The Tucson Zoo

We ventured to the Reid Park Zoo here in Tucson today. It's our 2nd time going since we moved back and the girls really love it. Especially Payton these days...she's discovered animals and loves LOVES all animals, so it's a lot of fun to see her joy. She makes a "ruff ruff" noise for every animal she sees and calls everything a "puppy". It's pretty cute.

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Anyways, this is what we saw when we were walking into the zoo. Do you think Tucson is a BLUE state or a RED state???!!! :-)

Here's a closer shot of the sign! I think it's hilarious...there were about 12 of these spots next to the handicap parking spaces. RIDICULOUS if you ask me!

Anyways, it was a fun day...a bit overcast, so not too terribly hot. And Kevin even got to come with us so it was a fun family outting.

Oh and I fed a giraffe!! Their tongues are HUGE! We had a free coupon for getting a membership to the zoo and Alexa was all pumped to feed them, but when it came down to actually doing it, she preferred to stand back and let mommy have the fun!!!

The girls loved the Polar Bear...he was swimming and putting on a show!

We're looking forward to many more zoo trips once the weather cools down a bit!

["Auntah Beeta's" Visit and July Recap]

So VERY last minute, my sister, Benita, decided to come for a visit. She called me on July 11th and flew down the next day. I decided to surprise Alexa since Benita was due to arrive right after naptime. Alexa was sooooo excited that "Auntah Beeta" was here to visit again! We had a lot of fun with her here. The girls absolutely adore her...and Payton didn't play shy at all this time, it was GREAT!

On the 17th, we had a party at our house with almost all of the residents that Kevin is doing his residency with. He only works every day with one of them, Sarah, but he sees the rest of the residents each Tuesday when they have their class together. We're super excited that there's another family who are also members of our church AND their kids are the same ages as ours...it was meant to be!! :-)

I've totally got some movie star babes on my hands! They LOVE their shades!

I love these next two pictures...it captures Payton to a "T"...she LOVES to torment her big sister!

Do you think my child likes to eat???

We do a lot of this around here...dancing and playing! I especially love it when the girls get along while playing together...their laughter when doing so is music to my ears!

They love to hang out on the couch together too.

Okay, so Benita and I only got a couple pictures of us together while she was here...I thought this one was cute of both of us but I know she's gonna kill me for putting it up! But hey...it's MY blog, I can do what I want. Plus, I think it's the cuter picture of me anyways!! :-)

We ventured to the mall play area one day with Auntah Beeta! The girls had a blast.

I just absolutely LOVE this picture! I sincerely hope and pray that my girls always love and adore each other and stay the best of friends!

Benita got to experience some monsoons while she was here. Yes, it DOES rain in the desert! And doesn't our grass look great??!!!

On July 24th, sadly...we had to take Aunta Beeta back to the airport. Her visit was over. But we had a great time while she was here. We even took advantage of a free babysitter and so Kevin and I got to go on a couple dates. It was wonderful!!

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Bye-Bye Beeta...we miss you!

Before taking Benita to the airport, we stopped in at Kevin's sister, Becky's house for a visit. Alexa loved playing with her cousins that she doesn't get to see that often.

And last but not least....we can do PIGGIES now in Payton's hair.

YAY, oh happy day! Isn't she a doll baby???!!

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She's also 15 months old now. We had her 15 month well-check yesterday and she got FOUR shots. What a little trooper she is! She's weighing in at 23 lbs and 31 inches - 50th percentile for both. We just love and adore this little lady.

My Baby

This little lady just captures my heart each and every day!

~Brain Freeze~

Am I a horrible mother that instead of consoling my child during her first brain freeze experience...I grab the camera to capture it!??!!!

I know, I know...she's gonna resent me when she's older! :-)

[Who Needs Toys??]

Does it get any cuter???

YIKES

THIS...is what we found in our backyard this morning!!

A diamondback rattlesnake!!

OH MY GOODNESS!

So Kevin took matters into his own hands and single-handedly outwitted, outsmarted, out-sized that snake! Man, now his head is in Tupperware...he should NOT have messed with the Mortensons!!

Now let's just hope its mommy and daddy don't come looking for it!!! :-)

Oh What Do YOU Do In The Summertime?

WE...

Alexa took swim lessons and has become quite the little fish in the water!

She has absolutely NO fear and just loves going to the pool...which we do just about every day!

What a cute little bathing beauty!

Our backyard, when it isn't too hot, is a fun little playground.

And now that it's started raining, we love to dance in the rain!

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So many fun things to do...we LOVE the summer!!

~Happy 4th of July~

We celebrated this year's 4th of July with Kevin's brother's family. It's so nice having family close by to celebrate holidays with!

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And here's my famous cake! It's not the 4th of July unless I make this cake!

This is how Alexa finished off her Independence Day...by running through the sprinklers in our back yard! Do you think she had a good time???? :-)

Happy 4th of July!

{Sisters & Friends}

I'm so glad my two little ladies love each other! They definitely have their moments, as most siblings do, but on a whole...they get along so well and I'm loving how they're starting to really play together now.

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(Don't you love how I do Payton's hair??!!! :-))