Fall in Phoenix!

Trip to the Fire Station

We were treated to a private tour of one of Surprise, AZ's fire stations today. I realized that I've never been to one before, so it was really neat to see all of the equipment, offices, kitchen, dorms, etc - all the things that go on behind the scenes. The kids had a blast trying on the equipment, climbing on and in the trucks, holding the hoses and tanks, and watching the lights and hearing the sirens. What a great day! It didn't go unnoticed that the date is Sept. 10... it seemed appropriate to spend some time learning more about these heroes and how dedicated and professional they are on the eve of 9/11.

San Diego

Three of God's glorious creations, enjoying His beautiful world.

Loves his Mimi and the ocean, but not his bathing suit.

My son-shine in the sunset

This shell has not left his side since!

I love my parents, love that they love me, my husband and ADORE our children. Love that we are so close despite being so far apart.

Papa braved the cold water to play with his grandsons all weekend.

This shot takes my breath away because I don't see a baby when I look at this and there is nothing I can do to change that.

My adventure seeking, nature loving, affectionate bundle of love. Though he would say, 'I'm not a bundle of love!! I'm a boy!"

So happy in the sand and Wah-wah!

Love this shot, or will, rather, once I photoshop out the excess.

J-O-Y

"I'm not c-c-c-cold!"

We headed west to San Diego to spend Labor Day Weekend with the 308th Emerald Knights and my parents. I was so glad that I had a few friends to caravan with during the 6 hour trip - esp glad when AJ threw up in his carseat at McDonalds and they all rushed to help me clean it up. (now those are friends!) Even more glad when I was denied access to the Navy Base where we were staying for the weekend because I didn't have my receipt of vehicle registration...and those same friends' husbands hooked me up with a rental minivan for the weekend! I was, once again, humbled and comforted by the generosity and solution-seeking-creativity of my Air Force family. Thanks again - strength and honor! ;)

My other family - aka my parents - met the boys and I for the long weekend. I never would've attempted such a feat without them! We had a great time at Sea World and playing on the beach. It's always reassuring to see our children interact with their grandparents - to know what a strong presence they have in their lives, even though we only see each other a few times a year. AJ remembered them as "Papapapa" and "Muh-Muh" (Mimi) and didn't want to leave their side the entire 3 days. Ryan had one fun overnight in their hotel room and even told me not to worry about him for the weekend because he was going to partner with his Mimi! Fearless Will dragged Papa (or maybe it was the other way around?...) to play for hours in the waves.

Missing Heath and wishing he could see the boys play and experience their excitement aside, it was a beautiful weekend. One we'll remember for years to come. xoxo

Ryan's homework assignment was to write about a community helper. You'll have to open the photo to see what he wrote! My kids definitely have a different reality than most.

Wicked cool, even during naptime.

Wanted to wear a suit and fix his hair to look like a president.

The butcher, the baker, the candlestick maker.

Someday he will no longer slurp on his fingers....and I will miss it. This image of my baby will be with me forever.

My fierce Jedi.

At the end of the day, when I have a few minutes to myself the last thing I feel like doing anymore is writing! I've been spending a lot more time on Facebook than my blog but I'll try to update with new pictures here more frequently.

Another First

I've been waiting for Will to be successful with potty training so that we could enroll him in preschool 2 morning a week. School started on Tuesday, so I took him to his class to meet his teacher and friends and to look around hoping it would motivate him. He had his name on the wall and his own little reserved cubby.....that's when it hit me. He's growing up! (whew!! thankfully he's not 100% reliable on the potty training thing so I don't have to do this yet) I explained to his teacher why he wasn't going to stay that day and we discussed where he was in his 'training', which is - apparently - about at the same level as all of the others in his class! So.. he started today. He was so excited. We packed his snack and his backpack. We called Daddy for some words of wisdom. When we got there he asked me, "am I going to cry?" My answer was, "no baby, this is going to be fun, not sad (Mommy will cry, not you)". He was satisfied with that answer and kissed me goodbye and walked out to the school playground to play with his new friends. He had a great morning with playdough, paint, sand, snacks, stories, songs and NO accidents! I'm so proud of my baby boy. And in my long desired time away from 2/3 of my children, I went home and baked them cupcakes and watched the clock until it was time to pick him up! I love you Will!!! xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

First Day of School

At his new desk. He is so excited to be #1 reverse alphabetical order....Mrs. Thompson ROCKS!! And no, Daddy, that is NOT his purple pencil case.

He is so excited at this point...though there were a few tears a minute or two later when it was time for me to leave.

Puttin' out the vibe, just like Daddy! He is so proud of his new transformers backpack and lunchbox.

My big handsome boy.

Out the door, on our way!

Trip to CA

AJ meeting his Godparents - my best friend Cindy and her husband Mark, who live in Houston - for the first time. In their honor, he's showing them his TX horns....oh, wait a minute, he always does that! It was SO great to see them. I finally got to see little Matt, who is almost 2 yrs old, which means it's been WAY TOO LONG since Cindy and I have had a chance to visit.

Ryan with his cousin, Charlotte. We're getting pretty good at timing our visits to coincide. We have been able to see them twice this year.....never enough time for me, but I'll take whatever I can get. They pack a LOT of playing into a few days.

An 'on the fly' 3rd birthday party for Will. He was so excited to wear his Birthday Boy shirt again and even sang, "....happy birthday to ME-EEEE"

Me with my newly athletic sister, who actually went running while we were there. WTF? I had to wait, like 45 minutes, for her to get back (with a donut).

The inner tube was useless in the pool....but in the backyard it entertained them all for hours!

This broken arm did not slow my nephew, Braedon, down for a second!

AJ loves his Mimi.

Oops! Dropped his passenger, Mickey! aka "Muhh"

Refused to take a nap, and fell asleep either in this chair or at the dinner table every evening.

Loving being able to go outside in Pismo. It was actually a little bit cold!