Feeling Accomplished

Being a stay-at-home mom...it is clearly about finding new things to feel a sense of accomplishment in a day.  Nothing like building a lego tractor to help one feel successful :)  We were on the tail end of our being sick with colds recovery this week.  Tired of TV, so brought out our legos that we inherited for free (thank you Aunt Susan).  We have been avoiding this project FOREVER...2nd pic shows why, hah!

It is from the technic sets...which are meant for 10-15 year olds.  Truly they are quite challenging...the added challenge is finding the bajillion pieces needed in a pile of a bunch of mixed up sets, not to mention missing pieces and figuring out how to work around it.  Not like any other puzzle we've solved before.  Definitely cured our boredom!

Phoenix Zoo

We absolutely loved the Phoenix Zoo!  Our mom's group ventured there this week and what a treat!! It is nothing like any other zoo I've been to.  Everything was out in the open more.  Even in our photos below are the crocodile exhibit.  They are outdoors.  In Portland they are behind glass totally enclosed.  The monkeys were awesome they are just out on an island swinging around on ropes.  Definitely not our last visit!

The Latest and Greatest

We have been anxious for this day.  I've been saying to myself and others "I don't care what it is, I just want a healthy baby."  Then I have my own secret thought..."but it would be icing on the cake to have a girl."  Well...we are super excited because that extra wish has come true.  We're having a girl!!  Logan was super cute.  He came to the appointment with us.  When he found out he said, "I love girls!"  We can't wait!!

Logan and I have been enjoying the cultural passes at the local library.  Most recently it took us to the botanical garden.  It was quite the entertainment giving that kid the phone to snap away with photos.  Some of them he was getting the camera up underneath the bush, just to catch the perfect flower.  Granted very little came out, but here are some he took that were in focus ;)

It seems this kid poses with only one great facial expression in mind...going through his mind you probably can guess it "I am a T-Rex!"

Diggin for Dinos Monopoly Junior

We have been reaping the rewards of the occasional Goodwill trip.  Recently we got Diggin for Dinos Monopoly Junior.  What a treat.  Logan LOVES it!

We played it for the first time yesterday.  The first time Jimmy got T-Rex, there was an utter and complete melt down.  The next time I played and Jimmy beat the both of us.  I turned to Logan and said.  "We've got to beat dad, he's too good at this!"  Logan turns to Jimmy and says, "you're going to cry like a kid."   I have never heard so much laughter and giggling during a board game.  The motive was more about what dino places to collect and how silly the dinos looked on the cards than who was winning.  Winning $1 was the same as winning $5.  As one may have guessed, Jimmy's luck ran out.  He lost.  That kid did not skip a beat.  As we're packing up the game.  Logan turns to Jimmy and says, "Dad, you can cry like a baby now!"  What's with this 4 year old...never recall teaching him such great sportsmanship.  If only every game involved dinosaurs...

Holidays

So you know when you're seeking to fit in...this was result of one of those moments.  There was an announcement in the church bulletin for weeks.  There were announcements in Relief Society all about the urge to have people dress in Book of Mormon attire for the Christmas party.  They even had links showing us how to make these simple outfits.  It did only take an hour of hot glue gunning.  I asked Jimmy if I should just shove them in our bag and see if there are people dressed up.  Jimmy said we should wear them on in.  Well...as you can expect from where this story is leading.  We were the ONLY ones (okay, well aside from those in the play) dressed up.  Love sticking out like a sore thumb when you are new to the ward.  No one can miss us then, hah!

With some google searches found that the Mesa Temple was a hot spot to check out the holiday lights.  They were better than I remember the Salt Lake Temple lights being.  Quite the treat...and quite crowded where all the lights are.  Here I was propositioned to help toilet a total stranger's 3 year old granddaughter.  Cute, but that was something new for me.  Totally caught off guard.  On the other hand, when I have my son alone with me I totally bring that 4 year old in the woman's restroom.  When is it time to trust him to go in on his own?

As per usual, we took almost no photos while in Utah for our trip.  The best explanation...we're having too much fun to even think about whipping out that phone for photos.  Probably had the phone in our hands for other things ironically.  So...this may have been one of the only photos.  It was quite the memorable day.  The bride's parents were in St. George at the time of the sealing.  Which ended up being a blessing as there was an insane amount of hail and snow outside during and after that time.  Other brides hair was seriously plastered to their face.  Lezly looked beautiful and it was sure fun to see some mad dancing skills at the reception.  Like grandpa was getting some serious salsa dancing in.  Added bonus was getting to spend time with Jimmy's side of the family for as short of a trip as it was.

We've been really making an effort to check out what Chandler, AZ has to offer.  This is us at a Desert Breeze playground.  They had a train, carousel, lake (as you can see), huge playset, and it looks like other times a splash pad too.  Best part, it's 5 minutes from us.

I've heard enough about how amazing the weather is to get outdoors.  So...took some advice and went on a hike.  30 minute drive away to Kiwanis Trail at South Mountain post New Years.  This hike was 2 miles round trip and rated as "moderate," but really this 4 year old did great with it, only getting in 3 small breaks.  We got a great view of the city.  Not to mention some great Arizona landscape all in 60 degree weather.

This was from our hike...I kind of expected these cactus to cover the Arizona landscape.  In reality aside from this hike they are rather far and few between.  Reality adjustment...

Tippy top of the hike...we did it!

Logan has been getting some growing pains lately.  One of the few cuddle times in with dad too cute not to snap a shot of them both.

PS. Happy Holidays!!

Fall

It's been an adventure this past fall.  We have had a blast...it sure has been busy.  

Logan at the Portland Zoo...getting in that season pass the most we can.

Lakeview Farms Pumpkin Patch

Every year this is hands down the best pumpkin patch.  They LOVE the train ride and then that boat ride is a huge highlight.  Not to mention...cousins and friends. 

Logan & Naomi sometimes act like some married couple.  Apparently I don't cuddle with my son enough...he needs to get it from his cousin.

The Joy School group all ready for our Halloween Party.

Time enjoying the crispy leaves at the park!

Another Portland Zoo trip...because alligators are the closest things to dinosaurs there.

And now...Arizona. First off, let me say...NEVER doing that drive willingly again.  22 hours is such a long car trip and my son was even good!  Thank goodness for my mom being willing to sit with me through it.  So grateful to parents helping us get all our junk here.  Glad that parts over.  

Big news recently, Jimmy and I were worried because his work schedule was less than ideal.  Thankfully someone was willing to switch with him at work and it's perfect.  SO nice when things work out!

This was just after eating Thanksgiving dinner.  It was around 80 degrees.  The pool was far too cold for me, but these boys sure braved it.

Tumbleweek Park

The next 2 are our adventures at the Phoenix Children's Museum.  Love it.

Overall Arizona has surprised us in a good way.  The people are so friendly here and expectedly the weather is beautiful right now.  We just got together with a playgroup yesterday and loved it.  Just trying to get our footing being a stay-at-home mom and doing this preschool/joyschool thing on my own.  Not to mention filling the gaps of time we'd normally spend with my family.  We're getting there :)

Moving Again

We're moving...and I'm nervous!!  Jimmy's job is relocating us and we are super grateful.  It is such a great opportunity.  Arizona is our new adventure and boy, will it be an adventure!  

I hear people who enjoy the outdoors, enjoy Arizona.  I hope that's true :)  Logan keeps having me watch these video clips on YouTube and the guy doing them loves to capture the Sonora desert (which is just an hour south of where we're living)...so all I have visions of is oversized centipede's, scorpions, rattlesnakes, tarantulas and bugs I can't remember the names of them.  Not to mention the heat...I like the heat, but I don't know about it getting REALLY hot.  See, currently I'm in Oregon with it getting probably in the 40's at night and I am still sleeping without bed covers and getting overheated...I'm in for it!  Not to mention, I spend time at my sister's 6 days a week about with Logan playing with his cousins.  This will be a shocker moving away from family. I'm sure I'll find things that I love, but the research I've had so far has the nerves going.