Playdate

Boy have we been blessed with some amazing new friends. God is so good.

Jamie and Katie.Water table. The kids loved it and it was a nice way to stay cool without going swimming. We are going to get one for Jamie for her birthday.After playing in the kiddie pool at our friends house.
Drinks and popsicles. Jamie and Patrick.
Me and our kiddos. Wish I had a pic of my good friend Christi to post.
Playing with one of Patrick's new birthday presents, a Cars car wash. So cool.
It is really neat to know not only do I have some amazing friends but that my kids do too. Ones we will grow up with and spend our days with. God has truly provided for us in every way.

Go Pete!

Massive amounts of cuteness pouring out of this picture.

Date

Went on a much needed date with my man on Monday. I called on a last minute babysitter and we headed out to dinner and some shopping. It was a fabulous night in every way.Well, maybe if we were shopping at the mall it would have been better than shopping at Cabela's but you have to make sacrifices in marriage sometimes...... :)

Pete Age 3

This blog I read surveys her children every year. I thought it was a great idea so here goes:
Pete Age 3:
What's your favorite color? Red
Who's your best friend? Jamie
What's your favorite food? Cheerios
Where is your favorite place? McDonalds
What is your favorite holiday? Parties. "You mean like your birthday party." Yup.
What is your favorite thing to do? Play
What is your favorite song? Roll Over

What do you want to be when you grow up? A fireman.

If you could be anything, what would you be? A fireman.
How old do you want to be when you get married? A princess. I think he misunderstood.
Do you want to be a Daddy someday? No, I want to be a fireman.
What kind of daddy do you think you will be? N/A.
If you could change your name, what would you change it to? Dino.
What makes you most happy? Mommy and swimming.

Priceless.

Some Pics From Last Week

Went to the mall last Friday and had a great time. Kids played at the play area, we window shopped, then ate lunch and ice-creams in the food court. Jamie and I shared Panda Express while Pete ate a hot dog from A&W. We bought Jamie some "pink girly" flip flops of her own at Children's Place and now Pete wears them while Jamie still prefers his Buzz Lightyear ones to her new pink ones. Oh well, what can you do?Jamie eats her ice-cream down the side of the cone and while it works for her for a while it soon becomes very messy. When she gets to the bottom she hands it over and I finish off her sticky, but still yummy, cone.Pete and his chocolate mustache. He is my chocolate boy while Jamie always prefers vanilla.

My Boys Went Camping

Guest post by P.

Saturday morning my son and I drove up near Flagstaff for a day of hiking, exploring and camping. Here is a picture of Lake Mary, one of the few lakes in the state that has walleye. I talked with a fisherman and he said the lake has walleye, pike, bass and crappie. I saw a lot of people fishing off shore but I didn't see any fish.
After exploring the area we found a campsite and setup. Pete put the stakes at the edge of the "footprint" while I got the tent ready. After we setup the tent Pete hung out for a little while in the tent and then we both took a nap.Eating dinner before we went out hiking.

Lava field.Pete next to a giant Ponderosa Pine.After hiking we went looking for elk and boy did we find them. First we found this group. There were four in all, two bulls for sure. Just before dark we found a wallow and hung out and the elk didn't disappoint. I saw six more, Pete saw one of them. The best part was how vocal the elk were calling, mewing and even squealing. Pete had the biggest grin as he started to figure out how calling elk works, or so it seemed. It was loads of fun and I enjoyed every second of it.When we returned that evening the camp host said we could have a small fire. We took full advantage of that and ended a great evening with a fire and watching stars, the moon and a few airplanes before heading off to bed.Early in the morning in the campsite. Spanish peaks in the background, way in the background with snow on the peaks, you just have to believe me...On the way home Pete and I took a few back roads and ended up in Sedona, the red rocks in the area are awesome. Some day we will take the whole family camping to Sedona.

Jamie desperately wanting to go camping with daddy and Bubba. Poor little girl.P. convinced her to get out of the car, they posed for a pic and the boys headed off on their adventure.
She soon forgot about her misgivings and enjoyed helping mommy make oatmeal chocolate chip cookies for daddy for Father's Day. Daddy's favorite.
Sneaking a bite.Enjoying the finished product.Gone. Yum.

Erin

I got to see Erin again last weekend. Boy are we lucky life (God) has given us these opportunities to spend time together and keep our friendship strong and amazing. Since we can't see each other very often and since we never know when the next time will be I treasure these times with all of my heart. And this past weekend was no different. Erin came into town for her sister-in-law's baby shower and we enjoyed having Erin and her mom stay in our home for the event. P. came home early from work on Thursday so I could go pick up Erin from the airport and we could go out to dinner minus the kiddos. Wow was that nice! After going to the wrong airport, and being 45 minutes late to finally pick her up at the right one, we headed to downtown Tempe for dinner, some shopping and dessert of course. Frozen yogurt to the max. YUM.
We had some time with the kiddos Friday morning before Erin's mom came into town and she got busy with family/baby shower stuff.
Saturday morning after a breakfast of blueberry pancakes, eggs and fruit salad we got ready for the shower and headed over. The shower was beautiful and so many people came to celebrate with Kendra and Brad on the upcoming arrival of their baby boy, Erin's nephew. Erin and I at the shower.
Erin, Erin's mom and Kendra, the mommy-to-be. Due Aug 15th she is brave to be "with-child" at this time of year in AZ. :)
Saturday night Erin and I went to the spa. P. bought me a spa package for Mother's Day and Erin and I used it together before she left. It was so wonderful. Facials, massages, foot scrubs and champagne to boot. Good times and once again, sad to be without Erin in my every day life. Hoping God brings us back together again soon for some event (birth of her nephew) or unexpected treat (cheap airplane ticket) but until then we will just give thanks for our amazing "long distance" friendship.

Friends Over

Last week I had 3 girlfriends over and between us a total of 9 kids at the house. We had so much fun swimming, eating, riding bikes, playing and making a complete mess of the house. But it was so worth it. What a great day and I am so thankful for my new friends. And thankful that my kids have such wonderful new friends to grow up with.

Pete's Picture Smile

Apparently Pete has been smiling like this since a very young age........

Library Summer Reading Program

Pete and Jamie earned their first duck yesterday for reading 15 minutes a day. The library's summer reading program started June 1st and yesterday we went in and claimed our first prize. Pete and Jamie read way longer than 15 minutes a day. We usually read when they wake up in the morning, then we read after their naps and Pete and dad read every night before bed. Pete chose the ninja duck and LOVES it. Jamie chose a girl duck with a pink tiara on and has been chewing on it since. :)

Floaties

These floaties have changed our lives.

For the better. Didn't know it could get better......