Bikes, Jeeps and Kites

This past week we got to spend time with all the cousins from Tim's side. It was a ton of fun. Last Sunday we met at Discovery Park by our house for a picnic and lots of playing. The kids rode bikes, jeeps, and flew kites.

James was fearless. He would point his bike down any hill and go for it. He never looked at what might be at the bottom of the hill, like benches, people or ponds. Luckily, he missed anything in his way (and lucky for anyone that might have been in his way).

Matthew tried it out a few times. It wasn't for him.

He preferred "leisurely" kite flying. Why stand when you can sit?

The jeep was a big hit. Surprisingly, the kids did a great job at taking turns. At one point, however, I think Colin and Emily were about halfway to Scottsdale before they decided to turn back.

The battery lasted forever! When it finally started to wind down the kids took the jeep down hills. James isn't as skilled at steering the jeep as he was the bike. It is good to know which kid will flee the scene of crime.

Sweaty, tired and content; the end to a perfect day.

To Grandmother's House We Go...

We're in Alabama...

...having fun.

Flat Stanley...

A good friend of ours in Mississippi sent us Flat Stanley for a visit.  So today we took him to a few of our favorite spots around town.  We love these saguaros and had to take him there (Matthew's holding him).

Flat Stanley isn't in this pic, but I just love palo verde trees and had to get a pick of my boys under this one in full bloom.  

Next stop was our family's favorite park, the Riperian Preserve.  It's a preserve for birds and has about 7 ponds (reclaimed water) and the prettiest birds.  And right now you can spot lots of baby ducks.  So we stopped on the bridge so Flat Stanley could see the turtles and ducklings.

And our last stop, a must at this time of year (already in the 90's), the water play fountain to cool down.  Thanks for coming for a visit Flat Stanley!  Now we'll send you back to Mississippi where it might be a little cooler, but a lot more humid.

This is the night we've waited for...

Always a treat we have in store...

Tonight for FHE we made a picnic dinner and went to the park.  We learned that families are key to Heavenly Father's plan.  

Matthew loves the park, he was so excited to go.

James loved the food and would point at the slides every once in a while.  No need to learn words when you have a pointer finger.

My boys.  Nothing better.

We had a lot of fun.  It's so nice to get out of the house and run around with your family.    

Girls Girls Girls

All of my friends have girls.  All girls.  Girls everywhere.  I thought I was having a girl, but I guess to keep balance in the universe, I was sent a boy.  Your welcome.  And really, when you look at that little face, how could he have been anything else?!  Maybe this means my boys will really know how to treat the ladies.  They've been getting practice since birth.  

Today we met my friend Amy and her girls, Addison and Mackenzie at the park.  It was fun to compare notes.  Addison and Mackenzie are just 3 weeks older than James.  They were actually due, I think, 2 days before James.  Addison is already cruisin' around all over the place.  Upright, might I add.  Fortunately, not to make James feel too behind, Mackenzie kept it old school on her hands and knees.  It was so fun to see these babies together.  

I love this one.  I don't think she was so sure about me.  I got the stink eye a lot. She doesn't know I have known her since the womb, when she was just Baby A.

Matthew made lots of new friends.  I don't think he has actually ever met a stranger before.  

James was fascinated by the girls' stroller.  

Do you see the "look" aimed at me?  I must have smelled funny.

Let's Go Fly a Kite...

Can you guess what our new, favorite pastime is?  A few days ago, we had PERFECT kite-flying wind.   Matthew steps outside many times a day, just to test the wind.

James has yet another cold, and I think he hit his face in his crib. 

He didn't go to bed with that cut, but he woke up with it.  Poor guy.

Swingin' Good Time...

James wasn't so sure of the swings.

But he loved the sand.

Matthew wanted to try out the "baby" swings.

At least someone had a good time on them.

Kite Runner

For about a month now, whenever we pass the kites at Costco, Matthew asks for one. Well, today we decided to go for it. I loved flying kites when I was little. And the lack of wind was not going to deter us.

If James wasn't eating the grass, he was sucking his thumb. I love that thumb, it's attached to a pretty cute little guy.

Matthew's kite. It was love at first sight. We even had actual Blue Angels fly overhead while we were at the park. Matthew got a kick out of that.

Who needs wind when you've got speed?

The end of a very successful day.