Baby Steps

AJ took his 'first steps' about a month ago but only one or two at a time. All of a sudden, on Friday, the day before his birthday, he stood up and walked! Now he's a walkin', talkin' machine. He LOVES to kick balls (so to speak) already and is having a great time with all of the balloons floating around!

Chocolate!

OK, I have to admit....this is not his first cake or chocolate experience. What can I say, he's the 3rd! Still, we've never let him 'have at it' until his birthday...I think he managed it pretty well! I typically look the same when I eat cake!

Happy Birthday AJ

It is so bittersweet for us when our babies turn 1.... especially the last one. This year has flown by faster than any I remember and I look back and wonder what happened to my little 9 pound 6 oz baby who clung to and depended on me for everything. I still see the same innocent little eyes, pouty face, and crazy hair....only now he's walking, talking, feeding himself, and would much rather be playing with his brothers than with me. I know great days are to come but I often wish I could freeze time and keep these guys just the way they are - to us, life is perfect and celebrating Aiden's first year only helps to emphasize how truly blessed we are.  Our house was full, on AJ's big day, with friends, old and new, who've become our Phoenix family.  It was a fantastic day filled with love, laughter, and cupcakes!...one I'll always remember. 

Snow

The parking lot

The accumulation

Snowstorm

We go up to Flagstaff about 5 times a year and stay in the cabins at Ft. Tuthill. In the winter they have a great little sled run that goes right through the cabins. They boys love it and could stay outside all day. This past weekend we went up for a getaway with Heath's squadron. Our kids never sleep away from home so we missed out on most of the activities...but it was fun anyway. OK, actually, it kind of sucked because we were exhausted and frustrated, but I know that when we look back on these photos we'll remember the fun part.  

USAF

You've gotta love the Air Force! Last week we were reveling in the excitement of Heath's appointment to the Air Force One Advance Agent Team and the next day, literally, he got a call in the middle of dinner informing us that he'll be deploying for 4 months in July. What gives?? This year is shaping up to hold many separations for us, and I'm wondering how in the world I'm going to entertain these 3 boys when it's 115 degrees outside! I can't run home to my parent's this time because of Ryan's school.  I guess it's to be expected; I mean it's already been a whole year that we've lived in the same house! I'm trying to remain positive - I know so many have it worse, like 365 day tours to Iraq. Did I mention that Heath is 'deploying' to SOUTH CAROLINA????? Maybe I'm just a little bitter that he'll be at the beach and I'll be festering in this inferno again. :0)

Sedona Red Rocks

Mommy would never do this!!

Slide Rock State Park

Will was perfectly content throwing rocks in the river

%#@* barber - that's all I see in this photo!! Thankfully, his hair grows fast. He loved the water, too.

My little cliff dweller loved rock climbing and hiking. He did not inherit my paranoia.

Had to take pictures of myself, since the others were off on a disapproved adventure, crossing a deep, moving river on nothing but sticks and stones!

A rare relaxing moment. It's just so nice to be outside, away from heat and cactus. The boys did not want to leave.

We spent the weekend in Flagstaff, where we got over 10 inches of snow. We took a 30 minute drive south to Sedona and spent a day in the 'red rocks'. The weather was gorgeous and the boys loved hiking around the creek and in the rocks and caves. I was scared of drowning, freezing, falling, and cave dwelling animals. :0)

Happy New Year

AJ with Grandpa Ross on the Jazzy!

Candy from Aunt Donna - he clutched this bag in the car for an hour...poked a little hole in it and said ' I no eat it yet, just smell'.

Me with my almost-walking little man. He wanted to get down so badly!

Will couldn't get enough of the old tractors

Old Borges Ranch

Evidence that it does actually happen

Ryan at Grandpa's

Ryan with his cousin, Charlotte

Christmas morning

Putting out food for the reindeer

Every year I'm amazed at how quickly time flies. I cannot believe that 2008 is over! December was a blur and we're still in the post-holiday slump. Heath and Ryan have the rest of the week off, which doesn't help to motivate me to jump into the new year yet. Gym visits in '09 = 0, Days of breaking my diet in '09 = (what's today? the 8th?) okay, so 8, I guess. We had such a wonderful time in CA last week. We had the whole family together - it was crazy, loud, chaotic, and perfect. We also had a chance to visit with all of Heath's family, including his 95 year old grandfather, Ross.