Diamondbacks and Chinos

Well we can't get enough of Jessica and Wil so we decided to show them some of our favorite food: Chino Bandido. We realize eating this fare won't make us skinny but man was it tasty! It was fun to visit and of course get a photo by the big panda. We are trying to get them to come to Boston. Perhaps next summer? We can hope!

The next adventure for the day was baseball. I don't exactly know how it got started but Grandpa and Brad took Nate and Jared to the game while Amy and Mike went out. Brad and I were actually supposed to watch the kids to kind of pay Amy and Mike back for watching David yesterday (temple trip--it was nice).

Silly Pappa Kent with Jared and Nate

Brad and the boys

The whole gang

I don't know much about what happened except for they got there early and everyone got a free bobble head and the Diamondbacks won. Nate and Jared said it was fun so I guess they enjoyed their more than five hour evening at the ball park. Brad always likes being able to spend time with his Dad and nephews.

Put Me In the Zoo

Since Brad had a five day weekend for the 4th of July we had yet another day of family fun. This time at the Phoenix Zoo. (We also didn't want to be at Grandma and Grandpa's during the marble backsplash and bathroom counter install.)

We got there around 7:30. It was already 95 degrees!

William was looking happy to be there.

This is my favorite photo of the trip. Totally worth the $3 dollars we paid to feed the giraffe. We almost went back for seconds.

Running around while Mom and Dad ate snowcones. Is this photo over-exposed? No it was just that bright out.

Look at the lion!

The sign at the petting zoo said not to chase the goats...?

There really weren't tons of animals out in the heat so we made do.

Who dosen't love a pony?

The splash pad. Perhaps the best part of the day. This was about 10:30. It was too hot. We were done! I've always thought we'd move back here but this is the first time in my life I've seriously considered permenant relocation.

Obviously William didn't want to join in on the fun.

I really have mixed feelings about our little outings. I enjoy the things we do, but I always wonder if it is worth it because it will be a few more years till the kids really remember anything.

Four Months Old

Just had to mark the milestone! Baby William continues to grow and grow...

We all love his sweet little coos. He has really found his voice.

4th of July

We went to the Centennial Ward annual 4th of July breakfast. The pancakes were tasty and David was the perfect gentleman. We wondered how we ended up in the hottest place on earth for yet another holiday that seems much more enjoyable when it is cool. (We moved to Boston last summer on July 5th.)

David and Brad

There were some hot tamales candy decorating the center of the tables. David kept sticking them in his mouth, figuring out they were a little too much, then spitting them out.

William wanted to join in on the fun and squaked a little whenever he was left alone.

Kim and Von with David

They were nice enough to invite us. Mom and Brooke are out of town (LA) for a harp workshop.

Choir Performance

I have to admit that I love the choir from my growing up ward. I was occassionally able to participate as a teenager. This choir has always been very talented and many of my holiday memories and even some personal experiences have been related to the music I've heard them sing. What is 4th of July without hearing patriotic/religious music?

Grandma Kathy always has some special treat waiting!

Afterward I left Brad at my parent's house with the boys. I think Von and Kim watched them as much as Brad did but everyone claimed they had fun. I frantically shopped for a few things the boys need for the upcoming vaction and came out only partially successful.

We headed to see the move "Up" with Mike and Amy and family and Grandma and Grandpa. The boys did OK but I think our movie days with little ones are numbered. We watched fireworks on the front lawn. Brad and I felt a little guilty that we put David to bed before they started but man was he tired. We watched the Boston Pops fireworks show on TV. Amazing. No matter how cranky and tired our kids are we'll be there next year!

Museum Outing and SCORPION Bite!

I'll admit it. I've had the heebie jeebies. I always walk around the house with shoes on. I jump at every little thing that happens to touch my skin. There has been a scorpoion problem for a long time. We find several (dead and alive) every month. I got STUNG. Perhaps it was bound to happen. Maybe now I can quit worrying about it? Luckily there was no allergic reaction and it wasn't horribly painful. But I won't be sorry to get back to Boston bugs.

Brad and I took David to the new Phoenix Children's Museum. My niece Megan came along too. We stopped by Matt's Big Breakfast (a place we've seen on Diners, Drive Ins, and Dives) but it was hot and the line was too long, especially with the boys. We ended up at IHOP. I always feel like we are putting on a little show for other restaurant goers because the kids were anything but well behaved and quiet.

Brad had the grand idea of using his Dad's parking pass to park downtown. How can you go wrong with free parking? We walked a couple of blocks from the garage to the museum. The heat was nasty and we were all sweaty when we arrived. The Children's Museum had plenty of free and close parking. Thanks honey, I guess we were on Boston "no parking" mode.

David seemed to love the tot area, the jungle of what I can only describe as hanging pool noodles, and the drums. He had a passing interest in some of other small exhibits too. It was a little busy because of the holiday weekend but it was a good way to have fun in an air conditioned building.

I forgot my purse so there was no camera for pictures. Luckily there was a short nap in the Pack 'N Play after we got back. But only because David fell asleep in the car before we put him in.

Escaping from the Pack 'N Play

I've been a little obsessed with Pack 'N Plays. But can you really blame me? My kids actually sleep in them! At home there is one upstairs and one downstairs so no matter where I am William is protected from David. I bought an extra one off of Craigslist before we came here. Both kids have to have a place to sleep and Grandma Noele only had one. David has been taking 3-4 hour afternoon naps. Until today.

He figured out how to climb out of the one on the right. He opened the door and ran out to the living room five or six times always greeting us with a big "Hiiiiiii." We finally gave up. There was no nap. And bedtime took another five or six tries.

They only thing I know about parenting is just when you think you have it figured out then you find that you don't.

Shannon, Logan, and Swimming

My good friend Shannon was here this week and among other things (playdate and a girls night out) we were able to get David and Logan together. Logan was born just a month or so after David. The first time they saw each other this past Monday they pointed and got excited. I guess toddlers know their own kind!

Playing with bouncy balls

David and Logan--not the best photo but try getting two one year olds to hold still!

July 2009

Logan and David last summer

June 2008

William and I in the pool

William got in the pool for the first time. He seemed to like it. David swam with Brad and showed off some of his new skills. Apparently he did learn something at swim lessons. He knew how to blow bubbles in the water and didn't seem to mind being dunked after air was blown in his face. (This mean trick makes it so kids hold their breath.) David thought it was really funny when Mom and Dad jumped off of the diving board.

Shannon tried to corral Logan who was more interested in playing with leaves and things on the ground and watching our boys than acutually swimming. Thanks Shannon for making this week fun. Since you are from Phoenix but live in the East now you just GET IT. Congrats and good luck with the little girl on the way.