Playin' with fire

I surprised TJ - I went by his school and pulled him out early and took him straight to the mountains. It was good to spend some time together on the way there and back as well as while he was building fires with his friends. His age group was by far the best represented - and most of them are on a common baseball team, so by 8:30 this morning most of the ward had left in order to make it back for an 11 am baseball game. After a cold night in the truck, I was ready to come back home, too. TJ had a great time and I'm glad he's such a good kid! We look forward to taking Toby with us next year (if he's potty trained).

the winner!

I won't bore you with all of the pics of the race - so here is TJ with his churro, a single pic of the race cars goin by fast, TJ and I attempting a self pic, and TJ beaming when Jeff Gordon won!

race pics

This was Susan's favorite driver, Kevin Harvick, going by before the race (Susan claims the only reason she likes him is because he used to drive a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup sponsored car)

TJ was very excited to wave to Jeff Gordon (you can see Jeff in the picture to the right of TJ's wrist)

It was awesome to see all of the people in one place with the American flag coming down behind a stunt parachuter.

Jeff Gordon went by with flames coming out of the side of the car. We could see the glowing brake rotors from our seats.

Race Day!

Saturday instead of Sunday, night instead of day, the "real" drivers of the Nextel Cup series instead of the Busch series - TJ and I had to go to the races this time here in Phoenix. The best part was that TJ's favorite driver, Jeff Gordon, won the pole position (started the race at the front) AND won the race! We had great series where we could see all of the pit stop crews and the whole front stretch of the raceway as well as the sharpest turn (right in front of us) where we hoped to see some good crashes (just one happened, though).

We drove to the park and ride lot and took a school bus to and from the race - that was fun to ride on a school bus with TJ. He thought it was neat because this week he went in a school bus to see Wizard of Oz performed at a theater in Phoenix.

The race scanners we bought last summer finally came in handy at the race - it was great to be able to follow along. If you haven't gone to a race - you need to go - just for the noise and the feel of all of those cars roaring around the track!

TJ was happy that the domino's pizza sponsor was giving away free slices of pizza (he ate mine too) and that we could find him a churro half way through the race. He also got Burger King on the way home. Next time we'll definitely take the nicer camera and go early so we can see more of the freebies and stuff outside of the racetrack!

Toby's Easter Dinner

Susan and Grandpa were having so much fun reading that poor Toby had to "knock knock" on the door for someone to notice him.

Once he got inside he immediately got his baby treatment from his doting mother.


And then he got to feast on Doritos! On the carpet! In front of the TV!



And the rest of us ate a yummy Easter dinner at the table with "Flat Connor" (see Susan or Marie's website for an explanation)!

Playin' at the 'tute

The kids had a blast last weekend playing at the Institute where Grandma and Grandpa Kennedy are full time missionaries and instructors.

Fun in San Diego

Candids of Life

Ok - it has been so long since I've posted that picasa's blog interface has changed and my initial commentary was lost. So, here it goes again - below are pics of Alden Carpenter's visit with his family back in the middle of March. He and Toby had a blast running around the backyard.
Aaron, Tara and I spent the time together indoctrinating Susan on Mesa Mormons Culture and History (we are founding members due to our extensive connections and experiences as Mountain View High School - or BYU South as it is sometimes referred to). The Carpenters also have a blog which is way cooler than ours 'cause it uses videos and slideshows and stuff - www.carpenterclanaz.blogspot.com

You like the shirt I got for Heather? She does!
It seems like Susan is ALWAYS having to go buy more groceries - that might have something to do with the amazing metabolism of the boy behind her in this pic following the brigade to bring groceries into the house.





Toby is into posing and smiling for the camera these days - here he is shortly after his haircut.









David has ridden his bike to our house a few times on his way to work - he even has bike shoes that lock into the pedals and a backpack with a hose with water and fluids. Oh, and disc brakes, suspension, and the whole bike weighs about as much as TJ (not very much)! TJ is about to sneeze in this pic:

I'm back