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

Jamaica Trip!

 

VIews

View from the entrance to our room







View from our balcony - even though it was a cheaper "garden view" room - we COULD see the ocean (barely)





Susan on her balcony reading chair -she did lots of reading and I actually read a book and a half too (Covey stuff, not ya ya sisterhood)
This is Tim after church (or was it before?) 

Finding something to do

This is me after the first attempt to fly the kite - didn't happen due to tangled string and I had to go find a needle in the kit provided in the rooms since my fingernails were finely ground down following a manicure :(


David and Sally braved the waved in a paddle boat


Susan listened to Solstice on her ipod and read "Ya Ya Sisterhood books" on the beach


This is what the buildings look like that we stay in 

Jamaica's end

This is what was left on Sunday afternoon of the welcome home sign the kids put on the garage with Aunt Becky for our return

Susan looks good with her Jamaican outfit






David and Sally at the beach party





The beach party before anyone came to party - my theory for the beach party is that once a week they make the guests eat on the sand in the dark so that the resort can get rid of all of the leftover food :) It was ok, and we all went to the Italian restaurant afterwards for some fresh food