Visitors From Iowa

Whew!  The past week was busy but a lot of fun!  We had Matthew's siblings visit us.  First was Annaleyza.  She came the night after Cayden and I got back from Seattle and we had a  blast with her.  This was the first time Annaleyza had come and visited us since we have been married so we were pretty excited about showing her around.  Not to mention all the quality time she got to spend with Cayden!  

Aunt Annaleyza assisting Cayden with his grilled cheese sandwich at his birthday party.

We went up to Mount Baldy on Monday and it was freezing!  But it was so beautiful up there with all the snow.  Cayden however did not appreciate the cold!
Annaleyza, Cayden, and Matthew in the lodge (where it was nice and warm)!
Family picture quickly outside, it was so gorgeous up there!
Annaleyza, Cayden and Melissa with the quick picture outside!
Aunt Annaleyza and Cayden
"Wait!" Don't pick your nose Cayden!
We had a lot of fun.  Unfortunately, Annaleyza had the flu one of those days but we were still able to enjoy ourselves once she recovered.  She even attended Gymboree class with Cayden so he could show off his skills for her!  Thanks for coming Annaleyza!  Come back soon!

So Annaleyza left Thursday morning and by Thursday night we picked up Derek and Lindsey.  Apparently they left -20 weather for +85 degree weather!  That was a good change for them :)! Matthew was in class when Cayden and I picked them up so we grabbed some dinner and by the time we came home, Matthew was home.  We stayed up quite late talking . . . 2 am . . . and Cayden still gets up around 8, so we were sleep deprived the first day!

Uncle Derek teaching Cayden how to play Guitar Hero!
We went to Victoria Gardens (an outdoor mall by us) and walked around in the beautiful weather!  It was nice to get out in the sunshine, and do a little shopping on the side.

Uncle Derek, Aunt Lindsey, and Cayden by the fountain.  Side note: Cayden was obsessed with trying to get in this fountain and wasn't very happy that we wouldn't let him go in!
Uncle Derek helping Cayden on the slide . . . one of his new favorite things to do!
Since we didn't let him go in the little fountain, we let him go in the big one (it was 85 degrees out, so it was nice enough!)
He was so amused by this
And had fun getting wet
The water towered over him and literally drenched him :)
Uncle Derek was brave enough to get a little wet
O.k. that was enough of that.  Lasted approximately 3 1/2 minutes!
On Saturday we went to Griffith Park to the observatory and to view the Hollywood sign.
So PRECIOUS!  Love it!
Christmas just keeps coming . . . Uncle Derek and Aunt Lindsey gave him his present (Noah's Ark with the animals)
He clapped when he saw it :)!  I think he liked it!
And he got a birthday present, which he absolutely loves!
But now I often find all the pieces in my kitchen cupboards!!
It was a lot of  fun to have them out for a few days.  We played a lot of Rook (the girls dominated the competition!) ate a lot of good food, and talked a lot.  It was nice to catch up with them since we haven't seen them since this past summer.  We appreciated them coming out and spending time with us!  Now we will finish off with Matthew's family this next weekend as we go visit his parents in Arizona.  Looking forward to some quality time and some relaxation!