Spring Catch-up

Recently, we had lunch with friends at the Desert Botanical Garden who asked "So, what have you been up to lately?" I feel like we've been pretty busy - but I honestly couldn't say what exactly has been keeping us on our toes (except for the inherent nature of life with a toddler). Anyhow - looking back through pictures over the last couple months, I am reminded of all the little things that fill our lives and make each day interesting.

First of all - we really enjoyed our wonderfully cool and unusually rainy winter. Having our backyard flood every time it rains a lot was less wonderful - but still provided a fun play experience. AND - it gave Silas an excuse to wear his "Costa Rica rain coat".

We dug some big holes for our new fruit trees (2 peach and an apple). Silas enjoyed "digging" with his very own shovel.

Silas got to meet Elmo at the toy store - he was pretty excited but didn't really show it at the time. Maybe it wasn't exactly what he thought little Elmo would look like in person??

We had a small Superbowl party with our neighbors. Colleen got all the boys AZ Cardinals shirts (since she couldn't find the teams that were actually playing in this Superbow - not that I even remember who the teams were...). Silas helped me make brownies for the party:

I'm not sure if he enjoyed the batter or the prospect of the real thing more.

Thou shalt not covet thy friend's brownie...On a last minute whim, Silas and I journeyed up to Out of Africa in the Verde Valley to meet-up with an old friend of mine and her family who were visiting from Colorado. I think the safari bus ride was the biggest highlight - feeding the giraffes (see you tube video link) and getting so close to the animals was awesome! It was also really neat to meet my friend Julie's kids. She has a 5 year-old and twins who were turning 3 in a couple days. I just love watching the kids discuss being two...



Besides Julie, another old friend (Lisa) came down from Flagstaff. We all used to work together at the NAU Ecological Restoration Institute. I think we may send them this pic of all ourkids for the "alumni news".
Silas and I also took a quick trip down to Tucson with my Mom to visit my grandma and two of my aunts who live down there. As usual, we had lots of laughs and good times. Silas even learned to play his very first video game (sorta).


I guess I share my mother's love of fun holiday traditions - I enjoyed putting together a silly St. Patrick's Day breakfast for the boys (except it was really just Silas & I since Matt isn't into "green" food). Silas & I decorated placemats the day before. If you look closely, you'll notice some miscellaneous green things we decorated them with (feathers, pom poms, etc.).

We had green eggs and green milk with our breakfast (well - green tea for me). We're looking forward to Easter. I think Silas will really get into it since he's been watching the Easter Bunny Is Coming To Town movie all year (ever since he got it as a gift from his Grammie last Easter!) And, finally, Silas loves his night-time rituals - story-time, "fluff my pillow, please" (Matt taught him that one), etc. But one of the funniest rituals I wanted to share is his races around the kitchen with Matt. It is always hilarious and entertaining for me. Kind of a strange thing to always do before bed - but it doesn't seem to cause a problem.

Thanks for sticking with me on this marathon catch-up post. Happy Spring and I hope you'll be hearing from us again sooner than later. (My goal is actually to post again in less than three months - but I generally respond well to peer-pressure and gentle reminders that "it's been a while"). xo.