... and Molly Makes Three: 2012

October 31, 2012

Happy Halloween!

We've had fun getting ready for Halloween this year. From the top of her crown to the tips of her purple glitter slippers this little princess is ready for the trick-or-treating to begin!

It wouldn't be Halloween without Mister Jack-o-lantern. We had fun carving a pumpkin and singing our favorite Halloween songs.

Molly didn't want to leave the pumpkin outside "the kids might take it" (true, but who told her that?). So after testing the candle we brought it back inside to wait for Halloween night.

We made pretzel skeleton bones. Molly's a pro at dipping the pretzels and eating up any chocolate that drips.

Happy Halloween!

October 13, 2012

October 6, 2012

Molly turned 3 over Labor Day weekend and we spent every last minute of it celebrating! The temperature has been 100+ so we drove to Camp Verde which is about 10 degrees cooler and visited the Wild Life park. We saw a tiger show, watched the animals get fed and went on a safari - pretty cool! Molly loved it!

Molly wanted a "pink and purple purse cake" for her birthday and after blowing out the candle she dug her fingers in and tried to pick up the purse. She was a bit disappointed that it was only made from frosting.

posing with the animals

We got to feed the giraffe

... and the camel

Molly got a cash register for her birthday and played with it non-stop. Great idea!

Molly posing before jumping into the pool. She was so excited to go swimming on her birthday!

Molly wanted a purple umbrella...

and a sleeping bag...which she uses together and sleeps in almost every night!

August 27, 2012

I'm Blushing!

I think we need a little help in the make-up department...

Molly was so pleased with herself

I had to catch myself in order to turn this into a teaching moment - especially when I saw blush all over the carpet.

August 26, 2012

Birthday Fun

My birthday was a couple of weeks ago and we got to spend a few hours playing at Trafalga Lehi before Shane had to work. It was Molly's first time at an "amusement park" and I loved watching the happiness on her face and hearing her laughter. So Fun!

This was her first ride. She seemed a little nervous at first, but as soon as the ride started the smiles and laughter began.

Molly's expression cracks me up!

Flying the plane

It was so fun to have some cousins come with us

Even though it was my birthday, the day was really all about Molly

Speedy Shane...I think he and Lilly won this round

ready, set, blastoff!

June 28, 2012

Road Trip!

Roswell, NM!!! Shane had an appointment in Roswell, NM and since it's so crazy hot in AZ we decided to make it into a family road trip for a change of scenery.

This is what Molly had been waiting for...the swimming pool. We weren't in our room more than a minute before she was in her suit and cover-up and ready for play.

Although Roswell is known for UFO's (and yes, there are crazy alien statues and paintings all over this could be cute little town)...

We found this darling little zoo to hang out at while Shane was schmoozing his client. Here's Molly feeding the deer a blade of grass.

And what's a zoo without a buffalo?

And a carousel ride for only 25 cents?

That goes for the train ride too.

This slide is identical to one that I played on when I was growing up. I'd never seen one like it...until Roswell. Alien abduction?

Roswell also has an airplane graveyard

Molly wasn't much into the airplanes (or was she just tired from our fun morning at the zoo?)

Crazy how this huge plane can actually fly. It's seriously the size of a cruise ship!

We found a cute little neighborhood park to play at while Shane did some more schmoozing

If we bought this darling house I might move to Roswell

Then again, maybe not

Have I mentioned how hot it is in AZ? Molly's favorite new outfit? Anything at all as long as she can wear her fur-lined boots. So cute!

Just a little dress-up at the mall. We spend a lot of time there, mostly playing at the indoor playground.

June 13, 2012

Grandma and Grandpa's Mission Jar

My parents are serving as public affairs missionaries in the Philippines for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. They just left and will be gone for 18 months, which means little Molly will be 4 years old the next time she see's them. (Whoa! Just typing that made my stomach drop...I don't want my little baby growing up too fast.) It's hard for a 2 year old to understand what a mission is and why she can't visit Grandma and Grandpa so we've been talking a lot about missions lately and how Grandma and Grandpa are in the Philippines teaching people about Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

For Family Home Evening we made a Mission Jar for Grandma and Grandpa that we will use to collect our spare change. Every few months we'll cash out our jar and put the money towards my parents missionary service. We're really excited about the Mission Jar and hope to teach Molly that everyone, big and small, can play a part in sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Molly was so excited to dive into this project. She barely let me explain what we were doing before taking control and getting to work!

You'd think she mod-podged every day. Nope, first time.

I better start thinking of another mod-podge project for the near future - she loved it!

She basically did the whole thing by herself while I snapped pictures and helped with the placement of the words and pictures.

A silly face is always in order when the camera is on!

Who knew we'd gain some math skills as part of the deal? We've already emptied the Mission jar several times separating and counting the coins. Molly's certainly going to know her way around money by the time her grandparents come home!

June 11, 2012

Missouri

We traveled to Kirksville, Missouri over Mother's Day weekend to attend Shane's brother's graduation from medical school. It's just a little town with not much to do, but when you're with family it's bound to be good times and memories no matter the locale! Molly was especially excited to see her cousins and hold baby Hazel. We flew into Kansas City, which is right around the corner from where Molly's birth-mother lives, so we were able to get together with her and her cute husband while we were in the area. In between the graduation, a day trip to Nauvoo, swimming, and visiting I don't think we could have packed one more thing into our fun trip.