9/11 Tribute

On September 11, we took the boys to Tempe to see the Healing Field. The memorial has 2,996 flags each representing someone who lost their life on 9/11. Seeing all the flags was a bit overwhelming, but a very neat experience for us all.

Vacation

 



In late August, Brooks took off a week of work and we took a ten day road trip with the kids. The above pictures pretty much sum up how amazing the trip was. We saw amazing things and were able to visit with amazing friends as we traveled. We were in the car for a total of 50 hours and the boys did better than I ever could have imagined. We stopped at the Miller's on the way up and stayed the night with them before heading up to the Dobbins place in Pocatello. 

We made it to the Dobbins in time for church followed by a birthday party for Savannah. It was a beautiful evening and the kids kicked the soccer ball to each other and ran around the yard. 

The next morning we left to go camping in the Grand Tetons with Joe and Shelli's family. We found a camping spot and walked down to the lake. The kids were in heaven splashing and throwing rocks in the water.

We haven't camped in a while, so the kids were enthralled with the idea of the tent. This excitement led to them getting in the way while we set it up, but it's all part of the camping fun. Joe and Shelli brought amazing food and all the gear to cook it. Brooks and I are used to eating simple meals while camping and this was anything but simple. We were well taken care of by the Dobbins. After dinner, we went for a drive to the top of a lookout for sunset. The views were breathtaking and I had a moment at the top of the lookout that I don't want to forget. What an amazing world God gave us! 







The next morning we went for a walk by the lake. The boys were posing for a picture which led to a wrestling match, as it usually does. Even in the rocks, they were wrestling.

After an amazing breakfast, we drove to Jenny Lake for a hike. This flag was on display and Landon and Elliot pointed it out immediately. With the Olympics being in August, they became very aware of the American flag and point it out wherever we go. 

Our options for getting to the waterfall included taking a ferry across the lake or walking around the lake. We opted for the hike which was a good choice for some of us and not so great for others, but we all made it. There were stunning views as we got further along the hike and closer to cutting into the canyon. 

After the hike, we drove to a spot where the kids could wade in the water. Landon wanted to lay on a towel so he snuggled up to Joe to stay warm. We had lunch, played in the water and said goodbye to Joe and Shelli. They headed home and we decided to stay another night. 

The next morning, we drove to Yellowstone. We explored the geyser loop first. One of children was cooperative and one was less than thrilled with the walking, but they both enjoyed the geysers and pools. I love this picture of Elliot looking like a little tourist!

The boys liked to stop and read each sign. They are showing more interest in words and it is fun to watch.

After the geyser loop, we took a drive. We didn't see a lot of wildlife, but the drive was beautiful and we stopped to see amazing things. 

On our way back from Yellowstone, we stopped to see the Fischers who were in Idaho to visit family. The boys still talk about when we lived next to Harrison, so they were really looking forward to this. We stayed the night at Kristi's mom's and then let the kids play all day. Having the three of them back together again was fun to see. They laugh at each other's jokes and get along so well. I wish we lived closer! Kristi and I chatted and hung out with the kids while Brooks and Forrest went for drive. We stayed for dinner and probably later than we should have because we had a hard time saying goodbye. 

Then it was back to Pocatello for a couple nights. We went to the zoo, rode the four wheelers, played on the tire swing and Brooks went shooting with Joe. Brooks is in heaven when we are there and loves all the land to explore and the "toys" to play with. Riding the quads with their daddy was a highlight of the trip for Landon and Elliot.

Our last stop before heading home was Salt Lake. We met up with Amy and Jon at the dinosaur museum and the farm at Thanksgiving Point. These three kids together are adorable. Abbie is 5 days younger than them and they hit it off in Spokane as well. They have missed each other. Abbie had them right where she wanted them and they don't mind getting bossed around a bit by her. We frequently went to museums with Amy and Abbie in Spokane and it was fun to be back in the swing of things. After the museum, we went to Chris and Tiffany Barrus' for dinner, but I don't have any pictures. The kids played a little tee-ball in their yard which was pretty funny to watch.

Brooks took the kids on a walk in the morning. This is about the best picture we got of the kids together and Landon isn't even in it.  

The trampoline was a big hit when we visited in July and didn't disappoint this time either. They spent all evening out there.

The night before we left, we got to see Sam, HelenAnn and the brand new Charlie. They were in town too and it worked out perfectly. The visit was short, but I am so glad we at least got to see each other and see the new baby.

This trip was so much fun, but it also brought back so many memories for me. We saw five of our favorite families, four from lawschool. Spokane was such a good experience for our  little family and it is mainly because of these amazing friends. Just when I think I am starting to get used to living in Arizona, we go on a trip like this and it reminds me of how much we love and miss these friends. It worked out so well that we were able to see everyone on the same trip!    

Summer 2012

4th of July

This summer, we played and played and played. The weather was terrible, as usual, but we spent lots of time at the cabin out of the heat, in the pool or doing things indoors. We spent the weekend after July 4 in Heber and went to the parade and saw the fireworks there. We also watched fireworks at my parents, so it was an eventful few days. Elliot went to the cabin with Grandma Susie for a few days, so Brooks and I had Landon all to ourselves for the 4th, It was fun, but a little weird. The boys spend so little time apart and being separated was a little strange for them too. They play so well together and Landon was bored without Elliot here. After a few days, we joined them at the cabin and Landon and Elliot were reunited.

Showing off his dive on the 4th 

 

Landon loves that his name starts with "L" and he is showing off here.

He also really liked the dry ice effect.

Downtown Mesa had a Freedom Days celebration with food, games and water bounce houses. It was a hot night, so this was perfect for the kids. They went down this slide multiple times and couldn't get enough. I love watching how these two interact.

Museums

  
Museums were another way to get some relief from the heat and still have fun. The Phoenix Children's Museum is AMAZING! There are so many things to do and we stay for hours every time we go. These "race cars" are a favorite.

Doing some shopping

Octonauts became the show of the summer and Elliot was obsessed with vampire squids for about a month. He could talk about them for half an hour or so and would let anyone he saw know all about them. I am so disappointed that we didn't get it on video. Every one in both our families heard all about them and their extraordinary abilities. This can of squid caught his eye.

We also got a membership to the Arizona Science Center. This area in the front with water and the balls is their favorite part and they are soaked when we leave. 



The first time we went, they were connecting these pipes. Elliot built something Dallin thought was exceptional. He turned to Elliot and said, Elliot, you're a genius!" Dallin and Elliot get along well. I'm not sure if it is similarities in their personality or what, but they are drawn to each other and it is fun to see their relationship.

Swim Lessons

Landon and Elliot took 4 weeks of swimming lessons in June. After 2 days of crying through it, they had a completely turnaround and fell in love with it. Their teacher was amazing and they were swimming like crazy by the time we were done. They even jumped off the diving board at the local pool and swam to the edge by themselves. It was awesome to watch their progress. I'm sure we will have to start over next summer after taking such a long break from the pool, but hopefully they'll remember some of it.

Elliot really struggled with the concept of a dive. He was very entertaining to watch while I sat in the sweltering heat of the shaded porch. Next year, I may wear my suit. Ha!

While at the theater for the summer movies in June, Elliot tripped on his way up the stairs and hit his front tooth and gums right on the edge of the step. There was bleeding and crying and swelling, but after a quick recovery he insisted on watching the rest of the movie. We went straight to the dentist afterwards and he declared the strong possibility of a dead tooth. He said it would get darker over time. There was a slight chance the nerves would heal and the coloring would come back, but he wasn't hopeful. We watched over the next few weeks as the nerves were affected and his tooth got darker and darker. (It is noticeable in this picture.) After a couple months, it started to improve and now, it is no longer dark. I'm hoping it stays this way. The way the body heals itself really is incredible.

Zoo

Even with the heat, we braved the zoo a few times this summer. We got to the zoo around 8, walked around until 9 and let the kids play in the splash pad until 10. The kids didn't mind the heat at all, but I can't say the same for their mothers.

 Peterson Reunion

In early August, we went to the Peterson reunion. This spot is one of the most beautiful I have seen in Arizona. The green with the tall trees and the creek running through the middle is stunning and I was excited to come back after going last year. 

Dust storms, backyard pool and cute kids

Arizona monsoons are some of the craziest storms I've seen. Growing up in Arizona, I didn't realize or appreciate the grandness. It took moving away to a place that has such different weather to see how incredible these storms really are. We have "fireworks" a couple times a week when the lightning storms start. The dust storms rolling in seemed exceptionally impressive this year.

The boys played in the backyard pool almost daily until they learned to swim and then it wasn't quite as much fun. We did travel to the McKinnon's pool a few times or head out to my parents to swim a few times as well. 

I walked into the playroom and saw Landon and Elliot showing all their cars a movie. Awesome!