Summer Fun with Out-of-Towners

This weekend, Aunt Amy came to Phoenix from Salt Lake with her boyfriend Ken. We spent lots of time at the pool seeking relief from the brutal Arizona heat. It's one of Ian's favorite past times, so we didn't complain. (Campbell on the other hand doesn't love the water as much, so we hung out at the edge...)

Farmer Ian

Last week Ian had fun helping Grandpa Honk water the garden - he loved the hose attachment. LOL I was concerned about him being out so long in the heat, but he managed to keep cool enough in the water and shade. He has fun with the water and shovel and bugs (I was not such a fan of the bugs and did a little freak out dance when I found them in his clothes later that night. We'd stripped him of the muddy clothes and left them outside while he came in for a bath. Let's just say that by the time I went out to get them, his jeans had already been claimed by a spider and beetle. ACK!)

Nap Time

Shhhhh.....

Mom is sitting, breathing a sigh of relief ... enjoying the slience, albeit brief. LOL

One of the few times they were actually asleep at the same time. Ah, small miracles. ha...ha... The angle gives the impression that campbell is the largest 6 week old boy on the planet. LOL

Ian gets a trike

We were at Mimi's house last week and Ian got a trike. The trike will stay out on the farm where's there's lots of space for Ian to ride. of course, this week they were getting irrigates, so everything was wet - however, indoor riding seemed to be a good way to start practicing. He's a little "iffy" with the peddling part - but loves being able to put his cars in the basket for transporting. It was fun to watch him figure this out.

A Day in the Life ...

Thought I'd add a few photos from the past week or so. No big stories to share, just some fun with the camera. All is well here in Phoenix. Albeit hotter than you-know-what! ha..ha... today was around 107. I took the boys to the library to see a Magic/Juggling show. Perhaps a bit over ambitious. LOL. Campbell was patient in the sling and Ian did well for the first half, but eventually he wanted to climb over the kids in front of him and get to the crazy performer. So,we decided we'd had enough. ha..ha.... He was cute though - laughing when the other kids laughed, raising his hand to volunteer when they did. He had no idea what was going on, but had a blast. :)

Campbell in the bath ... he didn't cry until we hit the hair... which oddly enough never bothers him when we just hold him under the sink to give him a quick wash. Go figure.

Someone's stinky!

Ian on the way to Church last Sunday ... he's just such a crack up!

He's giving up the "thumb's up" saying "COOL!"

Ian and cousin Charlie

Ian was in the living room while I was cleaning the kitchen. I looked over and there he was asleep, holding a Triscuit.

Ashley's Baby Shower

Our sister Ashley was in town from San Francisco this weekend. She and her husband Dan are expecting their first baby ... a BOY ... in August. (Selfishly speaking, we are pretty excited to be adding another boy cousin to the gang!)

Ashley came home to Phoenix for a visit and some wonderful friends hosted a baby shower for her. I wish I'd gotten some better photos, but if when I gather others, I'll post them. Ashley wears pregnancy well ... she looks great!

ashley opening gifts

Meredith looking fabulous as always!

Mary Lou & Ashley ... don't they look like they'd make great talk show hosts?

A fabulous spread of the best food!

I swear the cupcakes must have each had a 1/4 cup of the best buttercream frosting...the cookies were pure sugar bliss and it was the best curry chicken salad - So good that I'm going to add the recipe at some point.

The Boys of Summer

The "boys of summer" out for a ride saturday morning ... PJ's and all. ha..ha...ha.

A Visit from the Cousins

last Saturday we had a fun visit from the Russell's who came up from Tucson. Jon's brother Ron, his wife Janet and their boys Marc & Stuart were up for the day and we had some fun at the playground, a yummy dinner (thanks to Jon's gourmet hands) and a trip to Mickey D's for dessert! It was a blast and the boys all had fun playing together.

Jon preps the boys for a photo op at the park

Ian (21 mo), Stuart (5), Marc (7)

Ron & Janet

Happy Mother's Day

This year's plans for a Mother's Day BBQ at Mom & Dale's were posponed due to Campbell's early arrival. (Of course, who would complain about the chance to celebrate Mother's Day by ringing home a new baby!)

So, we regrouped and gathered at Mom & Dale's last weekend. It was great ... Dale cooked up some mean steaks with all the trimmings. We celebrated 4 generations with Great Grandma Joyce, Mom, Me & Meredith and the boys. Great Gram was thrilled to be able to celebrate with her two great-grandsons!

Mimi comforts Ian who is startled by a scene from "Cars". (Mimi's a good snuggler! :>)

Which funny enough, is one of his favorite movies. ha..ha.

Great Grandma cuddles Campbell

Holly & Ian Cheese it up for the camera

Aunt Meredith takes a snooze with Campbell

Ride 'em Cowboy!

Ian and Cheerio the horse Say hello. Ian loves to visit Mimi & Grandpa "Honk" so he can visit all the animals, dig in the dirt, ride the tractor ... ... ...

The Boys ...

Here's Ian in his life jacket - he loves, loves Loves going to the pool with Jon, however, he has no fear of the water. He thinks is great to run around the pool and jump in - with or without Jon to catch him. With that in mind, we've equiped him with a life jacket.

The following are pictures of Ian and campbell - A week or so ago, Ian became a lot more interested in holding the baby ... Until then, his strongest desire was to insert/remove a pacifier and to notify us whenever the baby cries. (because we may not be aware) So far, he really loves the baby and wants to be sure he knows where he his at all times. ha..ha.... He gets the biggest smile when he sees Campbell. We'll see if that lasts LOL.

Chocolate Delight

We figure what better time to give him an ice-cream bar than right after a bath and just before bed. LOL