apAdventures

…is here now! And Silas is of course loving all the attention. (Just wait until Grandpap arrives next week!)

Silas and Grandma doing what Silas does best: reading stories together

posted by arr

For Mother’s Day this year not only did I get lots of love from my Silas and new baby Ivan, but also a brand new cutie running outfit, a yum blueberry pancake breakfast, a short climbing session on our home woody, and a trip to Mt. Graham for a picnic lunch! We really packed it in! It was a wonderful day to say the least. More fun than a birthday.

Mama of 2 now - woohoo!

Kisses from Silas - got lots of those for Mother’s Day too

Silas and Dad at Riggs Lake at the top of Mt. Graham

and fresh picked flowers - got lots of those from Silas too (always paired with a “Happy Muver’s Day!” when he would give them to me)

The hike around Riggs Lake

Exciting bridge

Riggs Lake

Our picnic spot

Bambino bundling. It was nice and cool up at 10,000 feet.

Big stump

The desert, waaaaaay below

Big brother and Dad

Baby brother and Mama

posted by arr

Last Saturday after my parents left we decided to introduce Ivan to Mt. Lemmon. Although he never actually opened his little eyes to see where he was, it was still a nice outing for the rest of us.

Mama & Ivan on his first hike: The Meadow Trail

…and Silas too!

Monkey see, monkey do

posted by arr

A few final photos from Grandma & Papa’s visit before they left for home:

Grandma & Ivan

Papa & Silas playing in the pool with Silas’ “guppies” (little plastic fish that squirt water)

Another spin on the new bike

posted by arr

Papa has been DYING to take Silas fishing (Note: fishing is to my father as rock climbing is to Paul and I - he’s a diehard) and the other day he finally got his chance. After much research on the prime AZ fishing spots, he decided we should venture down to Patagonia Lake State Park. Having never been, this trip revealed yet another amazing gem we have here in Arizona only about an hour away.

When we arrived the weather was perfect: cloudy, cool and breezy. Papa helped Silas rig up his line with a nice plump worm and they got straight to work. Papa would cast Silas’ line and then they’d sit, watching and waiting for some action on Silas’ little red and white bobber. After a bit, Silas would get anxious and start reeling his line in (Silas is already a pro at reeling thanks to much practice in the pool with Papa). And then Papa would cast it back out for him.

After a couple hours the cool cloudy day began turning into a threatening thunderstorm. We were convinced it would just be a short burst of a storm and then blow over - typical for Arizona. Paul, my mother and I decided to pack up the kids and head to the car to wait it out while Papa stayed behind, determined to catch a fish (a diehard, remember?). Usually when a storm starts to blow in the fish bite like crazy. He had gotten 2 bites thus far but both got away due to snags on the rocks near the shore. Turns out, the storm wasn’t the “blow over type” after all. The wind picked up and changed direction completely and then it started hailing. Papa came running.

So that marks the official first fishing day for Silas. It’s too bad we didn’t actually get to catch any fish, however hunkering down in the car watching it downpour outside with lightening, hail and gusty winds made up for it. Silas loved it.

Silas with his tackle box. Grandma with the poles. Dad with the snacks.

The fishing spot

Checking out the water - any fish in there?

Lines in the water

Silas learning from the master

This is easy!

Silas and Papa discussing the conditions

Silas and Grandma discussing the yummy snacks we brought

Storm blowing in

Ivan too busy cuddling on dad to fish

Our little fisher boy

posted by arr

Ivan and Papa

Ivan and Mama (and Silas peeking out!)

Ok, I lied. It’s hard to have only Ivan cuteness with little Silas running about. So here you have Ivan and Silas cuteness: Silas reading Ivan a story.

posted by arr

Silas seems to be loving his new baby brother. He likes to tickle Ivan’s head and feet, watch his diaper changes, help feed (every once in a while), bring him toys, and say “Good morning baby” when he wakes up in the morning, peeking into Ivan’s crib. We have heard a few “Put baby down!” when he has something to show us or during cranky wake-ups in the middle of the night due to Ivan’s crying. But for the most part, he’s pretty content with the little guy.

The homecoming

Big brother status = a new bike!

And the biggest dump truck EVER!

…so big in fact…

…that it carries his old “big” dump truck,

and all the rest of his construction equipment!

How could I forget - he also likes to give Ivan plenty of kisses and hugs.

Brothers

posted by arr

It’s a boy!

posted by arr

A fresh tomato from the Farmer’s Market and cool green grass on a hot day:

posted by arr

Grandma is in town. And now we hear “C’mon Gramma!!” at least a dozen times a day. :-)

posted by arr