ROAD TRIP!!!!

On Saturday Shawn and I decided to brave the roads of Arizona once again with our wonderful son and head up to Payson to visit the Tonto Natural Bridge State Park. Unlike our last (horrific) road trip, this one was, well, fantastic! We had to much fun together.

J enjoying the ride - he chattered like this until he fell asleep, then once he woke up...more chattering! So much more fun than crying!

It's so odd...one moment on the drive up you're surrounded by thousands of saguaro cacti, the next...pine trees. It's like you're in another, cooler, state.

The waterfall @ the park.
Daddy and J by previously mentioned waterfall.
J and Mama by some rocks..

My favorite picture. (Yes he has a leash!)

J could have run through this field all day...if it wasn't for all those darn nasty HUGE red ants - OUCH.
Just some of the surrounding mountains.
Yes, the sky really is that blue. Amazing!
J on a bench at the gift shop.
Family picture time! Nice hair, mom!
That's better...
J loved running up and down this deck.
Dada and J.
After the park we stopped at the Main Street Grille, which is supposedly haunted. *cue spooky music* I am happy to report that I went to the bathroom by myself and did not see any ghosts. Phew!!
J coloring away and having a great time!
Yes, we sat outside...at 1pm. It was a brisk 87 degrees. Gorgeous!
Shawn's "monster burger" which was huge - notice the massive knife sticking out of it???
J ate his grilled cheese like a champ! (and some broccoli too - alright!)
This was taken 5 minutes from home - J was so done with his carseat. But, he bears the signs of a great trip - dirty, dirty feet, and scratches on his arms and legs from falling...repeatedly.
We'd do that trip again in a heartbeat! It was so much fun and Shawn and I talked about how 'someday' we'd own a second home in Payson that "me and the children" would be sent to during the summer while Shawn slaved away here in Phoenix and came up north for the weekends. That is, of course, if we're still living here when we can afford something like that. Still, sounds dreamy, huh?

Wagon-time!

At Kim's house on Tuesday, there was a HUGE playgroup. Lots of kiddos running around, it was a blast. We were outside for a little bit - it was way too hot for the moms, the kids just did not care how sweaty they got.

Three kids in the wagon and Lily helping to push!


Bailey and J have such an...odd? relationship. They really love each other, I think.


This is J's foot - this morning he tried to follow Daddy out the big heavy door to the garage and somehow got a nice couple of gashes on the top of his foot. His first band-aid!


It rocked and rolled out here last night - according to the news, the winds were between 30-40MPH. I don't think so. We've lived here for almost 5 years and I have never heard, seen, or felt the wind that strong before. I had to run outside because our patio chairs were blowing around - and they're big and heavy, not flimsy chairs. The tree across the street fell down - I don't think it damaged the house, thank God.


Look at how these trees are leaning! Totally crazy.

Free Football Tickets!

The first Cardinals pre-season game is tomorrow night and Shawn was supposed to go but can't. It starts around 5ish, our seats are in section 116 (this is behind the west end zone) row 14 (I think). They're good seats - the game probably won't be too crazy, as it's only preseason, but if you need a night out, they're free! Either I can meet up with you to bring them to you or Shawn can email them to you. First one to leave a comment indicating they want them, gets them.

Family Fun Day

On Saturday, Jeremiah was feeling much better. I was not, but that doesn't mean the world stops! We headed over to Westgate for some fun - they have a place called 'Fountain Park' which is essentially a splash pad for the kids. Good news: the water smelled like chlorine so I doubt there's any crypto! (PS for my eastsider friends - this is in Glendale)

The area around the fountain is really nice - lots of cushy seats for moms/dads/grandparents with huge umbrellas, surrounded by grass and nice shops. One could easily make a day of hanging out there. It really reminded me of a resort.

J getting the lay of the land...

Little cutie

Hey! There's lights in the fountain! (meanwhile I'm saying: "He's going to get it right in the face!!")

Yup...he got it right in the kisser!!

This is kind of funny. Jeremiah is not shy...at all. See the man and boy in the background? He was a 'fun dad' - running through the fountain while carrying his son. Shawn and I...well...we weren't doing that with J. So, of course, Jeremiah follows the guy around the fountain holding his arms up, expecting the man do take him through the fountain. He was a good sport, and did pick him up a couple of times. Thanks, Random Guy, for entertaining our son!! LOL.

In front of the 'water show' fountains.
With Daddy..
Daddy & J watching the fountain show
Finally, lunch at Margaritaville & J's first time coloring. He did pretty good, until he decided that the crayons would be better off in his mouth.

A note for my SYTYCD gals - there are a TON of resturants there. And the resturants themselves are huge....so we'll have plenty of choices in October!

After we got home, I was so achy and feverish all I wanted to do was nap. J went down for his nap and so did I...the problem? He woke up after only an hour and 15 minutes!!! He normally sleeps 3 hours and has gotten all screwed up thanks to this cold. However, on Sunday, he did nap for 3 hours so I got a good one in myself. Yay!!

Booooo virus!

Jeremiah is sick with something, we're not sure what. I did make a trip to the ped today because he just was inconsolable and wanted to be held - very un-J like behavior. Apparently there is a virus making it's way around town that includes watery eyes, snotty nose, and fever. At the Dr's office, J's fever was 103, and even over an hour after giving him some motrin, it was still 100.9. Poor dude, he is miserable. And to make things slightly worse, I do believe I'm coming down with what he has, yikes. So the Roland home will be under quarantine for while.

Other than that we're alright. Ha ha!

Here he is wrestling with Daddy on the floor - he's funny, because if I happen to be laying on the floor, he'll fall on me like he does with Shawn. I don't wrestle though, I make him cuddle with me. :-)


For lunch today, Sickey ate sliced olives. That's it - and not many of them, either! I'm happy to report that he did eat some yogurt and a few bites of oatmeal for dinner though. (I'm trying to stick to more bland foods)

Dude, what did you just say?

The last week or so Jeremiah has started talking. Well, okay, maybe not actually talking but he's saying things that sound like words. I don't have video yet...but this is what he says if I listen very closely and try to put it into context.
"Ada" (Dada)
"Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm" (Milk)
"Odder" (Water)
"Wha Da" (What's that?)
"Awl" (Ball)
"Uh-oh" (I don't think you need the translation do you?)
Of course, no video...yet...but I'll try. Also, Shawn will say this list is incomplete as Jeremiah says many more words than this...but I can't understand him!! AND, do you notice what is missing???? MAMA has not entered his vocabulary, but I guess I can wait for the incessant "Mama? Mama? Mama? Mama? MAMA MAMA MAMA MAMA!!!!" stage of life with him.

J's latest entertainment is rearranging the kitchen chairs while wearing his cool-dude sunglasses. I say rock on!

This is what we call the post-breakfast breakfast. The child can be so hungry sometimes!

"The Mad Face" - he also snorts through his nose and I'm sure he doesn't realize how hilarious he looks and sounds.

One of his BFFs - the dust buster.

Where are my shoes?

Jeremiah has been having a fun time lately taking our shoes and 'hiding' them in the cabinets. He thinks it's hilarious. It is pretty funny, but I don't want to encourage him.

Today we went swimming with Bailey, Shanna, Kim and Lily (and Sydney and Payton). Here are some cute pics of the little ones:

Bailey's "cheese" face
Lily being adorable, as always.

And of course I'm a bit biased, but he looks so cute!

Just a couple of other shots from the weekend - here's J sitting in a chair and enjoying a few puffs.
J & Daddy relaxing before bedtime
Jeremiah has been quite obsessed with books. When I say obsessed, I really do mean obsessed. He brings a book to you and gets very happy when you sit him on your lap or next to you. Of course, he doesn't want you to actually read to him...he'd rather you just open the book and let him turn the pages. He loves to find pictures of balls and do the sign for 'ball.' It's fun. Today we read the same book five times in a row...but it's worth it!
Trying to put on Daddy's shoe.


Thanks to everyone for praying for Shawn during his test!! We both appreciate the prayers so much. Now...the waiting begins - it's about an eight week wait until we find out if he passed or not. Please pray those eight weeks go quickly for us!

Bailey's house!

Today J and I headed over to Bailey's house to hang out. Shanna is taking care of Erika Bird right now (please pray for her brother, Trevor and their family as they are going through some difficult times). The house was kind of crazy - but fun crazy, not scary crazy. :-)

Here is cutie Bailey
And the sweetest baby I believe I've ever met, Erika:
J and Erika look weirdly alike, especially when they both were running around in their diapers - that white skin and blonde hair - from the back I couldn't tell them apart!! (and in this pic, J has on the pink bib and Erika the blue, LOL!)
Erika laughing at Sydney and J entranced by Elmo on television
Gosh she looks like her father, don't you think?

Eating with a spoon like a big boy (sigh)
Forward facing and unamused...
Sleeping in previously mentioned forward-facing carseat.
Mmmmm!! Black beans!!

Happy birthday Shawn!!

One year ago today, Shawn worked all day and then came home and Jeremiah fell asleep on him. See here. This year was kind of similar, except he got a present that really made him happy...

He wasn't sure about the box - Versace? He was really skeptical.


His method is...interesting...


Yay!!


Carrie Underwood tickets!! Shawn is a big fan and his mom (who pitched in most of it) and I went in on them together. He is already very excited. Then he spent the rest of the day studying...which is why there hasn't been a blog in a whole week! Well, that and because our laptop is temporarily insane. So...just pray for Shawn this week and especially Friday and Saturday so his CFP (certified financial planner) test goes extremely well.

Today, to let Shawn study, we headed to the library:



These are all random pics from the week..

I love him in this basketball outfit - I remember when my mom gave it to me at my baby shower and it fits him now! Amazing and he looks like such a big boy in it!


Pickles are a vegetable, right?


Messy face!


Bath time!


Just a funny picture - obviously a little too close to the flash!

Jeremiah's birthday!

J's birthday was a looong celebration - lots of presents arrived all week. It was easier to make a slideshow than a massive post! I'm glad he's little and won't think this is how all birthdays are! :-)