Sedona and stuff

I love this place. Here's some pics from a little hike we went on. We are at the beginning of a Canyon hike.









My dad turned the backyard slide into and water/slip and slide. The kids LOVE it!!

Albuquerque Botanical Garden/ Aquarium

Here's some pics from a fun little outing with my friend, Erica, and her kids (Ian, Genevieve -Gena, and Penelope-poppy). It was a lot of fun. I didn't get a chance to take any pictures in the butterfly pavilion, but it was amazing.



Boston's favorite- the model train track that ran along the whole length of the Gardens with several trains running along.



The train that goes between the zoo and aquarium. It's an hour long round trip with tunnels. Too much fun! All of the conductors are dressed up like the old train conductors. See the elephants in the background?


The train station and one of the other trains.


All Aboard!!!


It must have been "bug day" at the Botanical Gardens. There was a booth of high schoolers handling these disgusting creatures and teaching us all about them. Here are the giant millipedes. They also had scorpions and tarantulas. YUCK!!!


The giant cockroaches. Apparently the cleanest creatures in the world. I WAS very surprised to learn that!


Lexus, Boston and Gena on an ant. There was a section that made it feel like you were as small as an insect. There was a huge maze, giant pumpkin, slide down a log, etc. So much fun!


The "garden".


The entrance to the maze.


Aquarium time. BIG fish.


Boston and his cousin, Lexus.


An artsy, weird picture on the other side of a cylindrical aquarium.


The whole group!

Store Adventures!

I've been in NM having fun with family and hanging out with a childhood friend who has 3 kids. She has been teaching me how to be more creative and I've been sewing, making jewelry, and other fun projects. We hit Michael's, Hobby Lobby and Jo Anne's about once a week. Our, what should be, 1/2 hour trip usually takes about 2 hours with our combined 5 kids. We went to Michael's last week and the kids were just kind of, wherever. I'm pretty sure they weren't breaking anything, though. Erica's 6 year old comes running up to me and says that Boston went potty in his pants (first time in underwear outside of the house, I should have known better- learning lesson for me!!!) So, I go off looking for him and see him walking around minus his pants and shoes. I get him, track down his pants and shoes (in two different spots) and off to the bathroom we go. There are moments where throwing away underwear is just more appropriate than trying to save them. Off to the car. I am gently holding his shorts, shoes and guiding him through the store naked except for a shirt. I put on a diaper (pants are too dirty) and go back in to get in the checkout line. I strap him in the cart, find my friend and as we are making our way to the checkout Boston points to the rows of fake trees and tells me "Mom, I hide in there and go potty" with a big smile on his face. "Oh, I thought you were supposed to go to the bathroom". Trees must be way more fun to go potty in. At the checkout, Capri decides she's hungry RIGHT NOW. She's crying as I'm trying to discreetly breast feed her, standing up and move my cart, which won't move. I push and push and look down and see my friend's 3 year old hiding under my cart as I'm trying to run her over with it. Luckily, she didn't get hurt or care that she did. The checkout lady was sooo nice and took everything out of the cart for me, scanned it and practically got my money out of my purse too. I swore I'd never go back. But we did, the next week.

So, next thing to teach Boston. Wait to undress when you get to the bathroom and not when you realize you need to go. As soon as he needs to go, he pulls his pants down (no matter where he is) and waddles to the bathroom with pants around his ankles. Not a big deal at home, but it is when you are in the store, parking lot, park, etc.

My first blanket. It makes a great practice project for beginners because you have to sew, what feels like, a hundred straight lines. It's call faux chenille.


.

The Potty Train

As soon as Boston got 10 stickers for going potty, we headed straight to the store to get him his prize- A new train!!! Lexus came with us to celebrate. Notice the blue cinderella glove on their right hands. Lexus was nice enough to share one with him. It's soooo nice having him potty trained, but he thinks every time time he goes he gets a new train. Time for new strategies.

Bye Bye CA- going on summer vacay- see you in a couple of months!!!!

After 2 years, we FINALLY sold our house. This is the start of our summer road trip. I'm hoping we'll be back for good, though we may have to hang out in UT for a bit.


Bye bye house


Bye bye view


Bye bye backyard


Bye bye street


Hello ROAD TRIP!!!


Day at Salt Creek Beach with our bestest friends ever!!!!

The kids keeping busy playing games.


Debbie and I (my sista)


Tasha, Treyvan, Julie and I (saw these girls - and little boy- almost EVERY day- sooo going to miss that).


The girls!! Debbie, Julie, me, Tasha, Jen, Kim and Wendy. XOXO - Love you guys SOOOO much!


The day before we left Beth (B calls her Bef) and Colin cooked us breakfast of omelets, strawberry and chocolate chip waffles, homemade honey butter with cornbread, fresh fruit and juice. There was more, but I can't remember it all. We were sooo spoiled. Thanks guys- you are the BEST!!! It was all soooooo yummy! Can't wait to do it again.


Dinner at our wonderful neighbors'. Lil and Alan. Lil is from Italy and made us an authentic Italian meal of Eggplant Parmesan and Penne Pasta. She is an amazing cook. Her biscotti is the best I've ever had. Boston loved their dog, Charlie and daughter Lauren. My sister-in-law, Kari was with us. She flew down from San Jose to help pack. I have the best sister in the world. Thank you so much Kari!


Hanging out in the backyard before dinner. Boston playing with Lauren.


We love you, Lauren.

Capri's Blessing and Boston's 3rd Birthday

The whole family that were able to make it out for the blessing. Both sides are well represented.



Aunt Jennie (Jeremiah's sister) gave us Capri's beautiful blessing dress. It is linen and has a vintage style. I LOVED it sooo much.


Little Miss Thing


So cute!


The Darby Clan


Nana and Papa with the grandkids, they aren't that easy to carry.


Hmmmm. Uncle Jason has the same hairstyle as Capri.


Boston's family birthday celebration- trains, trains and more trains. Can't get any better than that.


Happy Birthday, Buddy!! You make me sooooo proud!!!!




What it looks like when 2 three year olds and a one year old wants to hold the newborn.


Miah is already teaching Boston how to drive. It's never too early!! Well . . .



Big Brother Gang sign


"Let's see what we should do about this hair."


Boston's Birthday celebration at the pool. Tyler, Tanner, Kalli, Treyvan, Sophie, Tess, Grant and baby Davis were there.


Chloe and Boston's birthday together. They will always be connected on this day!!!


The birthday cupcakes I made. I remember having clown cones at Baskin Robbins when I was young. I loved them. I thought they would make great cupcakes.


Princess B- always dressing up with Kalli.