Our New Fish

So the deal was, Kaitlyn will sleep in her room and stay in her room all night. Finally, it seems to be working. So, we headed down to Petsmart and she picked out "Goldie" (the one on the right). They told us one fish was enough for our tank but once Kaitlyn got hers and was carrying the bag through the store, Camden began to cry "Where's my fish?" It was so sad. He was visibly hurt and I felt really bad because we promised them both one. So, we got "Orange" for Camden. He was tickled. We've had them for 5 days and they still look pretty healthy, yeah! The kids really enjoy feeding their fishies. Of course, I am changing the water but it's not so bad. I like them too.

Hawaii Here We Come

A couple of weeks ago we went to the Aloha Festival in downtown Phoenix. My sister-in-law Andrea, and her sister Sarah, performed for the first time. Way to go you guys, you were awesome! Here is a short video I shot when their halau performed for Andrea's 30th Birthday last fall. We are definitely excited for our trip to Oahu this May! We got a small taste of local food including malasadas and shave ice at the Aloha festival and are yearning for more. We hit the crackseed booth for some dried li hing mango (me) and cuttlefish (Caesar) and I even bought some little Honu stickers for my car. We are so ready to hit the swap meet and lounge on the sands of Waikiki and visit old friends. Sorry I don't have any pictures to share because I forgot to put the memory stick in my camera that day, oops :(

Easter

Two tan kids and one pasty little dude, ha ha. Can you tell they are related? Kaitlyn and Camden have such similar facial expressions in this picture. Shortly after this photo, Colin fell off the couch head first. At least I got a good one before the tumble.





What a beautiful Easter Day. Nothing beats playing outdoors and spending time with family.














Hmm...where are those eggs?

Kaitlyn found one hiding by the dump trucks.

Reaching into the plant. He later wiped it off on his shirt because it was dirty from the plant. At least he knows how to be clean!

Jumpin' on the trampoline with Colin. The kids played and played and played all day while the adults stuffed our faces with some yummy food. The whole family gathered at Uncle Pat's for a relaxing afternoon. Thanks Andrea and Pat for hosting such a great Easter get together!














Cousin Colin with his many baskets and "Cheeto" carrot.

Look at the excitement and curiosity on little man's face during the egg hunt. How precious.

Look, one on Cranky the Crane!

New Webkinz, yeah! Thanks Eater Bunny.

A Diego helicopter, how cool. Camden has really taken a liking to Dora lately.


Kaitlyn excited to find a "golden egg"

The Easter Bunny hid eggs in all kinds of places this year.






Sarah, Kaitlyn's best friend, came over to color eggs with us last week. Unfortunately I did not boil them all the way so we couldn't eat them, but they turned out cute anyway.


This year we actually made it to church. The kids did great and we even got to sit next to some friends from school. It was a beautiful day at St. Elizabeth's in Sun City. Kaitlyn even took communion for the first time. She was kind enough to split it with her brother. After eating this strange object and making a funny face he replied, "I want another chip."

I saved the best for last! Caesar hid the eggs this year...
need I say more?

March 2008

Kaitlyn reciting the Girl Scout Promise at our recent impromptu ceremony.

Doing an Easter Craft at our last Daisy Troop meeting. These eggs are called Cascarones and are symbolic of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. They are also known and "confetti eggs" and are supposed to bring you good luck. You sneak up on someone and crack the egg over their head after making a wish. Confetti and eggs shells spill everywhere. The girls had a lot of fun doing it. Me...not so much. Making a hole in 50 eggs and draining the contents was quite a task. I had some yummy flan though as my reward.

Kaitlyn at her first soccer practice this year with the YMCA. There are only two boys on the team, look how much Kaitlyn towers over them.

Kaitlyn's coach, Ruth Ann, trying to get the kids to understand it's OK
for the ball to hit your head.

A lazy afternoon Jeep ride through the neighborhood.

St. Patrick's Day. Wearing all-green for school.

Camden got to stay home, of course, and make shamrock cookies with me. He did not want his picture taken, as usual.

It's rare to get a smile ON CAMERA for this guy so I had to post it.

All smiles this day.

Getting a big-boy trim at Little Chops. He's not liking this so much. He loves to watch Barney while they cut his hair.

Here comes trouble. The shirt says it all!

Kaitlyn trying to "dribble" the ball. She is more comfortable this year and is enjoying the games now compared to last year, in which she sat and cried on the sidelines a lot. I'm thrilled she is getting some exercise and she is having fun. She still doesn't quite understand what to do. She does a lot of "skipping" on the field rather than running. Day-dreaming takes priority over following the ball. Hopefully she'll get the hang of it. They had their first game last weekend and didn't score one goal. She stopped the ball twice as goalie though which was huge. Everyone is trying to figure out how to play so it's cute to watch.

Our Sweet Boy

Lately I have come to realize just what a sweet boy Camden is and how lucky I am. On the one hand, he is active and can even be described sometimes as a little wild animal. But he is also a bit shy and very loving. Some examples from this week:

• The other day he woke up early and wanted me to hug him tightly. We hugged in bed for about 1/2 hour. He'd look up and me and give me kisses now and then.

• Out of nowhere, he ran up to me one day and jumped on my lap, gave me a hug and said very clearly, "I love you mommy." My heart just melted.

• Lastly, we were in Walmart the other day picking up some eggs to color. There were a group of Walmart workers standing there discussing the layout of the case. They all paused for a moment and looked down at Camden. I was distracted at the time looking over the yummy pillsbury cookie-dough selection. So when I sensed something was going on, I turned to find my son had opened one of the egg cartons and was kissing the egg! "At least he knows how to be gentle," was their comment...with a smile of course. That's my boy! It would've made a great picture had I brought my camera. You'll just have to take my word, it was rather cute.

Caesar's Jeep Ride

I was making dinner the other night and went to corral the family. When I stepped out the front door, this is what I found. Too funny! The kids pulling their "old man" in their Jeep. Caesar's explanation: "This is what happens when you're bored." Kaitlyn gave me a ride after dinner and it was actually kind of fun...even relaxing.

Spring is Here!

The weather is absolutely gorgeous! 80 degree days, sunny and blue skies. Perfect Arizona weather, who could ask for more? The kids are enjoying playing in the yard, going to the park, riding their bikes and just being active again. Caesar has been anxious to say good-bye to his "Seasonal Affective Disorder" and is soaking up the sun in the backyard every chance he can. Go figure, doctor speak. Sitting under our patio with the trickle of the fountain in the background while reading a good book is pure serenity. These are just a few photos of the plants in bloom in our backyard.

Blackfoot Daisies

Globe Mallow - one of my favorites although
Caesar hates it because it looks like a giant (tumble) weed.

Parry's Penstemon - another favorite. I remember hiking in
Tucson years ago, these grew wild in the desert and stuck in my memory.

Purple Lantana

Penstemon

Brittlebush - these shrubs blanket the desert. Mostly they look like slivery bushes butthe yellow flowers this time of year add such a pretty backdrop the otherwise brown desert.

Colin's Second Birthday

My nephew Colin just celebrated his 2nd birthday on March 1st. He may be a little tyke but he's definitely the biggest Cars fan I know.

Proud papa Pat. Here he is with little Colin
just before taking a swing at the pinata.

Blowing out the candle on his awesome cake.

Camden having a ball climbing as he always does.

Chance and Kaitlyn enjoying the swings.

Camden playing in the "doorway". It was a
gorgeous day to be at the park.

Cameron hanging around.

Colin trying to climb the pole
just like cousin Camden.

The hit of the day--the bubble blowing lawnmower!

Colin having a bit of down time in the sand.