What a Fun Morning!

Now that Elijah is a toddler, one of the fun things we enjoy doing is having play dates with our friends. We always enjoy getting together with Mrs. Shannon and Brayden, as well as Mrs. Liz, Audrey, and Alyssa.
Well, yesterday, Elijah and I had our first play date with my friend Nicole (Nicole and I used to teach together) and her precious daughters Avery and Madi. Elijah had a BLAST and LOVED being around her girls! It was a wonderful morning. Thank you so much Nicole for everything and we are excited about getting together again very soon!

Let the fun begin!

Avery, Madi, and Elijah enjoying the pool

Elijah loves helping so he was thrilled to help fill up the whale pool. Kids + water hoses= fun

Madi and Elijah enjoying the sand table. Elijah was intrigued with the sand being pink and not brown like his.

Popsicles on a hot day...yummy!

Craft projects are always fun

Painting like a big boy

The kids had a good time making their own pizzas for lunch. Notice the piece missing from Elijah's? He didn't want to wait till it was cooked. :) I helped with the sauce but he did the cheese and pepperoni all by himself.

Avery showing me the pizza she made. She also drew a sweet picture of Elijah and me and a picture of just Elijah for me to bring home. Elijah loves seeing it hanging our on refrigerator.

Madi and Elijah- too sweet.
What a fun morning!

What a Difference a Month Makes

It's hard to believe but our sweet Elijah turns 20 months old today. And all Byron and I can say is what a huge difference a month can make! It has been amazing to watch the incredible, exciting, and ah struck changes that have occurred with our precious boy over the last month.

A few that we would like to share with you are:
•When we ask him who loves him he now adds “God” to his list – love it! Then when we ask him where God is he says “everywhere” while holding his arms opened wide. Also when we ask him who made him he says “God” – love that even more!
•He can now say his name and it is just the cutest thing to hear
•His vocabulary has taken off leaps and bounds!
•When giving us our squeeze hugs, he throws in a butterfly kiss :)

How blessd we are to have such amazing son. We love you Elijah!

Ten days old


20 months old

Arizona Trip - Zoo and Heading Home - Part 5/5

Friday we went to the Phoenix Zoo. We didn't stay long because it was so HOT! The day we went they were having record breaking temperatures in Arizona. But we hated to be so close and not check it out.


Elijah is pointing in this picture because when it was taken an airplane flew over and that definitely got his attention. Even though it was so hot (notice the red face), he was such a trooper!

Heading Home

On the flight back, we had barely reached flying altitude, when our little guy crashed. I have to say, it was so nice holding him like this again while he slept. :)

Elijah styling his wings he received on the flight back

A few random but special pics from our trip

Our dear and special friends Pam and Gil. Like I said preciously, we became friends and traveling buddies when they moved into our neighborhood. And even though they moved away, we have remained friends and always will. The four of us vary in age, but there was/is a very special bond that brought us together and we are SO thankful that it did. We love you and miss you very much Pam, Gil and Sugar. We are looking forward to our Canadian adventure! :)


Elijah and Sugar - Sugar is Pam and Gil's dog and she and Elijah became best buds on this trip fast. I love this pic!

Showing off his new sunglasses Pam and Gil got for him


The day after we returned from our trip was the 4th of July. Sienna canceled their 4th of July day activities and fireworks due to all of the rain. Honestly, we were glad they did because we were exhausted and it was so nice to have a quiet, relaxing Fourth. Now we can truly enjoy all the festivities on the rescheduled date.

Arizona Trip - 20th Wedding Anniversary - Part 4/5

June 30th, Byron and I celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary. We had a wonderful time and felt so special all day and night (Thanks Pam and Gil!). This was also our first time for us to be away from Elijah over night. I am pleased to say that Elijah and his parents did very well. :) Even though it was only one night, we missed him but it was so great to have time for just the two of us. It was a GREAT anniversary!

The morning of our anniversary, Byron and Gil went to play a round of golf. This was the fist time for Byron to play a professional course. It was the Scottsdale TPC. On the par 4, 15th hole, Byron drove the green and made his first eagle! Man, he was so close to a hole-in-one. Also, he ended the day with his best golf score ever.


Our suite at the resort

The little square at the bottom part of the mirror is a TV. Nice!

These pictures do not do our room justice - it was huge and so nice!

Views from our room during the day






Anniversary Night
The restaurant(at the resort) where we had our anniversary dinner. The food was southwestern Mexican and it was SO good!!

An unexpected anniversary dessert from the restaurant.

One of the many beautiful spots at the Fairmont Princess Resort.




This is the man I plan on spending the next 50 years with - my best friend and the love of my life! I love you so much Byron!!


When we arrived back to our room after dinner, this was waiting for us. What a very nice suprise!


The Next Day
We picked up Elijah and spent the morning pool side at the resort.

Our private cabana at the resort

Chillin and being silly :)

Lunchtime and enjoying the Ranch dressing big time!

Enjoying the sand and trucks pool side

Arizona Trip - Girl Time - Part 3/5

The next day Pam and I had some girl time. We went to the spa at the Fairmont Princess Resort and got pedicures. So relaxing! Then we headed pool side for cocktails and appetizers. We ended our outing with some shopping at the resort. I must say, I walked away with some killer shoes and sunglasses. :) Later that day, the guys joined us and we went to see Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin West house. All in all, it was another great day of vacation!

Willow Stream Spa

By day

By night

My friend Pam enjoying the pampering


Frank Lloyd Wright's House

Arizona Trip - Sedona- Part 2/5

On Monday, we went to Sedona. The area was so pretty and it is definitely a place we would like to return to and visit for more than a day. In Sedona, we checked out some of the shops, had a wonderful lunch at a local restaurant, and also went to the Chapel of the Holy Cross. The view from there was amazing! Heading back we decided to take Oak Creek Canyon up to Flagstaff. The canyon route was beautiful and looked so different from the rest of the area. It was a fun day trip.


Elijah enjoying Pam reading a book to him on the way to Sedona.


Visitors Center at Sedona

Elijah loves rocks so he was loving this one. :)



Local shopping area



Views from the Chapel