Just hanging out

Loving being a big boy in Brandon's Cars chair...I see another one of these in our future!
Absolutely loves to eat raspberries, can't you tell?
A little story-time with Daddy.

Just watching the world go by....ah, memories of Brandon at this age.

Our new neighborhood

It's official, we closed on our new house and have the keys....now starts the rush to paint, clean, pack, and move in....all while working and tending to the kiddos!

Daddy's little helpers

Mason and Daddy at the mall.
Having lunch at Johnny Rockets.
Brandon loves to go to Home Depot, so last time we were there I got him a little apron (kinda like Kevin's tool belt).

Teething & Cruising

Mason's first tooth (bottom left) has finally arrived, with the bottom right behind (if you look closely, you can see it)!!! Unlike Brandon, Mason really seems to be bothered by teething, viciously chewing on everything. He is now cruising along the furniture and has figured out how to get down without toppling over (most of the time). Mason loves to eat, he really likes raspberries, avacado, and cheese.

Kevin has nick-named him "Little Iguana", because he crawls with such determination and his body movement looks just like a lizard. Brandon really gets a kick out of calling him this....they are really getting along these days. I often find them playing together with blocks or in Brandon's room. It's too cute, until Brandon tries to smother him.

Window watching

What's out there?

Fathers Day 2011

Brandon and Mason had their first swimming adventure at Grandpa's house today. Mason seemed to love the water, Brandon really didn't want to get in further than the steps...sure beats the kiddy pool in our backyard during the summer heat!

Wallow Fire Aftermath

The Wallow Fire is still burning but is growing less and less each day. We are starting to see pictures of what the area now looks like. Escudilla Mountain is one of the areas that burned. Escudilla is the 3rd largest mountain in Arizona at nearly 11,000 feet in elevation. Escudilla was a beautiful mountain covered in a mix of conifers and aspens as well as high meadows. It was known as one of the best places to see the changes in the colors of the aspen leaves. The pictures of what it now looks like are very sad.

This is a picture taken from the lookout tower on top of Escudilla, looking south.




This picture was taken from the air, looking at the same view, with the lookout tower where the other photo was taken in the foreground. We can only hope that the rest of the fire was not as intense and that some of the forest survived.

Bath, books, and bedtime

Brandon and Mason caught playing together in the tub. Brandon and I have really established a ritual of reading before bed....I can't wait until Mason will sit still long enough to read to also.

Wallow Fire update (again)

It is now the largest wildfire in Arizona history, having consumed 469,407-acres, and is 18% contained!!!

Wallow Fire update

Deer fleeing the area!
DC10 air tanker dropping fire retardant.
Near alpine divide.
Night burnout
Night burnout
South Fork of the Little Colorado River

The Wallow Fire has consumed an astonishing 452,155 acres and is now just 10% contained, thanks to the 4300 personnel working this fire! Kevin's home town (Spingerville) was evacuated several days ago however residents have been allowed to return to their homes.

Day at the Zoo

We spent another great day at the zoo we Grandma Payne! We thought the boys needed to spend a little quality time with us before the move, plus this was a great distraction from packing!!!

Welcome Baby Steward

Congratulations to Mike & Stefanie on the arrival of their little boy, Austin Michael Steward

Just helping Mommy cook!

Birthday, bowling, and cupcakes

Brandon has finally developed a taste for all things sugary....

Happy Birthday to Chloe, Brandon and Mason's cousin. It sounds like the bowling party was a hit. Happy late birthday to Sarah (another cousin with a June 2nd birthday).
Happy Birthday to Aunt Peggy, too.

Wallow Fire 2011

It's unfortunate that the White Mountains has again been hit by a devastating (man-made) forrest fire. This hits home for Kevin (and I) as this area was once home to Kevin, having grown up in Springerville, AZ, and where we spent many days fishing on the shore of Reservation Lake with my Dad. We will miss the beauty of the wooded areas where we used to camp, but hope that we can still enjoy camping with the boys in the near future.
The fire is only a week old, already the 4th largest fire in state history, and is minimally contained (if at all), having already burnt 140,000 acres.

Michigan visitors

Gramma and Mason
Joe (my brother) and Aunt Glenny (Bill's sister) spent a week soaking up the sun! We missed Linda, Josh, and Nicole this trip...maybe we will come to Michigan to see you???
Joe-sev-weiner-head, ha, ha, ha!!!
Joe and Mason, just bonding.

Cuties

"Mommy, aren't I just too adorable?"

Brandon insisted he should sit in the infant car seat..he thought he was too funny. He also sometimes like to use Mason's pacifier, crawl around on his hands and knees, and baby talk. Thank goodness he responds to "being a big boy".