Is August over?

It cannot possibly be September! August went by so quickly! McKay turned one on the 18th--he celebrated with his grandparents and some chocolate cake. He is in the .77% for weight so we have got to start feeding this kid more fat! He continues to be his super happy self, although he is cutting three teeth. He is starting to think about giving up a nap, but I am not convinced.

Logan is enjoying story time at the library (do you like the alligator hat?). He has story time on Thursdays, park day on Tuesdays, Mother Goose on Wednesdays and Mommy and Me Music Time on Fridays. So we are slowly filling his week. Monday is for recovering from Sunday with no nap. I loathe 2 o'clock church.

I turned 30 on the 22nd but continue to try to ignore this fact. We kept it pretty low key, although I look forward to celebrating later. Loren had two surgeries in August, so we kept pretty quiet the whole month. His parents were kind enough to stay with the boys through that ordeal. He is looking forward to feeling better soon!

If Logan has only had one accident in two months--is he officially potty trained?

Hot Summer Days

We've managed to keep pretty busy during these hot summer days. Last weekend we took the kids to see "Montezuma's Castle" which is about a 45 minute drive from here. It was a free weekend, which is good, because the kids were not very impressed. You used to be able to go and look around, but now you just kind of walk a half mile loop near it. The castle is a cliff dwelling made by the local Native American tribe (I can't remember the exact tribe). Loren and I found it interesting, but at over 100 degrees not a place to linger. McKay spent a lot of time entertaining European tourists. We then went to Sodona and had some fudge and ice cream and checked out the art. All in all a good weekend. This weekend Loren took Logan to do a little craft at Lowe's. He got to make a little helicopter with cute little goggles and a little apron to keep. Adorable!

Loren is not having a great time. He has been passing kidney stones for the past couple of days/weeks, and is currently having a ct scan. The pain has been overwhelming and I have been a single mom for most of the past week. We have plans to go on our first date in six months--Harry Potter--so I hope he feels better soon.

We have also taken the boys to a magic show, several play dates, the water park, and library reading times. They have been very busy!

Phoenix Summers

The boys continue to keep growing, the heat doesn't seem to be affecting them too much. We are in the water if we are outside, otherwise we avoid being in the heat. We took the boys to Chik-fil-a's Cow Appreciation Day. McKay does not seem to impressed with his outfit--but Logan loved coloring spots on his garbage sack. We had great fun. And the whole family got free food! Everyone wins!

This weekend we introduced the boys to Lilly. Logan loved the tractor rides and keeps asking when we are going back. We will be heading to Prescott tomorrow--which means that they actually get to play in the grass! I took a few pictures of the boys with their new stuffed animals, they love hauling them around and cuddling with them. McKay especially likes to walk around with his "Font-font."

We are planning the Chase family reunion this year--and we are all going on a cruise! It is going to be super fun to have all 29 on us together. I'm thinking parasailing! We just about finished one whole room, decorations and furniture and everything! I finally got the house rekeyed, now I need to get all the carpet cleaned and finish cleaning the next few rooms and we are officially settled in!

I spent Sunday in the nursery, and am having a two-year old over for a play date on Friday. Saturday we are thinking of heading out to Motezuma's castle. Will take pictures if we do!

My Arizona Boys

The boys are pretty much diggin' Arizona! They have had a lot of fun playing with cousins, splashing in the water park, and hitting people with pow-pows (water guns). Logan has also picked up a way to save me money on washing cups!

McKay is now walking full time, and he is so small at ten months that we always get stopped to see how old he is and how long he has been walking. He looks like a little penguin, adorable! Logan has been enjoying his weekly play dates and is slowly, slowly getting better at potty training. He is liking having me home full time so we can work on letters and numbers when McKay is asleep. Last week he went on a backstage tour of the movie theatre and got popcorn and a little film strip. He is starting to say funny things, "Mommy, I love bubbles." "Mommy, there's a wow-wow" (cop car/ambulance/fire truck--it is the noise they make).

The heat hasn't yet broken our spirits. It is still cool enough for nightly walks to the park. Loren is still liking his job, and had to go to a quick conference--in Denver.

Hopefully we close on our house on Friday!

Why do I love people?

First, the pictures. I have taken some new pictures of the 

boys, 

but I can't seem to find the cord to download them.  So here are pictures of the boys being vets at the Denver Children's Museum.  Cute, eh?  McKay has a ways to go yet.

Second, the reason for this post.  I was really quite stressed out with the move.  I had boys to get ready, a house to clean and pack, a house to buy, utilities in two states to organize, showings to clean for, finals to write, grades to submit.... I was a little overwhelmed.  A lot of people helped us through those weeks and I just wanted to say thank you for all the kind, kind service that was shown to us.

Ray and Sharon Chase were invaluable.  They helped us drive here, putting up with Cosmo--which is no easy task.  They have helped to clean and put this house into a livable condition, and they have tirelessly entertained the boys.  Kendi has come to entertain me, so I don't go crazy.  Julie has sent packages so I feel loved all the way around the world.  Sometimes a girl just needs some candy and love!  Sometimes she also needs her mommy.  My mom sent us travel treats and other settling in goodies--plus good naturedly talks to me when I am going crazy.  My dad took Logan on the 18 wheeler and gave him a Kenmore key chain--which he loved.  Sarah Mayfield saw our moving van and just walked in to clean our bathroom--and was not taking no for an answer.  She also brought the boys fruit tape--which was well appreciated.  Dolores was our mom away from home, and we will sorely miss the weekly interaction.  This amazing woman not only cooked and babysat for us, but packed a beautiful new purse full of travel goodies for the boys.  Amber Martin fed us and packed another bag of goodies and toys for the boys--Logan asks about Joseph every time he sees a blue van.  And my beautiful and stylish cousin Loriann sends her amazing hand-me-downs to us--our kids never looked so good.  Our two realtors were actually quite amazing, our CO house is now under contract!

I'm sure I'm forgetting someone--and I'm sorry if I did.  I just wanted to express my gratitude for all the amazing people I have in my life.  Thank you.

Museums, Moving and Full-time Mommyhood

Ah!  What a month it has been!  Loren successfully took his oral exams, and is now officially ABD (all but dissertation).  It was a stressful time, but I am so, so proud!  After he defended we hopped in the car and took the kids to the Children's Museum in Denver.  They loved it!  Logan got to dress up as a possum and tunnel under trees, as a fireman and play on a full sized fire truck, as a train conductor and play with a room full of trains... it was never ending fun.  McKay just liked to look around and put everything in his mouth.  It was a win-win.  They had a fabulous time and we took the scenic route home to enjoy the beauty of Colorado.

Then we moved to Arizona!  After two days in the car with two kids and a cat we were happy to make it here.  We don't have enough furniture to furnish all the rooms, but the kids are loving crawling and playing cars on the never-ending tile.  We finally got the AC working which has been a huge help.  And we found a washer/dryer and refrigerator on craigslist while we still had the moving van. Slowly, things are coming together.

With my last grade submission I am now a full-time mommy.  Most of my time is spent cleaning, unpacking, and organizing. I hope to have summer plans for the kiddos soon.  Music class?  Swimming lessons?  We'll see.  

A big, HUGE shout-out to Loren's parents.  We literally could not have moved without them.  They helped us drive down here, cleaned floors and walls, shopped, watched kids, did manly chores, cooked, baked cookies, gave grandma loves, and took Logan to Ace.  Thank you so, so much.  

We will miss all our friends in Colorado, and look forward to making new ones here!

Easter, moving, and a whole lotta pain

Easter was fun this year! We went to a garage sale on Saturday and picked up a wooden train set, an Elmo electric guitar, three new trucks and a pull toy for McKay--all for $3! Logan loved his new toys and McKay loved putting new things in his mouth. Neither was too sure about the Easter bunny, however.

We are enjoying weird weather, hot then snowy. Logan likes to eat snow, here is a picture of his potential last time in the snow. McKay is cruising around the house, walking with the assistance of toys and causing general mayhem. We are continuing to show the house and getting ready to move, which is just a pain all around.

Speaking of pain, Loren has been working on passing kidney stones and has been in intense pain. Poor guy. He needs chocolate and some sympathy.

One Logan story to finish the post. I have been working with Logan on his colors and the numbers 11-15. Loren was trying to entertain Logan in the car while I was in the store--Logan would count to ten and then Loren would turn on the overhead light. Apparently, it was entertaining. Then Loren said, "Logan, what comes after ten?" (working on 11-15, remember). Logan's answer: "Light goes on, Daddy."

Ah, I love my sweet boys.