Marshmallows

Our first order of business after closing on the house, weeks before we actually moved in, was to test out the fire pit. Smores when ever you want them. Awesome!

Ellie and Anna got pretty cool doll houses from Santa this year. Grammy happened to talk to Santa and was able to get some nice stables forl the girls' dolls.

Jonny got his millenium falcon:

Thanksgiving

Emily and Jacob made it down to our neck of the woods for Thanksgiving and luckily made time to hang out with us for a while. We enjoyed dinner... actually, enjoyed is a bit strong. We tolerated dinner and enjoyed good company at Marie Calendar's and had a blast at Bass Pro Shop which was sporting quite elaborate holiday decor complete with Santa's village full of slot cars, and shooting, and games to delight kids and grown men alike!

White Tank Mountains

These are the foothills of the beautiful White Tank Mountains, about a 10 minute drive from our doorstep. And no, they are not named after a big, ugly water tank as so many have asked, but after the huge crevices carved out of the white granite in the mountains as a result of rushing water when the big rains come.

It was tough for Jonny to appreciate the beauty of the interesting plant life without touching it. Thus, the tears. But it's not what you think. While running toward the catcus to try to hug it, he failed to listen to his father's warning. Jonathan was able to grab him before catastrophe befell us, but Jonny's little heart was broken.

After a bit of exploring, we enjoyed lunch in the great outdoors. Is there any better way to spend a Saturday?

Cowgirls and Super Heros

The kids never cease to surprise me and Halloween was no exception. I half expected that when I told them they could pick whatever costumes they wanted this year (as long as they were modest) that I would be escorting a couple of Hannah Montanas and Lightening McQueen through the neighborhood.

But the girls choice to be cowgirls was darling especially because they didn't fight about it...

and although he had to constantly be reminded that he couldn't really fly, Jonny made an awesome Superman!

My favorite quote of the year:

Anna: Can I be a cowgirl when I grow up?

Mommy: You can be whatever you want to be!

Anna: (in a southern accent) Great! Then I'm gonna find me a cowboy and some horses and we'll ride em to Texas cuz that's where cowgirls live. (as loud and animated as possible) YEEHAW! (then in a low whisper) I've been working on that.

And what's Halloween without an art project or 200? (For those of you in the great NorthWet... Yes, it's Halloween are we are wearing shorts and t-shirts. Hee hee! Can you sense my delight?)

Beautiful Surprise

The city of Surprise is not totally developed yet and still has some beautiful fields of roses. This is one that we drive by often on our way to watch jets at the Air Force Base.

Our Final Day in Indio...

we tried out a really cool resturant that the concierge recomended. The grounds were super cool and the kids had a blast climbing on rocks and a giant pig.

The Thipgin's, who were on their way into town as we were leaving, met us for lunch and some quality cousin time!

Fall Break - Indio

Fall break found us at a beautiful resort in Indio, CA, a little town sandwiched between Palm Springs and the Joshua Tree National Park. We thoroughly enjoyed BBQing, lounging on the lazy river, and thanks to the relaxed pace of thing, we also enjoyed far fewer tantrums than usual!

The highlight of our vacation was a little side trip to Palm Springs where we took the tram to the top of a mountain. At times, we were tempted to leave Jonny there, but overall it was a great experience.

Although my fear of heights kept me a little on edge during the ride up the mountain, it really was facinating and the kids loved it!

The views at the top were stunning, and as Jonathan raves, so was the food.

It was a great little break for our family, who was longing for a brief escape from our dinky apartment.

Milestones

September brought milestones such as Jonny learning to dress himself, even if he doesn't always get it quite right,

and potty training, which I'm sure no one wants to see pictures of, so instead I am posting pictures of the prize which Jonny waited oh so impatiently for as he struggled with, but finally mastered, the art of using the potty.

Stormy Skies

The monsoon season brings thunder, lightening, and beautiful skies!

Jonny's 1st Swimming Lessons

Jonny loves the water. Maybe a little too much for his own good. Thus, we felt it necessary to enroll him in swimming lessons so that next time he jumps into a body of water with reckless abandon, he may be able to stay afloat. We are still be fans of fences, floaties and adult supervision, we are just trying to cover all the bases.

His lessons took place at the Surprise Aquatic Center which boasts a lap pool, a diving pool, a play area, a kiddie area, a "vortex" pool and 2 slides all for the bargain basement price of 2 buck for adults and 1 for the kiddos.

Jonny quickly mastered the "noodle"...

and quickly won the heart of Miss Paris whom he constantly shower with compliments such as "you are pretty", "I like your suit", and "I love you". This flirty at 3! I fear for his teenage years.

And I'm sure it will surprise no one that he spent his fair share of time on the wall for being, shall we say, too enthusiastic. That's our Jonny!

HAPPY 35th BIRTHDAY!

Luke Air Force Base

For Jonathan's birthday dinner, he wanted to get fast food and drive to the AF base and watch the F-16's. We found a spot not far off the base where we could pull off the road and watch them take off and land.

It was a MUCH better view than from our apartment.

We even got to see some formations!

And lots of touch and go landings.

And Jonathan was pretty pleased with it. (He may even be convinced that I need a new zoom lens for my camera so that we can get some real detail!!)

the desert has creepy bugs

We had our first encounter with scorpions today. I found this delightful little creature under my towel this evening as I got out of the shower.I loudly requested that Jonathan come quickly and was teased for the next half hour by those who thought I over reacted. The kids saw this as an opportunity to have a pet, and mulled over names such as Billy Bob, Yog, "Jorj" (George for those of you who don't know kidspell) Washington II and Shane. Ellie neatly compiled the names onto a list which she presented me with while our curiously little Jonny couldn't keep his hands off of "Shane's" new home, which resulted in him dropping it, us panicking and ultimately deciding that a scorpion was not an appropriate pet for 3 little kids. Fortunately, the kids were not too attached and were just as by fascinated watching Shane swirl down toilet (because all drains head to the ocean of course) as they were watching him crawl around in his jar. So no trauma. Well, very little anyway. I was somewhat traumatized despite the fact the fact that I had a pet one as a kid. Finding one under your towel is never a welcome sight.

First Day of School

Dressed and ready. They have new clothes, but chose old favorites.

Ellie found her seat and reluctanly smiled for the camera.

Anna had no trouble settling in and wouldn't even look up as I said good bye. (I remained brave about her first day of Kindergarten and didn't even shed a tear... until the parking lot that is and no one was even there to witness it so it doesn't even count!)

So far, things are actually going better than I expected. Anna loves school! She may be having a little trouble following directions, but who didn't expect that? She'll figure it out pretty quickly. Ellie is still a little shy and nervous, but is making friends and learning her way around. I'm sure that in a couple of weeks they will be all settled in and doing wonderfully!

SUNSET

This is a view of the sunset behind the mountains from the back deck of the house we have an offer on.

Swimming: before, during, after

Goggles n' Noodles

beautiful pool

Take off my floaties? No way!

See those 2 black specs in the sky?

They are F16's. We live near an Air Force base and they fly over all the time. Even after 2 weeks, Jonthan still runs outside to see them almost every time they pass over. They are super loud, but totally awsome to watch!

THE POOL!

After a year and a half of planning, we finally made it to ARIZONA! We have settled in a teeny tiny apartment in Surprise, a little town NW of Phoenix. We are loving the sun, the heat, and especially THE POOL!

Jonny is a little to fearless for my taste.

Despite the 100+ degree heat, Anna and I still enjoy the hot tub.

Ellie is reluctant to pose for me...

but is more than willing to take the plunge. Over and over and over again.