garden happenings

The flowers are alive still-it's a small miracle. I love these wood welding rod boxes, they've been perfect for flowers.


yellow & green squash flowering

Porter is so excited that the sunflower is taller than him.

It is nice to have something green in our yard, instead of just dirt.


And one more not so lovely picture-Porter got a filling at the dentist the other day & he was so numb that he bit his lip. I even made him wait to eat for 2 hours & he still bit his lip-poor guy!

such a girl

I have been amazed at how different boys & girls come into this world. Marlee is one tough cookie, but she is still so feminine. I put curlers in her hair & she was so excited & loved looking at herself in the mirror. She now asks to have her finger nails & toe nails painted. I love this girls spunk & determination. We are always laughing over the cute things she says, like: cut it out (this is what she yells at her brothers), oh my gosh, that's so cute, I'n a go swimming, etc. She is so fun & we love having her & all the added girlishness she brings into our home.

Marlee

We got one of Clayton's fish out for dinner & Laun told Marlee we were going to eat it. She wasn't very happy about that & didn't won't to let go of it. She did end up eating it though & loving it.

A visit to Pima

We went for a quick overnight trip to visit my brother Andy's family. Marlee was very excited to see Josiah-she says his name a lot. We got there late last night and all the kids were full of energy. There is just something so special about cousins.

This morning we checked out the owls living in a huge shed next to their home. The owls were so cool and creepy too. They seem to stare right through you-it gives me the jeebies.




Then the boys looked for bats (none found) in whatever this thing is called:

Josiah, Laun & Marlee

Marlee was happy to find a baby stroller to push around while the boys rode bikes.


Then Andy & Elizabeth treated us to "flips" at the local ice cream shop. A flip is vanilla ice cream in your choice of slushy flavor- they're good.


Marlee's blue raspberry dipped cone matched her painted finger nails perfectly.


So flippin' good-


Messy little girl.


We took the kids to the Gila Valley Temple. Laun and I have been there before, but this was our kids first time.



I loved these trees with their big white blossoms-Laun said they are huge in Florida.


cousins


Then we went to Mount Graham and ate lunch.

I'm so blessed to have such a great sister-in-law. Elizabeth is perfect for Andy and they have such adorable little toe heads. I especially love Monson's chunky thighs.

Marlee & Avery with their walking sticks.

Andy carrying Avery & Josiah up the mountain.

The boys held on to this long hose to help them down the mountain.


The guys & kids went down the mountain & climbed through this tunnel:


On our way out we stopped to play in the water.


Andy & Monson

Marlee loved the water.




Laun cooled our drinks for the way home.


Big shocker-Porter caught a lizard. I think he catches a lizard everywhere we go.


I love my man.


We had a great little get away and are so glad that the Turley's no longer live so far away.

house for the birds

Now all we have to do is fill it. I am excited to have chickens & lots of eggs to eat.

Reid park zoo

I love the Reid Park Zoo, it is small enough that you can see everything in one visit and you are so close to the animals. My kids all love animals and now that they have a little splash area, we might be able to actually go in the summertime.


Marlee is in the jogging stroller I got for Mother's Day...I love it. It's funny when you are a mom what type of gifts you get excited about.


Taking a peek at the animals

You'll never guess...Porter caught a lizard at the zoo.


Three's a crowd









The highlight of the day probably had to be the baby armadillo-so cute. Here all the kids are trying to reach it:

Clayton petting it

Marlee kept on saying, "Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh"- repeat 30 times. She loved that baby armadillo.

Porter petting a desert monitor.


The boys petting a rat snake (by the way, when I don't know the name of the reptile in the picture, I just ask Clayton. That kid is like a walking dictionary).


Marlee coloring some activity sheet-she was pretty intense.


A mama duck with her ducklings-she had a lot of little ones.

I think Marlee liked the flamingos just because they are pink.


Checking out the monkeys



I loved these yellow flowers

The kids had fun getting wet in the splash area-next time I should probably bring their swimming suits because they got drenched.
I love days like this-spending lots of time with my kiddos.