Desert Wedding

In March James, Claire and I went to Arizona for my cousin Andie's wedding.  I am proud to say that I flew with both kids all by myself and everyone made it there and back in one piece!  Thank goodness for the invention of the iPad. 

We took the kids to a rodeo (that we missed last year when I was there on maternity leave).  James and Tessa rode sheep in the mutton bustin' contest!  Tessa went first and did awesome.  James was second, and was barely hanging on as he came out of the shoot :)  I don' think he has much of a future on the mutton bustin' circuit.  

Traditional pony rides were a much safer bet!

Honey is so much fun!  She had those kids spinning and spinning and spinning.  

The wedding was held outdoors at a private home.  The reception, however, was hosted by my sister and brother-in-law.  It was so generous of them to open up their home and backyard to all the guests.  Aside from the weather being COLD (thank goodness for the new outdoor fireplace), it was a beautiful wedding.  It was so fun to hang out with all of my aunts and my cousins Fawn and Meredith who came in from L.A. and FL!  

That baby girl loves her Papa!  He was the only one that could hold her all weekend.  Even still, she asks for him every time she sees the phone. 

The next day we all went out hiking.  Claire was exhausted and looks like she's going to fall out of the carrier, but she was fine. 

These two are BFF's, they have such a great time together!  

Bathing Beauty

Claire's first "swim"

This is the only time she will have worn this suit, but I couldn't pass up pink ruffles! 

And just for good measure, a bundled up Claire after an evening spent by the campfire roasting marshmallows.

And this officially wraps up the Arizona pictures!

giddy up

James and Tessa had a blast at the barn and riding Mom's horse Toronto.  I think the horses enjoyed it too because there were treats all around! 

Arizona Part II - Schnepf Farms

There is a working farm in Queen Creek called Schnepf Farms that we go to each visit to Arizona.  Last year James caused a pig riot on our visit.  This year we enjoyed the sun, found the pig in a much different spot, and then went to lunch at the Olive Mill. 

(I think this is the only picture of me from our entire trip!)

Peach Blossoms

James loved petting the goats, especially the babies!

And now for the pig that almost caused a riot last year.  This year it had escaped from its pen and was chillin' with the goats.  James wasn't too sure about it...

"You want me to pet it?"

Arizona iPhone Roundup

February Favorites

Also known as Arizona Part 1, because aside from Valentine's Day and my birthday, not a lot happened that I can remember! 

1. Friday Night Lights

In January I got caught up on Mad Men.  In February I watched the entire Friday Night Lights series.  LOVED IT.  Great cast, great writing, and it has a little football thrown in too. 

2. Getting the basement cleaned up.  All the boxes from our move (almost two years ago) are unpacked and the crawl space has been organized with all the stuff we need to store. 

We will probably start on a basement remodel sometime this year, which will include taking down the wall separating the main room and the "bedroom" (which will be the kids play area), paint, new carpet, fixing the drop ceiling and adding lots of storage. 

3. And then we went to Arizona.  I flew by myself with James and Claire and called it a huge success that no one had to use the restroom on the plane, Claire didn't poop on me or cry really at all, James stayed in his seat the entire time watching movies on the iPad (seriously...best investment ever) and that all our stuff made it in one piece.

4. Story Time at the library.  As a working mom James misses out on all the activities at our library here, but we made sure to go while we were in AZ with cousin Tessa.  It also saved me from bringing a ton of books from home.

5. Aunt Kelly took James and Tessa to the Arizona Museum of Natural History, and James loved it.  He got to see dinosaurs, pan for gold, dig for dinosaur bones and touch dinosaur poop (really?).  He couldn't stop talking about it and wants to go back. 

6. Joe's Farm Grill: Seriously good burgers and onion rings.  I was supposed to be losing more weight while in AZ, this meal contributed to only losing a half pound...but worth it!

7. Getting to run outside.  It was slow going, but I was able to get several runs in (not as many as I had hoped though, hence only losing a half pound, but a girls got to have some fun while on vacation)

8. Open Gym: James loves gymnastics so taking advantage of the open gym with Tessa and her friend Talon was great fun

9. Playing with Tessa.  What a difference a year makes!  They got along great this year and James was constantly asking when we were going to Tessa's house.

10. Claire, who still loves to sleep and cuddle

11. SWIMMING!  Who can say that they went swimming outside in February?  Us, that's who!

Much more on the AZ trip to come!