Yellowstone ~ Montana

Bon Jovi fan?

We had the pleasure of traveling to Montana last weekend for Jeff and Suzy's wedding (Sam went to HS with Jeff, who now lives outside of Bozeman). Ada cut two teeth while we were there, and wore us out completely.

We had a nice time, though, and the wedding (i.e. the merger) was a spectacular 3 hour event. I'm not kidding. There was beer and popcorn served during the intermission. We had dinner before it, 2 acts, and then dancing to a live band.

I quickly realized why my friends don't take their babies/children to weddings (or any formal event for that matter...). I quickly learned about the secret club of parents in the back of the theatre during the wedding and earned my "baby wrangling" badge. Not that we had a choice for this one, but the next wedding I go to that I intend to have a good time at (i.e. drink at Melissa and Zach's wedding!), I plan to get a babysitter. I can see now that weddings will be precious dates with Sam since a babysitter is required. So, sorry to all of my friends who I scoffed at when they wouldn't bring their cute munchkins to the party. I get it now.

Ada took a 20 minute nap the day of the wedding, which began its festivities at 4pm. She stayed up until 12-midnight and then screamed herself to sleep. I think it was worth it to her just to say she danced all night to a great band who did an impromptu cover of Bon Jovi (YES!), and a few excellent Dave Mathews Band covers. She has been dancing ever since when she hears a funky beat!

We also celebrated Sam's second father's day by driving through Yellowstone. That place is awesome and the most beautiful country I have EVER seen. Wow. Not a bad way to spend Father's Day (and Ada cooperated!)...and, Sam landed 2 tickets to see Pink Martini, one of our favorite Pacific Northwest bands who will be here in September. Now there's another reason for a babysitter!

I messed up and filmed the video of our dancing queen sideways, again. I'll learn someday, folks.

Swimming

I really need to remember to turn the camera the right way. Sorry!

June 1st

Ada turned one. Two weeks later she learned how to walk, talk, AND sign AND her two front teeth are growing in. Seriously. June 1st. It started happening!

What can she say, you ask? "Hot" and she says it with an emphasis on the H and T. "Cracker" is another favorite word (and food). We think she said "Hi" to passers-by at the park last weekend. But "Hot" and "Cracker" are the most important to her right now. Even if it's cold, it's "HHHHoT". But a cracker is definitely a cracker.

And what can she sign, you ask next? "All done" and "Milk". That's right. She's bilingual. :)

Other genius things she can do = Play peek-a-boo with her hands or nearby blanket, give a hug and kiss when asked, and boogy-down to any kind of music.

We'll get some video of the walking which is SERIOUS business now. I've never seen someone walk back and forth across a living room so many times at such a deliberate pace, and with an obvious place she needs to be in mind.

Busy, busy girl.

Fin de Tucson

So, this is it. The final year of Tucson.  Sam and I will be loading up this time next year to head off somewhere (let it be the Northwest!).  We had anticipated that we would be leaving this May, but as many of you know, having a baby sometime derails best-laid plans, and new plans are made.  I have been struggling with the thought of living here another year, but have decided that I may regret not taking the opportunity to enjoy life in the Southwest while I can.  So - I have made a list of all the places and activities that we have not seen or done while here and have them planned out for the next 12 months.  I have now realized now how very little time we have to do them all!

Summer - DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun, El Teradito Wishing Shrine, St. Augustine Cathedral, Sanctuary Cove, Garden of Gethsemane...

Fall - Salsa-fest  http://www.salsatrail.com/recipes.html , Apple Annie Peach and Apple Harvest, Dia De Los Muertos, Tucson meet yourself Festival!, Patagonia Fall Festival...

Winter - Winterhaven, The White Mountains, another trip to Sedona/the Grand Canyon, Tubac festival of lights, Tucson Gem Show...

Spring - Patagonia Mariachi festival, Chiricahua Mountains, Bisbee (for like the 8,000 time...but we love that place!)...

Along with the many other random events that Tucson has to offer - Fox Theater (we need to see at least 1 show there), La Placita Cinema (they offer movies outdoors...bring your dog, kid and blanket if you want!), International Wildlife Museum (which we'll save for next Spring when Ada's a bit older to appreciate it), and many, many other activities.

We started out today by visiting the 17th Street Market, which is in the industrial district of Tucson (I guess that's what you'd call it).  They have an amazing fish market with fish bigger than Ada - and the produce section is awesome (looks better than a Farmer's Market).  They are really known for their Asian food, most of which kind of scares me because I don't know what it is.  But we went, spent and now have a few interesting things to try.  It reminded me a bit of my Eugene days; you know, the piece where you're asked to sign a petition legalizing medical marijuana.  The guy who approached us seemed to think we didn't know anything about it...I almost told him we were from Oregon, but decided to let him  rattle on.  I don't see us shopping there again, but not because of the hippies.

The other thing we want to do is learn how to cook a truly delicious Mexican meal that we can enjoy for years to come...time to look for some cooking classes.

So much to do and share with Ada, and so little time!  AND - I've never even made it down to Mexico!  There's a bit too much violence going on right now though, so I'll wait to go another day. Besides...Tucson used to be Mexico, so it's all the same to me!

It was a party!

We had a wonderful picnic in the park to celebrate Ada's 1st birthday; aside from the mini-tornado that blew through and spit dirt EVERYWHERE, we had a nice time with friends and family.  Ada had her first taste of the sweet life, and as you can see it was pure joy!  What a lucky family we are to have such thoughtful friends and family who made it such a special day (even those who could not be there).  She has been playing with all of her new toys and wearing her new duds...she even got a beautiful piece of jewelry that you can see in the picture above.  Thanks to all!!!