April was madness this year because we had visitors, Easter, more visitors, Meagan had some finals and we celebrated the boy's birthdays. The month went by so fast and a lot happened. You might want to loosen your belt buckle and get more comfortable for this post...it'll take a more than a few minutes to read :) Ready?.....Here we go.....
April 1st
This is a priceless photo. The worst part was the yucky diapers Anthony dumped out of the trash can.
April 4 In this picture Adrian is enjoying being bounced on Great Grandpa's knee while Anthony is sneaking in to get some attention too.
April 5
April 5On Sunday we had an early birthday party for the boys since the Lopez' weren't going to be here for their actual birthday. This is the first time Adrian has had cake, but he knew right away what it was. Adrian is trying to escape from Grandma's arms to get the cake.
Anthony blowing out the candles for both himself and Adrian
starting with Adrian going clockwise:
Adrian, Grandma Carol (Patrick's mom), Anthony, Grandpa Lupe (Carol's husband), Great Grandpa Lopez, Aunt Kathy, Aunt Jessica (Patrick's sister), and Patrick.
Adrian chowed the cake like a professional. Crumbs would fall into the pocket of the place mat and when Adrian would scream for more we would just empty the crumbs from the pocket. Adrian soon figured out that he wasn't receiving a new piece of cake with each whine, and proudly ended up with another piece :)
Anthony has always loved cake and not cared for ice cream. But this time Anthony didn't want the cake and ate enough ice cream for the summer in his one sitting.
This is a funny photo of Meagan and Anthony wrestling. Meagan is actually trying to keep Anthony's feet under her leg to prevent Anthony from kicking her.
Anthony is a pro at presents. Since Christmas he is well versed on being excited for gifts. Anthony is trying especially hard to get this present open.
Anthony got some videos from Grandma Carol. Anthony wanted to go watch his new 'shows' but mean old mom made him pose for a picture. Adrian gets a real kick out of Anthony's tantrums.
Aunt Kathy was able to divert Anthony's attention by playing chase or what Anthony calls "racing".
Adrian's first flying lesson from Aunt Kathy
Poor Aunt Jessica and Kathy kept trading off who would chase Anthony. Energizer bunny Anthony wore both Kathy and Jessica out . Anthony is trying to convince Aunt Jessica to get up and play.
Great Grandpa Lopez, Grandpa Lupe and Patrick chatting on the couch. Though Chico is attentive to the conversation Dash seems bored with the subject
Great Grandpa Lopez, Grandpa Lupe and Patrick chatting on the couch. Though Chico is attentive to the conversation Dash seems bored with the subject
April 8
This picture is too funny! Don't you just want to wipe the banana glob off his eye?
Adrian had a yogurt pretzel for the first time, and got REALLY into it. He didn't eat the pretzel, but he sucked every drop of yogurt off.
Adrian had a yogurt pretzel for the first time, and got REALLY into it. He didn't eat the pretzel, but he sucked every drop of yogurt off.
April 10
What all boys love...Crickets! Okay, its really a grasshopper...I think
Don't ask how, but somehow Anthony was able to grab the grasshopper. EEEEWWWWW! Anthony thought it was pretty awesome.
Anthony followed me around the yard with the cricket. How does he know that I'm scared them?? Anthony was just proud to show me his grass hopper (what ever it is); he was entertained with it for most the afternoon.
Meanwhile, Adrian got stuck. His belly was holding him in the sandbox, and his fat thighs were holding him out of the sand box...hehehehe too cute!
Dash joined Anthony in the grasshopper torturing. Dash actually picked it up and spat it out a few times. Some how the grasshopper survived.
April 11
????? Where do boys come up with stuff??????
So we got these recliners pretty much for free when we had Anthony. We rearranged our TV room and moved these recliners in our bedroom. They have been adopted by the dogs. It has been great because Dash ate the dog beds (literally ate them), and the dogs didn't have anything to sleep one (not that they really need beds). So now we have matching his and her lazy-boys. Its funny because Denali only sleeps on the purple one!
April 12
Happy EASTER! What...Easter in June?? Just kidding. Well, Easter in June is better than Easter in September right??
I stole this idea from the Hedges (thanks!). I made a little treasure hunt for Anthony. Inside each egg were some jelly beans and a chore. Since Anthony can't read I told him what the paper said. Anthony had to do the chore to find the next egg which eventually led him to his basket.
Anthony was unsure when he opened an egg of candy, but he caught on quickly and made sure each jelly bean was eaten before he moved on.
First Anthony had to wake up Daddy. Then he had to go down stairs. Then he had to let the dogs inside.
Then he found the baskets. It's hard to tell if he is really surprised our just shoveling jelly beans.
Adrian caught on quick and found his basket.
We got the boys some cheap motorcycles that were like 4/$1 at wally world. They may be cheap but Anthony is enjoying them!
Adrian has no time for cheap motorcycles he's busy searching for candy in his basket.
Adrian loves to imitate everything, even the dogs.
Patrick even found enjoyment in the cheap motorcycles
After breakfast it was time to hunt for eggs. Dad "hid" some easy ones for Adrian.
Adrian showing off his egg
Anthony really got into the hunting this year, though we still had to point him in the right direction a few times
Denali getting a whiff of the candy smell
Awww, I hope the boys always share their Easter eggs
Patrick's cousin Julie sent the boys some hollowed eggs she filled with confetti and little toys. Adrian instantly knew these eggs were real and it went straight into his mouth
Anthony enjoyed smashing all the eggs
I can't believe how much confetti were in the eggs. Cousin Julie must have worked hard to stuff them all.
Inside were these rubbery and stretchy animals. Some how Adrian knew just what to do with them
Anthony discovered a seal in his egg and got really excited
April 14th
I always thought it would be great to have one of those doggie doors that fits into the sliding glass door so that we wouldn't have to open and shut the door all day long. So I found a free doggie door on freecycle and we tried it out. The dogs are a little confused on how it works....they are waiting for us to let them in. It was hilarious! We had to literally pull the dogs through the door to get them to come in. 
Anthony had no trouble figuring out what the door was for. He thought we got for him.
Anthony had no trouble figuring out what the door was for. He thought we got for him.
Adrian couldn't quite figure out how to get out and he was really mad :( But after a couple of weeks he too escaped through the doggie door.
April 15
Adrian had an oreo for the first time. I don't know how kids know this stuff, but Adrian somehow twisted the Oreo in half and was only eating the creme side.
Adrian put the whole cookie in his mouth :)
April 15
Pat and I used to be in really good shape but we still love sports. So we thought it was time to introduce Anthony to the basics. We signed him up for Tiny Tot Sports. He got a huge t-shirt, and learned the basics of bball, soocer, and t-ball. Here is Daddy trying to convince Anthony to kick the soccer ball at the cone to knock it down.
But Anthony thought it was more fun to try and balance the ball on the cone
Eventually Anthony got the hang of it
April 16th
The city had this free event called 'Dumps, Diggers and Excavtors'. I signed the boys up for it and it was pretty neat. The boys got a little hard hat and were able to walk around and climb in the city's contruction equipment. In the beginning the drivers of the vehicles got in the trucks beeped the horns and showed the kids how the equipment worked. Here are some of the tricks they did.
Anthony loved driving the trucks
April 17-18
Pat had friday off so we went camping for the night. Anthony's chair and the picnic table made the perfect little table for Adrian.
It was early enough in the season so we could build fires. Anthony was a good helper carrying the logs Dad chopped.
Correction...Anthony was a good helper until he found a large stink bug, which he scared into our wood pile
Sexy Patrick chopping the logs with his little hatchet
Believe it or not, Meagan is the fire queen in our family. The boys staying cozy by the fire.
It was pretty cold at night, but the next day was pretty warm. Dad carried Anthony and his camelback
Meagan has always carried the boys in the snugli as babies which never bothered her. But this hike was the first time she carried Adrian in the backpack. It was a lot heavier than she thought it would be. Good thing this picture is taken from afar because Meagan isn't happy.
For the last 1/2 mile or so Patrick became Super Dad and carried both boys.
We reached the little creek and Anthony went straight the the mud :)
I love his dirty toes!
Adrian was excited to get out the back pack, too
Anthony saw these little bugs, Meagan calls them water spiders. Anthony chased as many of these as he could
At first Anthony was a little reluctant to get in the water. He just started with his toes
Then he got his ankles wet
then he discovered the joy for running in the water and chasing the water spiders
Even though the trees are bare, the scenary was beautiful
On the hike back we saw a baby horney toad. It seems he was looking us in the eyes.
There were also lots of moths flying aroudn the flowers. Meagan just loves their eyes.
Lastly, we saw an adult horney toad. They are small but it was looking at Meagan when she leaned over to take the picture. It looked as though it wanted to attack!
Nearly there...Anthony is just hanging out
Meagan did better on the way down. Adrian is zonked.
Anthony resting his feet on the back pack frame
April 22Meagan is the activity day leader in our ward. This activity we were painting pictures for our mothers. Meagan let Anthony finger paint so he would get in to the acrylics. His hands turned smurf blue. One of Meagan's girls, Randi decided to paint her face. When Randi went to wash ehr face she found Anthony trying get a cookie. Before we let Anthony have his cookie, we made him pose for a picture. Randi posing too.
April 23
Happy Birthday Anthony! Gampa and Gamma flew into Phoenix for the boys' birthdays. Since their birhtday's are only 4days apart (Anthony 23 and Adrian 27), we did a combined party. We are going to so combined parties until the boys protest.
Their pary theme this year was bugs. First we had the the kids pick out a bucket then decorate it with markers and stickers.
Mom and Anthony
Here are Anthony's friends:Zach and Alec Anderson and thier mom Jonni
Shaylin Hedges, and Savannah Glenn held by Jana Glenn
Behind them is Raiden Hiland
Kaitlyn Kaufman and her mom Shara
Next we played pin the dots on the lady bugs. Only the dots were oreos. Jana made sure Savannah licked the oreo really good
then Savannah stuck it on the lady bug
Next, we went outside and the kids 'rescued' bugs from the spider web
Sydney got some help from her mom, Jana
Then, we dug in the sand for lizards. Only Meagan buried them too well and had to dig them up with her hands
Gampa and Adrian
Gampa and Gamma got the boys a little trampline for their birthdays. Anthony and Savannah jumping
Last we search in the grass for snakes.
For the cake, Meagan made dirt cake. It was yummy and very sweet! Just what toddler need!
Gamma and Adrian. Gamma was nice to let Adrian rub his cake all over her arms :)
April 24
The next we took Gampa and Gamma hiking. Although it was kindof hot, we were going to hike camelback. But Meagan left her hiking shoes on the table and was only wearing flipflops. So we hiked around South Mountain. Gamma was so nice and carried Adrian.
Gampa and Gamma Stephanie
Anthony just chillin with Gampa
Adrian was getting red so Gampa squirted water on head
This is just too cute! Anthony wanted to walk around so Gampa held his hand
After hiking and lunch we went for a swim at the public pool. We had never been before, but Anthony seemed to like it.
Anthony had fun swimming with Gampa
Gamma and Adrian ..... Anthony and Gampa
First swimming lesson
Gamma's turn to play with Anthony so Gampa could go down the slide
Gampa's graceful landing
Adrian was glad to be cozy in his rope
Anthony got a little chilly standing out of the pool
Gampa's crazy pool hair
April 25Gamma hadn't seen the Grand Canyon, so on Saturday we all went. We hit a few of the look outs then did a little hiking on a trail the goes to the bottom. We weren't crazy enough to hike down in one day without food, but we just a little ways down.
Gampa and Patrick hiking through the arch at the beginning
Anthony, Gampa, and Gamma
Adrian and Daddy
We hiked a little ways down and you could see the trail below. The hikers look like ants!
We also got to see from California Condors. They were endangered and just recently were released back into the wild at the Grand Canyon
Talk about a sheer cliff!
After the hike Anthony found a squirrel to chase
The Grand Canyon
Gampa and Gamma looking into the future
This is our favorite stop at the Grand Canyon. The tower was closed but we were still able to get some pics.
Dad helping Anthony look through the telescope
Gampa, Gamma and Adrian
Gampa tickling Adrian
Gamma taking in teh beautiful sun set
Our family
Adrian always sucks his bottom lip
One of the times we came to the Grand Canyon we found this cool place on the reservation. It is neat because you can yell in the Canyon and hear your echo leave and come back. Plus becasue it isn't part of the National park, the gate is right at the edge of the cliff.
Here is the warning...
AaHHH! they are going to fall! Just kidding. Although it looks like they are standing on the edge, the path keeps going.
Gampa and Gamma in sunset
The sunset is amazing here
April 29
GGD and GGM setn Anthony and Adrian a picnic table and chairs for their birhtday. Adrian and Anthony love it! It has become their snack table and their race track. For the first few days, Adrian just wanted to sit in the chair. These are Adrians favorite chairs because he can climb in and out of them.
The boys and their new table
Anthony went through a phase of wanting to ride his bike. It is still too big, but he still likes it.
Here Anthony is giving his bike a tune up.
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