Zooboomafoo

In January over MLK weekend we (Chris, Mollie, and I) decided it was high time for Rufus to go to the Phoenix Zoo. It was a GORGEOUS day and hardly any crowd! I can't really say he was way into the animals but I think he enjoyed being outside and seeing all the little things the zoo had to offer (and, of course, anything with wheels). He really enjoyed the wallabies... but by then my camera had died so I didn't get a picture.

Afterward, we decided to eat lunch at Pita Jungle in Tempe. Delish!!! I would recommend it to anyone! At least try their hummus and warm pita bread. Unfortunately, Rufus was all tuckered out and napped during lunch.

Christmas in April?

Here it is April and I'm posting Christmas pictures. Anyway, we had a modest Christmas full of the most important thing... Family, of course! What were you thinkin'? We stayed up way too late one night trying to put up the Christmas tree and then little by little spent the rest of the week decorating it. Once school let out for Winter Break I went Martha Stewart on my house and started baking up a storm! It was so severe that on Christmas Eve I was sewing new stockings for the three of us. I think they turned out pretty cute though.

Ahh... then Christmas Day. I don't know if Rufus really understood what was happening, but he sure enjoyed himself. He wasn't sure what to play with... the cars... the trike... the coloring book... thank goodness he was easy to please.

After opening presents we quickly ate breakfast, packed our bags, and headed for Safford, AZ where Albert's sister and her family live. They invited the whole Knudsen Clan over for a visit and while we were there it snowed! Everyone loaded in their 4x4 and took a drive up Mt. Graham to go tubing. The kids wanted so badly to build a snowman, but the snow was too powdery. (It looked more like a snow boob to me!) We didn't even get to go tubing because one of the trucks got stuck in the deep snow, so we went back down the mountain. More adventures to follow... but for now enjoy the pix!

Disappearing Act

I know many of you like to visit our blog and are probably wondering whether or not we've fallen off the face of the earth. Well... yes, we have. However, we are climbing our way out and will soon return to civilization. December is crazy for everyone, but it seems like that craziness leaked over into January and February for us this year. I have loads of pictures to post for Christmas and our adventures in Safford. I also have recent pictures of Rufus and his second birthday! So, don't give up on us!

I Work Hard for the Money!

It seems like each time my parents come to visit we eat at the Golden Coral. The last time they visited and we ate there and ended up sitting in a sea of elderly men and women. I'm guessing they bussed a bunch of them over from the nursing home a few blocks away. Anyway, Rufus was just being his well-behaved, cute self, eating anything and everything on his plate. After we finished our meal an older women commented on what a good child he was and offered to give him a dollar. Rufus curiously took the dollar and we found a photo opportunity.

Sing... Sing A Song...

Any time Albert receives a call on his cell phone you'll hear John William's "Summon the Heros." Rufus has learned to recognize this particular cell phone ringtone, and now tries to sing the first half and direct the second half of the ring. "Ba-ba-ba----! Ba--ba--ba--ba-ba-ba," he starts to sing, then finishes with rapid up and down motions with his arms. It was no surprise to us when he pulled out my music stand and pretended it was a microphone. He was also pretending to read music out of a book (like the hymnals at church).

It's Halloween Time!

Okay, so I'm a little behind on my blogging... get ready to be caught up.

We had a hard time deciding what Rufus should be for Halloween. Our two options were either a skeleton (because he had black pajamas with a full skeleton on the front) or a shark (because the costume he wore last year still fit somewhat). WELL! The week before Halloween he hit a growth spurt and out grew both! Right... so, now what. Rufus had a few ideas:
"The Love Guru"
... and the ever so original "Casper the Friendly Ghost."
We found this camouflage outfit in the bottom of one of his drawers and thought, "Hmmm... G.I. Dane!"

We went to two parties that night. One at Matt and Holly Winters where Rufus mostly played with Jordan's toys. Then we drove over to Dave and Darcey Cook's where they were watching "It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown" projected on their garage door and handing out candy in their driveway. Sam and Sarah were there with their little one too!
G.I Dane here with Tigger and Charlie Brown.

Rewards Night

I keep meaning to post these pictures! Back in July, Albert and I (mostly me though) went through an "As You Wish" extravaganza! Here are our creations...

A mug I painted to hold pencils/pens on my desk at school. Fitting isn't it?

Albert made us an art deco butter dish.

Who stole the apple from the cookie jar?