When it's SO hot outside

Unlike other states in this nation, we spend our cool winter days outdoors, enjoying the weather. In the summer, when its SO hot you can hardly stand to be outside, we have to find other creative ways to have fun and keep cool, like...

Eating ice creamPlaying in air conditioned arcades
Find a comfy spot in the shadePlay in the sinkObviously, LOTS of swimming
And always a good hose down

Speaking of hot, when we moved to AZ, I thought for sure there would be no reason to hang on to our snow clothes, but on the off-chance we might need them we kept them. It turns out, my snowboard helmet has been put to good use afterall:
Dallen wanted desperately* to wear a helmet when he rides his bike, just like Elmo (*and by desperately I mean threw a HUGE tantrum when I didn’t buy him an 8 year old helmet at the store)!! Luckily we found this, and he was plenty happy to wear Mom's gigantic old helmet.

Celebrating Independence

{Photo courtesy of Independence Day 2010}

For several months now Dallen has become more and more independent with each passing day. Everything is "myself" and I am not allowed to help him. He loves to help me carry stuff, walk alone, push his own stroller, help with the chores, drink from big boy cups, and so much more. Dallen can totally communicate to me with words what he wants, needs and dislikes!! I feel like (and he thinks) he is all grown up and although it scares me, I am so proud of him and the little man he is turning into.

Just like home...but better!!

On our super fun filled, 2 week long, 4th of July, California vacation, you could find Dallen doing many of the things he does at home but it was so much better...

At home Dallen plays basketball with a plastic hoop and baseball with a mini foam bat; this was better...

At home Dallen eats a few sweets, but this was better...



At home Dallen plays in the sandbox and in the water, but this was better...




At home Dallen flirts with the ladies, but seeing his future wife was better...

At home Dallen sees boats in pictures or in the bathtub, this was better...
At home Dallen has a stuffed dog, this was better...

At home Dallen sees the zoo animals in cages and on foot, this was better...


At home Dallen goes to happy places, but the happiest place on earth was better...





At home Dallen gets to spend little time with family, so this was better...






Life at home is fun, but vacation is better!!

I'm Patriotic!!

Just not in my bathroom :)

Happy 4th of July!!

Sweet Escape

My apologies to all those waiting, oh so patiently, for more pictures of the house. We are off to California for a much needed vacation and break from working on the house. I am hoping to return feeling refreshed, rejuvinated and ready to finish the house. For those of you waiting for pictures of little D, no worries about the lack of update, in a few short hours you can smooch on this face:
Here we come!! See you soon :)