August 2010

The month was pretty relaxed (at least for me and the boys) after we got home from vacation. Here are a few things we did.

Kade just loves to be a part of whatever we are doing.

He rolled over for the first time. It took me a couple of weeks to get it on film though.

When I went in to check on the boys on night, they were lying in exactly the same position. I ran to get my camera but Chyler had moved Carson before I got back. Don't ask me why Carson is still in his clothes, he must have fallen asleep before getting ready for bed and I didn't want to wake him. I love sleeping babies.

Kade and I were playing before church, I love his expression in this picture. I had just bought this outfit.

Kade also started sitting up on his own, I love when babies get to this stage, I think it is so cute.

Kade looking way too comfortable in my bed.

Carson needed both monkeys to go to bed.

The biggest thing I accomplished in August was preserving 25 pounds of peaches. I made 3 batches of freezer jam, 2 ice cube trays of popsicles/baby food, 7 Gerber containers of baby food, 1 batch of syrup, and canned four bottles. It was my first time canning and I felt totally inadequate not to mention that I'm sure my mom got sick of me calling. But after a week of peaches, I was totally exhausted and I was so sick of them that I didn't even eat one peach.

We had planned on taking Carson to his first movie (that he was old enough to watch) in Arizona but didn't get around to it. So we took him to Despicable Me at the end of August. We didn't know how either of them would do but they both did amazingly. Carson watched the whole thing and loved it.

He had to come down all by himself.

Finally...some food!

Like Carson, Kade was so ready to solids (if you can call rice cereal solid) but I wanted to wait till we were home from vacation before starting them.

This kid is so ready!! He loves his big brother

Is this not the face of happiness?

Summer Vacation in Arizona

Last year Michele called and asked if we wanted to spend a week in Mexico with them this summer. Let's see, beach front resort with family, um YES please. However, as the trip got closer, we kept hearing how dangerous Mexico is now with all the drug wars and ransom kidnapping especially near the border which is where we were going. So we finally decided it wasn't worth our families' safety but when Michele went to change locations, all that was left was Las Vegas and Tucson, AZ. So Tucson it was. Given all the reactions we had when we said we were going to Tucson, we were expecting a ghetto small town but it was actually really nice and their desert is much prettier and greener than our desert.

Roadside Diner

We stopped for lunch at this little diner off the highway where they give you markers to sign your name on the walls. We had fun doing it.

Carson and Brit looking at us from outside Patrick wanted Presley's name to be seen so we had him write our boys as well

And of course Chyler had to write how much he loves me, he's such a romantic (feel free to laugh if you know Chyler and know that he would not do something like that)

Funny picture of Carson and Chyler

Tombstone, AZ

Our first day there was Sunday so we just hung out but then Monday we drove about an hour to Tombstone. Patrick was appalled that none of the girls have seen the movie but he gave us the run down and we enjoyed the day.

Target practice. The bullets had paint in them so you could see where you shot.

Cute couple

The petting zoo. Of all the baby farm animals, calves are my favorite. I loved spring in Idaho when they were everywhere.

Carson loves feeding the animals

Where the kids belong

Since we had just seen the animals, Carson thought he was in a cage like them and started mooing.

We went into the saloon/brothel which is now a historical landmark and museum. And which is haunted apparently. This is an old school potty training chair.

Presley and I in the front by the bar

The OK Corral where the famous shooting took place

They had a bunch of carriages that Carson wanted to drive. He knew just what to do with the reins, where do kids learn this stuff?

Kade just hanging in the stroller as usual. That is one of the cute little tag blanket I made for him. Good thing he loves it cause it took a long time to make.

Chyler and Kade swimming at the condo

Breakers Water Park

We read that there was a water park before we left but when we saw the dirt road that took you there as we were driving into town, we were a little skeptical. It turned out to be pretty fun though. They let Carson go down one of the slides with me and he loved it.

Chyler on the phone doing work instead of relaxing.

Texas Roadhouse

We were so excited when we saw the Roadhouse, which is where I served at in college, and we celebrated Jo's birthday there. So yummy.

Jo had to sit on the saddle while they sang to her, she wasn't too thrilled about it.

After dinner the girls decided to go country line dancing which ended up not being line dancing at all. But we still did a couple on our own then they played dance music at 10 and we danced till I had to get back to the baby.

Desert Museum

On Thursday we went to the Desert Museum which was pretty much a zoo. It was cool to see the animals but it was just way, way, way too hot. We were all sweating like crazy.

Carson and the McKees on the tortoise

Look how red Carson is from being outside. The best animals were on the dirt path that I didn't want to go on cause I was so done. So I took the stroller and Chyler carried Carson to see those animals.

Kade feel asleep sucking his thumb but wouldn't let go of his toy.

The last day there was just chill since we had to drive all day the next day. So we just swam and relaxed. Here Chyler is teaching the kids to make a whirlpool in the kiddie pool.

Old Town

Friday night we drove down to Old Town Tucson to have dinner and walk around. We saw this Mexican restaurant that smelled so good. The wait was horrible and then by the time we got in there, the food and service was horrible too. Chyler and I split the chimichanga which was supposed to be one of the best dishes in the US but it was nothing special. And because we spent so much time waiting for the restaurant, we just went home afterwards. Pretty disappointing but we did stop for ice cream on the way which was really good.

The family, Carson wanted to give me kisses instead of smile

The girls, plus Carson

The boys

Family Pictures

I have been wanting family pictures for a long time but I didn't want to pay for them but then we were lucky enough to have a girl do it who was just starting out and wanted the practice. Then we ran into the problem of Chyler having the time but we finally got them done in July and I love how they turned out. Carson was a complete monster the whole time because he of course just wanted to run, what he does best, and so we were really lucky to get the ones of him that we did. I love them and I am so happy they are done.