Thursday, July 14, 2011

Back to Reality

After 2 weeks in Oregon and a week here with Mom visiting, it's back to reality for us - unfortunately.  Mom left this afternoon and we already miss her!  As Isaac said, "Your mom is just so helpful."  Mom never just sits around, she's always helping - washing dishes, giving the kids baths, helping around the house, helping with the kids.  She hung curtains, helped me hang all our framed pictures and wall hangings, helped organize the house, the outside of the house, spent lots of time with the kids and babysat Eli all day while Isabelle and I had our (as I've named them) Tucson Days (basically 3 hours of driving and 2+ hours of doctor appointments).  We left around 8 in the morning, got home around 3 and it was amazing to deal with the driving and appointments without having to calm Eli down and find ways to entertain him while he looks at all the cool things (climbing wall, ball pit, swing, etc.) that he can't use because he's not a patient.  I wish my family lived closer and so do the kids.
 The kids are missing mom already.
 We got to do a few fun things as well.  We went to Bisbee, a really cool town close to us.  Mom, Isaac and Eli went on a mining tour that they said was really interesting.  We didn't think Isabelle would handle it very well, so Izzy and I walked around town and checked things out.
 Pretty dang cute.
 We also went to Tombstone, since my mom is a huge western fan (I swear, every time I come home to visit there is a John Wayne marathon on one of their channels).  Eli was in cowboy heaven with the stagecoaches, horses, cowboys and guns fights.  Here's the girls on a stagecoach ride.
 Eli and some cowboys from the gunfight show we went to see.  Since Sat. he has repeatedly asked me if he can go back to the cowboy town and hang out with the cowboys.

Sunday, July 10, 2011

WAAM Museum

My Grandpa Bob has helped and donated items to the WAAM Museum and he took Eli, Mom and I while we were in Oregon.  Eli loved seeing all the planes, cars, firetrucks, tractors and the kids area where he could play.

Mom and her man, John Wayne
Eli, Grandpa Bob and I - these were the tractors from the 30's that he donated to the museum.

A Gator Ride

Just some more cute pictures from Oregon.  I wanted to take the kids for a ride on the Gator through the orchard, something I knew they'd love (or at least Eli would really love).  We went through our orchard and other orchards to get to the White House Winery.
On the Gator
The White House
The view




Friday, July 8, 2011

Happy 4th of July

We had a great 4th of July in Hood River. I love the 4th of July, it's probably my favorite holiday after Christmas and it is way more fun to celebrate outside of Arizona.  As much as I love AZ., 118 degree weather doesn't promote a great forth of July.  But since we were visiting home, we got to do it all - the parade, BBQ, fireworks and we even fit in a birthday party for Eli and I before we flew home.
4 Generations of Fabulous Ladies - My Grandma Nickelson, Mom and Aunt Deedee, my sister Dodi and I, and the cutest baby girls ever - Isabelle and Kennedy.
Fly-over at the Parade
Sweet Cousins - Isabelle and Kennedy in their cute 4th of July outfits.
Oh Kennedy, this girl makes me laugh and laugh.  All sorts of personality.  This is one of her many poses that she did for the camera.  Love it.
All the cousins - Eli was really happy to have his picture taken.  Can't you tell?
An epic waterfight with Grandpa
Eli loved the waterfight
The birthday party
Aunt Deedee, Kennedy and Isabelle in their cute swimsuits
Love these faces - top and bottom pictures!

Lost Lake

We got to do lots of fun things while we were in Oregon, Lost Lake being one of them.  I love Lost Lake, it's always been one of my favorite places, although it has definitely become more popular since I moved away and can be really crowded.  But we got there early before too many people showed up and got a great spot with the kids right on the Lake, with a little beach area.
Izzy and Nanny

The view - aaaahhhh.  Wish there were views like that here in Az.  Isaac says he likes the wide, open spaces (and he's never heard the song either), but I like trees, snow capped mountains and lakes and rivers.
And so does this little boy, who wasn't afraid to jump in the cold water and have lots of fun.