Our new friend

This is Noah. He's Tyler's baby brother. He's our newest friend. And he is adorable!

Boys

Today Sammie started summer school so Cole and I went over to play with Tyler and Baby Noah. The boys hadn't seen each other in about two weeks and they were happy to play! Mary bought them each an awesome squirt gun and froggy glasses (she called these proctective eye wear-genious!) They had a great time hanging out, getting wet, snacking and just being boys:) Can't believe these two are going to be in preschool in the fall!!!!

Tyler and Cole.

Best buds.

Showing off their big muscles.

Squirt gun time.

Playin around.

Cabin

For the long weekend we drove out of hot Phoenix and headed up to cool Prescott for some R & R! We knew it would be cooler than home, but it was actually quite chilly! Fifty five degrees and WIND! Sunday we tried going to town to walk around the couthouse art show but the wind was so crazy we didn't last long. We did have a yummy lunch at the "Firehouse" though-if you are ever in Prescott I highly recommend this place.
The rest of our time was spent mostly at the cabin and Lynx Lake (Where I caught my first fish as a child!). Peter and I were just cracking up at how much things changed from last summer to this...last summer Sammer was not a fan of mule rides (the quad-like 4-wheeler), did not want to play on the tire swing and wasn't really into adventured out in the forest. This time-was begging to go on the mule, tried the tire swing and LOVED it and couldn't have enjoyed the outdoors more. It was so awesome. It's fun watching the kids love the place I have so many memories of!
Fishing was a big bust, no fish-but tons of fun. Lots of ducks, dragonflies, a blue heron and "diver duck"-a black duck that kept going under and back up again the entire time we were there. It was entertaining to watch him.
I almost forgot-another big excitememnt of the weekend-Grandpa bought a smoker! Peter was REALLY excited about this. Sunday night we had smoked ribs and Monday night we smoked a turkey. It was pretty yummy! I'm sure I'll be eating more smoked meats as the summer goes on...:)

Ketchup & Ranch

This is what we hear every day. "Nuddies wif chechup an ranch."
Had to document this. :)

School is out!

It seems like just yesterday we were talking about which preschool we'd go to, now we're done. With one at least! Samantha finished up her last day of preschool last week (I know, I've been neglecting the blog). She has absolutely loved her teachers, who she had both years and Cole will have next year. We love them too!!! So many fun memories were made and we will always have a special place in our hearts for Ahwatukee Preschool.

Last day of preschool!
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And now summer is here and we have the challenge of filling our days with fun things to do. One such thing was playing store. Sammie and Cole organized all of the play food we have and turned our living room into a supermarket, complete with signs, conveyor belt and cash register! It was fun.

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And today Sammie wanted to draw in her journal. It's a journal she started at preschool and they left a bunch of empty pages for us to do this summer, smart teachers:) The theme for today-missing Maura. She was sad when she came across a picture of Maura, one of her besties that moved to Baltimore last November. So I said, draw a picture and we'll take a picture of it and send it to her:) Art therapy! We miss you Wests!

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And on a total side note...Cole is just about potty trained!!!!! While Peter's mom and dad watched the kids for us this weekend Grammie sat Cole on the potty and he actually peed!!! (something he had not yet done, even though we had been trying for quite some time). He wore undies all day yesterday and all of today without any accidents! Can't believe it! Thought this day would never come, but so glad it has. this morning he peed in the potty and said, "Daddy will be so proud!" Love you ColeTrain! Good job!