Summer on the Sun

It's been a while since I posted - for those of you that follow this - we have been pretty busy.

It is nice and hot here in Az - so we have been doing lots of indoor things!  There are only so many "inside" things to do - but we are trying to be creative.  And, of course- we swim a lot!!

Ethan is growing like a week - I can't believe that he is 2 1/2 years old!!!  He is such a little man.  It amazes me how much he talks and the sentences he comes up with - also how much he understands and remembers from what we say.  He also loves to sing and make up his own little songs- it is just toooo cute.  Our biggest challenge is still eating  - I miss that little baby who would eat anything.  The kid has got to be sick of chicken nuggets and mac and cheese by now!  Oh well - he eats lots of fruit.

I hope that you are all having a wonderful summer!  I know that we are!!

Looking at the construction workers in the street.Ethan and Baxter and the D-backs gameEthan and Tyler are the bounce place

Riding the train at Chandler mallJason, Ethan and Miss Jen at the ADA Walk at the zoo

Ethan and Mommy

Viva Las Vegas!

Even though Jason and I were just there in Jan.  We were back in Vegas last weekend for my wonderful sister-in-law's (Jill) 40th birthday!

Jason and Jill drove up on Wed. to spend the night with thier dad - then Robyn (other sis-in-law) and I flew up on Thursday morning - EARLY!!!  Some other friends met up with us later that day!

After they picked us up at the airport - we went to Denny's (on the strip) for some food - starving!  And -Jill had a piece of birthday cake at 9 am ;0)  OH well...  We stopped by Larry's (Jason, Jill and Robyn's Dad) office to say Hi.

Robyn, Jill, Larry and Jason

Then we headed to the outlet malls for some shopping!  Jason was a trooper and seemed to really enjoy helping us shoe shop!  Oh yeah - and Jill was rocking her birthday "outfit". 

Once the shopping was done - it was off to the Hotel to check in and have a little rest before we went out for the night.  We had to make it visit to the "Las Vegas Sign" and then drove down to the M Hotel and Casino - it is way off the strip - but worth the drive.  We had a wonderful dinner at ??? .  It is on the top of the hotel and has a great view looking back at the strip - however the pics did not turn out at all ;0(

 

Part of our dinner...the Mac and Cheese was to die for!!

After dinner we headed to the Imperial Palace for the "Diva's Las Vegas" Show - it is a female impersonator show, definatly adult - but still lots of fun.

Friday was the "big day".  Once we were up and moving, we hit the strip for a while

Fun at M & M World

All the ladies

Yummy "lunch" at New York New York

Then, after another round of naps - we were off for our night on the town.  We started at the Outback for Dinner - and Jill's amazing cake (made by a friend of ours who works at the Aria)

Then off to dance the night away at "Tryst" night club at the Wynn.

Cool falls over the lake at the club

The dance floor

Nuff said

It is fun to be married to a guy with long arms ;0)

We did not stay at the club long - just not our "scene" - so back to the hotel for Jello shots.....

It has been a long time since I saw 3 am...and it did not involve feeding an infant!

Whew - sorry - this is the longest blog ever ;0)  On Sat (or Recovery day for some)...a few of us ate breakfeast at Hash House a Go Go - lots of fun and huge portions!!

Chicken and Waffles

Me and my plate - that is a biscut with a sprig of Rosemary in it...

The rest of the day was just hanging out and shopping - then Sunday - the dreaded drive home...next time - I am flying both ways ;0)

Anyway - we had a blast and Jill had a wonderful birthday trip!!!

In other news...

So, what else has been going on?  We are keeping busy!  School is going great - though I am ready for spring break!  Jason is busy at work also - but that is better than bored!

Ethan is doing really good - he has his "2-year old" moments for sure - but they are few and not that bad!  (So I say now)  He loves music, playing with his drums, golf clubs and doing puzzles.  He is talking up a storm!!! He is very independent and likes to do (or at least try) things himself!

Riding with Dad!

                                                 Waiting in line....

Wanna play 1 on 1???

Jason thinks it looks like he is playing hackey sac....really - just dancing in the sand ;0)

Oh yeah - I am cute.

He loves sand...so talked Daddy into a sand vollyball game!

Other exciting news?  My good friend Megan was in town for a few days from Oklahoma.  We had a blast.  We spend quite a while at Scottsdale Mall (drooling) and even got to catch a Suns game - in the suite (Thanks Diney).  Anyways  - here is Ethan loving on Auntie Megan - but not posing for pics.

But...was all about story time!

I was looking back through some old pics and decided to post a couple from the past two Marches...what a differance 2 years makes...Love ya little Monkey Man!

March 08

March 09

Zoo People

Ok - so Jason and I are zoo people - always have been.  When we go somewhere new - we check out the zoo.  So - naturally - We take Ethan to the zoo - often.  Usually we go at least once a week - maybe twice if we go with Jason on the weekend....so here are a few pics of Ethan playing around at the zoo!

Driving the Tractor

He loves to ride the camel - this one is "Dale"

He also likes to feed the giraffes with Daddy -

Another new favorite - the petting zoo

We have really been taking advanatage of the nice weather - because we know that 110 is just around the corner!!!

Mark your calendar and set your DVR

Some of you may remember that Jason and I took a trip to Vegas in January.  You may also remember that we went to a couple of tapings of "Lets Make a Deal" while we were there.  Sadly - we did not get chosen to make a deal with Wayne....but you will be able to catch us in the audience!!  Just look for a farmer and her chicken!!  Our shows air on March 4th and 5th.  It is carried on CBS - you folks in Phoenix that is Ch 5 and it is on a 2.  The rest of you check your local listings!!!  The show was a lot of fun - hope you can catch it!!!

Some pics...now that the computer works!

Ok - so I finally figured out the problem and was able to upload some new pics...so here you go!

 Here are a couple from our VIP Elephan trip.

Me feeding the Elephant

Ethan's triumphant return to the train!

Playing in the sand....for you who don't live in AZ - notice the shorts!!

Climbing the ladder at the park - such a big guy!

They run the exact same way - so cute!

My boys were TIRED out!!

The Olympics made me do it...

So, obviously - I am not so great at keeping up with my blog! Oh well! It has been busy around here the last couple of weeks! And, of course, they Olympics have been on - so we are up late every night - watching sports we don't really like! Right now - women's bob-sledding!

The semester is in full swing - and I like most of my students! Teaching Public Speaking at 8:15 am is much different than at 1:30 pm! I really enjoy my Learning Community and my teaching partner, Heather. It does keep me busy however!!
On the "health" front. My dad is doing great - getting back to his old self a little more every day! Bob (Jason’s step-dad) is home and doing amazing! There is no explanation for why he is recovering so well - but we will take it! The only one we still need to get well is my niece Heather who has been at Phoenix Children’s Hospital for the last week - so sending lots of prayers her way!
Ethan has been busy as always. After our bad experience with the hay ride around Halloween - he has not been interested in riding any trains etc. However, a couple of weeks ago - he decided he was over it - and has been on the train at Desert Breeze Park a few times and even rode a Camel at the Zoo with Jason! He is talking up a storm and sooo independent right now. "Ethan do it by his-self" is a statement I hear 100 times a day! While I have been loving the rain here - Ethan is going a little stir crazy - and ready for the ground to dry out so he can play!
One of the most exciting things going on the last month (for me at least) was getting the "behind the scenes" tour of the Elephants at the Zoo. A friend of a friend is an intern there - and she set it up for us. It was a great time and we got some great pics.
Oh yeah - why no pics? Something is "amiss" with our computer - so it will not let me upload pics. Hopefully I will get it figured out in the next day or so and post some new ones!

Momma needs some earplugs........

I believe I have said before that my son is addicted to drumms.  Everything is a drum or a set of drumsticks.  He had gone through 2 sets of "kid" drums so far.  For a while - we improvised.  That would be a cookie tin, on top of his laundry basket - played with chopsticks....

However, this "band-aid" was only temporary.  He wanted real drums.  He went to the music store and played a real drum set.  He told us he wanted "real" drums.  So, after going back and forth about getting him a real snare drum - or something else.....Jason came home with the solution.  My 2-year old son is now the prould owner of his very own Remo Tunable Drum Pad - and a set of "real" drum sticks.

He loves them.  He playes them all the time.  First think in the morning - he asks to play the drums. He puts them in a special palce at night.  I am sure he would sleep with them if I would let him!

1, 2, 3, 4..........

So - in my next house - I will need to have a soundproof room, because I think these drums are here to stay!  Really, I am ok with that - he can do whatever he wants!  However, I may need to stock up on some advil and buy some good earplugs.  I know how thoes drummers are :)

Practicing his best rock star grin....

Running the "turn table" with Tutu.....

Outside of drumming, he also loves Mickey, playing outside and running around.  I swear the kid does not stop - I get tired just looking at him!  He is doing great - going through a little phase right now where he is pretty whiney if he does not get his way - but I think that goes hand in hand with being 2!  We are so lucky -he is such a great little boy and the light of our lives! 

In other news - today Jason and I are celebrating our 8 year wedding anniversary.  I can't believe it has been 8 years - time sure flies!  We have had quite an adventure so far - and I am truely looking forward to whatever comes next!