Happy Father's Day!

Belated Birthday #3

The final birthday that I am late in blogging about is my little Dilly! His birthday was on June 15th. He turned 2!



I love, love, love my Dilly, and here are just a few of the reasons why:

• I am his very biased Mom, but I just think he is so cute! I love his dark brown eyes, his super gappy teeth, his hair, his big feet, everything about him!
• He goes & goes & goes, but occasionally he stops & 'nuggles' and it is the best feeling in the world. Or in the middle of the night when he wakes up (yes, he still wakes up in the middle of the night!) and I drag my tired self to his room, he snuggles up so perfectly on my shoulder that I forget how tired I am, and stay with him a little longer than I need to.
• I love his little voice and how he makes it all deep & scratchy to say things like "creepy", "scary" or "sleeping".
• He is learning to say all sorts of things (almost everything really), but my favorites are the way he says Ava's name - "A-fa", of when he says "Luf" for love. He also calls things 'beautiful'.
• Although he torments her non-stop, he really adores his big sister Ava. He loves to 'nuggle A-fa'. In his rare moments of stillness, he will snuggle up to her & listen to her read books, or watch her play gameboy. He really wants to do everything that she does.
• He loves to be outside & play - he would be outside all day everyday if I would let him.
• I love that he is all boy - through & through! He loves bugs ("creepy bugs"), he loves cars & trucks & trains & anything that moves & he makes all the appropriate sounds. He is always climbing on everything and getting into things.
• He makes the cutest animal sounds (his owl & cat sounds just melt me!)

I could go on & on.... Dillon makes us so happy and brings happiness to our family.

We love you Dilly!

(birthday sign by Ava)

Belated Birthday #2

June 4th was my Dad's Birthday.

My Dad is one of those really smart people who know a lot about everything (cars, sports, politics, history, how to do most things, you name it!), but who stay really humble.

I have so many wonderful memories of my Dad. As a little girl, I loved to just be with him - just running to the hardware store, working in the backyard, visiting him at his office, etc. I also loved all the trips that we took as a family, camping, in the motorhome, or visiting Grandpas & Grandmas.

I hear certain music and think of him everytime - Roy Orbison, Buddy Holly, James Taylor, Eva Cassidy.

My Dad loves to travel, and in recent years has been able to visit some really wonderful places - (always remembering to send Ava a post card for her post card collection). We are excited to come spend time with you this summer - the kids especially can't wait!

I love you Dad!

Belated Birthday #1

The last few weeks we have been so busy moving that I haven't been able to get on my computer very much & I missed blogging about some very important birthdays!

May 29th was my Father-in-law Richard's birthday.

I remember the very first day that I met Richard - before Brian & I were really even dating. He gave me a big hug & called me sweetheart! He is such a tenderhearted person - the Colonel is a softy!!
He is also one of the most capable people I know! He has accomplished so much. Over the years, we have gone to him with all sorts of problems & questions, and he always knows the answers, or just what to do or who to talk to.

Brian looks up to his Dad so much, and I know why. Dillon & Ava love their Papa, and I love my Daddy B.!

Haircut

Today Ava got a haircut! We have been trying to grow out her bangs, and we decided to cut her hair a little while they grow. I had to talk Ava into it, she really wants her hair to be super long like her Aunt Tasha's.
Our new neighbor Amy cut her hair and I love it! She cut off about 4 inches and added lots of layers. All day today Ava kept looking in the mirror to see how short it was, and to see how cute she looked! We did a before & after picture to compare. (I love that her before picture has the kind of serious face that before pictures always have!)

Before

After

We've Moved!

We did it! We moved! After renting for the last 2 1/2 years - we finally bought a house! Still in AZ, but now in Mesa. Actually, it is only a few miles from where we have been living! We are glad to be staying in AZ, close to our sisters Tash & Shelly & to all the good friends we have made over the last few years.
We are still getting settled, but so far, so good! Ava & Dillon seem to really like it - there is so much more room for them. They have bigger bedrooms, and a loft area that we use as a playroom - Ava calls it 'the lot'. We will eventually have a nice backyard for them to play in - right now it is all dirt!
There are nice parks & playgrounds in the neighborhood, and we have met some really great neighbors in our cul-de-sac.
Here are a few pictures from moving:

Our New House ~ 4751 S. Carmine Circle, Mesa, AZ 85212

My packing helpers - Ava & Dillon

We had a garage sale before we moved. This was in Ava's room. Once I told her she could keep the money she made from selling some of her old toys, she made signs for every toy in her room!

On moving day, we had help from Tash, Maddie, Sam & one of his friends, Shelly, Alex, Livi & Nate & our good friends Ryan & Rachel Bailey ~ we could not have done this without them!

The Baileys brought donuts and our little moving helpers took a donut break. Ava & Ella and Jack & Dilly.

This is the day we got the keys to our new house...

Same day... Really empty house...

Once we get moved in a little more - I will take pictures of the house & post them. There are a few projects I want to do, and I will take pictures along the way. Painting, backyard landscaping, tile (eventually), etc. Lots of things to do to get settled, but we are here and we are loving it!!! Maybe (hopefully) we will actually stay here more than a couple of years!!!

Graduation

Ava graduated from kindergarten at Higley Elementary School! She had a little program with songs & poems, and then they called each students name to walk & receive their diploma! I am so proud of her ~ she did so well this year!

Our niece Alex graduated from Ironwood Ridge High School! Her grad was on the football field in the gusty wind! Our Nephew Jake graduated from Highland High School. His grad was on the football field in the pouring rain!

Congratulations to the Graduates!
We think you are all amazing and have the brightest futures ahead of you! We love you!