Fathers and Father's Day

For the lastest month or so Mariann has been waking up during the night a few times a week.  Lee has been going in with her to see what is wrong.  She usually wants him to rock her.  The other day he woke up so tried and it made me think of my own Dad.

When I was little I remember going into my parents room during the night.  Often I would wake up my Dad and ask him to "wock me."  (I couldn't say my r sound until third grade.)  The conversation would go something like this:

"Daddy, wock me"

"Walk you where?"

"No Daddy don't walk me, wock me" 

"Lexi, its dark outside and everyone is asleep where do you want to go"

"No Daddy don't walk me, wock me in the chair"

"Oh, rock you. Alright"

At that point my Dad would very grogily, get out of bed and rock me til I fell asleep.  The funny thing about this is that I remember this so fondly.  I absolutely loved him rocking me and even him teasing me about my r sound.  Everytime I think about it, it makes me smile.  It is one of my most cherished memories.  I knew in those moments about how much my Dad loved me and would do anything for me. 

As I watched Lee, stagger out of bed to get ready for work, after being up in the night with Mariann, it made me wonder if my Dad thinks about that time and remembers it as fondly as I do.  I hope in 25 years when Mariann is an adult, Lee will look back and cherish that time he got to spend with Mariann, as much as I cherish the time I spent with my Daddy "wocking me." 

My Mom and Dad

For Father's day Mariann and Peter gave Lee a new game for the wii.  Mariann was really excited about it.  After she helped me wrap it she brought it out to Lee and said,  "Daddy, here's your present.  It's a game!"  I guess I should just be happy she didn't tell him sooner.

Lee also got one of this favorite books from when he was a kid.  HIs grandma used to read this "What Spot?"  and he loved it so I got it for him to read to Mariann and Peter.  (I told Lee to hold up the book and Mariann copied him and held up the game.)

 

Tucson Zoo

We went to the Reid Park Zoo on June 9 with friends.  This zoo is the perfect size for young kids.  It takes about half a day to walk around and see all the animals.  Mariann had a great time running around and seeing all the animals.  The kids kept darting from one animal to the next and it was hard for us poor moms to keep up.

Peter enjoying the zoo from his stroller.

Mariann climbing up to see the monkeys.

Mariann and Noah enjoying the giant eggs in the bird enclosure.

The zoo has a lot of peacocks, including a pure white albino.  There was one peacock that wanted to join the people and see the zoo.  It kept walking down the path.   Mariann wasn't so sure about it joining us and gave it a really really really wide berth everytime she walked by it.

Mariann's favorite part was probably this tractor that they had near where construction is taking place for the new elephant enclosure.  Both kids had really fun time climbing and playing on it, even though we didn't have a quarter to make it move. 

I think there is some kid of rule that says to be a zoo, you must have a bronze elephant statue.  The Tucson Zoo is no exception, and so I made Mariann climb up there.  I had to get a picture with this elephant too.  Actually, I didn't have to make her, she is all too happy to climb any where these days.

Peter's favorite part of the zoo was definately playing with the bronze elephant.  He loved pulling up on it and banging it like a drum.  He was really sad when I made him let go, so that some other kids could take their pictures with the elephant.

  

Memorial Day

As part of our Memorial Day celebration, we went to the Mormon Battalion Monument downtown.  I remember when I was a kid my parents would drag us around to all of the different graves of our ancestors.  At the time I remember complaining about having to ride in the car and how boring it was, but as an adult I look back fondly at the time I got to spend learning about those who came before and the legacy they left for me.  

Since we live so far away from our ancestors and didn't have any graves to go visit, we decided it would be appropriate to pay respects to those who sacrificed so much for us by going to this monument.  The men and women of the Mormon Battalion sacrificed greatly for our country and for our God.  They helped pave the way for many travels who followed there trail and created a legacy of faith for the next generations to follow.  I'm so proud of my mormon heritage and for all the sacrifices of each and every pioneer.  It makes to strive to leave better so that I may create the same leagacy of faith for my family.

Mariann and Lee at the monument.  Mariann was concerned about a pigeon getting to close, so she put her hands on her face and kept saying "Oh No."

Peter eating french fries at lunch.  Delicious!



Children's Museum

We went to the Tucson Children's Museum twice in the same week.  The first time we went was for the 25 anniversary on May 25.  The second time was for Memorial Day.  Memorial Day was the annual Bubblepalooza, so it was free admission and I can't pass up a great deal.  Mariann had a great time with all the bubbles.  I think her very favorite part was the gaint blue blocks that you could build with.  She also loved the shopping center.  She climbed right up on the chair to be the cashier.  (I guess she's getting ready for her teenage job.)

Peter really loved the musical instruments, especially the drums.  Peter loves drums and will spend hours hitting the little toy drum we have at home.  In fact, he thinks just about anything is a great drum including his Mom and sister.

Mariann being a cashier.  Doesn't she look so professional.

Mariann in the check out line with her groceries.  She bought lots of corn which really is one of her very favorite foods. 

 

Peter trying to climb up the picnic table.

They have a great craft area where the kids can draw, color, and paint.  Mariann is quite the little artist and drew lots of pictures for us.

Mariann and her Dad painting with "bubbles."  (It wan't really bubbles up roller paints that made dots that kind of looked like bubbles.  I guess it was the closest thing available to actually bubble and Mariann thought it was awesome.) 

Peter playing in the bubbles!

Mariann and Lee stacking the blue building blocks.  Mariann could have stayed and played with these blocks for hours and hours (and probably her Dad too.)

In the music room, playing the drums together.

My little drummer boy





Off to Texas

My uncle Bud past away a few weeks ago.  He was a wonderful man who was so good to my aunt.  He was one of those people who would help anyone and loved to have fun.  He was Golden and we'll all miss him dearly.  The kids and I decided to fly out for the funeral and to visit with family.  Although we were there for a sad occasion, we still managed to have some fun. 

My uncle Bud with my Aunt Linda.

We went to the Fort Worth Zoo to see the new dinosaur exhibit.  They have 15 anomatronic dinos throughout the zoo.  Mariann was a little nervous at the dinosaurs moving at first, but after a few minutes she wasted to touch all teh dinos.  We also got to see lots of animals and spend time with grandma and cousins.

 

Mariann and her cousin walking with Grandma. 

It doesn't matter where we go our what we are doing, Mariann is always searching for rocks to climb, play on, or carry around.

This cute little elaphant statue was by the elaphant enclosure.  It was too cute to not take their pictures by it.

We only had the one stroller, so they had to share.  I was pleasantly surprised how much they enjoyed sitting next to each other.  Although neither of them look to happy in this picture.  Oh well

Mariann and her cousin really enjoyed feeding the birds.   The birds were so friendly, unfortunately one eventually jmped onto Mariann's stick. It scared her so bad, she dropped the stick off of the path and I couldn't get it back.  For the rest of the trip every few minutes she would mention her dropped stick.

Peter and his cousins having a pow wow.

The Dinosuars! Roarrrr!!

These are a few pictures from the other days that we were there.  We played and went to the park with all of the savoie cousins.