Splash Pad Fun!

Here in AZ the splash pad is a normal part of summertime fun.  (Remember that "summer" for us is 8+ months of the year.)  I've learned that they can help to keep moms sane and keep us all cool.
Within the last month Asher has gotten mobile enough and really started to love playing at a splash pad.
Last month we went to one at Altadena Park in Phoenix.  It was great as it wasn't crowded at all and even had park play equipment for ages 2-5.  Still a little big for Ash but he'll get there.  He had so much fun!!

What a face!!

I really enjoy the splash pad at Scottsdale Quarter as well and we were able to go last week.  The way it's set up it rarely feels crowded and it's also really shaded.  

Where are you Brock??

He loved just being able to walk around and check everything out.

So fun spending time with my friends and their kiddos!!

Apple Picking

I know I've mentioned, but I love fall!  And to me, apple picking is just one of those quintessential fall activities.  "Can you pick apples in Arizona?" you ask.  Why yes, you can.
We chose Date Creek Ranch which is just past Wickenburg. I appreciate their opposition to skepticism that many may not believe that you can pick your own apples in AZ, so as you drive in their signs read, "Yes, there is an orchard in the middle of the desert."
I felt a little like we were getting away; yet it was still hot so I knew I wasn't far from home.  But the atmosphere is super cute and the prices for organic apples are great!  (You pay by the pound- no entrance fees or anything like that.)  You actually go out into the orchard with wheelbarrow and apple picker and pick until your heart's content.  And the best part, as the apples are organic (and they gave us permission), we could eat as many as we wanted while we worked.  The kids especially loved this.

Such a fun experience!

 We chose to put the little ones in the wagon- which I would highly recommend.  

I would also say cool, comfy clothing and closed-toed shoes are good.

They also raise pigs and cows on the ranch, and you can get some good meat prices- if you are in to that sort of thing.  We chose to go on the Apple Festival weekend.  This meant they had a BBQ going on as well.  This year they made Brats- can I say super yummy!!

After the big adventure comes the fun part- making apple treats!!  So far I've made apple bread, 2 apple cobblers (they are more like a cake and so good- check out The Pioneer Woman and her blackberry cobbler #1 recipe and substitute apples) and applesauce.  We have loved them all and I think our waist size can prove it. LOL!!

Overall it was great and we plan to go back next year. :-)

Rain!

Arizona rain- many times an oxymoron here.  I think I have a love/dislike relationship with the rain.  If I can stay home it's great.  I love the smell and the way the outside always seems fresh and new after a good rain.  And, I think I'll stay positive and stop there.
Having a child really does make me see so many things in a fun, new, and more positive light.

Asher is an outdoor boy through and through.  Which Brandon and I laugh about since he didn't inherit a love for being in nature from us.  Don't get me wrong, we appreciate God's creation, but I think Asher really LOVES the outdoors.  So far anyway. :-)
Every day he presses his little hands and face on the back door longing to be on the other side.  Now while we do take him out sometimes, let's be reasonable- it's been stinking hot and the bugs are out in droves lately!!  Still Asher doesn't care.
These latest storms are the first time Asher noticed the rain.  And after seeing his little face and hands on the back door one afternoon, I said why not and ventured out with him.  What's a little rain going to hurt anyway?!  His sheer JOY was more than enough reassurance for me that we should have fun in the rain!!

God's sense of humor.

Yes, I do believe God has a sense of humor. A good one, too.  After all, he invented the idea.

It had been a rough week.  Brandon had lost a dear friend-the father of his best friend.  Elmer passed away too soon for anyone’s liking. 

Steve asked Brandon to sing at Elmer’s Memorial Service, which he felt honored to do.  He was at home practicing the two requested songs the day of the service. 

On another note, Asher seems to love music.  Doesn’t seem to matter what it is.  Like many small kids, he hears it and starts to move.  Nothing hinders him- he hasn’t learned that anything should.  He hears daddy singing and he just starts moving.  He also adds his own version of baby talk lyrics.  The song is Amazing Grace.  He does the same with I Will Rise (both Chris Tomlin versions).  I just lose it- it’s all so hilarious and adorable at the same time.  Maybe it was because the day was expected to be somber, but it just struck me as so funny.  It didn’t matter that they were reflective songs about death and Jesus’s sacrifice, and then waiting for us when it was our time to go.  Our kid was just jamming out, unashamed.  And I think that’s just how God wanted it.  Jamming out in appreciation for all He has done for us.  Come to think of it, I think that’s just how Elmer would have wanted it, too.

Safe cleaners

So I’ve been on this kick to find safer house cleaners.  With Asher now getting in to everything, this has rapidly become super important to me.  (And yes, we do have latches on the cabinets.)

I’ve always been a fan of white vinegar and read some uses for hydrogen peroxide as a cleaner as well, so added that to my repertoire.  My sister-in-law turned me on to Better Life products, which are all natural.  So far I really like them.  They seem to have a sense of humor- which I totally appreciate.  The bottle says something to the effect that while you can drink the products, they recommend you don’t.  I’ve tried the Oak-y Dokey (I am addicted to the lavender smell).

I also got the What-EVER! all-purpose cleaner. It’s a sage and citrus scent- which is also super yummy smelling.  It says it’s good on grease and grime, so my big test was my stove.  I have a gas stove.  I love the concept and I’m getting better at cooking on it, but it gets so messy!! It’s probably no different than a flat top stove, except that I feel this one is a major project to clean.  How did it do?  It did ok- not “oh my gosh” great.  Pretty much the same results as when I clean it with vinegar or peroxide.  I think I have pretty high standards though, as I’m hoping for a miracle to get some of the junk off that seems to have taken up permanent residence.  Overall, I’m still very happy with the What-EVER! cleaner, and I’m looking to buy more of their products.

My unresolved issue is glass cleaner.  I'm a huge fan of Windex, but all-natural it is not.  I just can't stand streaks on mirrors or glass.  I haven't tried the Better Life glass cleaner yet, so that is probably my next option.

If anyone else has recommendations of all natural cleaning products, I’d love to hear about them.

We have a walker!

At the end of July 2014, Asher went from taking a couple of steps, to taking laps around each room of the house.  This kids LOVES TO WALK! 

Here he is about a month ago scaling the cabinets, followed by his first real walking video a few days later!

 By August 1^st he was on fire, heading from one room to another.  If he fell, he would crawl to a stable object with which to pull himself up, and then on he went.  He is so adorable and it’s so fun seeing our little dude strutting his stuff!  He sure enjoys his new found freedom.

Summer Fun in CA

While we often head to California to see family, this year’s summer vacation was for a very specific reason- cousin Lauren’s wedding!! 

We took the first part of the trip to have some fun.  Our first stop was Santa Barbara.  Can I just say how much I love it there!  I am not one to say that I could or would want to live that many other places, but Santa Barbara is on that very short list.  B and I dream of retiring there.  Probably just a pipe dream, but it’s fun to imagine anyway. 

We enjoyed a couple of different beaches.  This was a huge deal for our little family as Asher saw the ocean for the first time!  He really did love being on the beach and having the ocean breeze in his hair.  

We also took some time for Jen and I to relive some childhood memories.  To do so we went to Solvang and Buellton.  Not your top California destinations?  Really??

So Solvang is this super cute Dutch town.  We have a Dutch heritage, so it only seems fitting.  Now this place has really grown from how we remember it!  Still super cute though.

Right by Solvang is Buellton.  I’m not sure what this place is really known for, but Jen and I associate it with one place- Pea Soup Andersen’s!!  Not the best overall food I’ve ever had (yet the pea soup does not disappoint) but there’s just something about the whole aura of the place.  So if you go to Andersen's, you must have your picture taken in the sign.  Jen and I had one taken about 20 years ago, and had an updated version taken this trip.  So fun!

The drive into this whole area is something to behold.  It reminds me of the European countryside, or maybe wine country.  It’s so beautiful- I couldn’t get enough!!  You'll have to see/experience it for yourselves- I didn't take any pictures.  They wouldn't do it justice anyway. :-)

Here are some miscellaneous fun time pics and videos.

Yep, the boys are actually feeding each other.  Precious!

Lauren’s wedding was just beautiful and so much fun!  Yet for me, the kids stole my heart and attention that night.  I got to spend some quality time with my special guy.

This picture was taken by one of the bridesmaids while watching the photographer get some quick shots in.  So far, it's my absolute favorite!!