Doctor's Appointment

I had an eye doctor's appointment in Salt Lake today. It was just a check-up and things are going well. I've had a few surgeries to reattach my retina- it's a long story, but now my vision is probably as good as it's going to get. In July the vision in my left eye was 20/200 and now it's 20/70, so it has really improved since then but it's still not very good! But the worst my vision has been is 20/600 in that eye (I couldn't even see the big E!). So I am actually grateful for what it is now. And I've been worried about it spreading to my other eye, but the doctor said today that it probably won't happen. I've never had any problems with that one, but he's always checked it and made sure it was ok. So I'm actually very happy with the progress.

Anyway- since I was driving all the way to Salt Lake and back in one day, I thought we should take advantage of the food and shopping. So my mom came with me and we took the girls. We stopped in Centerville at In-n-Out for lunch, which was a little weird because usually I only go there on the way to Disneyland or something. And unfortunately we weren't going there. And it was also weird to see snow on the mountains instead of palm trees, but it was still the best cheeseburger! We also did a little shopping before and after my appointment in Centerville. We all had a great time- it was fun to get away for a little while- even though it was to see a doctor!

Enjoying In-N-Out

Rylee loves ketchup- she even eats it out of the cup.
(Actually this was the first time I'd ever seen that!)

Reading a magazine in the waiting room.

Ashlyn was also reading a magazine like Rylee,
but stopped before we could get a picture
so this was our re-creation!

You're probably wondering why two BYU Alumni (my mom and I) would ever get a picture in front of the University of Utah sign, but do you notice the date? February 28- what a coincidence. We actually drove up a different way than usual and I just happened to notice the date. So of course, we had to get a picture!

Video Games

I bought Rylee a V-Smile for Christmas last year- she really only knows how to play one game. They aren't as easy as I thought they would be. I bought it used and it came with a portable one too and lots of games. They see their cousin, Bradley, with his Nintendo DS and think that they need to play something too! I guess they'll learn how to play video games soon enough, but for now it's cute to see them try! Rylee was really concentrating on her game and was really playing. I would have taken more pictures, but she was only in her underwear. At least Ashlyn was in her swimming suit- big surprise!

Fun with Cousins

Angie and Graham came for a visit from Pennsylvania, so we had a little get-together at our house with them and Stephan's family. We tried to get a group shot of all the cousins, but it didn't work out so well. They each had a little baggie of M&M's so they were more into those than getting their picture taken- so this is what I got!

Rylee, Graham, Mercedes, Bradley, and Ashlyn-
a little spread out, but they're all there!
Matt and Stephan are also in the background.

Saying "Cheese" to Angie,
who was also trying to take a picture.

Aww- so cute!

Mercedes, Matt, and Ashlyn

Ashlyn Needs Her Phone

Ashlyn just said, "Mommy, I need your phone."
I asked, "Why?"
She answered, "I need to call someone."

So I got her an old cell phone and gave it to her.

She thanked me for the phone and put the phone to her ear and said, "Hi, Noah! OK." Then she tells me, "Mom, Noah's taking me to the store."

She gets back on the phone and says, "Hi, Noah. I'm talking to Noah, Macie. He's going to the store with me."

Ashlyn really misses her cousin, Noah. She talks about him all the time. But I'm glad that she can have pretend conversations with him. I wish he really were here to take her to the store. She's hilarious! I love to hear her and Rylee play- they say the funniest things! I really need to videotape it- they have quite the imaginations!

Swimsuits or Snowsuits?

These girls can't decide between the two. One minute they're playing around in their swimsuits and the next they're going through the coat closet putting on whatever they can find- snowpants, hats, jackets. Ashlyn was the first to find the pants and put them on all by herself. I am hoping we don't need the winter stuff much longer- I hope spring is on the way!

I don't know where Rylee got this idea that she has to pose crazy for pictures.
But that's what she does these days- funny girl!

After the fun with the coat closet, they cuddled on the couch together. Rylee said, "Ashlyn's hugging me. She likes me. Take a picture, Mommy!" So, of course, I couldn't resist!

Little Mommy

Ashlyn loves being a little mommy to her babies. But now I have become her baby, kid, or son. She likes to tell me, "I'm mommy and you're kid (or baby or last night I was son), okay?" It's so cute! She asks me if I want a bottle or a blanket. Last night when I was the son, she even read me stories. She would say, "Do you want another story, son?" And she would go get a book and read it to me. She says "Amen" at the end of stories too like Rylee did. Sometimes she even gets Matt to be the baby. One of her nursery teachers just told me that she's a little mommy in nursery too- to all the "babies" that are her age or maybe even older! She's so mature for her age, I guess- I love my little mommy!

Happy Valentine's Day!

February

Well I guess February is just about as exciting as January as far as pictures go. It's been a while since I've blogged, so I was just going to blog about whatever pictures were on my camera. But there aren't ANY!! I haven't taken one picture since Matt's birthday. I think something's wrong with me- this just isn't right!! Let's hope I take some pictures on Valentine's Day!