Ode to our Spiderman on her 2nd birthday

Today is our Sophie's second birthday. First of all, the Spiderman theme of her birthday may need an explanation. Probably about a year ago Lilly gave us all nicknames in our family. Ron is the King, I am the Queen, Lilly is the Princess, and Sophie is Spiderman. I don't even know how Lilly knew who Spiderman was, but the nickname has stuck. Sophie loves to be called Spiderman and recognizes toys and other things in the store and always excitedly points them out. So when I was talking about what kind of cake she wanted, Lilly mentioned Spiderman, and Sophie would not hear of anything else.

Sophie getting ready to blow out her candle.
The birthday cupcakes (I was not going to attempt a Spiderman cake)

Spiderman
Lilly teaching Sophie how to open her presents.

Sophie modeling her new froggy towel and a tube of sea creatures from Lilly.

Friday night my nieces Chelsea and Ashley came north for a visit. To help us get the celebrating started we all went to Chuck E. Cheese's. Ron and I are by no means experienced Chuck E. Cheesers and it was Sophie and Lilly's first time, so it was great to have Chelsea along who definitely knew her way around. Plus adding Chels and Ash made it much easier not to loose any children (which I have done a little too regularly lately). I must say that Chuck E. Cheese's exceeded my expectations and I do not doubt that we will go back for future birthdays.

Lilly, Chelsea, and Ashley

Sophie cruising with Chuck E. Cheese before she decided she was afraid of him.

Sophie racing the horse
Lilly racing the horse

A few things about Sophie:

-When asked what her favorite color is she will always say red, but when colored options are placed before her she always goes for the pink.

-At a family home evening last month Ron was teaching a lesson about how Jesus loves the children. He told her, "Sophie, Jesus loves you!" Her response, "Jesus, loves me? HOORAY!"

-She loves sharks. After our visit to the aquarium she has been toting her toy sharks with her almost everywhere.

-She calls the ABC's, BCI's

-She loved going to Chuck E. Cheese, but upon further reflection has decided the mouse is scary. The past couple of nights she has told Ron "mouse....scary."
-We like to think she in quite advanced in her verbal ability. She has been talking fairly well for a few months now, and is completing full sentences (i.e. "I want to drink milk")

-She's a chucker. She may be verbally advanced, but her impulse control could use some work. When excited she often chucks toys (or anything) at the nearest person. The other night before bed Lilly got a hairbrush in the eye. She felt sorry for it later, but is still chucking things fairly regularly, and has quite an arm.

-She is very clean. If she gets a mess on her hands or face while eating she will not continue until she has been given a napkin and the chance to clean up. If someone else has something on their face she'll point it out, laugh, and say "messy." On a few occasions she has even licked her finger and rubbed off a mess on someone else's face.
-She loves her big sister. She misses Lilly whenever she is at preschool and loves going to pick her up. Sometimes Lilly is the only one who can comfort her when things go bad.

So, happy birthday to our Sophia! We love you and love that you are a part of our family.

A St. George Thanksgiving

For the second Thanksgiving in a row our little family headed down to southern Utah to meet up with our larger family. Last year was for the Fuller reunion and this year was for the Mecham reunion. As far as the weather is concerned, it is quite a nice place to spend Thanksgiving.

As always, the reunion was fantastic. With family spread out across the US it is a rare occasion to all be able to get together. Just to get together with my parents and brothers is a task with my parents in PA, Carter and Brandi in VA, and Brad and Dani in AZ. Now add my grandparents, their five children, and all the grandchildren who now are having families of thier own, and really it is a miracle that everyone (except our lovely Laura who is serving a mission in California) could make it. I am thankful to my grandparents for making such an event possible and keeping us all together. They have provided our family with a strong spiritual foundation. As we all ate Thanksgiving dinner it was kind of crazy to think that everyone present was a product of their union (or had joined in through marriage). I am truly grateful for my family and the time we had to spend together. Also, a special shout out and thanks to Meredith for getting everything planned and organized.

The L. Ralph and Barbara Mecham family

The Mark and Pat Mecham family: Brandi, Carter, Mom, Dad, Lilly, Kathryn, Ron, Sophie, Dani, and Brad

The Mecham cousins

Me and my brothers (Carter, me, Brad)

Our family (this is nor my favorite picture of us, but my favorite is being saved for our Chirstmas card)

Sophie and her rock

Lilly making cards. My what a mess she made!

Proof that Ron is a dirty ball player. Look at him putting his elbow into Steve's face.

Rainy Thanksgiving day basketball

My grandparents, Barbara and Ralph Mecham