No Need to Fuss

Another year of marriage has passed, making it 11. Ki and El went to San Tan Valley to hang out with cousins for the weekend-Thank you Becky!!! Instead of going out to a nice dinner, we just grilled steaks at home. On Saturday morning we went to help a scout in the ward with his Eagle Scout project. It was a cold and windy day. Brian got a cold from all the wind.

We had a nice time working together and just being with each other.

Don't we look like a couple of love birds?

Love you Dude!!!

Tolmachoff Farms

Even in the desert we still have farms, and even a dairy or two-they are on the East side of town so I don't have to smell them. The Rancho Kindergarten classes get to go on a field trip to a family owned vegetable farm, Tolmachoff Farms. It is so nice to have access to a great farm like this in the city. The kids got to pick some veggies and plant some corn. We garden so El has some idea that you can grow food, but some of the kids in her class were blown away at this. Farmer Bill had lots of information for the kids and told them about each veggie.

A big carrot

 A tiny radish

A "train" ride

a Kidd on the loose

El in the little house, like the 3 little pigs-

it's made of straw

A new baby goat

Old Fashion Alarm clock

They had cute little activities that the kids could do, there where rubber ducks for pump and gutter races, a corn pit with tons of corn seeds to play in, a rope swing, petal cars and big trikes, and a slide-it was so fun!

Come One, Come All

In most parts of the country, it is Spring Break week. When my family was here in December I planted a seed in Hailey's head that she should come visit the babies for Spring Break. So she did. Jordan the kind older brother-to Hailey, said that he'd drive, and he brought a lovely young lady with him for a week of sun and fun. Oh, did I say fun? I meant sleep in the garage-I love our spare room, and babysit while I go to a movie and till my back yard for my garden spot, and fix some stuff over at Caleb's house too. By the way Thanks Bro!

We made our way out to hike the Waterfall Trail at the White Tanks.

Ki, Hailey, Brian and El

Ki, El Hailey, Jordan, Diana, and Steve

He's usually smiling. And why not? Hiking is easy when you are the baby.

Diana and Jordan

Has the boy not learned yet that I will take pictures and use them at my discretion and you may not like them???

El likes to climb up this rock. Can you see the band aid on her chin? She had an accident the other day, her chin met the tile first when she fell. Nothing a few stitches won't fix.

Jordan-long legs, made it up to the upper pond. This is the end of the water fall trail. I am sure that the out of towners think there is really water falling when they get to the end. I am sure that if it rains a ton there could be small falls. But usually it is just two little ponds in the rocks. Still it's a great  little hike.

Hailey, Brian, Diana, Jordan, and I went to the Wildlife Zoo also. I haven't been in a few years and it is even better now. They have an awesome aquarium. We got to touch star fish and manta rays. I was a bit scared to touch the manta ray but I did it felt like chicken- just kidding it was slimy but rubbery at the same time.

You have to stop and feed the Giraffes their nasty tongue is so gross but cool.

This little monkey thought that we were pretty cool. He put out his hand and touched Jordan and Hailey. We also got to see hamster babies. I think that the hamster was giving birth to them because they were so tiny and she was still looking like she was birthing. In the petting zoo they had five day old goats-they were so cute.

We had a great time with the family and we are so glad you guys came to visit!!!

Feed Me

Dude is getting big. At his check up today he was 18.1 pounds and 27 1/2 inches tall. We got the go ahead for cereal too. He actually did pretty good on the brown rice cereal. Oh how things have changed in the last 6 years. Baby food isn't the same anymore. I felt very overwhelmed in that isle in the grocery store. My Ped. said cereal for a week and then the basic fruits and veggies next week.  It is amazing how time is flying and how much Brian has changed.

We Like to go Camping

For Spring Break the only major request from Ki was that we go camping. Steve got off work on Friday a bit early and we headed North. This is one of our favorite places to camp. It is off I-17 @ Dugas Road and it has this tiny creek that runs down by the trees.

Brian and Steve

The girls in the tent

Playing in the trees

Steve had just thrown a rock into the creek and got Ki wet, El wanted to get out of the way!

Steve loves to throw rocks in the water

Notice the tongue sticking out? It starts young!

Celebrate

Yep! It's true- the dude is 6 months old

I am a big boy

No cake or anything like that-just some love from his sisters.

He also got a set of cars.

Every boy needs a lightning McQueen and his buddy Francesco Bernoulli.

Character Counts

This month was Fairness

Mrs. Smith, her teacher said:

"Ki is one of the most wonderful students that I have encountered, as both her poise and caring shine in our classroom and throughout the school. I am incredibly grateful to have such an amazing young lady in my classroom."

Ki has been nominated for Character counts every year. El was nominated a few months ago. They are both great students and love going to school. I am sure that will change as they get older but they sure enjoy it now.

My Offspring

Sometimes I actually remember to get out the camera. I have been pretending that I am going to start scrapping again. Just a few shots for the month of February:

I just love this boy. He is starting to sit up, but not entirely on his own.

They all can't be excited about the photo-Ki

I wish you could zoom into this picture, I mean I am sure that you can some how I just don't know how. (So I guess you can just click on the photo-who knew?) They look so much alike. Everytime I cut Brian's hair it gets lighter too. The girls are so good with Brian. They love to take turns holding him and he loves their attention.

Each night as part of bed time, Brian says goodnight to the girls. He reaches up high to the top bunk to say good night to Ki. For some reason he always grabs her hair and gives it a good tug. Then he moves down to El and he gives her a slobbery kiss on the cheek. Ki doesn't understand what it is that she's done to deserve this ritual but she knows that's just how he says I love you and good night sis. El thinks it's pretty funny, but I think she'd like a hair pulling too.

On A Roll

Brian has decided that it's time to see the world head first. So he now rolls over so that he can see things better. He could end up being a champion swimmer b/c when he gets on his stomach he just kicks his arms and legs like crazy. I can't wait to see what he does in the pool this summer.