Addison's First Trip to the Beach!

Addison- carrying the bucket just like a purse. I love this kid!

Not too sure about the ocean when we first got there. She kept staring at the other kids and the water. Eventually she broke down, but she was still pretty cautious.
And then she would point to things of interest
Addison and my neighbor's daughter, Angelique
Snot and sand- doesn't mix well
She is obsessed with shoes. She puts mine on, then hers on. Sometimes she even tries to add a second pair :)
The older girls had toga towels, so Addie wanted one. We had to fold it in half so it wouldn't drag. And then mommy cleaver tucked it in the back strap of her suit to hold it up :)

Fun in the Sun!

This weekend we blew up the frog pool (courtesy of Gran-dude and Lisa) and played in the front yard. Personally, I thought the water was a bit cold, but Addie didn't seem to mind. She thought it was funny to splash me-even after I promptly splashed her back! She loves the sprinkler that comes out of the top of the frog. She will patiently fill up her buckets and then dump it right over. It's quite funny to watch her walk around inside the pool. She walks so cautiously taking mini baby steps all the way around.

Crabby Addie

Ahh, it seems my girl isn't a morning person. Just like her momma :) These pictures show off a bit of her 'tude.

A Few Pictures from the Picture People

We went to Picture People on Friday afternoon. All was well and Addie was happy and chipper. Then it happened, she saw the backdrop from our photo session being switched around (loud mechanical noises) from that point on she clung to me. I couldn't put her down AT ALL. She would cry and scream. At a last resort I just included myself in the pics as well. The were ok, but we'll go back soon and do some more. The one of just her even has my shoulder cropped out of it!

The World's Biggest Vacation Recap Post:

One hour into the drive to Arizona.
We have no shame in admitting that there was bribery by way of snickerdoodle cookies on the way there.
So happy to be OUT of the car after such a long drive!
She hates the tub, loves the waterfall in the pool. Go figure!
Hanging out in her new turtle float

Bubbles!
After the pool we have to take a break for a drink
Zeus is patiently waiting for his food. Addie must think there is some in there for her too, LOL!
Addison and her gran-dude.
She looks like such a big girl to me in this picture. She has the pout and all!

Kristen, Addison and I hanging out
The Zeus dog
Just a goofy picture of Roger and I
What is better than climbing inside empty cabinets??
Lake Pleasant, AZ

Roger and Kristen on the jet skis
Innovation at it's best. Bring the pool float in the boat to play with :)
I know I'm bias, but she can't be any cuter!
Sure, she won't like you take a wipe to her face, but she will wash it herself with water!
Addie thinks "another picture?" really?

Addie and her gran-dude playing in the water.
Getting ready for a cruise on the jet ski!
We must do everything just like daddy does.
Adds vs. the plum. The plum won.
She saw some ducks swimming by in the lake and tried to entice them over with her plum.

Chillin out in the captains chair of the boat
Oh- we got her to smile!!! NO way!!!!!
Intrigued with the birds in the trees.
After Roger took this picture I asked "Did it turn out?". He responded "Yeh, it's great". He has obviously accepted the same Addie picture taking mentality as I have. It's just too much work to wait for her to look AND smile at the camera! We were actually this close to the monkeys in this picture. No zoom! This exhibit is one of three in the world and there is not another in the United States. You could walk into the cage of these spider monkeys and watch them run about in the trees. There were so many of them chasing each other up and down the trees, across the branches, and all around. It was so cool!

Daddy and Adds. This was the otter exhibit. She loved them! She stared and stared and then cracked up when they swam in the water. We even got a stuffed otter toy as her souvenir :)
Mommy and Addison. Typical shot-kid not looking at the camera.
This monkey exhibit was so cool. This one just stared at Addie and she was trying to touch it.
Roger and Addison. Remember, we don't actually *try* to get our child to look at the camera. It's no use!
Dad and Kristen

My new animal love, giraffes! They are stunning!
At first she looked a bit freaked out when we put her on the carousel. At the end, we couldn't get her off! She screamed and laughed during the entire ride!
She loved the goats! I think she forgot that her grandma has a whole farm of these at home! I love how she somehow wound up in the "Goats Only" section.
Some quick love for this goat before we go
I think Roger was trying to communicate with this animal or something..

Behind bars!
She was intrigued by this raccoon. I don't think she quite realized it was fake. LOL
Addison and Aunt Kristen
This is what happens when toddlers enter the world stroller-free
It's all about gran-dude!


We got back (last weekend) from our trip to Arizona. We drove out, with boat and Addie in tow, on a Sunday morning and stayed until Saturday. It was awesome to visit with my Dad, Lisa, and Zeus! But added bonus, my sister Kristen was there :) We got to hang out at the house, boat a couple of days, visit the Phoenix zoo, and check out a Cabela's store amoung lots of lounging by the pool while we were there. It was so nice to just *relax*.

We all went in the pool the day we arrived. Much to my surprise Addison really liked it. She's going through a 'I-hate-the-bath-so-I-must-scream-bloody-murder-everytime-you-put-me-in' phase, she I was pleasently surprised when she splashed in the water. She even dumped buckets over her head- we won't get into the reaction we here when that happens in the real tub. I either need to bring baby shampoo in the pool, or invest in a floating turtle that fits in the tub. Oh yes- bath time is that bad.

Onto other topics, we also hit up Lake Pleasant a couple of days with the boat and two jet skiis. It was so much fun! We really enjoy going to other lakes and checking them out. Roger and I had some good times whomping on the jet skiis. Addison had fun in the water or riding on the boat. The first day on the way in to the launh area, Addison passed out in Lisa's arms- like almost catatonic. Nothing woke that girl up!

We also went to the Phoenix Zoo. Talk about a cool zoo! The exhibits were amazing. Addison really enjoyed looking at all of the animals. I knew she would- my girl is an animal lover through and through. She was in awe at most of the exibhits.


After a week of visiting we headed home. It was such a relaxing and fun-filled trip!