Fisherman

One of Tony's favorite things to do is Flyfishing! He was in heaven when we lived in Boise. There is a big river that runs through the middle of the city that is pretty to good to fish on.  There were days when Tony would spend an hour or two after work fishing away on the river. He never cares if he catches anything - he is just content to be out in nature (I think he enjoys being away from us too!) 

Being that there are no rivers or streams near us in Phoenix (duh) he rarely gets to go. He loves it when we go home because he can go flyfishing whenever he wants. This trip Tony was able to go twice and the second time was with his Dad. He said that was his favorite time. Bruce was kind enough to catch some photos of my cute fisherman. Tony was proud to inform me that he caught 12, his Dad only caught 11. I guess one extra fish counts as a victory right?

Hairy Beast

While in Utah Blake got his 4th hair cut. He definitely takes after his Daddy (as you'll all see in a few days when I post a picture of my family, all the males are quite follically challenged - except my little brother Chuck and he was adopted). Tony was off getting stuff ready for Taeya'

s birthday party so Grandma got to help me give Blake his new do. Of course he was awesome while I trimmed and shaved. Tony wasn't too thrilled about Blakes haircut. He said Blakes hair looked 'cool' when we did it. Problem was we never did his hair. I have two little girls hair to do, I am excited not to have to do little boy hair! I loved his haircut and will do it again! I think it makes him look like a big boy.  

Below is a precut picture of Blake and his cousin Mason. They are two months apart in age but old Mase has him beat in size no question. I don't understand it, Tony and I together are one of the tallest couples in my family yet our kids are the smallest. Becky and Chris (parents to Mason) are the smallest and their kid is a frickin' moose! I'm hoping that Blake is just a slow grower and will eventually surpass his cousins. 

Annual Journey Home

We just returned from our annual trip to Utah. It was a whirl wind trip filled with a TON of fun memories (I think I've got over 1,000 pictures of the 10 days we were there). Since my intent with blogging is to use it as a form of journaling, I will try to cover the highlights from our trip (but by no means will I post all thousand pictures - my kids are cute but not THAT cute)!

We left AZ Wednesday evening. We'd driven about 10 minutes when Aliya wanted to show me her nail polish. I turned around and caught my daughter doing this:

 

For those of you that know me well know that it is my favorite gesture. I've tried my darndest not to do it in front of my kids (this time really was innocent) but its a good reminder that they see and will do everything I do! I took the picture on my phone and immediately sent it to Tony's Dad and brothers informing them this is what Aliya thinks of our upcoming 12 hour drive. Yes, driving through the night SUCKS but it was so much easier on the kids. Taeya was our best sleeper by far. Blake would wake up every time we'd stop (someone needed to use the bathroom often and it wasn't me!) Aliya was awake most of the night. I made a comment about almost hitting Bambi and with that her head pops up and said "Where, where is Bambi?" I guess she sleeps about as well as I do in cars. 

Cookie Monster

Oh dear, I have already passed my horribly eating habits on to my baby! We love frozen cookies at our house and have each developed a process of eating them. I will often stick the frozen cookie in my mouth then blow in it so I can bite through it easier. While I do that Blake thinks its hilarious to yank the cookie out of my mouth and gum on it. He LOVES it! If he sees any of us with a cookie he starts yelling and wants a bite or two too! Cookies for breakfast is my favorite! I'd much rather eat sweets in the a.m. than any breakfast foods. Guess old Blakers feels the same way!

Big Girl BIKE

One of Tonys favorite past times has been to take Aliya to the store and watch her ride around on the little big girl bikes. She loves it and forever he's been wanting to get it for her. Finally some occasion arose so he could get her a bike (he wanted to give it to her for her dance recital but I said no way, then Taeya will want something big her next recital too). He took her to the store and let her zoom around then said its time to go. Knowing Aliya well, he knew she'd whine and cry for the bike. Tony was finally 'convinced' and bought her her big girl bike. She loves it!!! Only problem is it is 110+ outside so we rarely go on walks/rides anymore. The other day when he got home from work he said lets go on a walk so Aliya can ride her bike. We melted but the girls loved finally getting to ride their bikes and even Blake enjoyed the walk (I think Tony and I each sweated out a couple pounds).

Best Wife Ever!

For years Tony has HATED holidays. Not because he's a grinch or anything but because his wifes gift-givingness sucks! I like to say my horrible presents are the result of him wanting impossible gifts (plasma TV's, new computer, new car etc). His wants are a little bit too much for the typical birthday/anniversary etc. Since he wears a tie and dress shirt everyday, that is typically what the poor guy gets (if I am feeling a little adventurous I'll get him a pair of workout shorts or a t-shirt -- I know, go big spender). I rack my brain trying to come up with ideas that will make his life more fun or easier but I generally come up empty and revert back to the old shirt and tie combo. Sad, yes but that is how it is at our house.

This year for his birthday I found something that was guaranteed to put a smile on any man's face. I was told it is a gift that any man would love to receive. Yes, it is something that most women dont want to know anything about - in fact some women are offended by the idea. Too complicated I guess. I think they'd rather take care of it themselves. I, on the other hand, believe that if I am going to seek any outside help (and having been married this long I'll take any break that I can get), I may as well make sure it is up to my standards. I couldnt think of anything else that would make both of our lives easier and I must say, I've been know to borrow it a time or two. I have needs too! After much research and discussion about how and where to get it, I finally admitted I really needed the help and break, and bought my husband a . . .

wait for it









almost there (anticipation must be killing you)









a hoe.

Yep thats right, I bought my husband a hoe. Guaranteed satisfaction and instant results. Not only that but its cut his time in half. Best $20 I ever spent. I am already thinking about what to get him for Christmas so if you've got any ideas, feel free to let me know! Happy Birthday big boy! I love you!

Lazy Sunday afternoon . . .

You've got to love Sunday afternoon cuddle time. One of our traditions is to watch America's Funniest Home Videos as a family. I figure its a show we all enjoy (plus I LOVE to hear Tony laugh, really laugh, out loud). Old Blakers had had enough and took a little nap. Aliya and I pretended to sleep too.

On a side note, notice Blakes strategically placed hand? The kid loves boobs. He'll go to any woman and inevitably ends up grabbing a hand full. Wonder where he gets that from?

Sissy strikes again!

This poor kid is really going to have some confusion when he grows up. Tae decided to dress him up like a rock star. Not sure where the pink hat, mini backpack and stethoscope come into being a rock star but he looked cute. Good thing he is so easy going!

Cute kids

Nothing special, just my cute kids! I love when I can get the three of them together and all smiling! Yea they are still in their jammies but that is often when I think they are their cutest!

Aliya again . . .

Yep, this is what I woke up to bright and early one morning last week! Aliya has had swim lessons and loved getting to sleep in her swim suit (I am at the point of life where I dont care WHAT she wears to bed as long as she GOES to bed). Daddy put her to sleep and this is how she came down in the morning. Not only was her body covered with bright red marker, but her duvet, pillow, wall and picture were covered in marker as well. Initially I thought good, at least its washable markers. Bull-crap! It was a pain in the butt to get off the wall, you can still see it a bit on her duvet and she had lines on her body for two days. LOVELY! I thought most kids do this crap when they are two. Not her, she is just getting started (as you can tell from previous entries about her)!

The Prices

Monday night we had over some of our friends from college, the Prices. Scott, aka Scottie Too Hottie, played football with Tony (he was a fellow tight end). They spent more time with each other than with us, their wives. I think they were Friday night roomies for most of their football days. While our handsome husbands were living the dream, Christa and I would bond. I don't think I've ever met another girl who could talk as much football as much as me. We were united in our frustrations, ticked off at the same coaches, lamented over quarterbacks etc. I think we enjoyed all that went with College ball more than Tony and Scott. While they'd be sequestered at a hotel, we'd get together with other football wives and have a blast. I miss those Friday nights!

It was crazy to see how similar Tony and Scott still look. People would often get them confused. When Tony is by himself I don't think of him as a big guy but when he was sitting next to Scott, who is his size , I remember that he really is a big guy! 

Anywho -- we hadn't seen them in almost six years. I cant believe that it had been that long. Neither of them had changed at all. Yes they had three kids in tow (Audrie, Carson and Reed) but other than that, they were exactly the same. I guess that is a sign of true friendship -- we hadn't seen each other in six years yet we immediately reverted back to the same razzing and teasing that we always did. 

Scott is in his last year of schooling to be a Periodontist. Crazy that we've been out of school six years and he's still pluggin through. Next July they'll be moving to Mesa so he can set up practice. We hope we are still here and get to enjoy them. We loved being with them and already miss them. Thanks for coming to see us! (BTW - the song play "Eye of the Tiger" was Too Hotties pump up song before games. To this day neither Tony nor myself can hear it without immediately thinking of Scott!)

Yet again its Aliya

When we lived in Boise one of our best friends, the Hawkes, had their second child, Elizabeth, about 7 weeks after Aliya, our second, was born. We moved away before the girls turned one but I wish we could have stayed and watch the two girls grow up together. As we've tried to stay in contact, whenever we talk about our second kids we are amazed at their similarities. They are definitely full of personality, stubbornness, spit-fire and many other positive (and negative) traits.

A few weeks ago Karin blogged about Elizabeth and her recent exposure t0 long-lasting lipstick. I got a kick out of it and joked about expecting Aliya to do it soon. Sure enough, a couple weeks later Aliya did the EXACT same thing. As usual in the afternoon I was trying to get house stuff done and was doing my darndest to ignore the girls, when I found Aliya with a lovely shade of neutral brown lovingly applied all around her lips. Revlon is not lying when they say long-lasting. A full 40 hours and two swim lessons later and you can still somewhat see it. I'm just glad I wear boring lipstick colors. I can only imagine how she would have looked with a crimson red.

Aliya, thanks for making my days not boring. I can pretty much guarantee you'll always be the one to keep me on my toes! You make life even more fun!

4th of July Weekend!!!

For the 4th of July weekend we decided to head back to the Vista to check on our home and see some of our friends. It was a blast. Had the Castles not invited us down, I don't think we would have thought to go down. We did the 3 1/2 hour drive Friday morning then that afternoon enjoyed the Castles awesome hospitality. During our time in SV we got to be good friends with their daughter Sarah and her two kiddos, Caleb (6) and Ainsley (2 1/2), who would come to SV each summer. The kids loved swimming then we were treated to a fabulous feast. That evening we went and watched the fireworks. That town does a great firework show!

The kids played awesome together. I was really worried about how Ainsley and Aliya would play together and they did great. Not once did I hear Aliyas high-pitched shrill! It was heaven. Tae and Caleb always play great together. Sarah and I have already arranged their marriage. Caleb is so stinkin' athletic I figure he'll earn plenty of $$ to support us in our old age (or at least support Taeya's craft habit. She doesn't really like to shop - yet - but the kid would do crafts till her fingers fell off)!

The kids always get spoiled whenever they go to the Castles. When we pulled into Phoenix Sunday afternoon Aliya started bawling. She said she didn't want to go to this house but 'the one in Sierra Vista by Grandma Castle'. We have yet to find a family adopt us the way the Castles did. Thanks so much for everything!

The Frehners hooked us up with a killer hotel suite. I swear that room had more appliances than our home! I kept saying that if Tony had those kinds of perks, I'd be for staying at a hotel ALL the time -- 'Come on kids, Mama doesnt want to cook breakfast, lets go to the hotel'. Thanks again Corby and Ammie!

Saturday a.m. we went back to the Castles for a couple hours then our intent was to head up into the canyon with some friends for a picnic. We ended up BBQing at the Coburns which was great. The weather was PERFECT! I never thought I'd say low 90's is heaven but it is! We sat outside and just gabbed for a couple hours. Then that evening we went out to dinner, just the adults, with the Coburns, Bodilys and Hatchs. The notorious service, plus all the bugs, helped us to remember why we were glad we left. We miss so many people that are still there but we don't miss the poor service. Thanks Coburns for the BBQ, child care and party planning! Plus the fitness conversations have got me motivated to get back to the gym! Thanks for coming out to the dirty, crappy restaurants with us Bodilys and Hatchs. It is so nice to get to just sit, relax and laugh with some old friends! We miss you all!