We're going on vacation! We decided to load up the fam and take a vacation to Tucson. I know, and yes, it WAS hot. But we had a great time and were able to do a lot of fun things. Besides, it wasn't
that hot. I think the hottest it got was 106 and we had monsoon rains on two of the days we were there, which helped cool things off.
Since Henry hates his carseat with a passion, we thought it would be best to do all of our driving at night while he slept. So we got up for his feeding at 1:30am, loaded the boys and hit the road by 2. Tired, yes, but at least there wasn't any screaming to go along with our six-plus hours of driving. We made it a little over halfway before the sun came up and the boys woke up. We stopped at one of the few rest stops so Jonah could run around (it was over 100 degrees at about six in the morning!) and Henry could eat. Then back on the road. The boys both did amazingly well!
Hangin' out at the rest stop somewhere on I-8 near the Mexican border
We stayed at a really great resort (summer is off-season in Tucson, which leads to great resort deals!) that had three swimming pools. Jonah took to the water like a little fish. A goldfish to be exact. He requested that we call him a goldfish whenever he put his swimsuit on! We got him a special swimsuit with floaties built into the front and back. One of the guests at the pool commented that he looked like a superhero!
He found this little basketball at one of the pools and claimed it as his own! I think he did everything with that little basketball while we were there.
One of the days, we went to the Tucson Desert Museum. It was the hottest day, but it was still pretty fun. It's kinda like a desert zoo. This was inside a cave exhibit.
Desert landscape at the museum - so pretty! When I think of "desert" I think of tumbleweeds and dead grass. Not so - this desert was very alive and beautiful (and green!)
This little raccoon came right up to us as we were watching it play in the water. Jonah was eating some peanut butter crackers and I think this was his version of begging for a cracker. Sorry little guy!
As we were leaving, Jonah got out to put some coins in the "piggy banks". They are actually havalena which are like desert pigs, although people get cranky if you call them "pigs." It was toasty, so we had soaked the boys' shirts in the bathroom sink to cool them off. At first Jonah looked like a wet dog, all sad and confused, but he learned to appreciate it when it cooled him off!
Jonah also had to face his fear on this trip. As we were going around the museum he started screaming and crying. When we looked into the stroller, a fly had landed on his leg. Jonah was crying, "BUG!" and was hysterical. A little dramatic!
All ready for church - my cute boys!
The last full day of our vacation, we went to the Childrens Museum. It was so much fun! We met our friend Jennifer and her two kids, Owen and Amelia. Owen was our tour guide through the museum (and Jonah's new best friend!) This room was a big submarine that you could pretend to drive. Jonah loves to push buttons, so you can imagine the fun he had here!
This room was like a big tidepool/ocean room.
Some sort of big string maze. The kids didn't really know how to do it so they just crawled around like "ninjas".
They had a craft set up to make a mask. Jonah wasn't into that so much, but he
was into holding each and every last colored pencil.
Not so happy to wear the mask either.
This room had a big metal wall with a ball maze on it. The pipes were magnetized so you could move them around to create a new maze for the balls to go through.
LEGOS!!!!! (They even had a LEGO cactus - only in Tucson!)
The train room. If you look through the train, you can see Jonah at the end!
He has one of these at home, but he still spent a lot of time with this one!
This room was super cool! They had a desert scene projected on the ground with sensors in it. Little bugs would run out and if the kids stomped on them, they would disappear or run away really fast. They burned off a lot of energy in here!
This room had a real police motorcycle and fire truck to play with. Jonah was a little shy around the motorcycle at first, but he warmed up to it.
Officer Henry
There was a little room with puppets to do a puppet show also. Jennifer and Owen put on a show for us. Jonah was mesmerized.
Officers Jonah and Owen
Playing on the tricycle. He hasn't quite got the hang of peddling yet, but he's getting closer!
Sweet little Henry. Just got his four month vaccines in those chunky little legs.
Jonah was so proud of himself to climb up on our flower garden wall. His rosy cheeks let you know he's having a good time (and a little toasty!)
The boys are "being goldfish" as Jonah puts it!
I thought this was so cute!
Last weekend, there was a little street fair down the street from us. So we loaded the kids into the stroller and walked over. It was pretty cute. They had a lot of different vehicles, food stands, rides, games and other venders. Jonah ended up with a balloon, a little flag, a construction hat and some stickers. Henry took the opportunity to snuggle up and take a little nap while we strolled!
Dan looks pretty good next to this Ferrari!
The Marine Corp had a bomb display. They brought several robots they use to examine bombs. Jonah was fascinated!
A huge Caterpillar bulldozer-type thing. Jonah and Dan posed in the bucket. We have a similar picture of the three of us when Jonah was a newborn.
His FAVORITE car was the SWAT car. The officer let him run around in the bed of the vehicle.
Hanging out in the SWAT vehicle.
Didn't want to get in the firetruck so he posed next to it's big wheel.
I'm 2!!! Last year I got a picture of him as he woke up on his birthday. Guess it's gonna be a tradition, because he's just too cute! This time, he woke up at Grandma and Grandpa's on his birthday. We celebrated his second birthday with all the family. It was a lot of fun with pizzas, presents and birthday cake. He got a lot of fun toys, books and clothes but the best part was playing with his cousins. They all got along great and had a lot of fun together. This year, the birthday boy even blew out his own candles!
The birthday boy in his birthday shirt with all his loot
Sharing a new toy with his cousins
Can't wait to play his new Elmo CD player
Divin' in!
Surrounded by goodies
Got his own $2 bill from Auntie Suzanne and Uncle Jeff
He loved that truck from Uncle Dewey and we love his new table and chairs from Grandma and Grandpa
Henry got a sweet little bear from Grandma and Grandpa. He loved chomping on it with Grammy.
Blowing out his candles!
For Jonah's birthday, we planned a little party with the family. However, the night before we traveled, we had a little celebration with just the four of us. Actually, the three of us, since Henry went to bed early! We went out to eat at Fuddruckers then came home and opened presents. Jonah was tired but he was a good sport. He got to stay up late so he could play with all his goodies!
His new bowling set
New Thomas movies
Fun new ABC book
the FIRETRUCK!!!
all the goodies
ready for a party
the cake - my first attempt with fondant
My sweet little hamster is three months old! Here are a few fun pictures of the little guy.
Grandma & Grandpa Mason came up for a visit. Henry was unable to resist Grandma's sleeping spell!
He LOVES his snuggly piggy from MaryBeth.
And he loves to CHOMP it!!
My main men
The only baby on the planet to love tummy time. Although this little guy seems to love most things! :)
We're going on vacation! We decided to load up the fam and take a vacation to Tucson. I know, and yes, it WAS hot. But we had a great time and were able to do a lot of fun things. Besides, it wasn't that hot. I think the hottest it got was 106 and we had monsoon rains on two of the days we were there, which helped cool things off.
Hangin' out at the rest stop somewhere on I-8 near the Mexican border
We stayed at a really great resort (summer is off-season in Tucson, which leads to great resort deals!) that had three swimming pools. Jonah took to the water like a little fish. A goldfish to be exact. He requested that we call him a goldfish whenever he put his swimsuit on! We got him a special swimsuit with floaties built into the front and back. One of the guests at the pool commented that he looked like a superhero!
He found this little basketball at one of the pools and claimed it as his own! I think he did everything with that little basketball while we were there.
One of the days, we went to the Tucson Desert Museum. It was the hottest day, but it was still pretty fun. It's kinda like a desert zoo. This was inside a cave exhibit.
Desert landscape at the museum - so pretty! When I think of "desert" I think of tumbleweeds and dead grass. Not so - this desert was very alive and beautiful (and green!)
This little raccoon came right up to us as we were watching it play in the water. Jonah was eating some peanut butter crackers and I think this was his version of begging for a cracker. Sorry little guy!
As we were leaving, Jonah got out to put some coins in the "piggy banks". They are actually havalena which are like desert pigs, although people get cranky if you call them "pigs." It was toasty, so we had soaked the boys' shirts in the bathroom sink to cool them off. At first Jonah looked like a wet dog, all sad and confused, but he learned to appreciate it when it cooled him off!
All ready for church - my cute boys!
The last full day of our vacation, we went to the Childrens Museum. It was so much fun! We met our friend Jennifer and her two kids, Owen and Amelia. Owen was our tour guide through the museum (and Jonah's new best friend!) This room was a big submarine that you could pretend to drive. Jonah loves to push buttons, so you can imagine the fun he had here!
This room was like a big tidepool/ocean room.
Some sort of big string maze. The kids didn't really know how to do it so they just crawled around like "ninjas".
They had a craft set up to make a mask. Jonah wasn't into that so much, but he was into holding each and every last colored pencil.
Not so happy to wear the mask either.
This room had a big metal wall with a ball maze on it. The pipes were magnetized so you could move them around to create a new maze for the balls to go through.
LEGOS!!!!! (They even had a LEGO cactus - only in Tucson!)
The train room. If you look through the train, you can see Jonah at the end!
He has one of these at home, but he still spent a lot of time with this one!
This room was super cool! They had a desert scene projected on the ground with sensors in it. Little bugs would run out and if the kids stomped on them, they would disappear or run away really fast. They burned off a lot of energy in here!
This room had a real police motorcycle and fire truck to play with. Jonah was a little shy around the motorcycle at first, but he warmed up to it.
Officer Henry
There was a little room with puppets to do a puppet show also. Jennifer and Owen put on a show for us. Jonah was mesmerized.
Officers Jonah and Owen
