Fourth of July Road Trip

We took a road trip to Arizona to visit some of our best buddies. On the trip down Isaac cried about 4 hours combined. He didn't want to be in his carseat. Aleena was so great. She just loved reading her books and looking out the window. Luckily, on the way back, Isaac only cried about one hour total. We had such a fun time with our friends, that we would do it again, even if Isaac cried. Oh yeah, Matt brought us earplugs, so that helped tremendously.

Visiting the Lee Family:
The first day we stayed with the Lees and enjoyed cooking/eating together, swimming and having our children play together.

The cutest couple. Pam and Jeremy Lee.


Leena and Julia (the neighbor girl next door).


Isaac loved Nicholas' toys.



They loved playing on the roller coaster.


We tried out a different way to roast a chicken. It was incredibly moist and delicious.


Matt supervising while Jeremy glazes the chicken.

Nicholas can't wait to eat the French bread. This bread lasted three meals.

Nicholas wanting Mama Goldie to stop taking pictures to allow the feast to begin.

While the chickens were becoming best buds, these buddies were having fun playing together also.

We're busy here.

"Say Uncle".

We had an impromptu 3rd of July party.

Mai brought over these cupcakes for the girls to decorate. She even made the cute candy star toppers. She is a sweet neighbor.

Mai showing the girls how to decorate their cupcakes.

Phia and Julia decorating their cupcakes, while Leena goes head first and eats hers.

Aleena satisfied with her cupcake masterpiece.

Watermelon screams 4th of July (or 3rd). Pam and Nicholas.

Eating watermelon while Isaac eats his hat.

Cooling off in the pool.

Isaac's first time in a pool.

Leena and Phia were so cute playing together (when they weren't fighting over the stroller and roller coaster). They really act like BFF's.

It was nice to have Daddy around to play with and just relax. Little Julia loved having her picture taken too. So cute.

Visit with the Bakers:

We had a delicious steak and chicken for dinner on July 4th when we went to the Baker's place. Matthew and Aleena had fun playing and were really excited to see each other. They also fought like brother and sister, but in the end, they were sad to see each other leave. Aleena was strapped in her carseat and Matthew in his, and they were both saying by to each other. Leena, "Bye Matmoo." Matthew, "Bye Leena".

Tucson Childrens' Museum

Playing checkers.

Playing with the checker pieces.

Aleena loved this kitchen. She immediately put on the oven mitts and started cooking. She loved being able to use the pretend oven.

She also loved pretending she was a pediatrician and taking care of the babies.

She found Nemo in this fish tank. He stared right at her, and said, "Thank you for watching my movie everyday."

Matthew and Aleena watching the real Nemo.

We had to try the famous Sonoran hot dogs at El Guero Canelo in Tucson. I liked the buns and the flavor it all. Different from the hot dogs in Santee Alley, but still good.

Aleena would've preffered a plain hot dog from Costco. She did drink her daddy's Sangria soda right up and ate the chips.

The Bakers and Mayrys minus Matt at El Guero Canelo. One last good-bye before we went back to California.