Summer in Albuquerque

After our Hawaii trip the kids and I spent a good month visiting Grandma and Grandpa Blacker in Albuquerque. Phoenix weather was absolutely unbearable and Dave had a rough work schedule, so there was no reason not to take off for the hottest part of the year. We had lots of adventures while we were there, the biggest of which were probably potty training Cole, getting Lexi to take a bottle, and teaching Lexi to sleep through the night. Can I get a "Hallelujah!!!"?! Let's just say that as a young mother I feel like a whole new person since we've returned home! Our kids are growing up so fast!

 

Here are a few snapshots from our visit:

 

Lots of time spent in this little spot reading books while Cole was learning how to use the toilet.

 

Modeling his new underwear...

 

 

Rock climbing on Grandpa's wall:

 

 

Grandma took us all to see an old locamotive being restored in down town down Albuqueruque, and Cole wasn't quite sure what to think of it. He loved the train but all the workers and noise were a little overwhelming for him.

 

We also took a trip to the fire station to meet the firefighters and check out their cool trucks. Unfortunatly the firefighter blew the air horn instead of the regular horn on accident and scared Cole to death. He would not stop crying - so sad!

 

Cole feeds Lexi like he's feeding the ducks at the pond down the street. The funny thing is, Lexi eats out of his hand just like the ducks. ;-)

 

I love this picture because it captures the way that Lexi looks at Cole with pure love and admiration. She adores him!

 

 

 

Bedtime stories with Grandpa.

 We LOVED all of the overcast skies and thunderstorms while we were there! Dancing in the rain is one of our favorite things to do together.

 

We were so glad that Dave came out for a weekend visit - we missed him! Mom was thoughful enough to have an early birthday party for him. Happy 33rd honey!

 

 

He got a good workout in too, helping my dad with removing concrete from his broken pergola.

 

 

 

Lexi thought she was such a big girl, getting a ride in the dump truck and playing tractors with Cole.

 

 

 Cole loved making pancakes with Grandma - teddy bears, ducks, frogs and fishes, all covered in sprinkles!

 

 

Shantae also got her mission call right before we left. Sister Blacker is going to San Fernando, California, leaving the end of October. Congrats Shantae!