Arizona

Recently we took a trip to Arizona to visit with some old friends and we had a great time. We stayed with Brett and Michelle and their little one, Rylee (four days younger than Justin and about 10lbs. lighter. Remember, we like to call him "Healthy."). Michelle and I got to compare notes on the kids and do a little shopping while the guys got to go golfing.

It's so much fun for Collin and me to spend time with people who have a baby the same age as Justin. It helps give you new ideas on how to play with your baby and gives perspective to the range of stages the babies are going through. The best part is that parents of babies want to go to bed early and have to wake up early, so we are all on the same schedule. :)

While were we there, Brett and Michelle were gracious enough to host a dinner for some family friends of mine Jeff and Channing Dallstream. They were neighbors of mine in Fountain Hills, and more importantly, they were our family. We spent many weekends and holidays together and I did some babysitting for them too:) It was sooo great to see them again and catch up.

I also got to visit with another friend who goes all the way back to grade school with me, Melissa Garcia. We go way, way back, if ya know what I mean. We met up at the Fountain Park (totally changed and beautiful, fun place to take the kids) with Melissa, her husband Danny and two kids, Daniel and Mia. So stinking cute! Daniel was running all over the place and Danny was keeping track of him so Melissa could sit with me, Michelle and the babies and talk about our little monkeys.

We also had a nice dinner with a close friend of Collin (and me now too), Mike McBride and his new bride Leonor and her son Kaleb. Leonor was so, so generous and gave me a bunch of Kaleb's old clothes for Justin (It was so sweet since my little Justin is wearing 18mo clothing now and it's not slowing down). We had just seen Mike and Leonor the weekend before when they were in Cali for their wedding, so we had some time to catch up with them and give them some wedding pictures we took.

It was so wonderful to see everyone and see my friends as mother's. We all have our own approach to parenting, but we are all in the same place. Trying to be the best mommies we can be for our children.

Here are the pics...

Justin's first time in the pool

He was in heaven!

I can make a chew toy out of anything

Holding hands with Rylee

Cute little Rylee was showing Justin how it's done

by crawling and scooting around everywhere.

Learning to share

We went to the railroad park and Collin was tossing Justin up and catching him. Of course, Justin loved it, but Mommy did not!! Here is Daddy teasing Mommy.

The girls with our babies