This morning we started walking Matthew to school. Although the days are not triple digits anymore, it is certainly not sweatshirt weather yet. The mornings are a little bit of a different story. They are perfect. High 60's and a slight breeze. I was in short-sleeves and capris to enjoy this change in weather, but I put sweatshirts on the older boys and bundled up Jacob. They are Arizona boys after all. When it creeps below 80 Matthew is freezing. No joke. Anyway, James loved his sweatshirt so much, he wore it all day. Even when he was drenched in sweat. He would not take it off. He loves those dinosaurs.

"Take picture a me, Mommy." This kid is one of the bossiest kids I have ever been around. He spends the day sucking his thumb and shouting orders.

Matthew loves this one because of how wide Jacob's eyes are.

Look at that little guy chunkin' up. He's getting so big. He is starting to smile more and more, and last night started cooing at me. So cute, can't get enough of him. He can stay a baby forever.

Grandpa Huff

We visited my Grandma and Grandpa Huff a few times while we were in Utah.  I realized that I do not have any pictures of my boys with my grandpa, so I had to snap a few.  

My grandpa had a heart attack about two weeks ago.  I am so grateful that he is feeling better.  He's a little worn out, but he's my same old grandpa with his infectious smile.  I love that guy!

Walking with Dinosaurs

On Saturday we took our boys to a dinosaur show called, "Walking with Dinosaurs" at the USAirways Arena.  It was so much fun.  The boys loved it.  There is a paleontologist that stands down in the center with the dinosaurs and tells you all about them.  He had a wonderful mini-mullet.  Very archeologist-y.

When we first got there, security checked our bags and told us that one of our cameras was a professional camera and was not allowed in.  Maybe I should start charging everyone to view my pictures, since I am a professional.  Anyway, while Tim ran the camera back to the car, the boys ran around the lobby to get out some extra energy.  Well, they didn't know that's what they were doing.  

My cute boys just before the show started.

The mommy brachiosaurus  had to come out and save her baby from  the allosaurus.  Matthew was a little worried about the baby.  

Then the best part, which James fell asleep during, the mama T-Rex came out to save her baby from an ankylosaurus and a torosaurus.  The baby thought he could eat them all on his own.  Boy, was he wrong.  Mama came out and she was ticked.  Fortunately for Matthew, no dinosaurs were harmed and they all made it out alive.  

It was a great show and if it's coming near you, you have got to check it out.  

A Visit from the Tyrantus

Yesterday we had a little, green visitor in our backyard.  You'd think that you would see a praying mantis more often, but I can count the number of times on one hand.  So we took the boys outside to see her.  

They both thought she was pretty cool. 

Matthew was telling me all about "tyrantus"

James just kept pointing at her.  

Excuse our lovely backyard.  The previous owners killed it.  And now we're just waiting for the weather to cool down before we do anything.

Catching some Zzzzzzz's...

Yesterday Julianne and I had to catch up on some shopping.  So we spent the day at Scottsdale Fashion Square.  I love that mall.  Anyway, we had two very tired little boys in the backseat.  They didn't even make it out of the parking garage.

  

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.    

If they don't win it's a shame...

As a graduation present from the boys, we took Tim to a D-backs game last night.  Although we lost, we had a lot of fun.  And I did say graduation!  Tim walks tomorrow!  He is all finished!  No more school!  Wahoo!

Matthew just sat there and "punched" James in the face over and over.  This is exactly how James looked through the whole beating.  He couldn't have cared less (and don't worry, if I thought my child was in serious danger, I would have stopped the attack).  I do think, however, that Matthew may need to watch out in the future.  Baby brother may be stronger.

A Giant Easter Egg...

Lindsey sent Matthew and James a fun little package that we got in the mail yesterday.  She sent a little package of color tablets that you put in the tub and it changes the color of the water.  Matthew was so excited about this surprise, but not as much as he loves the pirate sword, which he slept with last night.  Anyway, this morning the first thing he wanted to do was take a bath and use the color tablets.  He chose blue for today, as you can see in the picture.  After a few minutes in the tub, Matthew said, "Hey, we're like Easter eggs."  Fortunately, the tablets don't change little boys different colors.

Dye, Easter Eggs, Dye!

Tonight was Matthew's first time dying Easter eggs.  We had such a good time.

The whole family got in on it.

James was in it for the food.

Matthew loved every second of it.  He was REALLY hands on.

I also gained an appreciation for the patience of my mom.  

Just because they're so cute...

I love his blue eyes in this photo.  What a cutie.  

And check out those chompers.  He ate 2 whole chicken nuggets today.  

Didn't choke once.  I'm so proud.

This rarely happens, so when it does I have to take a picture.  

James had a ball in the mall's play area.

I couldn't get James to look at me, but Matthew is always

camera-ready. 

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.

Since you've been gone...

Tim,

Since you're gone, busy putting every other construction school to shame, we thought we'd keep you up to date with the goings-on at the Blood house.

James got a new bib.  I know he just got new bibs, but look at it!  It is too cute.  How could I resist?  And besides, James loves it.

Matthew has decided to become an artist.  He spends his days painting and sculpting (play-doh).  He loves the colors.  I know because he tells me over and over and over and over and over and.......

And he loves to mix the colors.  Gulp, I had to use quite a bit of restraint.

James keeps busy under the desk, while I keep busy above the desk working, 

aka checking blogs and the latest on Britney news.  Can we adopt her?  I think she may be house-broken.

We love you so much and miss you, too.  Work hard and good luck!

Are you ready for some football?

I think these guys are!

James kept his hood up like this until I took it off.

He probably would have kept it up all day. If you're not interested in the game, Grandma and Grandpa have lots of fun toys to play with. Matthew preferred perfecting his yo-yo skills instead. I love that he has to stand on a stool!
The boys were having a great time, until...
Matthew decided he was done sharing.

That always involves knocking James over or pushing him out of the way.
My dad is a big sports guy, and I feel like a traitor if I don't watch the big games. I usually enjoy them anyway. So, of course, we couldn't miss the Super Bowl. I'm such a nerd though, because most years I always try to find out which team my dad is going for. That way I root for the same team. I don't keep up with football much. Sure, I can tell you a bunch of the big quarterbacks right now, but that's as far is it gets. But this year, I actually picked the team myself. I know, I know, I'm such a big girl. And I don't mind having a football game on when it's Sunday. It reminds me of my dad.

With that being said, Hooray for the Giants! The team I usually want to win not only loses, they die a terrible death. Not this time. So that was pretty exciting.

I'll be taking requests...

The piano is a favorite at our house. Matthew loves to request songs. And just before these pictures were taken, James was crying. As soon as Tim started playing, James began giggling and got down and crawled over to the piano to resume his perch. I love the second picture. Matthew appears he is being sweet, however, he is slowly trying to push each of James' fingers off of the bench. Brotherly Love at its finest.

Delicioso!

Someone loves food. Someone cannot stand to be excluded from a picture.

But isn't he cute (and naked, but that's a whole other story)?