Baby Kate

I had been talking to Ethan about Baby Kate's visit. Her brother and Ethan are close in age and have playdates throughout the year. Well, he got a kick out of her. "Hold you, hold you, hold you." I told him he had to sit on the couch and prop up the pillow. He put his little arms out like a pro. "Tickle, tickle," he'd say as he tickled her tummy. He was gentle with her, giving her little legs a kiss. I think he was more sad to see her go home than her brother this time. He talked about "baby" the rest of the afternoon. It was very sweet.

Our Happy Boy

Summer feels like it is coming to an end soon. I'm starting to work more again and the last of the playdates are just around the corner. I've really enjoyed our time this summer. Today, I was getting Ethan up from his nap and he just made me smile. He's such a happy boy.

Fun in Rim Country

We spent a long weekend up in Blue Ridge at our friend's cabin. I had my first experience in changing a car tire after I flattened it just before arriving. Usually AAA is my first call, but my Dad thought it was about time I learned how to change a tire. A lot easier than I thought. We drove up to Winslow on Saturday so Ethan could see the trains and the last of the greatest railroad hotels, La Posada. We stopped by Meteor Crater, something John wanted to see. It looks like just a big hole in the ground, but the most well preserved of all meteor craters on Earth. NASA has trained there. We spent Sunday trying to fish in the rain. John was a little rusty. Ethan went screaming after seeing a crawdad near his toes (I had the same experience earlier in the day). I don't even like the little fish near me! I was happy to take pictures and watch from afar. Otherwise, relaxing at the cabin was just a nice change of pace.

Hilarious Movie for Moms

Generation to Generation

"It's children that keep us young at heart." Ethan loves spending time with Grammie and Grandpa.

What We Do on HOT Summer Days

There's no question we stay indoors, but even indoor play needs to be changed up from time to time. Ethan's still in cooking class, gym class and otherwise loves to play with his trains. We only brave the 95 degree pool at night.

The Beaches and Tidepools

"Snakes, snakes." - Ethan. "What is he saying about snakes?" - Mom. So, it took me a good minute to figure out that my child, unfamiliar with seaweed, sea otters, scuba divers and seashells, was relating the kelp to snakes. No wonder he was clinging for dear life on those rocks. The crabs didn't help the matter, either. It was funny afterwards. That's pretty smart to make that comparison without ever seeing a real snake! Goes to show you that you learn what you are surrounded with and in Arizona that means scorpions, cactus, coyotes and javelinas. You may also be wondering why everyone is wearing a jacket? It was 50 degrees outside, not to mention windy and the water even colder! We're actually happy to be home in 110 degrees.

The Aquarium

The Monterey Bay Aquarium is an amazing place! The jellies were most fascinating. Ethan had the chance to feel otter fur at the sea otter exhibit. They were given red, white and blue ice cubes as a treat for the 4th of July.

Hometown Fun in Monterey, California

Getting away from the heat is always a good thing in the summer. We planned Ethan's first trip to Monterey over the 4th of July. Come to find out, the big firework show had been cancelled and there was a $1,000 fine for anyone lighting off their own fireworks, but we still had a fun week despite Ethan's double ear infection (always happens traveling to colder climates). We visited Lover's Point, the aquarium, Cannery Row, the wharf, 17 mile drive, several beach and tide pool areas and even made it into the Salinas Valley. I grew up 1/2 way between Monterey and Salinas, near the famous Laguna Seca Raceway. We saw some old friends, visited our former favorite restaurants and decided we are really thankful to live in Phoenix. I just wish we had a Cheese Shop (not to be missed in the Carmel Plaza). Some our our best memories are shared here in photos.