Fashionistas!

Our girls are modeling the fashion shows at Dillards these days. A good friend who manages there asked if the girls would be interested and they were excited to participate. They absolutely love the runway and we love seeing them on it too. This, by the way, is their second show.

Beating the Heat

It is summer in Tucson and we took part in the time honored Tucson-summer-time tradition of heading up to Mt. Lemmon to get out the heat. We went fishing at Rose Canyon Lake (pond by any sane measure) and had a cookout at another site on the mountain. Personal highlights were watching everyone but me take a dive at one time or another while walking in the woods and catching crayfish at the lake and teasing the girls with them. Somehow the crayfish made Daddy revert to his 10 year old self.

From Summer 09

Rachel's Graduation

This happened a while ago, but Rachel graduated Kindergarten. It was a sad day in a way, it means Rachel is growing up and getting big. It was also sad to watch her crying (triggered by her teacher's tears) during the ceremony. Overall a good day. We are proud of her.

From Summer 09

Sammy

From Pets

Sammy passed yesterday, May 20th. Even in death Sammy was a good boy, he simply went to sleep and passed during the night. We will miss him and his endlessly sweet and loving ways.

Disney Trip

From Spring 09

We surprised Rachel and Erin with a Disneyland trip this week, which was lots of fun. Ostensibly this was as a reward for Rachel's excellent report cards and parent-teacher conferences, but really we did it because it was fun and an opportunity to visit with some FPLC friends, the Parson's family.

Because of our friends we were able to go to Club 33, Disney's members only dinner club. We thought it was fantastic! Where else can you have seared ahi tuna, lobster tail, and lamb in the park? We also owe a debt of gratitude to them because we stayed at a family members (empty) condo over looking the ocean in Laguna Beach. Not too shabby either...

It was a great time for us and we, along with our friends, hope that we can make this an annual event.

Marie's Party

A pair of old friends, Ken and Marie Roberts, celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary with a party and renewal ceremony. It was a great time. Rachel was particularly interested in the ceremony because she claims that she is getting married at her next birthday party...

I thought the nicest part was that another old friend's daughter, Ed Xia, and Rachel were fast friends and played and danced all night together. They were cute as can be!

From Winter 08/09

Desert Snow

We had quite a surprise the other morning - 2 inches in snow! Unlike earlier this winter, we actually had 2 inches of snow on the ground. It made for a good pic of the house...

From Winter 08/09

Party Time

We held Erin's Birthday Party yesterday and had a blast. The house was overrun with little girls in princess outfits screeching and screaming as they played. Erin had fun and I think she really enjoyed being the center of attention for a change!

From Winter 08/09

Here is a pic of Erin and her big sister playing with Erin's favorite new toy:

From Winter 08/09

Oh Noes!

Warning - this is a two part post.

First, when your kid gets ahold of your camera you are bound to find some gems the next time you copy photos to your computer. Evidence for this hypothesis is as follows:

From Winter 08/09

I am blowing that one up for the foyer just in time for her first date!

Second, this morning was one of those "oh noes" moments for me. On the ride to school Rachel asked me this one "Daddy, are the Disney Princesses real?" To which I replied "I think so, why do you ask?" At that point I thought I was off the hook. She replied "sometimes I think they are just normal people in costumes and I would be very upset if you were lying to me."

Crap. She used my own words against me!

2 Years Ago Today...

From Winter 08/09

our little Erin came into the world in a terrifying hurry. The events surrounding Erin's birth remain some of the scariest in our memories, with the massive blood loss and all, but we are so happy with the end result! She is a little doll and we love her.

It is so hard to believe she is 2 today, it is crazy how time flies...