sweating it out at the zoo

Last week, we ventured into the city

for an adventure at the Phoenix Zoo.

In 110 degree heat, we started out at the 

caverns splash pad and ended with a loop 

around the zoo on the safari train

(the best way to see the zoo, in my opinion).

The best part, we ran into our cousins!

Sophie and Mimi

Gwen and Ella

Ella, Gwen, and Gracie

cousins

Uncle David leading the cavern tours

the kids found ALL the animals and features listed

hmmm...melty chocolate chip cookies...yum

our clan

with a few missing peeps

Josh, Nathan

Ella, Gracie, Maya

riding the Safari Train

Charlie and Sophie

this handsome boy is the only child to expend

the energy to get off the train for a picture with the giraffes

A great August day in Phoenix!

pool rats

School is out.

We have an official second grader.

For the past three summers we have 

schlepped to the city pool

for swimming lessons.

This year we will do the same.

But this year

Ella added swim team to our repertoire.

sunbathing beauty

buddies

 shivering

snacks pass the time

somehow she scored two popsicles?!? 

she's won the lifeguards over already

Ella & Josh

official Sharks

the reason we are here

snacking, sunbathing, buying popsicles

Ann said... "Stay OFF the table!!"

Zach, Nathan, Charlie, Ella, Josh B.

Gracie, Sophie, Josh C.

a bus ride, a field trip, and a lost tooth

Last week Ella's class journeyed to the World Wildlife Zoo for a field trip. It wasn't her first field trip, but it was her first ride on a big yellow school bus!

Loraine and I and the little brothers tagged along!

At this zoo the guests get to feed the giraffes which is very special.

And entertaining! Check out that long tongue!

Did you know (I learned this from the school nurse this week) that humans and giraffes both have seven vertebrae in their neck. Crazy?!?

While up on the platform feeding the giraffes we happened to see the Safari Train pass by.

A train lover at heart, Charlie had to check it out!

My favorite part of our trip, the Skyride!

Gracie and Ella as flamingos!

Ella lost her second tooth in front of the White Tigers.

She was so excited and relieved - it had been hanging on by a thread for weeks.

Finishing off the day, we watched a scuba diver clean out the tanks at the new Aquarium exhibit!

A great day at the zoo!

Introducing...

the next generation of {little} Hot Chicks:

Sophie, Ella, Tori & Roya

(summer babies of 2007)

Spider-man is SO tall

Charlie's best buddy turned 3 today!

Last week we celebrated at his super duper Spider-man birthday party. We had SO much fun. You just never know who might show up at the Walters' house...

Zach, Charlie, Nathan, & Josh (they are all officially 3 now!)

and Spider-man of course

Charlie had lots to say to Spider-man. He was especially impressed with how tall Spider-man was (as was I). Only Loraine's tall, thin, young neighbor could fit in that suit!

Ella told me she was shy with Spider-man, but decided he was okay.

Needless to say, Sophie wanted NOTHING to do with Spider-man. But, no need to worry, she found her own fun!

Happy Birthday Nathan!  You always make us smile!

no school, join the masses

Veteran's Day took us on an impromptu adventure. We originally started out for the zoo, but after meeting up with full parking lots, we headed on to our favorite Scottsdale playground, McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park. I'm so glad we did, the kids had so much fun!

We rode the train and the carousel, played on the playgrounds, admired the model trains, and watched a band perform in honor of our Veteran's! It was a good day had by all!

For more pictures of our adventures click HERE.

a day with his buddies

A day spent with his buddies is a GREAT day for Charlie.

Last week, his buddies (Nate and Zach) picked him up and they spent the day at the Phoenix Children's Museum. Upon arrival they found that it was over-run with field trippers, so they spent much of their day on the beautiful front lawn of the historic Monroe building.

In other news: Just this morning, the doorbell rang and Charlie went running to the door cheering, "My buddies are here, my buddies are here!" Unfortunately for Charlie, (fortunately for me) it was the "bug man", here to rid us of our ever growing black widow population. Charlie got over his disappointment while watching the bug man spray the yard, through the windows of course. I am hopeful that we won't have any more "guests".