My Celebrity Look-alikes...

Saw this on another friends blog and tried it out. It was so fun that I did it with like 3 or 4 different pictures. The celebrity that came up on all of them...Sally Fields. Who would have thought. I'll be excited to see it on some of your blogs in the next little bit.

Happy Birthday America!!

A little late, but better than never...


Our 4th of July here in AZ was really quiet. When it is 117 degrees outside (no exaggeration), there isn't a whole lot you can do outside. No fun parades, no outdoor BBQ's, no festivals or carnivals, it's just too hot to do any of that (thank goodness this is the last 4th in AZ). So, we just took it easy. Matt, Jonny, and Ryan (Matt's brothers) all took Tanner to the "beach" and Kate and I had a little photoshoot and made a patriotic dessert for our indoor BBQ. It was a giant flag sugar cookie. Doesn't this look tastey...











We were debating whether we would even go to fireworks becuase we didn't want to sit outside in the 100+ degree heat with the kids and thousands of other people. It just didn't sound like fun. But then we had a great idea. Our community here in Mesa, Courtyard Towers, is a 14-story tall building right in the middle of town. We thought it might be cool to get up on the roof and watch the fireworks all over the valley. I'm glad we went, because it ended up being the highlight of our day. We saw over 15 firework shows! It was awesome! Tanner loved it and we avoided the crowds and the heat (becuase we didn't have to save a spot anywhere). Although it didn't have the same magic as seeing it right over head, it was pretty cool to say we did it once. I guess if you have to spend the 4th of July in AZ, you might as well do something you'll never get to do again. Here are some pictures that Matt took...





Can you see the show in the background too...awesome!














We have so much to be grateful for, and our country and the freedoms we have are defintley at the top of our list.

It's Finally Done!!!

Matt's climbing trip to Ecuador spawned an idea to recreate his entire mountain website. Now, 6 months later...I have my husband back! But now that it's done I have to admit, it's worth it. It's amazing. Check it out here: Marauders Mountain Album.

Romney for President, 2008!

During our time here in AZ, Ryan, Matt's brother, has been working as an official fundraiser for the Mitt Romney Campaign; he is also a contributor on a major national blog for Romney. With Ryan's coaxing, we have become more involved spreading the good word about Romney. Matt and Ryan had the opportunity to attend a campaign reception in AZ last week.







That's right boys and girls...eye contact, a handshake, and a few good words with the next President of the United States.















Since opportunities like this are few and far between, Matt and Ryan milked it for all it was worth. Although there were tons of people gathering to grab Mitt's attention, he was enthusiastic, patient and very personable. Matt and Ryan were impressed with the experience, and came home star-struck, like giddy school boys.

Kids for Mitt, Romney for Our Future!

Ryan was very kind to outfit the entire family with Mitt gear. Matt and I got T-shirts as well, but we aren't as cute as Tanner and Kate, so we'll just focus on the kids. As anyone of you with 2 children know, getting a picture of two is pretty difficult. So, we ended up posting seperates, but I did put the "bloopers" at the end of this post if anyone wants to see. GO MITT!!!
























Bloopers...

This photo shoot was hilarious. Tanner absolutely did not want to sit next to Kate and take a picture. He refused to smile for the camera, even after I bribed him with treats. You can see that I kept trying to move Kate closer to Tanner, and as I did, his stress level increased. The last two pictures, he was at his breaking point. I asked him if he wanted Kate to sit next to him, or in his lap, and he said in his lap. So we tried that, and after he slapped her, we ended the photo shoot. (Luckily, he didn't hit her hard enough, it didn't even phase her, but I guess I got the hint at that point, I wasn't going to get that adorable picture with both looking at the camera this time).

First Prayer...

This was so cute and too big to put on "Comments by Tanner."

Today right before we all sat down to eat, Matt and Tanner were already at the table and Matt said, "Okay, lets pray." I then remembered I needed to grab something in the kitchen, so I asked Matt to wait a second. Tanner then decided that he was going to pray anyway. This is the first time he's initiated his own prayer and said it all the way through. It went like this:

"Heavenly Father, thank thee for today. Thank thee for cookies and chocolate chips. Thank thee that we could play with balls and water guns. We ask thee for home and family. Name of Jesus Christ, Amen."

Oh, I wish I had a video camera set up. What a cute moment, at least Matt and I were both right there so we could write it down. Tanner will always be able to remember his first prayer and the important things to him as a 2 year old.

"Thank Thee for Waterguns..."

We have a cute Korean Family that lives in our apartment complex, just downstairs from us. They are the nicest, most friendly family, we love having them as neighbors. They are here while their dad is going to school at ASU.


Here is Tanner with Leo, the little boy, and his cousin. I don't remember the cousins name. But she is from Korea as well.






Tanner was having so much fun learning to play with the waterguns. This one was a little too big, he tried it for a little bit, but when he couldn't pick it up to shoot at anyone, he quickly lost interest.















Leo had a really cool, "Spiderman" watergun that was just Tanner's size. So Leo and his sister Ellie, showed him how to use it, and he LOVED it!!








Look at the thrill on his face, such simple pleasures right?








Leo was so funny, he kept playing with Tanner's hair. His mom told me that it is so unusual for them to see such light-haired kids, that he was probably just fascinated by his white hair.


This is what Leo called the "rock star" look. I'm sure Tanner felt like a rock star, playing with this new toy, and you can see by the way he is holding on to the watergun, that he's not too likely to want to give it back.




The brother Leo never had. Tanner loves the attention, and I'm just grateful that there is someone who will actually play outside with him in this 110 degree heat.











Tanner thought his light savers were pretty cool too. I was actually pretty impressed with his fencing skills. He put up a pretty good fight.

Kate and Grandma Great

Grandma Great is what we call Tanner and Kate's Great Grandparents. I heard my Aunt Linda use it growing up with her grandchildren and it has kinda stuck with me. I think it is such a cute name.

This is my Grandma Naegle, my dad's mom. She lives here in Phoenix, so we've tried to visit her a couple of times while we've been down here. We had a play date at her home with my Cousin Christie and her 3 children last week. The kids had a wonderful time, and I was able to capture this cute picture of Kate smiling up at her "Grandma Great."

Cute Cousins!

My cousin Christie lives here in the Phoenix area. She lives 45 minutes away, so we haven't gotten to spend a lot of time together, but we love the days that we can. And so do the cousins. We wanted to get a picture with all of them, but we had to be creative with our pose since Kate is only 2 1/2 months old and Ammon is only 4 months old, so they don't really sit there and "pose." We thought of this solution...(which picture is the best, anyone???)







I love Kate's face in this picture..."Mom, I am not amused with this silly picture taking."
















Of course it's my child that won't sit still for the picture. Tanner wanted to play.

This is the same boy that won't take time out of his play time to eat, so I guess I shouldn't be suprised.



















I think the flash shocked Aria in this picture!!

And that mischevious grin on Tanner, I wonder what he has planned up his sleeve?

We love you Amanda, Aria, and Ammon!!

"Tanner do it..."

Oh, the joys of having an "independent" 2-year old. Tanner is at that age where he wants to try everything and do things all by himself. A trip to the grocery store isn't "run-in-get-what-you-need-than-run-out" anymore. Tanner now insists that he needs to stand in between my legs and push the cart. Whenever I am cooking in the kitchen, I have a little shadow constantly asking to "sit on the counter, please Mommy" so he can help measure, pour, cut, whatever he can do to help. Whatever it is, he is right there wanting to do it himself. Although at times it can be a bit patience trying, I am grateful that I can enjoy this time that he wants to spend with me and time he wants to help. I know that these times won't last forever.

Here is some pictures of Tanner doing what he sees me do every morning.







Funny thing is that his little "Alfafa" do stays all day. His hair is so fine and thin that when he blow-drys it one way, it kind of sticks.












For the last several days, he's had this "Alfafa" do b/c he has absolutely insisted on doing his hair himself. It just isn't worth the fight. I still think he looks pretty stinking cute. That faux-hawk look is in right now anyway, right??

Kate is 2 Months Today!!

It always surpises me how quickly babies grow up. Kate had her 2 month check-up today and there was a brand new baby waiting in the waiting room who was her same size when she was born. Kate looked like a giant!! And it's only been two months. She was in the 95th percentile in height (23 3/4 inches) and 90th percentile in weight (12 pounds 4 ounces). She's a growing girl! We are so grateful to have her as part of our family. She is a wonderful baby and brings us so much warmth and happiness. She has even brought out an adorable side to Tanner that I had never seen before--which is hard to believe since he is such an adorable kid. He is so cute and concerned with her, always giving her kisses and making sure I don't let her cry for more than 5 seconds (literally). We love you Kate!!


What an adorable smile! Enough to melt your heart--just ask her daddy! She has been smiling for about a month now, but it has sure been hard to capture. But today she has been extremely smiley, which is hard to believe since she had her 2 month immunizations today and got 4 shots.


She's holding her head up so good! We have video of her rolling over as well. As soon as I can figure out how to add that to my blog, I will. I know the grandparents would love to see it. Keep checking back, that is my next project.

Boating at Deer Creek...

Our good friends, JR & Andrea, just bought a boat. We were thrilled they invited us out for a pre-Memorial Day celebration while we were still in Utah. We had so much fun. We look forward to many more fun boating trips. Anytime...we're good to go.


The three amigos. Connor, Livy, and Tanner. Here they are taking a trip in the boat to the loading dock.


Here we just got into the water. We actually hadn't started moving yet, so, it was time to put on the life jackets before we went any further..


Love the cheeser smile Livy is giving Tanner.


Tanner returns the favor to me.


This picture cracks me up. JR started the boat up and as we were gaining speed, Livy starts tipping towards Tanner. The life jackets disabled their movements a bit, so she just sat there like she was stuck, probably because she was.


Is this supposed to be fun mom??


Hanging out with Daddy.


JR taking advantage of the wake. Unfortunately, he was the only one to show off his skills. The rope got tangled in the propeller and we had to cut it loose.


Kate enjoying herself. She'll probably hate this picture when she's older, but I think the double chin is adorable. This picture has HS yearbook and wedding video written all over it.

Thanks JR and Andrea!! We had a wonderful time!!

Ladybugs...

I love ladybugs! Growing up, they were one of two bugs you didn't have to be afraid of (the other one is lightning bugs), but rather feel lucky if you got to hold one in your hand. Well, I guess they are good for the garden too because you can buy them in packages like this at nursery's in Utah. Tanner's Nana bought a bag and let Tanner help her spread them around the yard. It was so fun to see Tanner laugh and squeal as they were crawling all over his fingers and clothes. How fun, I hope Nana plans on doing this for years to come. It was quite the event in Tanner's eyes.




Helping Nana spread ladybugs all over the bushes in her backyard. Can you see the ladybugs crawling on his shirt and collar? Also, check out the face we drew on his hand. We had a 2-hour church meeting and we resorted to drawing on our child to keep him quiet for the last 10 minutes. Hey, it worked!


Tanner would get the biggest kick when the ladybugs would start crawling on him. He loved how they would "tickle" his fingers.


"Look mom, they are all over!"