Visit from Grammy

Grammy Ward came to stay with us for a few days this week. We had lots of fun going to the zoo, playing at the mall, reading, painting, playing outside...The weather is getting pretty hot now, so we had to be creative with our day, but we sure had a great time.

Thanks for coming to visit Grammy! We love you :)



Playing at the slightly over crowded Chandler Mall

Reading his favorite Dr. Suess book, ABC

At the zoo

Check out that black bear Grammy!

Welcome to the Finals Lakers!!!

You're #1 to us Lakers!!!



A win over the Spurs tonight sends the Lakers to the finals. Hopefully Lakers will be world champions again!

Thanks for the cool Lakers hat Libby & Blaise (a baby shower gift for Jonathan that is just now fitting Jacob).

Memorial Weekend Happenings

We arrived home from Santa Fe to be surprised by cooler weather in Tempe. Instead of the 100+ days while we were away, the temp dipped into the 60's, 70's, & low 80's! We took advantage of the beautiful weather by getting outside as much as possible!

Here are some pics from the weekend



We rode our bikes to the zoo (10 miles) on Saturday morning. It was sprinkling, but didn't bother us. Got to try out the rain shield on the chariot. Jacob got to see all his favorite animals: giraffes, zebras, flamingos, orangutans, lemurs (new favorite), & elephants!

An amazing photo of the mama orangutan nursing her 2 1/2 year old!

On Sunday we met up with the Calhouns. The dad is one of Daddy's colleagues from work. They have 4 girls (10, 8, 6, & 4)! Jacob absolutely loves playing with them & trying to do everything they do. We went on a hike at Pinnacle Peak up in Scottsdale, & Jacob walked / ran the whole time. We had a minor scare when a hive of bees swarmed us (ran away to safety thankfully with no one being stung). Definitely do not want to experience that again! And Jacob fell down while trying to run after the girls & scraped up his knees & shin, but it didn't stop him. He was mostly upset that he was getting further behind the girls by falling.

Then we went to a park to play in the splash pad & sand area. It had a really cool fountain that wet the sand periodically. Jacob & the girls had a great time! Then it was time for some pizza. By the end of the day Jacob was exhausted (no nap), so after a quick bath he fell asleep in minutes!

It's snowing!!

For the first few days it was in the mid to high 80's, but then we woke up Thursday morning to thunderstorms & weather in the 40's. So we drove a few miles up the mountain & alas there was snow! We didn't really have the clothes for playing the snow, but we had to get out the car to check it out & take a few pictures. Jacob was very excited, but got cold very quickly. Yes we look silly in our sunhats, but anything was better than no hat at all.

looking cool in the car ride back to Albequerque
Jacob wouldn't give mama back her sunglasses!

on the airplane
after an 1 1/2 hour delay we were very tired
Jacob didn't crash till almost landing when he took a short 10 minute catnap

Downtown Santa Fe

Downtown Santa Fe was amazing to visit. We drove into town nearly everyday bc there was always something new to see. And it has a very special charm to it, with its narrow streets, independently owned stores, & yummy restaurants. Here are some pictures from our downtown excursions. There is just a bit of a statue theme to the downtown area, lots of various types of artwork.



Jacob & Daddy praying to the Buddha

riding on the gigantic cat statue

riding on the elephants trunk at the Ghost Ranch (just a little freaked out here)

"can I read too"

Santa Fe Trip

We spent this week in beautiful Santa Fe, New Mexico. Daddy had an electrokinetics conference at the Bishop's Lodge, so Jacob & mama tagged along. The weather was beautiful & Jacob loved running around the lodge's property. There was so much to keep us busy...hiking, watching the horses, throwing rocks into the pond, swimming, exploring historic downtown Santa Fe...& we found our new favorite restaurant Bumble Bee Grille! Jacob loves their veggie burritos!

Here are some pictures from the first couple days



Daddy & Jacob riding the straw bull near the horse stable

Daddy & Jacob near the waterfall on the hike

Jacob on the merry-go-round (yes the ones that got removed from nearly all playgrounds bc of injuries, but they sure are fun!)

Jacob on a huge rock looking at the horses (mamas allergic so we stayed a safe distance until Daddy could join us)


throwing rocks into the pond


Jacob & his buddy Xander

Giddy up bunny

Met up with Jacob's buddy Cordelia at the zoo yesterday. She is about 6 months older, but they get along so well together. Jacob loved following Cordelia all around the treehouse. And since the carousel is Cordelia's favorite, Jacob got to try it out for the first time. He was pretty scared, so we just sat on the bench. Maybe in a few years he'll like it more.

Jacob's verbal skills have just taken off. He is now putting 2 or 3 words together pretty consistently. It is so nice to be able to communicate with him & he with us :)

Happy Mother's Day!!!

We drove up to Pine today to check out the progress on Papa & Grandma's new house. We couldn't believe how much has been done, last time we were there it was just the land. Now the crew are finishing framing the 2nd floor. Jacob loved running around the property (as did Sparky!), & checking out the construction site (though he got mad that he had to hold our hand or be carried, he's an independent guy when he wants to be).

After checking out the new home, we had a yummy italian dinner in Payson, then drove home. Can't wait for the new house to be finished. Tempe was 102F today, so will be nice to have a summer get-a-way next year!

Thanks Jacob (& Daddy) for the new camera for Mother's Day :) Jacob was so funny, he handed me the wrapped present, pointed at it, & said "camera." Guess we'll have to watch out what secrets we tell him.

New train table!

Jacob LOVES his new Imaginarium train table from Grammy & Grandpa Ward (birthday is beginning a little early). It arrived on Thursday, so Papa Chuck & I stayed up till midnight putting the thing together (100+ pieces). Jacob was so excited when he woke up Friday morning. He kept saying over & over "airplane...helicopter...airplane...helicopter." He has quite the fascination with transportation vehicles.

Thanks Grammy & Grandpa! Now Jacob will have plenty to keep him busy during the hot summer months :)

At Mama's Nursing Symposium

Today mama presented her applied project poster for her masters in family nursing. She implemented a breastfeeding education course for the bacalaureate nursing program. Daddy, Jacob, Papa, & Grandma all came to support her. It was a years worth of hard work, but definitely worth it. Now to work on getting it published in a journal.



Mama & Jacob in front of the poster

Bored of the symposium, lets go outside & hug a pole instead

ooh, balloons!

Trip to the dog park

We visited the Tempe dog park on Tuesday since Sparky had been cooped up in the backyard for a few days. But I think Jacob enjoyed it more, running all around the park. Sparky was so cute protecting Jacob from the other dogs.

Jacob's First Pee Pee in the Potty!!!

Jacob surprised us tonight by using the potty after his bath. Guess this is the beginning of potty training :)



Likes to sit on the Bjorn potty backwards.

Did I really do that??