Trip to the Tieman's

We went down to Tucson to stay a couple days with Josh, Claudia and Zeke.  We hadn't been to Tucson in years and the weather was great and we had so much fun spending time together.  We of course stayed up way too late visiting but really had relaxation time during the day.  The kids always have so much fun together and I just can't help it, I love that Hudson has a cousin so close to his age!!  Claudia and I had to give them their first "cousin bath."  I have numerous pictures like this with my cousins except the tub was smaller and there was like five of us all squished in :)

It is fun to watch these two little guys hang out together and it will be so neat to watch them grow up together.  The kids ran around in the back yard and played, I ate continual helpings of Claudia's homemade salsa with chips and we decided to go see the Titan II Missile Museum.  

 The whole time we were there Zeke was Hunter's little buddy, it was really cute....

 To better explain it I copied a little blurb from the website about it:
At the Titan Missile Museum, near Tucson, Arizona, visitors journey through time to stand on the front line of the Cold War. This preserved Titan II missile site, officially known as complex 571-7, is all that remains of the 54 Titan II missile sites that were on alert across the United States from 1963 to 1987.

Able to launch from its underground silo in just 58 seconds, the Titan II was capable of delivering a 9-megaton nuclear warhead to targets more than 6300 miles (10,000 km) away in about 30 minutes. Nowhere else in the world can visitors get this close to an intercontinental ballistic missile in its operational environment. This one-of-a kind museum gives visitors a rare look at the technology used by the United States to deter nuclear war. What was once one of America's most top secret places is now a National Historic Landmark, fulfilling its new mission of bringing Cold War history to life for millions of visitors from around the world. 

 So we got there and first watched a short film about the history and then took an elevator ride underground to check out the tunnel ways and the see the missile.  It was really cool.  There were so many parts of it that we wanted to get to see but we had taken the basic tour and most of the other parts of the facility are for adult tours only.  The kids loved getting to sit in the control room.

 Hunter wished he could "turn the key"....

 The kids were great and it was really neat to get to see the missile.  The little guys did awesome, they loved all the buttons and just kept looking around.

 After the tour you headed back up the elevator and they had an outside walking tour as well.  Getting to look down at the missile from the top made me want to come back and get to do the in depth tour.

 We had such a great weekend Tieman family, we love you!!!

He's 10 and he's almost 1

He's ten and he's almost one.  They are nine years apart and yet still can find moments to "bridge the gap" and play together....

Feeding ducks.

It has become a regular special family outing.  One that we all look forward to.  Every month at least once if not twice on a family night, a drive over to see the progress on the Gilbert temple.  Then across the street to walk around the park and lakes and feed the ducks together.  The weather is wonderful now and you can't help but just want to be outside all the time.  It is nice to walk around the water and pretend we are somewhere nice and green.  

The kids  break up their bread into teeny tiny pieces and the ducks come hurrying over.  We talk about their day at school and how pretty the sunset is and see who can throw a piece out to the duck that is the farthest away.  Hudson points and claps and says "ohhhhhhh" and watches every second.

Until the bread is gone and the sun is going down.  Then we give the kids the okay and they run in front of us as we make the walk around the perimeter of the park.  Strolling Hudson and having some time to just walk together.  Every time I wish that we could just take another lap instead of getting back into the car and heading to make dinner and start the evening routine.  I love Arizona sunsets. Ahhhh relaxation.

 The temple is almost completed and we are all eagerly looking forward to getting to go inside.  soon.

Spiders and bats.

Every year for Halloween I feel like I happen to decorate with a certain theme without realizing it.  This year after looking around the house I realized that there is definitely a "bat and spider" motif happening.  Saw this simple idea on Pinterest with construction paper bats and loved it.  I think it turned out pretty cool.  Hunter thinks it is awesome :) 

 Another inexpensive fun idea from Pinterest.  Black duct tape web on a mirror.

 Saw this in the Target dollar bins and it made me laugh.  So it came home with us.

 Did some fun spiderweb art for the little chalkboard.  Had to include a poem that Hunter wrote for class.  He did a great job.  However definitely bummed for that poor tot that lost his shoe.

BOO unto others

It always feels like Halloween time when this happens.  I love getting "booed" and love choosing different friends and families to "boo."  I appreciated that this year whoever it was that knocked at our door brought something other than just treats.  They put in some glow bracelets, spider web with spider rings and vampire fangs for the kids.  A Halloween coloring/activity book and the kids favorite thing was a Halloween bingo game.  It is really fun and the kids have played rounds of it everyday!

I was very anxious to turn around and and get some fun activities together.  We headed to Target and threw together some fun baskets.  I also threw in a Halloween version of "Don't Eat Pete" with some M&M's because let's face it that game is made for this holiday.  #1 it involves eating candy,  #2 it pretty much is scary every time you play because you never know when everyone is going to yell "Don't Eat Pete!!!"  I was actually sort of afraid to play as a kid myself.  Anyways loading up into the van and heading out in the dark with the kids in the back discussing who will set down the basket, who will ring the doorbell and suggesting where we should park so that we won't be seen.  Then sitting quietly in the car as we watch them running, they jump in the back giggling saying "go dad, go!!!!" as if they just robbed a bank and we are their get away car. Yep, nothing like a good "booing."  :) :) :)  

Wish I could go outside.

I was folding laundry on the couch and looked over and saw Hudson perched at the window watching the girls "having dinner" outside.  I had complete deja vu.  Emma used to do this all the time watching Hunter and Ave.  He sat there jabbering and banging on the window.  Occasionally laughing as if he were privy to their discussion and found it quite humorous.  Then he would turn back to look and me and say something, then look back outside and point at the girls.  Then back to me with these big longing eyes as if to say "I wish I could go outside."  Don't worry guy you'll be right behind those big sisters soon enough :)

For Brenn and Baby

So I am going to be an aunt!!  I am extremely excited about it.  So excited!!!!! Brenn came to AZ for a quick trip a few weeks ago before she hits her "no fly" part of her pregnancy.  When she got to the house it made it all so real to see her cute baby bump.  It is adorable and of course she looks amazing.  We got to spend a few days with her and had a little luncheon to celebrate the soon arrival of her baby girl.  I really didn't do much to decorate but did put together a few things for nautical decor.

We had a nice brunch that Brenn had made from scratch because she is a wonderful cook and wanted to home make all of the food.  She had a crepe station that was delicious! We ate and played a few games, then opened presents.

I felt so grateful to get to have her come stay and spend some time with her.  The kids were so excited to see aunt brenn and get to play with her.  She is going to be a great mom and I smile just thinking of all the fun and joy that is ahead for her and Kaulin for the rest of their lives.  Oh my how I love her.

I have gotten to feel the baby move a few times now and it was really special for me. I feel a bond with her already.  I love her so much.  Sweet baby girl, you have such wonderful parents.  I can't wait for you to meet your mommy... she is amazing.