Monday, June 4, 2012

Spring Break

Since we spend our lives in the car between, school, basketball, band and church, I didn't want to go ANYWHERE for Spring Break.
We called our friends, Shayla and Josh and invited them to go to the Zoo with us one day.  It was the nicest experience I've had at the zoo.  No stroller and all the kids just stuck together and we all enjoyed the nice weather and all the animals.  No diapers, no crying, no kids running away.  No issues whatsoever.  So nice!

Alexa's favorite animal is a giraffe so we had to get a picture of her being one.  Does she look like the one behind her?

The peacocks were everywhere and McKenna wanted to take a picture of one.  I think she did a pretty good job.

The girls found this little play area and ALL wanted to be a turtle.  AND get their picture taken.


After the zoo we brought lunch to eat at the park next door.  I think the kids enjoyed the park more than the zoo.  Did I mention the weather was perfect?  We found a little hill to sit on to eat lunch with a little stream surrounded by rocks that curved around and down into a nice lake (man made, of course.)  The kids started taking goldfish and floating them down the stream to see whose would make it to the lake first.  It kept them busy for a long time.  They didn't want to leave.  I'd call that a successful trip.
Even the big girls wanted to play.
McKenna was thrilled with herself that she jumped from a rock that was in the stream onto another rock.  Which meant we had to video tape it.  She is so fun.
I have to be the worst photographer ever.  I love to capture moments and experiences with my kids but I get so involved I forget about the pics.  My mom and dad came down to spend a few days with us during our spring break (since I told them I was refusing to drive anywhere.)  I tried to make it enjoyable for my dad and so we all decided to go to see the missile silo here in Tucson.  It was pretty interesting.  The girls thought it was pretty neat going inside and I was amazed at how much technology and smarts went into it that many years ago.  Olivia and Maya got to be the captain and co-captain and sit in their chairs.  Then they got to turn the keys that would have set off the missile if it was still functioning.  They felt pretty important.

 McKenna being so patient and good.  Love that face.
 The missile.  Can you believe that I forgot to bring my camera and all I had was my phone, and then I didn't even get one picture with my parents.  I really need to take some photography lessons or something.

Another highlight of the grandparents being here was that Grandma had just gotten a new Vitamix so the girls wanted to use it for every meal. (The sample guy at Costco really sold the girls on it when they had the samples - only my budget wasn't sold on it.)  We're just glad the sample guy convinced Grandma and that she was willing to bring it down and share with us.

I Spy!

The girls love to play Spy's.  One day Alexa was so cute and played with McKenna all afternoon.  They were spying on their other sisters.
I got a little footage of McKenna on the walkie talkie letting Alexa know that she sees Maya on her bike.  She told her that she was going to draw her a picture.  Alexa told me that she told McKenna to draw pictures of what she saw since she can't spell yet.  I love when my girls play together.  And I love that Alexa isn't too old to still pretend.

Sunday, June 3, 2012

Taking a Break!

Since we've been in Tucson, life has been pretty busy.  Between school with the girls and Tim's busy work schedule we have been trying to cherish our family time.  One day Tim was home a little early from work so we decided to take a little hike.  Sombrero Peak is just about 5 min. from our house.  The weather was just perfect.
Alexa was looking for our house - it's out there somewhere.
Even being desert, the view was so nice.

On another night, we were talking to the girls about indian leg wrestling.  They had never played it before so of course we had to have some challenges.  Not to toot my own horn but I did pretty good.
Alexa and Daddy
McKenna wanted a turn - somehow I think she was at a disadvantage.
And after beating Alexa, she decided she needed to dress the part to be able to beat me.