Spring Break -- part 2

We spent a few days just exploring Scottsdale.  1 or 2 activities per day, with swimming and naps every afternoon.  And early bed times.  A great, relaxing way to spend some time.

We went to Butterfly Wonderland.

K waving to a butterfly 

We explored Old Town Scottsdale

the statues and gardens in Civic Park.  Pretty cool part of town we thought.

downtown Old Town

 We forced the kids to walk a few blocks in the heat to eat at Frank & Lupes.  Delicious Mexican food!

little girl.  big lemonade. 

photog Ryan captured Eddy and me in our finest

We took a hike in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve

Ryan picked up every "crystal" rock he found, and would have brought them home, but we wouldn't let him so we took a picture of his pile of rocks instead so he can ALWAYS remember them. :)

hiker cubs and their bellies

We visited the McCormick-Stillman Railroad park, where we rode a mini train, the kids climbed aboard a stagecoach, they rode a carousel, and we all got to walk thru an historic railroad car.

Ryan talking on an old fashioned phone

The kids got creative with the toys available at the rental condo -- here's their car, they are driving to Arizona with all their pets on board.

We met up with Eddy's godson Mitchell, who just happens to be living in Scottsdale at the moment, and we took him out to dinner -- always a bonus to have a cool fountain to run in near where you are dining.

We saw the "world famous" fountain that gives Fountain Hills, AZ it's name.  It's a darn tall fountain, that's for sure.

We took another hike, this time with the cousins, at McDowell Mountain Regional Park.  A bit longer, a bit more entertaining with friends, and we all learned the names of about 10 new plants on this hike.

such a great hiker for such little legs

 We made s'mores one night at the Jopp's backyard fire pit

 We had one final dinner with our favorite Seattle family.

We stopped at the Scottsdale Desert Botanical Gardens on our last day in town.  Super cool, highly recommend this stop for anyone in the area.  Some really very cool cacti to explore.

taking a break in the shade

that's an old, huge Saguaro cactus

after the Teddy Bear Cholla, this was my next favorite.  The Octopus Cactus

We had fun traveling thru the airport.  Super travelers these two were.  But who doesn't love a moving walkway?

Good bye Arizona!  It was fun.  We'll be back again someday.  

spring break -- part 1

We seized the moment, and took an entire week off.  Away from the hustle and bustle of our normal busy routine.  It was Ry's spring break at school, so we hopped on a plane and headed to the desert.  

Our Mission….touch a cactus.  Luckily, I was the only one silly enough to actually try (those things are sharp!).  

What exactly did we do in Scottsdale, AZ you might ask?
Well, take a look….

First flight for Kaitlyn sitting in her OWN seat.  Despite the extra expense, it was lovely for us each to have our own space

 We found our cousins!  Kim's parents live in Fountain Hills, next door to Scottsdale, and the Kuzaks just happened to have spring break the same week we did, and so we got to invade their time and space and play!  It was super fun.

silliness at their favorite Chinese restaurant, George & Sons

Easter was the second day of our trip.  And amazingly, the bunny managed to find us, and hide some eggs in our condo!  The kids had a blast hunting for them, and enjoyed the goodies the bunny left behind.  Eddy went golfing with Derek and Kim's dad, while Kim and I (and her mom) supervised the kiddos in the pool at her parents house all day.  Nancy and George hosted us for a delicious Easter dinner, and then we took a lovely cactus walk in the evening.  A great Easter Sunday!  Thanks to the Jopps for hosting us all.day.long.

hunting for eggs

like our makeshift "baskets"?  It worked.  

 A lot of our days looked like this….

a little break from the water

Elena and Kaitlyn "tanning"

 Swimming every day did give the Bayer cubs a bit of courage with their skills.  Ryan is almost fearless, and learning to use his big arms to actually swim.  Kaitlyn did fairly well sticking to the steps -- and big thanks to Auntie Kim for saving K's life the one time she did not stay on the steps and she walked right into deep water, head under.  We are thankful for those mama reflexes Kim has!

Ryan mid air 

When we weren't invading the Jopp's house, we were swimming at our condo pool.  Also equally fun, although a bit quieter minus the friends to swim and splash with.

Our cactus walk after Easter dinner.

Good family photo, except for one tired, napless, sun drenched K.  Can't win them all.  

 Uncle Derek lead this cactus walk -- and was the first to educate us about the cute, but oh so sharp Teddy Bear Cholla cactus.  I think this was my favorite cactus of the trip.

those are some tall Saguaros

Happy Easter!

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Kay Gray 2.5

This little lady can be the girliest of girls at times….she wants everything pink, she loves to play with her animals and cuddle/nurture anything, she loves listening to and singing along with music, and of course there is plenty of drama and tears over the smallest of things ("Kaitlyn it's been 4 hours, can you please go potty?" her response -- "Nooooooooooo!" and tears and tears as she heads to the bathroom and proceeds to go like a racehorse).  

Yet, like with the flip of a switch, she is tough as nails.  She smacks her head, scrapes her knee, does something that looks like it would HURT, doesn't even shed a tear and she's off and running or climbing or jumping again.  She can hang with the older boys on the playground.  She is one coordinated cookie.  

We love both sides of this little munchkin! 

She is a full blown 2 1/2 year old….fearless, potty trained, stubborn as a mule, and all the while making us laugh all over the place.  Such a joy in our lives.  And cute as a button to boot!  Love her. 

checking in at the Dailey Method so mama can get in a workout -- Kaitlyn just loves to hold hands with mannequins any chance she can!  but then says "What happened to her head mama?".  Good question K.  

first at home pedicure with mama!

she chose pink, of course

she still doesn't really love to eat, she'd rather play.  But sometimes she combines the two…not sure what these apple slices are doing, but they are surely on some sort of train 

but then there are times when she can eat!
(photo compliments of my father while my parents were babysitting the rugrats)

this is what I get when I ask her to wash her hands -- the monkey version 

digging in the dirt in Nonni & Nonno's flower bed in the backyard

she has gotten quite good at entertaining herself lately -- lining up all her toys, or busting into the game closet when I am in the other room and taking out the big people board games, in this case Ticket to Ride, and lining up all the trains and train stations.  

And finally…there is something to be said for being the second child.  This girl is one social butterfly.  She has no problem throwing herself into the middle of every situation.  And she loves it.  Not shy at all.  She is so ready for preschool!

at cousin Kensie's birthday party a few weekends ago -- Kaitlyn truly thought that candle was hers to blow out.  Sweet 4 year old Kensie, the blond curls to the right of K, tolerated Kaitlyn well.  

with Ripley, Ry's friend from school,  at science night at school

silly photo with Ry's buddies at the playground -- and there's K, smack in the middle of all of them