Come Ye Thankful (and Hungry) People

We were truly grateful to host our neice and nephew, S. and J., for Turkey Day.  This year we did Thanksgiving in two parts:  Part I consisted of playing lots of X-Box Kinetic and eating a non-traditional meal of steaks, pasta, salads, and cheesecake.

Here, J. & A. show off their stuff as they play the river rapids game.

 For the first time ever, I got to use the china and candlestick holders I received ten years ago for our wedding.  I must say, it was a quiet little domestic dream come true to host my first ever holiday gathering for family in my own home.

Thanksgiving Part II consisted of a roadtrip to Tucson to feast with our good friends, the Ross's.  But before the meal, we stopped by to see the Pima Air and Space Museum.  Here is J. (currently in the Air Force ROTC at BYU) looking into the cockpit of an A-something-or-other (you'll have to ask him what the exact designation is).

Jay and Au. pose in front of an SR-71.

After feasting our eyes with all things aeronautic, we returned to the Ross's to filled our tummies with a traditional (and very delicious) Thanksgiving dinner.  Thanks so much J. & C.! 

Oh yeah, my one contribution to that meal was a made-from-scratch-double-crusted apple pie.  Had to snap a photo to document it for posterity.

The pinks and mommy with our gracious hostess.

Soccer Star

This year represents A.'s first foray into organized sports.  According to her, soccer is all about spending time with friends, wearing your hair in braids, running around in a cool t-shirt and, oh yeah, if the ball happens to come your way, you should probably kick it.

See A. Run!  That's her in the maroon shirt running ahead of the ball in an attempt to cut off the opposing team's attack!



More Visitors!

In early November we were treated to a visit from Grandma D. & Grandpa G.  And more visitors means more fun!  Here we are playing at the Phoenix Children's Museum 

Grandpa G. keeps Au. warm while the family cheers on A. at another soccer game.

Time to Trick-Or-Treat

This year it was up to one very adorable ballerina, one exceptionally sweet ladybug, and one tiny little Halloween monster to tame all the spooks with an overdose of the cutes.

P. and A. designed the faces for their respective Jack-O-Laterns themselves!

We Love Visitors!

In late October we were lucky enough to receive a visit from Grandma M. and Aunt M.A.  All sorts of fun things happen when we host visitors (which is why we like them so much). Here is a picture of us gals at the Desert Botanical Gardens...

cheering for our favorite soccer player....

and making "ghost" treats out of Nutter Butter cookies and Tootsie Pops.


We also took Grandma M. and Aunt M.A. to A.'s school fair where carnival treats...

and bounce houses were enjoyed by all!

 

When Scorpions Attack!

Yep, you guessed it!  That's a scorpion--in our bed.  It's dead, but it wasn't two minutes before this photo was taken when it stung Jay shortly after he'd laid down to go to sleep.  One scorpion is bad enough but this is actually the second scorpion that has stung Jay while he's been in bed.  This first scorpion managed to sting him twice before we were able to kill it.  Poor guy.  (Jay, not the scorpion)  

School Daze!

It's the first day of class for Pink #1 and Pink #2

A. strikes a pose before heading out the door to her first day of Kindergarten.

A. took to Kindergarten like a fish to water!

P. was all confidence at home on the morning of her first day of Pre-School.

That confidence waned a bit upon arrival, but once she got through her first day, she became one pre-school loving Pink! 

"Hey!  What about me?"  Au. gets comfortable in her car carrier as she accompanies Mommy on carpools. 

It's the Dog Days of Summer

and the Pinks have been busy trying to stay cool. 

Here's what they did:

Swim Lessons

Keeping with Arizona custom, A & P spent their mornings at the pool perfecting their skills and making waves with their stylish optical accessories.

A. made vast improvements in overcoming her hesitancies towards water.

P. never had any hesitancies towards the water.

Learning the backstroke.

P. was so enthusiastic about swimming that she was described by her teacher as "one crazy little fishy!"  The moniker has stuck and now we call her that at home.

Rainstorms

It doesn't rain often but when it does, it pours.  And the temperature drops just enough that it's physically possible to endure being outside.  Here, Jay risks electrocution to edge our lawn during a monsoon in order to avoid having to do it in the extreme heat. 

With rain, comes mud (we still haven't landscaped that one corner of our yard yet) and with mud comes two little girls who love to roll around in it!  Besides, making mud pies is another excuse to wear those stylish optical accessories.

They even got Au. to join the goggle club.

Post Rainstorm Bike Rides

With Daddy's help, A. has shed her need for training wheels and is now the sleakest, meanest little dirt bike riding beauty on the black top.

Not to be outdone, Au. puts on a mean face too while being introduced to her future bike.

Dance Class

A. & P. took a Disney Princess themed dance class at the local Parks N' Rec.  Here is A. in her Tinkerbell Fairy Friend costume practicing her turns.

P. stretches during warm-ups.

Curler Cuties

Just for fun, the girls decided they wanted to give curlers a try.

 It was a wee bit difficult getting all of P.'s hair wrapped in sponges as it's still rather short in the front, but we at least managed to get the back curled.

Bouncy, Flouncy!!

Au. says, "Why bother with curlers when bald is so beautiful?"



We've Been Haboobed!

On July 5th a very large dust storm--also known by the arabic designation of "haboob"--hit the Phoenix area.  The dust cloud was reportedly over a mile high.  I took this picture while standing on the kids' playset in the backyard just moments before the wall of sand hit our house.  The storm was so thick that the sky went from sunny to black almost instantly.  Needless to say, I spent the better part of the next morning sweeping what seemed like half the Sonoran Desert off my back porch.  Curse you, Haboob!

In the Baby Moment

Grandma called to say she wanted to see more pictures of Au.  We were happy to oblige.

Here she is in her favorite "jailbird" pajamas.  Hey, if being cute is a crime, then she's guilty as charged!

Smiley, smiley!

All tuckered out.

Bedhead

Six consecutive portraits of P.'s typical morning coiffes