Graduation, Wedding, and Birthday Extravaganza

The first weekend in March was a SUPER busy one. We started the weekend on Thursday. Alexis was in a preschool program and she "graduated". I'm not sure what that means other than another day that I paid for that she didn't learn anything. Oh well. She did have fun in this preschool, it just wasn't educational. It was more arts and crafts than ABC's. The shirt she is wearing in the pictures is their final project. They tie dyed shirts for graduation, which meant two movie/pj days in class. I tried to get a good picture of both kids (see above), but they both had nasty coughs and in every picture one or both of them were coughing. So I guess you could say it was documenting reality.
Above is Timothy congratulating his sister. He loves to give hugs. It is nice when they actually get along instead of the normal fighting.
Aunt Kathy had the day off and was able to join us for the occasion. The graduation consisted of all the kids walking in the room and having their name called. They then proceeded to sing some songs. Most the kids knew the songs independently, but when they sang together they all sang at different speeds. It was pretty rough on the ears in all honesty, but Alexis did a good job. The songs they sang were: The days of the week song, "Apples to Zebras" song, Little Red Caboose, Mr. Golden Sun, and Don't throw your Junk in my Backyard. Alexis loves to perform them, so if you ever see her just ask. Just know that Mr. Golden song seems to be a non ending/ repeating song. Before they performed Alexis would be singing her songs at home and I thought she was making up parts of them... but they were in fact real songs.
After the presentation they were all given "diplomas" and sent to fill up on sugar. Alexis chose the cupcakes with the most frosting she could find, and it was bright yellow. Thank goodness for baby wipes. All parents were asked to bring a treat, but me, in my good rebellious fashion brought nothing. No worries though... they had two full tables of pure junk, so I have no regrets about saving a few bucks there. All my food would have gone untouched, then forcing me to take home and eat all the sugar/calories.
Following the graduation we all went to eat lunch at Sweet Tomatoes. It was some mighty fine food. I don't think you can ever go wrong with that place. Timothy shoveled down lots of Jell-o and Alexis built her own ice cream treat.
(above) Timothy and David enjoying the entertainment. After the graduation we packed the car and began our trip to Yuma. The kids slept part of the way. We arrived safe just in time to get up the next morning and start our way to San Diego.
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Friday morning we drove to San Diego. David's brother Aaron was getting married. Originally the weather for Friday was predicted to be raining, and the temple had told them that the spires were going to have scaffolding around them for resurfacing. When we arrived to the temple the weather was perfect and the scaffolding was on the back side of the temple so they could get all their pictures. HOORAY! Talk about multiple blessings! My mom also joined us to help with the kids. It was so nice of her to let us drag her around for the weekend. It was a great help and nice company.
The ceremony was beautiful and Aaron and Elisha looked amazing and oh so happy. We are happy for them. When they exited it was like the paparazzi. Everyone had a camera. Alexis was given a beautiful dress and she was flaunting her stuff. She thought she needed to be in every picture and be the center of every one's attention. She really believes the world revolves around her. Below is a picture of her and Timothy. Both were posing for cameras. What have I created? :)
(below) Beautiful bride and groom.
(below) Aunt Kathy and Alexis. Alexis loves her auntie and her sassy sunglasses.
(below) Bride and groom... oh SO happy!
After the wedding we had lunch/dinner and headed off to Pomona, CA. It was about a two hour drive and the traffic was HORRIBLE. I thought that Phoenix had bad traffic, but California traffic will put all that into perspective. When we finally arrived at our hotel we were all tired and all in for another surprise. The hotel was interesting. Most the people staying there, LIVED there. It was like we had just walked into their territory. All the tenants opened their doors and windows to stare at the newcomers. Who were we and how long were we staying? Luckily it was just overnight. The room was big... more like a single bedroom apartment with a full kitchen, but it wasn't super clean. It was only one night though and we were all so tired that it didn't really matter.
Saturday was the reception. The reception was beautiful and the view was great. There was lots of dancing, eating, talking, and just fun. They had a money dance and Alexis' eyes grew as big as tennis balls when she saw all the money. She asked me if she could have some "cash", and I had to explain it was for the bride and groom. Before the evening was over Alexis and Timothy were literally swimming in the money. Nice.
Alexis danced like a wild woman. She sure can get serious and dramatic with her "art." After the reception we drove back to San Diego in the rain. We drove along the coast and it was so stormy that you could barely see the ocean. A whole weekend in California without seeing/going to the ocean just seems wrong... but that is how it ended up. Super bummed about that.
Sunday morning we packed up again and drove back to Yuma. The mountain pass outside of San Diego was a scary drive. The rain was coming down so hard that it was hard to see the road. Then the rain turned to snow. Had we left San Diego any later I'm afraid we may have been stuck in the pass by snow. But we made it back to Yuma.
It was Timothy's second birthday. Hooray Timothy! I can't believe he is already two. He is such a little character. His personality is great and he is so fun and loving. He is finally starting to talk more and "grunt" less. We call it his "Mario" sound because the sound he makes is just like the sound Mario makes when he jumps on the video game.
When he was born he had dark hair, and as you can see, that didn't last long. He is our little toe head. His hair makes his head glow. He love cars, truck, airplanes, and motorcycles (cycles as he calls them). He also loves anything his sister has. If she has it... he wants it. He also claimed her big pink fuzzy blanket as his own.
(above) Timothy playing with his new loot. Thanks Harris cousins for the tractors.
Above is his new bike. He kept trying to ride Alexis' bike so we decided he could use his own and more his size. He still doesn't know how to petal it, but we're working on it. Above is Timothy trying to figure out how to hold up two fingers. He's still working on that too.
My sister Michaela made his cake. Thanks, because we had no time otherwise. It is a dirt bike on a dirt track. My other sister Rebekah made a pinata. Pretty smart one too. She just left the fruit snacks in the box and decorated the box and we hung it up.

Finally Monday morning we packed up again and drove home. It was a LONG weekend with LOTS of driving but we all survived and we had a good time. Lots of memories and pictures. I have tons of pictures, but because my files are so big I have a hard time posting many. Oh well. We survived. Happy Birthday Timothy. We love you!