The Zoo

It's completely pathetic that we've lived in AZ for over 2 years and just recently went to the Wildlife World Zoo. It's near base so not too far away, we just always had a good excuse like it was too hot or too much for the baby or too expensive. I kept hearing how great it was so we finally dragged the kids there and had a great morning at the zoo. This zoo is huge and has tons of animals and lots of fun rides. Brian loved the train through the safari lands and we also went on the sky ride thingy. We rushed through their new aquarium because our little creatures were getting hungry, but we'll be going back soon since we liked it so much, we bought an annual membership for the kids and I to go back and enjoy the zoo anytime we want!

I won't bore you with lots of animal pictures but we saw this adorable 2-day-old antelope walking around with his mommy, so cute!

The sky ride thingy. Steve was brave and took Emy, who squirmed the entire time and had him paranoid she was going to fall. He says never again will Emily get to go on the skyride. I kept a tight grip on Brian and he kept saying "Mommy, stop holding me, I'm not going to fall and you are making me sweaty!" My little boy doesn't need me anymore!

Big Bear

Considering we've been back from Big Bear for a month now, it's time to get some pictures from the trip up. There are some random pictures of Emily having fun with an empty box, always a good time for a 1.5-year-old. And then there are some pictures from an alpine slide we went on. Big Bear was fun but was so crowded for Labor day weekend, we were always waiting for something, like a table at a restaurant or in line to do something fun. I'd love to go back in the middle of some random, non-holiday week.

Oh and we went ziplining but my sister has the pics and when she sends them to me, I will post them (hint, hint)

Emily giving Uncle Allan the evil eye, she really does like him though

Brian and daddy in line for the chair lift up the mountain for the alpine slide

Chillin and eating some cookies while the rest of us took turns sliding

Of Guns and Guts

Steve recently got a new shot gun. I couldn't tell you what kind because he sounds like the grown-ups on Charlie Brown specials when he talks about it. "Whaaaa, waaaa, waaaaa, waaaahh" That's what I hear at least. He hears something similar when I talk about sewing so we're even. All I know is that it was insanely, rediculiously expensive but I was assured we got an excellent deal when the gun went on special for $500 off. Apparently a sale like this can be compared to the deals found at a Gymboree clearance sale. Despite my objections, we now own (another) shotgun. This one is supposed to be especially good at killing innocent Doves.

Here are the boys out looking for some sweet little birdies to kill. Brian is collecting as many shotgun shells as he can find, which turned out to be way more fun for him than killing birds. Emily is sitting in my lap screaming to go home for a nap and I am screaming at Steve that it is time to go home for a nap and air conditioning. Dove hunting is not a family sport. It's nice of Steve to try to include us, but next time he's on his own. We have a freezer full of dead doves if you want to come over for some. Steve says they are good wrapped in bacon (but what isn't?)

10 Random Things (plus one extra)

We've been busy lately, here's a little of what's been going on:

1. Labor day. We spent Labor day in Big Bear Lake (or just "Big Bear" to Californians). It was a small squadron trip but my Mom and sister Laura and her fiance Allan were able to join us. Grandma watched the little ones while we went ziplining, which is a blast! Pictures soon I hope.

2. Soccer. Brian started soccer practice 2 weeks ago. His friends Nico and Jake are on the team and Nico's mom is coaching. They are the black and white "Champions!" which means we have set the bar high with our team name. He loves to run and so far is having a blast. They will win their first game this coming saturday!

3. Preschool. Brian started at his new preschool, the church school up by us, last month and I love it! It's just what he needed, a little more structure, prayer and chapel time, and lots of fun. It just feels like a little community school. I wish we could be here long enough for Emily to attend.

4. Moving. We thought we would be moving in the spring of 2012 but when the list of people on the spring assignment cycle came out, we were not on it! Yippee! So that means most likely a summer 2012 move. I don't want to leave here ever so I'll take a few extra months. And this means Brian will get to finish out his last year of preschool and attend "graduation."

5. Termites. Steve found subteranian termites on the back of our house last week. The good news: we don't own this house. The bad news: our friends do. They had an inspector come out right away and sure enough, it's termites. We caught them early and treatment will be done on wednesday. The worst part for us is that we had to move everything in the garage 5 feet away from the walls. Which reminded me, we have too much stuff.

6. Sewing. I've been sewing. alot. I'm kinda sick of it actually. I've been making everything from pillows to basket liners to Halloween costumes. I need to hem some jeans. Steve needs a new gun strap thingy. I'm going to make Brian a card table fort for Christmas. Emily needs some stuff for her room. I'm going to make 4 kids flannel Christmas jammies. Busy Busy Busy. Good thing there is nothing good on TV lately.

7. Flight Suit Glam. I'm technically not sewing the purses anymore. But somehow I still am. I've been making one here or there for friends and squadron mates. I want to get back to doing it, just probably not until after the holidays and after I get all these current projects finished, which will be after the holidays.

8. Hawaii! We've finally decided to take a trip to the Big Island and take advantage of my Grandparent's condo! I'm so excited! We will be making the trip in early February with my parents. Now we just need to win the lottery and buy some airline tickets!

9. Halloween. Emily is going to be a bumblebee. My sister had the most adorable Pottery Barn Kids Bumblebee suit that my niece Grace wore and we were going to use it but it was really thick and had long sleeves and I was worried it would be too warm, so I bought one on sale at Gymboree. Brian wants to be Perry the Platypus from Phineus and Ferb but of course Disney doesn't sell a Perry the Platypus costume. So I made one. It actually turned out pretty cute. I just have to figure out his platypus bill. It's a full fleece bodysuit with hood so I'm hoping for a snow storm on Halloween. Or at least a cold front.

10. Polar Express. We've done the Polar Express train in Williams, AZ the last 2 years and Brian has loved it. It's really cute. We have our tickets booked for December 18th. Steve's parents and sister and brother-in-law will be visiting then and we are also going with my cousin Jake and his family. So we will have a nice big group for our last Polar Express trip. I can't believe we are already thinking about Christmas! Our December is filling up fast with parties and houseguests and trips! We will be in our own home this year for Christmas, for the first time since having kids. Our plan for Thanksgiving is a trip to CA!

11. Okay, I know I said 10 things but I didn't want to leave this out. My sister and her fiancee, Allan, have set the date for their wedding! April of next year in Lost Wages, Nevada. I mean, Las Vegas, Nevada! Myself and the kids are in it and Brian is super excited about his roll as ringbearer/possible dog aisle walker (if they chose to bring their fur baby).

Diamondbacks!

Steve was able to score some free Diamondbacks baseball tickets from base so we attended a sell out game against the Padres on saturday night. It was fun and actually both kids did pretty good and enjoyed the game. We managed to spend $60 between the parking and food but the food is what kept the kids quiet, so we just kept it coming. Subway sandwiches, lemonade, cheeseburgers, frozen yogurt, cotton candy, peanuts, chips. Beer kept Steve quiet. Unfortunately our seats were about 8 rows from the top of the stadium so every time I had to make a food/beer run it was down, down, down the stairs and then up, up, up the stairs. I was surprised at how tiring that was, especially because I consider myself in decent shape (running 3-4 times a week helps) but man, that was exhausting. I guess I need to start doing stairs more often. Here is a picture I took with my new phone's camera. The flash is all wonky cause I must have been holding it funny. It's no iPhone :( Overall a good time, but one game a season with little ones is about all we can take/afford. Oh and we left at the end of the 7th inning when they were losing. They came back to win in the 10th inning. Figures.

Easy Rag Quilt

Our family is a blankie family. Our kids each have a "bunky" that follows them around the house. Brian has two actually. Neither can sleep without their "bunky." We also have several blankies that sit in a basket in our family room for the rare occasion when outside temperatures dip below 80 degrees and someone's feet get chilly. But mostly the blankies end up getting used as tents or forts or hiding places or peek-a-boo enablers. Toys, really. So, since blankies are in high demand in our house, I felt the urge to make another. Plus I saw a really cute rag quilt tutorial on Pinterest and had to give it a try.
The fabric I used is Heather Bailey's Pop Garden

Rag quilts are usually made with two layers of flannel, but I couldn't find any flannel fabric that I liked and I had seen one online that was made with cotton fabrics on the outside and a flannel inside. So that's what I did. All and all, it took me about 6 hours to make, at least 2 of which were making the tiny cuts on all the seems and getting covered in tiny bits of cotton fabric. Once I washed it twice and dried it, the little fabric bits were gone and it really hasn't tried to shed anymore. But that's probably because the kids have not gotten hold of it yet. My kids can scare a blankie into shedding.

Someone else has decided it's his "bunky" and now spends the better part of his naps cuddled up on the top of the couch.

She's MY Emily!!

My Dad took this hilariously well-timed photo of Brian and cousin Grace ripping Emily apart during our CA visit in July. I guess they just both wanted their share of the Emily sweetness. Now, now kids, there is plently of angry little girl to go around! Actually Dad says she was walking holding their hands, fell and they were trying to help her up. I think there are probably 5 sides to this story: Grandpa's, Grace's, Brian's, Emily's and the truth, which we may never know. I do know I will be keeping a better eye on the older two and if Emily ever turns up missing an arm, I know who my primary suspects are!