Swimming in Phoenix

We stayed at a hotel for most of our visit this time. There was a swimming pool right outside of our door. The pool was very warm, so Ashlyn did not get cold at all. She just had a blast swimming. I think we went at least 4 times. It was hard to get her out of the pool!


Getting ready to get in the water.

Isn't her new bikini adorable?

She just loved her floaty car.

Look at that girl go!

Wearing her cute coverup after a swim

Phoenix Zoo

While we were in Phoenix, we visited the zoo. I have not been to the Phoenix zoo in many, many years. Our hotel was very close to it, and I knew how much Ashlyn would enjoy it, so we decided to go. I had read on the Internet that it opened at 8:00 a.m. in the month of March. Ashlyn wakes up really early, so we headed down there right when they opened. It was the most enjoyable experience I have ever had at a zoo. Ashlyn, Katy, and I were literally the only ones there. It was like we had our own private zoo. We really liked the Phoenix zoo and thought that they had some wonderful exhibits. The animals are all outside and they really seem to be in their natural habitat. The neatest one is the spider monkey exhibit. You enter this huge area and the spider monkeys just roam free. They climb in the trees and don't really get near people. You can't touch them, but it was so neat to be that close to a spider monkey. Ashlyn loved watching them . (I bought her a little stuffed spider monkey at the gift shop and boy does she LOVE it!) They even had a Little People playground that Ashlyn had all to herself. We stayed about two hours and then it started to get busy, so we decided to head out. The weather was great and we had a wonderful time at the zoo. We definitely want to return next time we are in Phoenix!




Ashlyn and Auntie looking at animals.

In front of the cheetahs, isn't it a beautiful zoo?

More of the zoo

Looking at the spider monkeys.

Aren't the spider monkeys adorable?

A spider monkey climbing in the trees.

Ashlyn playing with a life size Little People.

She really liked this one!

Driving the tractor

Looking at the wallabies

The wallaby exhibit was really neat too!

Posing in the wallaby

Have to take a picture in the big cactus slide when in Arizona.

Coming down the slide

Spring- FINALLY!!!!

Spring has definitely sprung around here- but I am afraid it may be short lived. They are calling for snow tomorrow! This weekend was absolutely gorgeous. Joey and I took full advantage of it. We took Ashlyn to the park three different times. We had a picnic both days. Today, we headed downtown. We picked up sandwiches and walked to a park and ate lunch on a bench. The weather was just perfect. We then took Ashlyn to a park with ducks. She loved them! She was not very happy when we had to leave. Ashlyn has really enjoyed being outside. We have had all the windows in the house open and are finally able to air it out a bit after the long winter. I know there is lots more of this weather to come, I just wish that it was here for good!

The last week was very busy! Last Saturday, Joey and I ran our first 5k. We did it with my sister, brother, and brother-in-law. I LOVED it! Joey's asthma bothered him quite a bit, so I don't think he will be running another. My time was not amazing, but I ran the entire thing and that is all that I cared about. I truly love running and plan to continue to do it. I hope to run at least 2 more 5k's this summer. Jacob, Maya, and Nadia were also in town so we spent a lot of the weekend spending time with them.

I had a crazy week at school and am glad that I am on spring break for the next 2 weeks. We are leaving to go to Phoenix on Wednesday. We will be driving down there. Joey will be staying at home. I know he is a little bummed, but he plans to spend the week doing some serious studying for his big Series 7 test. I hope that Ashlyn does well in the car. She is going to fly back with my Mom. I just didn't feel right about making her do the 12 hour car trip twice. We look forward to seeing family and friends when down there. We also look for to some really warm weather. I will be taking lots of pictures and will post them when we get back. The next two days will be busy getting ready for our trip.

That's all I have for this week.




We have an extra car seat for Ashlyn. It was sitting in the living room floor because my sister and brought it in from her car. Ashlyn put her Arthur doll in it and started bucking him in. It was really cute and funny.

Going down the slide.

Riding on Daddy's shoulders

Sitting on a bench, she looks so tiny next to Joey.

Watching the ducks in the pond.

Holding Dad's hand

Uncle Bryan let Ashlyn "drive" his cool Jeep.

Sitting in Uncle Bryan's Jeep.

Waiting to go to the park. She had her jacket and was ready to go!

Giving Nadia a kiss. She loved Nadia and loved giving her kisses. She is going to be a great big sister one day.

Trying to give Nadia a hug.

Sitting with her best friend, Nadia.

Wearing the new shades that Dad bought Ashlyn.

She actually kept them on her head!

Zoo Fun

Joey had to work this Saturday, so he got last Tuesday off. Joey's Dad also had the day off, so they decided to head to the zoo. It was a beautiful day. They had a great time. Joey said that they saw everything. He said that Ashlyn really seemed to be more interested in the animals this time. She even fed a giraffe a cracker. I bet it was because her Grandpa was there to protect her!

This month is going to be another busy one! We are heading to Arizona again, the last part of March during my spring break. I am very anxiously awaiting getting two weeks off for spring break. It is much needed!!! Joey and I are also running our first 5k on Saturday for St. Patrick's day. Joey is taking his big Series 7 test April 3. He has been very busy studying! Please pray that he passes his test! We are looking forward to warmer weather and getting to do more and more outdoors.


Feeding the giraffe

Looking at the meerkats

How cute!

Feeding what she thought was a real lion

Looking at the monkeys

So much to see

Riding the carousel with Grandpa

It went really fast!

She even got to ride a slide!

Climbing through the tunnel

Watching the lion

She really liked the sea otters. I can't wait to take her to the aquarium in Denver.

Looking through the hole

Posing for a pic with Grandpa

Joey said she really liked the bears

Poor Ashlyn did not quite undertand that there was glass. She bent forward to get a closer look and hit her head pretty hard. She had quite the bump on her forehead.

Petting a "bear'

Riding a lion

Looking cool in sunglasses

One last picture

Of course, they ended the day with ice cream!