Planes, Trains, and Automobiles (almost)

Over Easter weekend, we packed up the whole fam damily and traveled to Phoenix (some of us by car, others by plane) to celebrate my Grandma's 90th Birthday. It was a fast but awesome trip. Like most families, we're made up of a multitude of personalities and opinions but we managed (for the most part) to get along pretty well considering the conditions (i.e. 12 hours in a car!). In my typical fashion, I took a TON of photos, so here are just a few that highlight our trip.

First stop after arriving: Cousin Rick's house and nieces Kacee and Kailee insisted on swimming. Keep in mind it's 7 pm and the air temperature had dropped to about 65-70, which made the water a bit chilly. They didn't care. I think they're part fish anyway. Kacee is an awesome big sister, but as this photo proves, she has the typical big sister torture thing going for her. Wonder where she gets that from. Ahem, Tracy?

Rick had invited us over to his house to have cake and ice cream. Grandma was a little embarrassed at the attention but was a good sport. She has issues with her memory, so even though we had been talking about this for over a year, she was still surprised and tickled that we had all come down for her birthday. She is honestly the sweetest person I know.


Tracy catching up with Grandma while we wait for the cake to be cut. It had been about 2 years since they had seen each other. Lots to discuss!

I think Rick was trying to get rid of all the cake. Kailee was the first to get a piece and it was a seriously big piece for a 4 year old. No matter. She polished it off in style. We dealt with the sugar rush about 30 minutes later!
Me and Grandma at her big Birthday bash on Saturday night. She was so excited to wear her new pant suit that was given to her by Rick for her birthday.

Blowing out the candles - sadly, there were only 2. I was kinda hoping for 90!
During an attempted photo of Grandma and her sister Doris, Rick took the opportunity to run up and say "Oh look, a rose between two thorns!" We all busted up but I think Aunt Doris thought he was serious!!

Tyson paused long enough for me to snap a picture of him with one of his favorite toys - a balloon! He had a blast running around the yard (even though it was SO windy and even a little cold. I know, who'd have thought Phoenix would be COLD?!

Meet Uncle Jim.

The funniest damn old guy you'd ever meet in your life. Seriously one of my favorite people on this earth, he has a wicked sense of humor and will always tell it to you like it is. I always look forward to visiting him when we're down there. You honestly never know what will come out of the man's mouth.

While we were all together, I had the brilliant idea that we should take the kids to get a portrait done. After discussing it with Tracy, we thought we should do a western themed photo. The girls are cowgirls, after all with horses and everything. So I gathered up a stick horse, cowboy hat, shirt and chaps for the occasion. Tyson, however, had other ideas and after two trips to the studio, we gave up most of the props and just settled for what we could get. The results were pretty good, given his attitude towards the whole thing. They are a cute set of cousins, that's for sure! They could be siblings!

We managed to torture the kid while we were at the hotel. He hated swimming! Auntie Tracy tried her hardest to help him enjoy it though!

We went to a park to do some family photos and when I was walking up from the car, I saw the kids sitting smack dab in the middle of the sidewalk, just looking at the park. I scrambled for the camera to capture this cute shot.

The Cook family - Mom, Kacee, Kailee, my brother Randy, Dad, Grandma, Tracy, my brother Paul, Tyson, Doug and me.

This pretty much summarizes how we all felt on the way home. Tired as hell and anxious to get back to normal life! We had a great time and it was so good to see our family. Can't wait to do it all again soon!!

Bring on the Spring

Although Mother Nature is determined to postpone it as long as necessary, my Grape Hyacinths are clearly shouting
"It's spring!"

Back on track...

It's been a while since I did a random photo of the week, so here's one of my favorites of the Colorado River in Moab. I love how serene and colorful the river is. You virtually never see the same scene twice because the colors change so drastically depending on the time of day. Did I mention I love Moab? I could quite possibly do a different photo every day for a year and not get tired of the scenery.

Forgive me blogger, for I have sinned...

It has been 14 days since my last post. I wish I could say I was doing something fun, like a blogcation. Sadly it's just that our household has been a little chaotic as of late.

Where to begin? First, I am sad to say that dear Mel passed on. Didn't I mention that I was bad with fish? How hard can it be? Feed them, clean out the bowl once in a while, right? Honestly. It breaks my heart when Tyson walks into the kitchen and points at the bowl and says "Mel?" Like he's asking, where did he go? We are working on getting Mel2 soon. With an upgraded tank (and a less expensive gold fish).

Another exciting event (said with a touch of sarcasm from moi) is that Tyson is now exiting his crib. On his own. Funny story actually.

It all started with one night last week when we were trying so hard to make it through the night without any interruptions (i.e. wailing child due to stuffy nose, dogs puking - another story, another post) when I was awoken at midnight by wailing child. In my zombie state, I shuffled to his bedroom, laid him back down in his bed and grumbled something like "Go back to sleep" and shuffled back to my own bed.

Three and a half hours later, in my half-asleep state I hear him moan and talking in his sleep. I sit upright in bed. That does not sound like he is in his own room. I get up to go check on him, this time going through the bathroom door that connects to our room. For some reason the door is stuck and will not open. Still not fully conscious, I force the door open and look down. There, laying on the linoleum is little man sucking his thumb and fast asleep with two blankies (yes, my Linus planned ahead and brought two). I recall growling, "What are you DOING?!"

I scoop him up and don't have the heart to go put him back in his bed so I take him to our bed. Ordinarily, reason would remind me that this child does not do well sleeping with us (nor do we do well sleeping with him) but it is 3:30 AM and reason is obviously fast asleep. Oh how I wish I was too. After 45 minutes of his tossing and turning and staring at the ceiling, I give up and carry him back to his bed.

Although I didn't take photos at the time, I had him re-create the climbing out of his bed so that I could share his new talent with everyone. He happily complied.

On a lighter note, we are headed to Phoenix over Easter and looking forward to sunny skies and visits with sorely missed loved ones. I am counting the days!

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year...

In honor of warm temps and softball season starting, this week's Random Photo of the Week features my hot hubby doing what he loves most, whacking the softball. Not my best photo by far but I am so stoked for the season to begin! Our first practice is tomorrow and I cannot wait to get the bats out and warm up the ol' arm. I have a batting title to retain and what better time to start working on the batting average?!

I'm curious... what things do you get pumped up about with the warm weather that is upon us??

New Edition to the Family!!

Ha! Now that you've all been duped into thinking we're having another baby (which we're not, btw), meet Mel.

Tyson loves our dogs but he also loves fish. I had the brilliant idea that maybe he would like a fish of his own. I don't have a great track record with fish tanks. They get dirty quickly and fish are known to up and die on me at a moment's notice. I am seriously rolling the dice by getting this kid a fish but what the hell, right? It's a goldfish for crying out loud.
So anyway, Tyson was SO adorable at the pet store. He had been coached the whole way there that we were going to get him a "fishie". We walked into PetsMart and he immediately runs to the display (empty) tanks and yells "fishie!". That's my boy. I discreetly corrected him and pointed him towards the wall of fish tanks that was glowing from across the store. He turned and ran towards them, proceeding to push strangers and employees out of the way in the process shouting -- you guessed it -- "FISHIE!" I was trying so hard not to laugh and wishing sorely I had brought my camera. It was a moment I will never forget, that is for sure.
Tyson waited so patiently for Mel to acclimate to his new home.

Mel trying to establish dominance by hypnotizing Tyson. He's got one hell of a stare down, let me tell you.

There's something magical about the way a kid sees the world. Such innocence and happiness can be found in something as simple as a pet goldfish. Ah to be young again.

Ever Wonder...

...what a nearly two year old wants to do when hubby has to work late and watching more TV is out of the question? Walk to your local park, of course!! We load up the vehicle (ok, so it was just his miniature car) and head out.

Climb up onto awesome slide:
Head down, face first of course!

Try valiently to take out Mom on the trip down:

Dust yourself off:
And repeat: Over, and over, and over.