Thomas and Taxes

Jackson doesn't really watch much tv- he usually is too busy and likes to play. But there are two shows he'll sit still for: America's Funniest Home Videos and now Thomas the Train. I just figured out the second one. I don't normally turn the tv on that much during the day, but I wanted to try to get our taxes done so I thought maybe he would be distracted every now and then by the tv and he would leave me alone for a while. Well, he hasn't moved from this spot since Thomas came on. Such a boy. Good news is, I got the taxes done and we're getting more money than last year back!! Yay! Things on my list of things I love today: Tax Refunds and Thomas the Train!

Reprieve from the snow in AZ!

After our time in MI, the whole fam headed to see Yaya and Papa John in Phoneix (that's my mom and her John). It was wonderful to see the sun and NO SNOW!! The first couple days were in the 60's so still a tiny bit chilly, but by the end of the week, it was closer to the 70's and I was in heaven! One afternoon, YaYa and Papa John took us to the "chicken park" as my mom calls it. We got to feed the chickens and see some peacocks. They weren't too shy, and some of them would eat out of your hand if you didn't mind getting pecked. Jackson sizing up the chickens. His face in this picture cracks me up. If you click on it, it will get bigger so you can see his face close up.
Jackson's shoe fell off, and the ever watchful YaYa and Papa John were there to help him get it back on. This turned out to be such a sweet picture I just had to share it.
Family sun time out in the hammock on one of our almost 70 degree days. It was seriously so good for my mental health.
Another evening, John's daughter, Laurel, and her family came over for dinner and family fun time. It was so fun to meet more of our new extended family. You can read more about the Bright's on their blog. Here is Papa John playing cards with Jackson, Ella, and Levi.And the newest member of the Bright family, little Anna. Very sweet baby. I missed getting a picture of Kaili- I think she was reading a book somewhere, and Mike and Laurel. Silly me.Another fun, sunny day at the park. This is the first time Jackson has been to the park since he's been really good at getting around on his own and he had a great time on the slide and swings.

It was so hard to come home, especially when we found out were were coming home to weather that was about 30 below with the wind chill that night. Sick. I so want to skip the next two months of winter here and fly right to spring. Anyone else?

Lady!

Let me introduce you to Lady and her Little Ladies. Allison is a college friend that I met at the very beginning and we just clicked. A fellow volleyball player, funny girl, and honest friend. These are her two sweet girls Ava and Jorrie. Jackson and I made the trip to Michigan to visit for a few days and to help celebrate Ava and Jorrie's 4th and 2nd birthday's. It's been a while since I saw Allison last, in fact it was at our wedding, and Jorrie was still in her momma's tummy.
The girls' birthday party was celebrated at Chuck E. Cheese's...good times! Here are Jackson and the girls playing the water squirty game thing. Jackson just liked watching the water squirt out.
And Jackson acting as chauffer to Chuck himself...
Boy how times have changed since college...three kids later...

We really did have a great time catching up and it was fun to see our kids playing together. Love you Lady!