Nathan's New Pre-Pre School

Nathan started his new childcare provider this week. Mrs. Keri operates Jack and Jill Preschool and Childcare out of her home and as far as I can tell it's been a positive experience for him. The picture of Nathan with Mrs. Keri (above) is actually misleading but it's the only picture I have. Nathan had just tried to swipe someone else's snack (on his first day!) and he was corrected for it, right when I arrived to pick him up. When Keri carried him away from the table to answer the door, Nathan thought he wasn't getting a snack. Snacks, perse, are very important to little kids, the thought of not getting a snack is a serious upset!

Here is Nathan proudly showing off his projects from today. The first is a big painting of sparkly waves and fish. The second is a boat and starfish.




Here is his little pirate paper bag puppet:


His little boat was made with paper and a popsickle stick:


His starfish was made with paper, 2 little eyes and rice! How clever is that?


At first I couldn't get Nathan to 'pose' with his projects so I could get up close shots. I was using my point and shoot w/o the flash so the pictures didn't turn out good anyway but I did figure out a way to get Nathan to cooperate in posing! I let Nathan take a picture of me holding his project and then it would be 'my turn' to take his picture. Of course, he was quick to tell me when it was his turn to hold the camera and snap the picture! Here is one of the pictures he took, I was surprised that I was actually in the frame and that it wasn't a picture of the ceiling or something! Not bad for a pre-pre schooler, huh?

Does this look like the Desert to you?

We went hiking on Horton Trail in Payson, Arizona-just 2 hours North. It was a beautiful day, about a perfect 80 degrees, much cooler than where we live!



It was very 'woodsy' with beautiful tall trees around for miles, so I was in hiking heaven. It's hard to see in this next picture but I'm smiling!



This was also the 2nd time to try Nathan out in the child carrier, he was totally easygoing about riding along.



However, Nathan is an extra 30 lbs to carry and it's a shoulder killer after about an hour. So our friends, fulfilling Galations 6:2, helped us to carry Nathan. :o) Here's Brian with Nathan on his back.



We trekked about 3 miles to reach this natural spring, the pinnacle of our hike.



We relaxed and enjoyed a prepacked brown bag lunch.





During our break, Nathan went exploring on foot with a 2 way radio. He has no idea how to use it but he seemed to feel very important with it!







"Do you hear what I hear?"



After our break it was time to trek back. 3 miles back to the trailhead. It was a descent most of the way which is normally easier, except for me. Descents are killer on my knees and since my knees were hurting, I couldn't help carry Nathan. It wasn't an issue for him though, he took a little 'after-lunch' nap!



Our hiking companions, my friend, Randi...



And Brian. He likes to be prepared. Note to self: Don't make this man angry!



We will be vacationing with them in Hawaii, so there are more adventures to come with this family!

The BEST Ice Cream Flavor for all of Mankind...

That's all I have to say about this subject.

Julia played Softball.

Isn't it Ironic - Top 5:

5. Isn't it ironic that I played Softball?
Because this is Greg's thing, not mine.

But this was a fund raising Tournament for my neighbor,
so I played in a Softball Tournament, 3 Games.

4. Even for the veteran Softball players it was HOT. It was 113 degrees.

It was so hot, someone on our team (a veteran player) actually vomited.

Isn't it ironic that I was side by side with these people, hanging tough? Me.


3. Over ten years ago, I took a book to a Baseball game.

Greg gives me grief about that to this day.

Isn't it ironic that in between games, Amber,
one of his co-ed team mates, pulled out a book to read?!


2. Isn't it ironic that most everyone on the team I played with
are people that Greg plays Softball with? Like Brian.

And the #1 Isn't It Ironic?
point about this event.....

Isn't it Ironic that GREG WAS IN DALLAS?
And he didn't get to see or be a part of any of this!!

Greg, Off the Road Again

Greg went off roading a couple of months ago with Steve, our friend from Texas. Steve took some phenomenal pictures that I've been meaning to post.

This is Woodpecker Mine Trail, just outside of Florence, AZ. This time around, I have no commentary to provide. I think you all know my position about these 'off roading' activities!















My definition of 'phenomenal':







Phenomenal landscape pics:




As a footnote, there is no photoshop editing to any of these pictures! I just wish I had a ounce of Steve's photography skills! :o)

Peralta Trail, Superstition Mountain

We're going to Hawaii and one of the things I'm looking forward to the most is hiking. However, we have a little monkey we need to think about now that we are a family of three. So, I borrowed a child carrier from a friend and we went hiking today to give this thing a trial run.

Here I am with the monkey on my back.


Our friends that braved hiking in July with us!


Checking out a lizard on the rock to the right.


Here's Greg with the monkey on his back now.




We're planning another practice run next weekend.
But up North from here where we can get some shade!

Monsoon Madness

A couple of weekends ago, our town hosted it's summer event called Monsoon Madness and mud happens to be a focal point at this event. The picture above is Greg with our friends and their mud volleyball team.

There were 2 volleyball courts and 16 teams played in a bracketed tournament. Notice the water spray on the pole, this is how they kept the courts muddy.


Here's Greg on the right side of the net...


My role was team photographer, which kept me out of the mud...until Adam took a dive to save a ball...


..and I happened to be right there, this picture doesn't do the damage justice.


The mud on me was minor though, heres Coach Randi laying in the mud on the left.


My friend Amber heading down the mud slide.


Here's the line for that mud slide and the mud pit that you land in. The little girl sticking her face in this cesspool of mud is so disturbing to me.


There were activities for kids that did not involve mud, thank God.





But what's the best way to stay cool? It's simple. Snow Cones!


And my favorite shot of the day...these size 7's.
.