Maya is Two!

I've got some catching up to do on my blogging!

Here's what we did to celebrate Maya's birthday. We decided to go to McDonald's for dinner and to let the kids play in the playland and have cake and ice cream. Here's my attempt at the Yo Gabba Gabba cupcakes--

Hayden enjoying the food as quickly as possible so he could go play.

Eric and Hayden

Here's Maya getting ready to blow out the candles. Notice that Eric has to hold her hand or else she would grab it and stuff it in her face. That's our Maya.

And we finally did let her have her way with the cupcake! For some reason(because they're a lot like me!), both of our kids just eat the tops of the cupcake and leave the rest. They really just want the frosting!

I love this picture of Maya opening her baby doll from Grandma Judy. Can she get any more excited?

Cousin Jaxson and Maya. Jaxson is a total ham for the camera. I guess that's what happens when your mom is a photographer!

Uncle Ryan and Matt--"They're Lovin' It!"

Hayden and his best friend and cousin, Trey. Notice how Trey has a great smile and Hayden is concentrating really hard on winking for the camera. Very slick!

We had a great time! I know Maya won't remember a bit about this party, but it's so important to me that I make their birthdays special. I really think she did feel special. After I made the cupcakes, I called her in the kitchen to come and see. She got so excited and was naming all the characters. It was worth the extra effort.

Great things to come for Maya! Potty training starts Monday!!

My Hero

(Someday I need to get a scanner, but this is the best I can do with pictures for now)

Not many people get to grow up living next door to their grandparents, but I did! They have always been a huge part of my life from as early as I can remember. As some of you know, my dearest, sweet Grandma Margaret passed away this past week. I have struggled because so much of who I am and want to be comes from the inspiration of my Grandmother.

Here are a few memories and tributes to my Hero:

• My Grandma loved vacations and every summer she would take her family and go on long road trips. On the day we (my siblings and I) knew they would be coming home, we would wait outside or sit on the couch looking out the window waiting for their car to drive up the street. Grandma always bought cute little trinkets at every town they stopped at for each of her grandkids. We would all sit around the couch as she would tell us about each gift and where it was from and what she saw in that town. Sometimes she would send us postcards from the different cities. That was always such an important thing to us that she remembered each of us while she was away.

• I had many heart to heart talks with Grandma. One that I will never forget is when I was struggling in high school. I felt inadequate and like my talents weren't up to par. I wasn't chosen for any of the groups or teams that I wanted to be on, and I felt like giving up. She told me that it was not in my nature to give up. She said she pictured me as one of those pioneer women who had lost everything, but still had the courage to get up and tie her bonnet a little tighter and lift her head up and move forward. I have never forgotten that. She saw potential in me and always encouraged and supported me.

• My Grandma was wonderful in the kitchen! A couple of years ago she started a Christmas Candy Bake off for all of her granddaughters. We would make chocolate covered cherries, fudge, homemade mints, etc. It was fun to have that time with her, and also to learn the recipes that have been passed down. We will carry this tradition on, for sure!

• When I was about 15, my Grandparents took me and my sister to Hawaii with them for a week. I think most people would be bored with their Grandparents, but mine were super cool! My Grandma made my Grandpa rent a red convertible for us to drive around in. They took us to the BYU Hawaii campus (because I was interested in going there) and we talked to the Dean and had dinner there. The whole time my grandma would point out the cute guys and tell me who was looking at me. She was so funny! My Grandma loved Hawaii, but hated the water, but after some persuasion from me and Heidi, she got in! I will never forget Grandpa holding her hand the whole time she was in the water. She was so scared! She also let us go Para sailing and snorkeling. Something I will always remember about this trip is her talking to a woman in a store about our religion. She was never afraid to declare what she believed. I loved this trip and it is one of my fondest teenage memories.

• Anytime I am ever asked who my hero is, I always say my Grandma. She has been through more trials and pain than anyone I know. I never heard her complain about what she was going through. The last time I saw her, I knew she was in pain, but she was still making jokes and laughing. She was still my Grandma. I always knew that I could talk to her about any problems I was going through, because chances were, she'd been there and she knew what to do.

• When I was 11 or 12, my grandma talked to me about being a good friend. She said, "Good Friends are like gold, precious and rare; Okay friends are like leaves, found everywhere." I have never known anyone who has met my Grandma and not loved her right off the bat. She was a good friend to everyone and there is not anything she wouldn't do for someone if they were in need.

• She was a great example of service to those in need. She always served others and asked us to help. We would help her and Grandpa make and take dinner to the widows in Farmington every New Year's Day. I will never forget the joy on those lonely women's faces! They were so grateful. My Grandma was a good woman to think of their needs.

I always knew my Grandma had a testimony because of the way she lived her life. She used to have a quote on her refrigerator that said, "Share the gospel everyday, and if necessary, use words." I love her and I will miss her. I am sad that my children will not grow up knowing such an exemplary woman, but hopefully I will be able to carry on her legacy of faith and perseverance. I can totally picture her in heaven; still busy as ever and helping to move the work along!

Thank you for everything that you have taught me, Grandma! Thank you, especially for the heritage that you have left me to try to live up to. I love you!

Here is a copy of her obituary: Margaret Ann Webb Elliott