake pops and Max just adored them. So...the theme was created!!!

SpiderMan cupcake made courtesy of Max himself!!
Presenting the presents!
I just can't get over how cute these little boys are!!!
At the end of the party, everyone looked just like this...a little dazed, a little sugar crazed and a blue mouth!!! All in all a great second birthday!!

Happy Birthday, Max!

I can't believe it's already been two years...I remember thinking that my life would never be the same again...little did I know how right I was! Max has been into Elmo, Justin Bieber, Spiderman, Super Why, Sesame Street,...

broccoli, green beans, deviled eggs, Chinese porridge,

cake pops, dog-o's, chocalicky, friends...nursery, sleeping in his own big bed...Goodnight moon, Book of Mornin' and prayers.

We had some scheduling conflicts...so, his birthday party will be next Saturday. Not to be too cheesy...but to quote Sound of Music, I must have done something good...to deserve such a wonderful son, he brings laughter and joy to our lives everyday! Happy birthday, Max!!!

Happy New Year!!!

Happy New Year from the Phillips fam!
We completed the New Year's Eve tradition of running around the house barefoot. Only Eric and I dared make the run this year. I think the fact that it was negative ten (seriously) deterred everybody else. Our feet still haven't recovered and it is STILL painful to walk. If I end up with Roulon Gardner toes over this so help me!

The snow was so deep that I got stuck in a drift. I yelled for Eric to help but he was gone! I had to tunnel my way back to the door.

I made Gingerbread s'mores with Gingerbread graham crackers...to die for!!!!
Gingerbread 'mallows in Julie's famous hot chocolate....so good!!!

Eric and Chuck did "TIMTAM SLAMS," Tim Tams are a chocolate cookie that melts as you suck hot chocolate through them. They are a tasty messy delicious treat.
Chuck giving us a tutorial on the proper way to do a Tim Tam slam.
Jimbo doing his best moose impression.