Boyce Thompson

I purchased another excellent Groupon, a annual membership to Boyce Thompson Arboretum. Aaron got the day off work today so we decided to head out to activate our membership, do some hiking, and soak up the wonderful weather. 

 The boys enjoyed all the hiking and the fact that they got to play with sticks and dirt all day.

Here is my pack mule at the end of the day. We decided to leave the stroller in the car and let them do all the walking. I worked out for majority of the time but about 4 hours into it those little legs got tired. I was proud of my little hikers they did a great job with out any complaints.

Bows

I've been trying to make some bows for our baby girls hair/head. I have gotten several of the little rosettes made but haven't been able to attach them to anything. Today I had a little free time and got a couple completed. I just need my precious little model.

I love this one. The pinks look really different in the picture but the actually match just fine in real light.

This brown one just need a little feather or some sort of addition. I need to make a run to the craft store to get it finished. I have some red ones and white ones that just need a little more to be completed. 

 Girl stuff in so fun!

Saturday Nite Fun

We had great dinner and great company tonight. This was just some of the fun we had today.

Zackary got the Freedom Bear at school this week. We will be taking several pictures of him and the bear this week for the journal.

Otis's evenings

This is how Otis spends his evenings. Watching for something really important, we just aren't sure what he is so interested in.

Fantastic Pedi

I finally got a pedicure this morning. I was at the point where I just had a tiny bit of polish on each toenail and couldn't bare to wear it in public with flip flops. I sat down to try a little touch up before we left and low and behold...I squished by poor baby's head. It was really uncomfortable to bend over so I decided I had better call in some help. And the only help available was a cute little 4 year old that was more than willing to help his mama. I think he did a pretty good job myself. I figured going like this was better than with just bits of polish...at least I had a great story about it. 

 I went on with my day and not one person mentioned my fantastic pedi.

I just had to throw in this picture. They are just so dang cute especially with there little backpacks on. We always go prepared to Joe's Farm Grill with bags full of toys to play with outside.

Girls Night

We are finally going to get back into the swing of things with our monthly girls night. At least that's the plan. For those of you who didn't make it, you missed a delicious dinner and dessert. Sorry Missy, we took the picture right before you left. Z'Tejas has some amazing food, well and margs but I didn't get one tonight. I sure enjoyed every ones company and great stories. Can't wait for next month.

Creepy doll

the the doll made another appearance on V day. The doll has been hiding for quite awhile. Aaron has this fear of dolls and we were hiding it for eachother just for fun. The last outing for the doll was a UPS package mailed to his work. Maybe the best surprise ever...so it returned as a special Valentine present to him because I snuck it out of his truck. What a great way to show some love, right?

Happy V-Day

I'm not sure why I didn't take hardly any pictures today. We did a ton of fun things. I of course took them to Bashas to get them a Valentines donut, not expecting Bashas to be sold out at 9:30am. Then we headed home and make heart shaped sugar cookies, then made valentines (with lots of glue). We had naps/quiet time, I actually fell asleep during a short episode of Clifford. They we made frosting and decorated our cookies, we made a huge mess but had a great time doing it. We delivered cookies to some special friends and saved a few for ourselves. It was a good day. Aaron and I put the kids to bed and had take out Rigatoni's (my fav), all that was missing was a bottle of wine. And to top it off, they got me a gift certificate for a massage. I'm really looking forward to that one! Happy Valentines Day!

Waffle Faces

This was Zackary and Lane's breakfast this morning. I thought they turned out so cute and they got a kick out of them. Kids are so fun.

Rolled Chicken

This was my delicious dinner Aaron made tonight. We got the kids to bed and had a nice quiet dinner. The chicken was rolled with feta, spinach, cilantro, pecans, cream cheese, etc. Served with a balsamic reduction and veggies. 

Seriously, he is amazing.

Photo Class

Today I spent the day taking a photography class that I had purchased on Groupon. Can I just say I love Groupon. It was a great day learning how to better use my camera. I have played with it a little but today got to actually grasp some real knowledge about it. Now, I just need the practice and having a chance to apply what I learned. Here are a few shots I took with manual settings. It's a wonder what a little instruction will do for photos. Now I just need to practice on my kids.

Day Date

Today I was lucky enough to leave work early.  I sent Aaron a little message to see if he wanted to play hookie and go to a movie.  We had a sitter so we headed out to an early movie together.  It was nice little spontaneous treat with my husband.  And the movie was great.  My favorite, a romantic comedy, and it was really funny.  It had me laughing out loud, which doesn't happen in movies all that often.  I really enjoyed it.  But what's not to love about Jennifer Aniston and Adam Sandler.

Otis

I just has to give Otis a little blog time. He might be the cutest little doggie. The other thing I love is the kids are absolutely in love with him. Lane won't call him Otis, he calls him dog. No matter what we say he is always Dog to him.

3 Things Favorite: Hair Products

I got this idea from a friend of mine Sarah. I love reading about favorite things of friends or fellow bloggers. It is always fun to get others opinions and try new things out. I like how she does 3 things favorite about random things. So here goes my first try. 3 things favorite: Hair Products.
Dust It, this stuff in amazing. A good friend Julie got me hooked on it about a year ago. It produces the most amazing 'bump', I just ordered my second bottle. So not only is it amazing it lasts forever. Just dust a little at the root, back comb, and walla body and a cute bump. I love this.

I have been using Paul Mitchell Fast Drying Sculpting Spray for years. Actually, as long as I can remember using hairspray. I think my Mom got me hooked on it. So every year for Christmas I get a refill. I have tried others but always go back to ol' faithful. It smells great, doesn't leave white flakies, and does the job. 

 I won't ever buy anything else.

Last but not least. Bobby pins. I'm pretty sure I use them everyday. Whether it is to hold my bangs out of my face, create and up do, or just secure a pony tail, they are in my hair. I love them. 

 They are a definite necessity in my house.

Pima Air Museum

As I have said in the past, I have the most wonderful parents. Tuesdays are "their" day with the kids. It is a day I have worked since Zackary was born. It is my parents only day off and they willingly watch my boys all day. Today they took them down to Tucson to the Pima Air Museum. Yes, I let Zackary ditch preschool to hang with Nana and Papa. As you can see in the pictures they had a blast. They of course were perfect angels according to my folks and they had a great time.

I love the picture of them on the moon.

Thank you Mom and Dad for everything you do!

DBG

Today we spent the day at Desert Botanical Garden. I purchased a membership on a Groupon quite a while ago and finally activated it today, just before it expired. Now we have a full year to reap the benefits. I'm aware that it isn't the most kid friendly place and there were several times I felt my kids were disturbing the peace of the gardens, but they were just being kids. One time in particular...there was a dance floor (I assume for Jazz in the Garden) right in the middle of the eating area where several 'older' people were enjoying the peace and quiet, the birds happily chirping, and a beautiful sunny day...with 4 really cute little kids putting on quite the Rockstar show. No joke, singing loudly about how they are rockstars and dancing. Zackary went on to sing a few songs from our music class we are taking including Pop Goes the Weasel and Vroom Vroom Driving in the Car. He was singing and dancing like nobody was watching until I clapped for him and he proceeded to take a bow and say "thank you very much."  I really am not sure where everything came from but it was hilarious and several others joined in for laughing and clapping. I'm sure there was a few that had a little disrespect for me as a mom because I was letting my kids sing and dance in such a peaceful area but they were being kids and having fun so I just had to soak up the moment and enjoy it. Hey at least they weren't screaming and crying right? We had a great day out with great friends.

Party On

This is the boys new trick on the swings. To be airplanes. Lane caught on pretty quickly after watching his big brother. Remember how fun swings used to be and all the tricks to do on them?

We spent the day out at Mark and Celia's for Mark's birthday. Luckily I got to "stay home on call" and spend the afternoon with our amazing family. The birthday boy cooked us up some amazing food and all the cousins played together so well. It is so wonderful that all the cousins are around the same age and get along so well. Happy Birthday Mark! Thanks for letting us celebrate with you.