Family Visit

This past weekend was especially great because Ryan and Danna came to visit!  We were so happy to have them - Landon's been saying "More Uncle Byan and Danna!" ever since they left this afternoon.  Hopefully we'll be able to go up and visit them sometime soon.  

We were able to go to Muir Woods while Scott was at work on Friday.  It was beautiful and we actually saw some deer! 

This baby (it still has spots!) came up so close to Landon!

Ryan and Landon checking them out.

Parker couldn't keep his eyes off of them!

The boys loved looking at the water throughout the hike.  

Landon actually walked a good portion of the trail on his own.  I can't believe how much energy he has these days!  By the end, he was pretty tuckered out and hitched a ride with Ryan.  

Saturday night we went to the John Mayer concert.  Colbie Caillat opened for him and did a pretty good job!  She's definitely young as an artist, but we really like a few songs off of her current album.  


None of our pictures of John Mayer turned out very well (since it was dark when he came on), but we did get a few awesome videos that I'll try to upload another day.  This is all of us:

Our second concert at the Shoreline - it was a gorgeous night!

The concert itself was incredible!  It was exactly what we look for in a concert, which I would describe as: a jam session with an amazing band including some songs that we've heard before.  John Mayer had two amazing guitarists, a sax player and a trumpet player playing with him.  I LOVED the blues and jazz they played - it was such GOOD music.  He is amazing live - if you get the chance you should definitely see him!  We didn't want it to end...but we were really tired on the way home.  I guess we're getting old...

I have to give a huge THANK YOU to our amazing friends who babysat the kiddo's for us.  We not only came home to happy, sleeping children, but our kitchen was clean and our trash taken out.  AWESOME!!!  

Little Farm

We've gone up to the Little Farm near our house a few times in the last few weeks.  Landon and Parker both LOVE the animals.  I couldn't believe how nostalgic I got when we went here for the first time.  I have so many great memories on the farm with my family.  I miss it!  Mom and Dad: I think I know what you need to do next time you're wanting to invest in property - get a small farm!  Oh, and live close to us.  Just think, you'll never have to pay a vet :).  

Here's Landon watching the goats.  The goat was much more obedient in looking at the camera!

Carrie and Bailey accompanied us on one of our trips.  Look how cute these two boys look together!

Landon loved petting the soft cow noses.  They actually ate his celery, too!

Parker loved looking at the bunnies and eating hay.

"Mommy!  That's a HUGE gobble!".  You can't see it in this picture, but there's a ginormous, aggressive turkey at this farm.  This was the first time Landon would actually stand near it!

"Sheep wake up!"

It's very rare that I get a picture of Landon actually looking at the camera!

 

I really hope we're able to take these boys up to the Stampede next year.  They would love it!

Long Past Due #2

A few weeks ago we had some really hot weather.  We loved being able to go to the beach and the lake - the boys loved being naked :).  

Here's Parker eating seaweed...he almost choked.

Landon is a huge fan of the lake.  He loves splashing in the water with all the other kids!

Landon was so wiped out!

Parker in the shower!!

This is the walkway to Muir Beach - gorgeous!!

Then it was Parkers turn to be exhausted by all the fun!

It's official, we've raised a beach bum!

Can't wait for Hawaii!!

Long Past Due #1

I've neglected to post for quite some time now, so here is what we've been up to:

This is us on the Fourth of July! We went up to a local parade with some good friends of ours and had a blast (although we did miss Whitney, Jeff and the kids!!).

Landon got some candy and a teddy bear - what else does a kid need!?

On the 5th, we had our friends Liz and Steve, Sarah, Kramer and Charlie over for a BBQ. Landon and Charlie are best buddies - we can't wait to get together again!! How is it that I never get pictures of Liz and Steve!? Watch out you two...the camera will be ready next time...

Oh Brother...

Landon's been getting up early lately. Really early - as in 6am early. We made a rule that he's not allowed to actually get up before 7, but the problem is: he can only read digital clocks and the only digital clock is in - you guessed it - our bedroom. So, the little guy comes into our room at 6am, climbs onto our bed and waits....and waits....then when the 7 pops up he gasps "Ah! What's that Mommy? Is that a SEVEN!?!?!". Apparently, that's how I used to phrase it :). Anyway, it's not like I actually get any sleep from 6-7am since I've got a little squirmy kid on my bed, so we decided that we needed to get Landon his own little digital alarm clock. We went to Target today to pick one out and this is what he wanted:

This should make for some good stories when he's 15.

Yeah!!!

Nadal just won Wimbledon. NADAL just won Wimbledon against Federer. Against Federer!! If you don't know the significance of that statement, go do your research!! After four championship points he pulled it through. It was some of the best tennis I've ever seen. AMAZING!!!

Family Weekend

I love it when family comes to visit! Stacey had an orientation for University that brought her within an hour of us, so, of course, the fam made a trip of it :). Alicia was the first to arrive and Landon and Parker were ecstatic (after they were able to get out of the car FINALLY!).

This is "the face" from Parker. I'll have to post a video to really do it justice - he basically scrunches up his face and snuffs in and out through his nose to let us know that he's bored or wants to be picked up. It's hilarious!! And it works.

In honor of Alicia we made "Under the Sea" Kraft dinner. I know, I know, the octupus is amazing. Unfortunately, Landon thought it was kind of strange, so he just ate the normal hot dogs. Alicia, on the other hand, thought it was delicious.

Parker loves his auntie!

Alicia's first order of business was to make a fort with the boys. Landon named it "Gouda". We've determined that he thinks he made up that word - it was so funny to here him say "Alicia, play Gouda!!". The fort lasted a few days and he LOVED it. Even Parker thought it was pretty cool to have a ceiling he could reach!

Once everyone else got here, the boys didn't know what to do with themselves, they were SO excited!! Stacey and Parker had a blast:

My Dad helped Parker play soccer before church. Parker loved being a big boy for a few minutes!

My Mom loved playing with the boys (and laying in the sunshine). It was so beautiful in the afternoons!

It also happened to be Scott's birthday this weekend. This is Stacey and Parker waiting for cake (he mooched off her plate all night!).

Happy Birthday!

Sisters Pic. Love it!! Canada, Oz, and ASU. That's basically us in a nutshell I'd say.

Landon and Bryson had a blast drawing with sidewalk chalk. Landon was covered!

This was taken in the Apple store (heaven) where we got our new Mac (heaven in our HOME!). We love it!

After shopping we got some ice cream. I think Landon liked it.

Now this picture is just for Bramsin since they weren't able to make it this trip. Ok, so Tamsin might not like this shirt, but I know Brandon will! See you guys soon!

It was such a great weekend and we miss you all already!!

Happy Canada Day!!

It is slightly depressing that, if we were in Canada, we would be going to a parade, eating pancakes in a big pavilion, and getting ready for fireworks right now. I'll just have to watch a LOT of Corner Gas and the Royal Canadian Air Farce today to offset the non-celebration! (If any of you Americans wish to celebrate with me, you should totally check out those two shows).

As many of you know, I'm really a big fan of Canada and I've had trouble learning to love the US as much as I love the Great White North. Today, though I still love you Alberta, I'd like to document that I'm starting to feel a little tingle of warmth and patriotism for the US of A. After all, I'm probably not going to live in Canada again (at least for a very long time) and I need to love the country I live in! I've been reading into humanitarian efforts lately (mostly due to a book called "Three Cups of Tea" from our book group and my brother-in-law's blog "Riches for Good") and I'm really impressed with what American men and women are doing to help people abroad AND people here. I've had major issues with the Education and Health care systems here - and I still do - but I'm starting to see that even though the system is set up totally differently here, there is a great opportunity for good people to make things better. I've always thought that government had that job, but when I see what individuals have done and are trying to do to improve things, it gives me hope! My conclusion is this: the system is very different here and in order to change and improve education, healthcare, or anything else in this country, we all need to PERSONALLY get more involved and work towards a solution! Happy Canada Day!