Phoenix Zoo

I think I mentioned that Heidi is a huge animal lover so we had to check out the Phoenix Zoo also. It is an awesome zoo! Of all the zoo's I've been to, I would rank it #2, right after the San Diego Zoo. Though June would not be the ideal time of year to go. It was HOT!

Ashlyn playing at the Fisher Price Farm park.

Ride'em Cowboy Rocky!

This was Landon's first carousel ride. He started off loving it but as it picked up speed he got a little scared and started clutching at me.


Ashlyn loved brushing the goats.


Rocky riding the shark.


All the kids loved this fake cow you could milk or should I say water?



My little Joey is getting too big.


Gavin was wearing the perfect shirt to ride the tiger.


Chris and Carlos were just glad to find someone with a bigger head than either of them.


The rare two-headed tortoise.

Landon liked the goats too. Now that's a goatee!

Checking out the flamingos or Mr. Stand-On-One-Leg as Heidi and I like to call them. Does anyone else remember that Wee Sing song?

Crikey!!! Gavin's caught himself a real beauty this time!

My Island Girl

Doesn't this elephant look real at first glance?!?

We kind of regretted getting the kids snow cones because they all made such messes of themselves with them. In the intense heat they started melting and dripping like crazy. They sure enjoyed them though!

Tucson Children's Museum

The museum was a great way to beat the heat and pry my kids away from electronics for the day! I was able to get a membership for the next 6 months for only $25.00. I couldn't pass that deal up. I foresee many trips to the museum in our future!

Welcome to Fort Carvin!

Officer Whitney is on the job.
Dr. Tobler and Dr. Weaver consulting on a puzzling case.

Rocky the Firefighter

Honk, honk!!! Fire truck coming through!


The submarine area was a big hit.


Ashlyn the animal doctor.


Landon was literally in the dog pound. =)


Carlos patiently playing store with Ashlyn.


Man your positions! Iceberg ahead!!!


Landon loved these stacking rings. He stacked all the rings onto the pegs.


Ashlyn loved this light/sand box thing. It entertained her for a long time.

Bubble time.

Breakers Water Park

One last picture, in front of the VW bug before heading home.

Carlos and Gavin lounging around in the the wave pool.

I realized that this was Landon's first time swimming and he is 1 year old. I couldn't help but reflect on Whitney who had already completed two courses of Mommy & Me swim classes by the age of 1. Of course, he loved it!

Ashlyn taking excellent care of her baby brother.

Taking a break from the water slides.

Whitney and Rocky waiting for the waves to start back up in the wave pool. Rocky is a little fish!

Day at the Zoo

Some of my favorites from our day at the zoo.

An albino peacock. Not something you see everyday!

We are the world, we are the children.

Tortoise's drink juice boxes?!?

I made Heidi kiss this frog as I thought it would make a fun shot. Sadly, he did not turn into a prince. I vote she use it as her profile pic on facebook though.



Ashlyn wasn't a fan of the Breaded Dragons.

Carlos is four months older than Whitney. They have typically been close to the same height with Wit being a little taller. One of the first things they always do upon seeing each other for the first time is to see who is taller. Carlos had the sweet satisfaction of finally being the taller one this visit.

A halfway decent shot of me and the kiddos. That is all we can hope for these days.

Gavin feeding a giraffe.

Monday Monday

Make no mistake, today is Monday alright. The morning started off at 6:30 a.m. with a wake up call from Chris so we could go shopping at the commissary. Naturally this was the first time in weeks that Landon has slept past 6 a.m. I actually had to wake him up at 7:30 so we could leave. Who knows how long he would have slept though. This killed me!

Halfway there Landon started spraying vomit all over himself and his car seat. We could not go home because Chris had an appointment with the chiropractor. After cleaning him up as best as I could in the restroom, I sat down to wait for Chris in the lobby. I then enjoyed being hit on by some creepy guy with some serious Mommy issues. Let's just say he was very envious of Landon.

Upon arriving home we discovered our air conditioner was not working. I am now sweaty and roasting hot!!! It is 104 degrees today and it is now 85 degrees inside my house. The repair man will be here sometime before 6 p.m. It is now 2:30 p.m. We cannot leave because we must be here when/if repairman ever shows up! And Ashlyn has started taking the Lord's name in vain. (I am guessing TV is to blame.) Telling her that we do not say that just egged her on into saying it some more. Chris threatening to wash her mouth out with soap has cured for the moment.

Heidi

The birthday girl and her handsome boys, Carlos and Rocky.

Now and . . .




way back when!





June 8th is my big Sis's birthday and I got to spend it with her this year. Just for the record that would be 3 out of 4 siblings that I spent their most recent birthday at my house! (Wendy, I will expect you on March 8, 2011.) I cannot reminisce about the day she was born as I had not been born yet. I hear she was not overcome with joy upon my arrival as she bit my fingers when I was just a few days old. Luckily for us, we managed to get past our rocky start. When I was in kindergarten my pinkie finger got slammed into a door and broken. While in the nurse's office I asked them to go get Heidi out of her third grade classroom. I knew her presence would comfort me. I can still see the look of horror on her face when she saw my finger. That's when I started crying even harder!



We started off the birthday festivities with donuts for breakfast. Then we headed off to the Tucson Zoo. Heidi has always been a huge animal lover so I thought that would be a great way to spend the day. After Chris got home from work, he kindly offered to watch all the kiddos so we could do a little shopping and go out to eat without kiddos. We almost didn't know what to do with ourselves.



I am a very lucky girl to have Heidi as my big sister. Growing up we were best friends and had many memorable adventures together. Like the time we went in search of the Easter Bunny in the wee hours of Easter morning. We spent most of our time outside doing things like playing in the ditch, capturing critters and making mud pies. I remember one year at girls camp we were given awards and held up as an example for the other sisters to emulate. =) More than anything though, I think this sums up what kind of sister I have. When she was a senior in high school and I was a lowly freshman, she let me hang out with her and her friends all the time.


Heidi is an amazing and inspiring woman! She found her calling in life at a young age when she was an aid for a special education class. She graduated from college at 22 with a double major in elementary education and special education. Over time she went on to acquire two master's degrees. She has spent the past 14 years teaching those with the greatest needs in schools where the children have the least advantages. For several years she taught special ed preschool. Think about that one for a minute!



Her first son, Carlos was in her preschool class. He was living in a foster home at that time. Heidi decided she wanted to adopt him. Later on she adopted her second son, Rocky, who was also in the foster care system. She is a devoted and loving Mother. Her life has truly been a life of service and love. She has always been a wonderful example for me and for that I am so thankful. I love you, Heidi!!! Thanks for being the World's Best Big Sister!!!