Grandpa Ron Comes to Visit

My dad recently came out for a 12 day visit. It was nice, as always, to have him here with us. This year was great, since we have our new house and he had his own room! Not sure who was happier about that, him or the boys (since they didn't have to share a room this time!) We did so much stuff-eating out (we ate chimichangas EVERY DAY for a week!), going to the train park, going to the Ostrich Festival, riding the Dolly, taking the kids fishing, even replacing our kitchen sink! It was fun and I always look forward to his annual spring visit. Here are some pics...



In front of the Dolly


The beautiful scenery...



Ethan and I


Me, dad and the boys

Dad's Visit - RR Park

We also enjoyed a day at the RR park in Scottsdale....

Riding the carousel

Me and the boys

Rhys and I

Ethan

Melanie, Grandpa Ron, Ethan and Rhys

Dad's Visit - Ostrich Festival

We had a great time at the Ostrich Festival when dad was here. It was a little hot, but we ended up staying for hours! The boys loved it :).

The Hodin's as Ostriches...

Rhys riding the Rino...

Rhys found the trains, can you see the joy on his face?

Ethan and mom feeding the animals...

Dad's Visit - Gone Fishin'

Here are some pics taken at the new Environmental Center in Chandler. Dad took the boys fishing there. Ethan LOVED it and Rhys liked to try and scare the fish away! Needless to say, grampa took Ethan by himself the next time :).

Ethan and Grandpa Ron

Rhys 'fishing'

Grandpa and boys

Ethan with his GI Joe fishing pole

Ethan and Grandpa

Easter 2009

We had a wonderful Easter party to attend on Good Friday and then spent Easter with Scott's parents on Sunday. The weather was so nice, we even ate outside. We also started a new tradition by making 'Resurection Rolls.' You place a marshmallow inside a thawed Rhodes roll, dip it in butter, then a cinammon sugar mix. When they bake the marshmallow melts, so when you eat it, the inside is hollow, just like the tomb of Jesus! The kids loved putting them together, seeing the 'empty tomb' and of course, eating them :).

The fam on Easter...

Ethan and his Easter gun, hmmm, that sounds kinda funny!

Ethan and Rhys, both smiling for the camera. What?!?! Notice the bed-head? Ha, ha.

Rhys and his Easter basket (AND a haircut).

Ethan with Grandma and Grandpa

Another pic from the museum

I love this shot of the two boys laying in this exhibit...

We went to the Phoenix Children's Museum and the kids loved it! They had so much fun, especially at the 'Car Wash' exhibit :).

Rhys driving his 'train' of cars...


Switching to a trike...

Ethan pulling mom :)...

Ethan pulling Rhys...

Robbie's Bday Party

We had a great time catching up with our old buddies, Mike and Krista at their son, Robbie's 2nd bday party a few weeks back. I didn't get many pics, but the boys had a blast on the zipline at the park where the party was.

Ethan

Rhys

Our Crazy Cat...

Licking envelopes. Seriously?!? Yeah, she loves the taste of that glue that is on there and if I don't put the envelopes away, she will lick it and bite it until the envelope is useless!

Yum!

Emme getting the job done...

See the tongue? Ha, ha!

Birthday Party Fun

One of Rhys' best friends turned 4 last month, so we headed to the railroad park for some fun.

The Fam

Me and the boys

Rhys and Kristian playing chase...

Rhys Dressing Himself

Rhys is at the age where he loves to do everything himself. So, for the most part, I let him :). The other day, he came out with this lovely outfit on. I laughed so hard that I figured I needed a photo. As you can see, the top (which is pajama's) is on inside out and backwards, the shorts are on backwards, and he has his 'wacky' Alaska socks on!