Ty's best friend John!

I want to introduce you to Ty's new best
friend. His name is John. John the Toad.
Why is his name John? That's like asking
why our dog is named Scoop of Cookie
Dough Ice Cream Stewart. Just because...
that's what happen when you let a little
boy name your 'pets'!

I use the term 'pets' loosely because
this 'pet' John lives in our pool. I guess
I should say, we rescue from his 'home'
every other day. Ty wakes up every
morning and heads out to look for John.
What a great friendship!

What Lies Beneath...

Two houses away from us, there is
an old cemetery. It is marked as the
'Old Pioneer Cemetery' (you can see the sign
behind us in this picture). Most of the
graves aren't marked very well, but some
of them have really neat headstones.

Wood crosses, rod iron fences, headstones.
It is really very neat to see. They date back
to the early 1900's and are graves
for people that worked here in Jerome
(the ghost town above us on the mountain).

My dad and Scoop led the way,
while we followed behind. Luckily,
we took the cemetery tour hours
before the storms rolled in.
We have been underwater for
the past 3 1/2 days!

I still cannot get over how great Becky looks.
It's hard to believe she had given birth less than a
month ago. My sisters are HOT! :0)

Snow Cones!

We had the best storm ever on Sunday!
We sit up in the foothills of the mountain,
so we can watch the storms roll in.
By the time this one hit, we were ready!
Amazingly, Libby slept through all of
the thunder and huge wind gusts.

Our pool was overflowing and decorated
with lawn chairs. It was really cool
watching the hail pelt the surface of the
water. Not so inviting for a swim, though!

While Libby slept, her dad and cousins played!

Heaven sent us Snow Cones!

Uncle Brad was the first one to accept his.

Not bad! Thanks for dessert! :0)

We had our first overnight guests!

Libby came to visit. She was escorted by 4
others, but I can't even remember who.

She had never met her Uncle Jason before.
How do you think the first meeting went?

Ty has been dying to meet her and they
are the best of buds. I can only imagine the
years of torment that lie ahead for her. :0)
Oh look, this picture proves that my dad
was one of the escorts. Sorry for the lack of
attention we gave you, Pops. Maybe next time
you shouldn't bring such a cute bundle of
joy with you. Then again, please do!

It was a fun filled weekend & I have lots
of pictures to prove it. We sent them back
on the road for their 7 hour car trek after
enjoying Jason's famous roast dinner.
His mom taught him well and we all
benefit from it. YUMMM!
Lots more pictures to come this week!

Older, not wiser!

Yesterday was my 36th birthday.
It was a busy one!
*helped in Ty's kindergarten class
*went out to lunch with Tandy
*PTA meeting
*went to Syd's volleyball game
*went to dinner with the family

I love birthdays! To me, you should
celebrate the entire month of your birth.
My kids still fight with each other,
but when I ask them to stop on my
birthday, they actually do.
THAT'S HUGE!!!

When my mother-in-law called me, she
asked if we were headed to Javelina Cantina
for dinner. Are we predictable, or what!?!
OF COURSE WE WERE! We love the fried
ice cream they bring you for your birthday.

It was a busy, yet wonderful day. I was
spoiled, which is my favorite part! Too bad
I feel older, not wiser. Why are the gray
hairs already sprouting? I don't want
to have to start coloring my hair.
YUCK! Old age stinks!

My KinderStar!

This is Ty Bradley Stewart. He is 5 1/2 now.
He was selected to be the KinderStar
of the week because of his great attitude
and his love of all things school related.
Where did my little man go?

I miss having him constantly by my side!

I'm not ready for my baby to grow up this fast!
Next thing we know, he will be leaving
for college. STOP THE CLOCK!!!

Pole Vault

Before I begin this post, I ask you...
Is it wrong that I am jealous of my 10 year
old's body? REALLY! Those legs are so long
and thin, not to mention her adorable butt.
Gross? Sorry! She is soooo cute!

In honor of my cousin Jodie (who broke all
kinds of track records in high school and
college), Sydney took to the pool in her
version of Pole Vault. Ready, Set, Go!

Looking good. Nice balance, good
hand placement, nice line of site....

...then, utter failure! What, was she afraid
of, hitting the water too hard? I give her a
9 out of 10 for effort though.

With an adorable brother like this cheering
her on, how could she not pull it off? Oh well,
it was fun while it lasted! Thanks, Syd!