Toy helicopter

Picked up this remote control helicopter at Costco for only $20. It uses 3 channels so you can go up/down, left/right, and forward/backward. Much better than those Air Hog 2 channel helicopters that you can't really control which direction it goes.

Big boy bed

It's official. I'm a big boy now! If I want to get out of bed after being tucked in, I can. If I want to read more books, I can. Finally my parents have realized how mature and responsible I am and have placed this great trust in me. This isn't the first time I've been "tucked" in a bed. I'm still not happy with Lauren about that.


My parents thought it would be funny to take a picture of me sleeping. Luckily I didn't fall off the bed.

Dentist

Cole was very excited to go the Dentist today.

First day of school

Pure joy

Cool Sea World app

Sea World has a cool app that helps you figure out wait times, directions, and this cool photo template.

Little beach bum

What is this stuff? It gets everywhere.

Hulapalooza

Hula hooping at the San Diego Zoo.

Exhaustion

Cole couldn't fight the sleepy eyes any longer and fell asleep right as the show was starting at the SD Zoo.

July 4th and Hula Hoops

For the past 3 years we have gone to our old HOA July 4th picnic party. The kids really enjoy it and Lauren loves going down the water slides.


Pure satisfaction!


A little snow cone action before the big event.


Lauren entered the hula hoop contest this year. She won her age group and managed to get us a $25 gift card to a pizza place. Then she entered in with the older kids and had to do some tricks too. You can watch the full video here.


Cole also enjoyed the picnic even though he didn't get to do the slides. Next year we'll let him go on the water slides too.

Little Joe's

Crayola factory visit

During our vacation in PA, we decided to meet up with my brother and his family at the Crayola factory in Easton, PA. Although technically it's not the factory but more of a museum. They did show us how they make crayons and markers. Here's a picture of some sand art outside of the factory.


Lauren and Caroline at lunch.



Justin and Lauren after they finished navigating their boats through the locks. Inside the crayola factory but just upstairs is the National Canal Museum.


Here Caroline and Cole are pushing their boats through the locks.


Lauren is learning about pulleys.




All four cousins pose for a photo op. Cole was a little preoccupied.


Afterwards, we all went to get ice cream next door at the purple cow creamery.


And one last try to get all the cousins looking at the camera.

Chinese candy

Last time I took Lauren to the dentist I gave her some Chinese candy
and now she thinks the dentist's office gives them out.

Footloose

Lauren is anxiously awaiting the arrival of the Bride.


Before the food arrives, a little tic tac toe to stimulate the mind. Lauren had her hands full with Daddy's cousins.


"Remember, we all have to fall down at the end of the song."



Lauren and Cole loved dancing at the wedding. They just couldn't get enough. Lauren especially loved dancing with the bride and groom as many times as she could.

Floating

Cole's first and most likely last trip to PA

We visited back east for a good 10 days and stayed in PA. No trip to PA is complete without visiting Longwood Gardens. Especially since it's only 10 mins away. Here Lauren is enjoying the water much like her last visit.


Cole is playing with one of the many water exhibits in the children's area.


Lauren and Grandma are at the top of one of the tree houses in the gardens. There are a total of 3 or 4 of them.


Here's the whole house.


The lily pad area has some of the most colorful flowers.


And last but not least, there were 3 little chicks in a nest right on the front porch in Grandma's wreath. This will be Cole's first and last trip because the grandparents have sold their PA home and bought a new one in Seattle.

Summer in NYC

Peace and quiet

To prepare for our upcoming plane trip, we bought the kids each their own headphones. These are specifically made for kids by Kids Gear and they have a lot of positive reviews on Amazon. After Wednesday, we'll let you know how well they work. On a side note, we had ordered these from Amazon at 10:46pm using the super saver free shipping and they arrived the next day at 2:28pm. It's a good thing we didn't pay for upgraded shipping and I guess it helps that we have an Amazon distribution center in Phoenix.

Eye exam

I just had my eyes checked after almost 5 years since my last checkup and about 5.5 years since I had my PRK eye surgery. The doctor said that my eyes were 20/20 and that the results were basically perfect. I still think my right eye isn't as good (good being relative) as my left but overall I'm still very happy with the decision.

Summer fun

I can't believe I've been blowing all this time. Where has this invention been all my life.


Lauren showing some pretty form except she's right-handed and not left-handed.


Cole insisted on only using one hand.


Lauren frozen during freeze tag. Cole is about to unfreeze her. Then again, maybe not.

I'm 4 yrs old today!

Turning 4 yrs old has been a pretty significant milestone in my life. 4 yr olds can do so much more but at the same time the expectations also increased. For example, I don't get any more bunny crackers when I use the potty. I also can do more things such as climb the rock wall at the YMCA.

Itty Bitty Sports - T-Ball

A little stretching before starting.


The coach had them practice running around the bases.


Here Lauren is throwing in a group of 3. Some of the kids don't understand that the other person should be ready to catch the ball. Luckily most of the kids are not very accurate yet.


Lauren is running to first after hitting the ball.

I'm 2 years old today!

Finally I'm 2 years old now. Since I didn't get a new bed for my birthday, I'm beginning to wonder how long they plan on keeping me in the crib. My sister was already out of the crib before she was 2. Well just to recap my past 2 years.

527 photos to produce the 24 monthly photos
4 states (AZ, CA, NV, WA)
2 airplane rides
1 outpatient surgery
0 ER visits

Birthday treat

Cole at Sesame Street Live.