Independence Day 2014

On July 4th we went to Bisbee for the day. Bisbee is a cool little mining town with a lot of exploration within walking distance. We saw adults mining (trying to at least) and kids filling wheelbarrows with sand to try and beat records. We ate lunch at The Table and just enjoyed the day...until meltdown began. At night, we went to the local ball fields to watch the fireworks. Their appearance was iffy all day due to the weather but it ended up being a great show. 

My little Photog

Letting us know she wants OUT!

The Table

Feeding sis some ice cream.

Sweet boy!

Father and son

Mom and daughter

Watching the show. You can tell the humidity by the curls :).

Jiujitsu Competition

This past weekend we traveled to Phoenix to watch Bucky's first jiujitsu match. We have been very fortunate to have found a gym here that works for us. The instructors are fantastic and Bucky has grown so much in this sport since beginning here. When he found out his friend, B, was going to compete, he decided that he would like to be in it as well. He lost his first match 2-0 but he got his nerves out and realized these folks weren't playing around. He won his second match 10-0. Not only did he win in points but we could tell he had learned from the first match and was much more aggressive on his second go. He was very proud of himself as were we :).

Bucky's friend, B 

Guard

Sliding out

Completing a throw

Mount and checking with coaches

Trying an arm bar

The winning smile

Cheering for Bubby

And...she's spent

Group Photo of the kids who competed and coaches

Finally...A Birthday Party

We postponed Bucky's birthday party this year because Buck was TDY at the time of his actual birthday. It worked out better all around because sports were over and so was school. Less things to plan around means more fun! We had it in our grassless backyard so skipped setting up the Slip-N-Slide for fear of a kiddo getting hurt on the hard ground underneath. We did however opt to buy some squirters and a sprinkler (that sucked and was promptly returned to the store). The kids all seemed to have a good time, especially the birthday boy!

Fill Up Time

Who can spray the highest?

Getting thirsty

Hmmmm....

Cake time

7 Balloons for the birthday boy

One of the many gifts he received

End of Coach Pitch

Bucky's end of the season party was at his coach's house. The kids received their award, baseball signed by all their teammates, and some baseball cards from the coach. This was followed by fun times in the pool.

Park Playtime

The kids and I joined our friends for some park playtime. We all had a fun morning!

He's 7!!

Even though this post is a month after, I still can't believe my 8 lb, 8 oz little boy turned 7 last month. We are a little behind in throwing him a party but I still did what I could to make his day special. He got to open his gifts from his gamma and grandaddy and his great-grandmother. Later, he received a few cards in the mail and opened them. It's so great and rewarding watching and hearing him read his own birthday cards. He really is a smart little boy (I get to call him that because he's mine). He opened our gifts later in the day. Even though his daddy was TDY (the reason for the party postponement) he was able to call and talk with him about all of his birthday excitement. We had a busy day between the gifts, baseball game, and a friend's birthday party but I think he still felt special :).

Mother's Day

The kids and I headed up to Tucson to spend the day with Natalie and her kiddos. We enjoyed the day at the Children's Museum and then snacked on some cupcakes to celebrate her daughter's birthday. It was alot of fun for all!

Easter 2014

We celebrated Easter with Buck's cousin and her fam this year. We are fortunate enough to some family nearby even though the Army moved us from the South. It just happened to work out and we are thankful. We didn't have any plans and were invited to come to their house to eat burgers and have the kids participate in an egg hunt. The kids were so cute and it was interesting watching the different ages (19 mos - almost 7) go about it in their own ways. Natalie and I also got to squeeze in a trip to Costco before the festivities began...and we went sans children!

Our Cute Lil Bunny

My Easter Ham

Natalie's Kiddos

Photobomb

Fairy Princess

All the Kiddos

Such a Cutie

Starting the Hunt

Most Recent Family Pic (Thanks Natalie!)