Palm springs

Bathing beauty

Lounging by the pool. I feel like we are on a permanent vacation!

Happy 3rd Birthday Maggie Jane!

To the best big sister in the whole world on her 3rd birthday.

At 6 am Maggie was dressed in her fancy dress and ready to open her presents! She was so excited to be turning 3. Her birthday was a family affair... Grandma Stephanie and Auntie Susus came for a visit from Ohio! We love our little girl who is growing up so fast.

Maggie picked out her Tinker Bell cake and was so excited. Look at that expression on her face. I know that she was making a wonderful wish.

Pig Tails

Dress up time!

For the Grandparents...

This is Maggie's school report from Ms. Lisa her teacher. I know my grandpa, Win, would have been really proud!

"Maggie has taken her time coming into the classroom. She is quiet and prefers to observe others rather than playing with the toys. She loves playing with the strollers collecting random items around the classroom including rocks and blocks. She is assertive in her wants, but very polite, "no thank you" she says when I give her a choice. She is a cutie. Thanks for sharing her with me this year."

Toes

Baby K found her toes this morning. She is so proud of herself!

Don't run at the Zoo and other valuable advice

Maggie advice for mommy this week:

Mommy don't run at the Zoo!!!
Why Maggie?
Because you might fall into the tiger's cage!!
Good to know.

Mommy don't never ever never eat yellow snow! Ok??
Ok.

'member that?

Maggie relives moments in her life constantly. We will be driving in the car and she comes up with a totally random moment from months ago and relives every second. At the end of the story she always says... 'member that??? John and I die laughing. Tonights "'member that" moment was from April. I was nursing the baby in her room. Maggie was taking a bath. She gets out and runs into the baby's room, still wet. Maggie whispers: "Mom, 'member when I fell at the pool and got a booboo? I couldn't swim and cried?" Me: "Yes, I remember that." Maggie yelling in a very serious tone: "All I am sayin' is DON'T RUN!!! See ya!". She then turned and ran out of the room.

Attitude

Maggie tried to share Katherine's new playmat. She did not want to share. Check out her expression!

Splash Pad, Pizza, Gelato, and Guns?

We are quickly adjusting to our new life in the desert. We have figured out that life here revolves around water and ice cream. Our weekend was spent at the splash pad at the new club that we joined and trying out the ice cream places around town. We went for gelato this evening and freaked out when a man walked in with a gun! John quickly reminded me that you can carry a gun here in Az! Why on earth would you need a gun in a gelato store?

Best Friend Amelia

Mom & Maggie

Baby Sister

Bedtime reading with Daddy... Baby sister looks a little scared!

Water park fun

New find in Tucson: Splash Pad! We spent two hours running around in the water before the crowds showed up at 9. One bonus to the girls waking up at 5:30 this morning!

New addition

Newest addition to our lives... Ballet and tap class for Maggie!

Daddy can't come to school with me!

2 f-16s flew overhead while I was walking Maggie into school this morning. She got really excited started yelling "it's my daddy! It's my daddy! Hi daddy!!!!" Then she got real serious and looked at me, "daddy can't come to school with me... It's kids only!". Then she looked back up at the planes and talking to John said, "daddy go to WORK!". As they flew away she was quite impressed with her power.

Reward after a long hard swim

Saturday morning

Sock puppet kinda morning

3 months old

Baby Katherine is 3 months old this week. She has been such an easy baby during the day, but not sleeping as well as night. She is smiling, rolling over and laughing. So wonderful.

First day of preschool

So excited for Maggie's first day of preschool.








With her teacher Miss Lisa


I signed her in, we walked into her classroom, unpacked her backpack, and put her stuff in her cubby. She turned to me and said... Ok mom you can go now!

On an adventure

We are .5 miles from the trail head for sabino wilderness. There is a tram that takes you into sabino canyon 3.7 miles. There are stops along the way with swimming holes, trails, and picnic areas. It is really beautiful!









The tram heading over a flooded bridge. Reminded me of the jaws ride at universal studios!










Mommy and Maggie

Uncle Johnny is here!

Going on a scorpion hunt!

After finding another scorpion in our house today, the exterminator recommended that we get our shoes on and go for a hunt outside with a black light. We found two!! We miss Ohio! :)

My little friend

Caught ya!

Staycation!

We are on vacation! Exactly three blocks away from our house! The family is coming in tomorrow and had an extra room for tonight. We are trying out the hotel! We swam in the pool, went on a nature hike, and ordered a huge banana split for dessert! That's what you do on a staycation right?





The little one enjoying the pool





View of the waterfall with no water. We are in monsoon season so the water should be back in a day or two.


Daddy scientist showing Maggie a dragonfly.


Daddy scientist telling her about bats in the cave behind her.


Watching the bats flying around


Waiting for her ice cream!

Evening walk

Below are some views from our evening walk. The mountains are so beautiful and the colors change every few minutes.

The end of our road:


Looking east


Tomorrow morning is orientation for Maggie's preschool. I have to take the girls with me... Probably not a good first impression! Wish us luck!

Sat dinner out

This picture sums up our dinner. Kooky, tired, and ready to go home after our long day.

Cool down

Cooling down in our pool after the zoo. Little sister looks a little concerned. Notice Maggie's bruise and scrape on her right eye. Major fall in front of the elephant display at the Zoo. Thankfully she loves bandaids and was excited to have a real booboo! Silly girl!


Thank you Susan for the adorable swimsuits! K is looking good in her bikini!


Snoozing after her swim

Weekend in Tucson

To the Zoo! We are having fun exploring our new city. This weekend it was time to visit the zoo. The weather was perfect. It is the rainy season here in the desert so the temps are not too high. Yesterday was 85 degrees! It is a glimpse of what the rest of the year has in store for us. Final report on the zoo: not nearly as big as the Cinci Zoo or as nice. It is probably half the size... Which is perfect walking for a 3 yr old and it will also be great for a solo outing with just the kids while John is working! Bonus: they open at 7:30 am! This maybe our destination of choice considering our entire house is awake at 5:30 :)


Maggie is getting to the age where she is a big help. She was in charge of navigating the zoo and lead us all over the place. She was so serious with her job! Here she is reading the map.