The Zoo

This past weekend, we took advantage of the unusually mild temperatures and visited the zoo. It's located on the side of a mountain, so the terrain is pretty up and down (needless to say, I was glad Andy was there to push the jogging stroller). We all had a good time. A.J.'s favorite animal was the giraffe. He kept calling the giraffes "Melman," which is the giraffe from the movie Madagascar.

Andy and A.J. posing with the frog

Our little "monkey" climbing up to see the monkeys

A.J. conquered this alligator

The petting zoo is always a big hit

Hollie and A.J. looking at the "Melmans"

Visitor

Last weekend, Andy's dad was in Tucson for business and drove up to see us for a while. It only took him about 5 minutes to make A.J. cry (he has a way with kids), and Andy got a great shot of it! Only kidding...A.J. had a great time with Grandpa and can't wait until their next visit. Since it was only 110 this past week, the pool got some great use. A.J. likes to take the noodle and play baseball with it (I'm beginning to think he will be into sports). By the end of the week, we finally got some much needed rain...it hadn't rained since February! The temps cooled off and the highs were only about 70! Of course, A.J. got sick. He was running a low-grade fever, but he seems to be better now (maybe Grandpa was the carrier...again! I sense a pattern here)!!!

Grandpa Forry trying to console A.J.

A.J., Andy, and Forry playing "noodle" baseball

This is how I knew A.J. was sick...he took all his stuffed animals and blankies, curled up and fell asleep at the bottom of the stairs...at 10:30 in the morning!!!

Neighborhood Block Party

Our Home Owner's Association threw a block party today for our neighborhood. It was actually pretty fun. The fire trucks, ambulances and police cars were there for the kids. There was also bouncy houses, hot dogs and snow cones, raffles and prizes (we got a Diamondback's t-shirt, hat, and golf balls...A.J. got a football). We all had a good time.

Daddy and A.J. in front of the fire truck (yes, our fire trucks are white here)

Playing on the fire truck

Spraying the fire hose with the fire fighter

Riding the bumper cars with Mommy

Going in the bouncy house obstacle course

Taking time out for a picture

Going down the inflatable slide

A.J. trying his arm at pitching (Watch out! He can hurl the ball 11 mph)!

Enjoying a snow cone

Soccer

A.J. has really been into soccer lately (much to Andy's dismay). He always wants to go to the park across the street and kick the ball around. Andy is more that willing to take him, as they have a basketball court there as well!

A.J. with his "game-face" on

Thursday Playdate

Okay, so I'm getting really bad at keeping up with the blogging. Last Thursday, A.J. met one of his buddies at Tumbleweed Recreation Center to play (during the summer, a lot of places offer indoor play areas to beat the summer heat). They had little scooters, hula hoops, a tumbling mat, tunnels, soccer balls, and basketball, to mention a few. A.J. headed straight for the basketball and wanted to "shoot hoops" the whole time. I told this to Andy, and I think it brought a tear to his eye! Anyway, the boys had a good time, and we'll probably be visiting there quite a bit this summer.

Visitors

Well, we just got finished with 2-weeks worth of visitors. It was nice to see everyone again. Andy's brother and his wife came first and spent their anniversary here in Arizona. Then, my parents and sister came the following week. I think A.J. is going through visitor-withdrawal, so if any of you still need vacation ideas, there is free room and board at our house. My mom actually took the pictures that I have posted. We got to enjoy some time swimming (although the water is still a little cool). A.J. loves to be thrown up in the air in his swimming ring!

A.J. enjoying being thrown in the air in his dolphin ring

Getting acclimated to the cool water

My parents, sister and A.J. at the mall