Birthday Fun!

This year daddy's birthday was even more significant because a new cousin decided she wanted to share the special day with her uncle!  Congratulations Auntie Melissa and Uncle Dmitry!  We can't wait to get out to California and meet new baby Izzy!

In the meantime, we had our own #2 birthday to prepare for!

Q is 2!

With lots of friends surrounding him, the birthday boy got a little shy when it came time to sing the birthday song to him.

But he did enjoy his birthday cupcakes!  After he finished eating only the frosting covered top he asked for another one!  Ha ha!  Of course that's the best part, but you gotta eat the bottom too!

 Q received so many wonderful gifts from generous family and friends, but some of his favorites included:

A basketball and hoop for outside from Oma and Poppy.  He could hardly wait until daddy got home to put it together!

Hurry up daddy!

Yeah!  We are finally ready to shoot some hoops!

Okay, maybe a little assistance is required...

Actually, he did make a few on his own.  This should provide some fun for all for quite a while!

Uncle Mitch and Aunt Krystal gave us a fun dinosaur that roars when you squeeze his tummy.  Q liked it, but from the look on Willie the dogs face, he's not so sure!

Opening Grammy and Grumpy's gift with daddy's help.

So excited to see a Q-sized guitar!

Now I can play like daddy.  Good form buddy - except you need to switch sides!

Auntie Lisa E sent this fun plate!  Mommy will have more fun with it right now, but I think Q will get the hang of it sooner or later.

Auntie Lisa N provided us with countless hours of banging and senseless noise!  Thanks guys!  

       

 Actually, we are hoping to do Music Together with Auntie Lisa N and baby Grant this winter.  Perfect, as it is the 'drum' session.  Looks like someone is getting some early practice in! 

Cousin Get-Together in Oregon

Q and I decided to get one last flight in before he turns the dreaded 2 - and we have to buy him a seat on the plane!!!  We headed to Oregon to visit Oma and Poppy and hang out with our cousins!

First up - checking out the new fun water park in Redmond.  Q seemed a little timid which is funny because we visit a lot of these in and around Phoenix.

He warmed up a little and got some confidence when either mommy or big cousin Pen went with him!

Cousin Pen "helping" Auntie make Poppy's birthday cake.  Chocolate and orange frosting - yum!

 

Brushing your teeth is so much more fun with there is a cousin to do it with you!

Visiting Peterson's Rock Garden.  Brings back lots of childhood memories and the kids seemed to love exploring the 'miniature' village made of rocks.

Having fun with Oma at the Rock Garden

 Q in front of one of the rock garden castles.

What a fun age, when sprinklers, water and mud are all it takes for fun with your cousins!

I think you've got some pretty adorable grandchildren Oma and Poppy!

Cousin Hugs!

'Auntie' Lisa is a mommy now too!  Yeah, we love baby Stella!

Q started to get a little jealous while mommy was taking a turn holding baby Stella.  Uh-oh, could this be an insight into our own future in a few months!?

Early morning breakfast and some good bed head Frey-frey!

Waffle breakfast with Gigi!

Followed by balloons and an attempted grandchildren/great granchildren photoshoot.

Dancing with Auntie Lula at Music in the Park

Helping Uncle Nick make some pancakes!

Before we headed home we explored the new elementary school being built just below Oma and Poppy's house.  We watched the cement truck poor cement, explored empty classrooms, tested out some of the playground equip and took a 'ride' in a tractor!

When we got home to see Daddy an early birthday present was awaiting us - all set up and ready for fun!

Indoor Kid Friendly Places in Phoenix - Part II

Still in the mood for trying out new things we ventured to the new Arizona Aquarium.  We were very excited about this as both mom and dad love aquariums, fish and all things ocean.  It turned out to be somewhat fun, but in all honesty now we just really want to take Q to a more complete aquarium, preferable located somewhere on the Pacific coast!

Sea Life Arizona - Grade C+ (but good effort considering we do live in AZ)

Q did get to touch a sea star, which is pretty cool by itself!

Having fun checking out all the different fish in the windows.

 

 Interested a little more in the brightly colored coral than the cool sharks swimming towards him.

 They did have these cool port holes the kids could climb into to get a closer look.  Of course half the time you had to wait your turn because some adults think they are for them as well, despite the obvious size.

We had fun and the shark talk was cool for mom and dad to listen to, but I think we'll hold of on a repeat visit for a while.  Hoping we can hit an Oregon or California coast aquarium next time!

Indoor Kid Friendly Places in Phoenix - Part I

This month seemed to be filled with finding ways to escape the hot, hot, Arizona summer heat.  We continued with our Music Together sessions (which Q loves) and then took to exploring some of the other indoor treats this Valley of the Sun offers.

First Up: The Phoenix Children's Museum - Grade A+!

 Playing around with the Plinko-like games

Getting a kick out of standing on the air vent!

 

Playing in the toddler/infant room

Going grocery shopping just like mommy does!

Time to check out!  Look at my healthy eater, avocados and milk!

Time to cook.  Mommy never lets me touch the hot stuff at home.

 Muli-tasker in the kitchen.  Hmmm, wonder where he learned that one?  Careful mommy, that's how dinner ends up disastrous!

 

Time for some messy art projects.  They had this giant paper-mache castle set up that the kids get to paint.  A new color for each day.  Such a great idea!  We'll have to try it next time.

 We opted for the slightly less messy chalk board instead!

Mom, Dad and Q in the birds next after climbing up to the top of the crazy architectural sculpture that graces the center room on the main floor.  Guess this kid isn't too afraid of heights!

We had a great time at the Children's Museum.  Thanks for going with us Grammy and Grumpy.  We'll be repeat visitors for sure!

Big News...

We had fun this month telling our family the wonderful news....

Quentin is going to be a big brother!
We are due February 9th and have decided NOT to find out what we are having this time around.  Here is to a healthy and uneventful 9 months!


Lots more outdoor play has kept us hot and busy.

An early morning experience with cantaloupe.  The bed head indicates a nice solid night of sleep which is always appreciated by mommy.