Let it rain!

We've been having a few good rain storms over the part month. To live in Arizona, means you live for the monsoons in the summer time! Every afternoon we watch the clouds pile up, hoping and wishing for rain. I have memories of my brother and I playing out in our backyard during these same storms...filling buckets with fresh rain water and getting soaked. Looks like my girls enjoy doing the very same things!

 

There is nothing like a desert rain.

The Sweet Light

Sunset + beautiful surroundings = photo ops!

 

Mountain Climbers

While we were in Torreon, we let the girls run on the golf course after-hours (shhh! don't tell the management!) It was like letting the ponies out to pasture! These girls thrive on just some fresh air and a good place to run. I love the simplicity of childhood. This was probably the highlight of our visit!

 

 Ali hitches a ride

 "Up, up, up" she says

 Nothing like some wide open space!

 How much water do I need to make our backyard this green??

 "HOORAY"!

Ali's "HOORAY"!

 Someone needs a little help.

 We made it!

Return to Torreon

We are very fortunate to have a Grandpa who likes to share his cabin with us in our beloved Torreon (home of our wedding spot!). We headed up there several weeks ago and had a wonderful time just enjoying our family. The weekend went fast but the days were deliciously slow, just like I remember spending summertime at my own grandparents' cabin. We played on the playground, searched for frogs in the pond, hit the "big" pool, had a nature walk around Fool's Hollow Lake, and stayed up late watching movies. Bliss!

 

 Breakfast on the patio! Yes, those are long-sleeved pajamas in JUNE!

 The look on her face captures the mood perfectly.

 Just enjoying a little fresh mountain air!

 Feeding daddy is like slipping treats to a monkey. He makes such a big show of it!

 Who likes the Life cereal best??

 Daddy is her constant entertainment.

that.face. I just can't get enough. sigh

Baby Legs

A few weeks ago, the girls spent a whole afternoon just climbing around on the fireplace hearth. Who knew when we bought the house that this space would be a child's jungle gym? Ali whined because it was hard on her knees, so I pulled out some old Baby Legs. I'm obsessed with these things! I wish they made them in my size! Soon after, Peyla requested some "weg warmers" for herself.

 

These girls

Love each other!

Celebrating Peyla's birthday

Growing up, my mom made a big deal out of our birthdays...not necessarily with material items but just making sure we felt special on our big day. OK...maybe our big week! ;) We jokingly referred to it as our "birthday week". I can tell from sorting these pictures from my camera, that I am definitely keeping with my mother's tradition. It may seem frivolous but I don't care, every day with these girls is a gift! I want them to always know how lucky they are for the blessings in our lives, while still celebrating the special days of the year. So on her actual birthday (a Thursday), we spent the morning with our best friends (Team Frigard) and our library buddies at the splash pad. We let the birthday girl select her dinner of choice and that led us to Chuck-E-Cheese. Then we celebrated with our closest family and friends by hosting a little water party on Saturday!

 

 If you live in AZ and have young children, you know every splash pad within 25 miles!

 Brendon couldn't help himself..."she needs to have candles on her actual birthday"!

 I think this cupcake was really for him.

 Getting ready to open her prizes.

 She received her very first nightgown, with Cinderella on it of course!

She doesn't like Daddy modeling it.

 Thomas the Train!

 Slip-n-Slide...thank you Costco!

 Adeline takes a spin!

 Peyla's Pixie-in-Crime...Rosie!

 Sweet little sister

 Someone had the bright idea (!) of putting the roller coaster IN the slip-n-slide.  ;)

 Cousin Kellen loved the roller coaster!

 Ali sneaks a snuggle.

 Ali's turn!

 The supervisors of the action.

Oh boy! Cake!