Arizona Science Center

On Sunday, June 14th we went to the Arizona Science Center. We went with my cousin, Stuart and his daughter Opal. We had the best time! The latest exhibit is all about legos and using them to make castles. The boys had a blast. They had all kinds of stuff on display made out of legos. We just could not believe some of it. Then we did the rest of the center. Sawyer has not been in about a year and this was Thatcher's first time so there was tons to see. The Arizona Science Center also has a new thing you could do called the Sky Cycle. They were giving people free rides so my cousin and Pat gave it a try. It was really cool!! We had a blast and totally want to go back soon!!

Thatcher, Pat and Opal. The stained glass behind them is made of legos!!

A lego knight

Stuart jousting.

Pat being eaten by a lego dragon!

Thatcher dressing up like a dragon.

This was how tall the lego knights were!!

This was a really cool exhibit called forces of nature. You stand on a platform and it simulates different kinds of weather. It is doing a hurricane right now.

Sawyer made this in the computer lab.

Stuart on the Sky Cycle.

Pat on the Sky Cycle. You can see the counter weight below.

Pat lying on a bed of nails. Yes, they are real!

Sawyer, Opal and Thatcher walking across the wobbly platform

Thatcher Day!

Last Friday, we had our first Thatcher Day! Every once in awhile we like to do something special with just one of the boys. We really like having this one on one time and they really enjoy it. Sawyer has had several 'Sawyer Days' but this was the first Thatcher Day. He was very excited. We took him to Build-A-Bear and then we went out to dinner. He was so excited to go to Build-A-Bear. He kept telling me all about the heart and stepping on the pedal with his sandal and he has only been there one other time!! Since it was just Thatcher, we didn't have to use the stroller, and he just walked with Pat and I holding our hands. You could tell by his face that he thought he was hot stuff!! After making his new friend, we went out to dinner at Red Robin. When we left, he wanted to get a balloon for Sawyer too! I think he missed him a little!!

His new friend before we stuffed him!!

Steppin' on the pedal to fluff him up.

The heart for the puppy.

Cleaning him off.

Thatcher with his new friend Scruffy. We picked out some plaid shorts. Thatcher really wanted to get the Disney Princess shirt, but we coaxed him into getting these shorts instead!

Mommy and Thatcher at dinner.

Patrick's 29th Birthday Bowling Fun!!

This past weekend we celebrated Pat's 29th Birthday!! First we all woke up to give him his present... some clothes. The boys were so excited!! Then we dropped off the kiddos at my parents house so we could have a nice lunch alone at Red Robin. After lunch we walked across to Krispy Kreme to get our free dozen donuts. Then it was back to my parents house to pick up the kids to take them bowling for the first time! They had so much fun. Sawyer now wants to have a dinosaur bowling birthday party!! After bowling we went out to dinner at Mi Amigos where the staff sang Happy Birthday to Pat and made him wear a sombrero! But at least he got free sopapillas!! Pat said it was one of his best birthday's yet. The boys are at really great ages that we are starting to be able to do really fun things with them!! Pat with his free Krispy Kremes!!

Our bowling feet! (Thatcher was too small for bowling shoes) My gosh Sawyer has big feet!!

Sawyer cheering on Daddy

Using the bowling assistant

There it goes!!

Thatcher drinking his lemonade waiting for his turn

After awhile Sawyer was able to just "granny ball" it!!

Our score after the first game. I was just happy that I beat the boys!!

The second game

Pat with his sombrero!!

All of us out to dinner

Pat trying to blow out the candle on his Turtle Cheesecake that I made him.

Patrick's Graduation

On May 13th, 2009 Pat had the opportunity to see President Barack Obama speak at the Arizona State University Commencement Ceremony. He was only 20 rows back. He said Obama was very inspirational. Then on Friday, the 15th of May, the whole family attended Pat's convocation ceremony for his college. This was so neat to be able to see Pat walk across the stage and hear his name read aloud in recognition of all of his hard work. His degree is a Bachelor's of Science from the School of Applied Arts and Sciences with a major in Exercise and Wellness. He even graduated with honors, Cum Laude. It really took a lot for Pat to be able to stick with it and graduate. He started out at community college and the entire time he has been at ASU he has been working full time as a manager at Dillard's. For the last 4 1/2 years he has been the sole provider for our family while still pursuing his degree. We could not be more proud of him!! Congrats babe!!

Brother Love

As much as they fight, and argue and destroy each others stuff... it is nice to know how much they truly do love each other.

Easter

Easter this year was so much fun!! We had our First Annual Ganes Family Easter Party at our house. Pat used to get together with his side of the family when he was a kid for Easter and he really missed it. So starting this year, we are going to do an annual party at our house!! I just love having people over and watching everyone hang out and enjoy themselves!

The day started with Sawyer waking up without us knowing and checking out his Easter basket. He told me yesterday that Easter and Christmas are his favorite... I wonder why?? Then when Thatcher woke up, we showed him his Easter basket and he could not have been more excited about the Disney Princess coloring book that the Easter bunny had brought!!

Nothin like candy for breakfast!!

When everyone had arrived we did our egg hunt in the backyard!! This was the first year Thatcher could really get into it!!

After the egg hunt we all sat down to eat. Everyone brought some really delicious food and we had honey baked ham and lemonade. After dinner we all sat around and talked when Sawyer decided he wanted to fly a kite. I wish I had pictures because it was too funny watching Pat trying to get the kite up in the air!! The boys had tons of fun playing outside and it was just such a perfect day. I am so glad we have started this tradition and hope we can continue it for years to come!!

Easter Eggs

I love dying Easter eggs!! The boys had so much fun seeing what colors the eggs would turn. Sawyer kept asking me, "What color does blue and orange make? What color does green and yellow make?" Why aren't their more holidays where we can dye food different colors?!?

Our Masterpieces!!

3 for Free!!

The first Sunday of every month, you can visit the 3 museums in downtown Mesa from Noon to 5 for free!! That is right totally free!! So after Grandma's Birthday Party, we dropped Thatcher at my mom's house for a nap and Pat and I took Sawyer to the museum!! First we went to Sawyer's favorite place... the dinosaur museum. Otherwise know as the Arizona Museum of Natural History. Then we just took a short walk down to the Arizona Museum for Youth. I love that Sawyer is only 4 years old and he actually gets excited about going to a new museum!! For more info on the 3 for Free check out http://mesaartscenter.com/3ForFree.htm

Sawyer playing with the dinosaurs at the dinosaur museum.

Spinning Sawyer around at the Az Museum for Youth


Doing a rubbing in Artville

After we visited the museums we took Sawyer for a haircut. When the haircut was done he got a lollipop... guess what color!!

Happy 75th Birthday Grandma Mary!!

Sunday, April 5th was Pat's Grandma Mary's 75th Birthday!! She had the whole family over for a breakfast party!!

Happy Birthday Grandma!!

Pictured from the left is Kristin's Parents, Geoff (Pat's brother), Pat, my mom, Thatcher and I, my dad is hiding behind us, Pat's Aunt Melody and down in front is Kristin (Geoff's fiancee) with their son Lucas, and Grandma with Sawyer hiding behind a balloon!!

Geoff and Pat with their Grandma

Health Fair

Pat's internship is almost over!! YEA!! His main project during his internship had been a Health Fair that was this past Saturday, April 4th. It was excellent. There were approximately 45 vendors that ranged from massages, Jamba Juice and Yoga for Kids. It was from 9-12. Jamba Juice left at 11 because they had already given away all 225 of their samples!! Pat was very excited and was walking around with a huge smile on his face the whole day!!

There was a fire truck that the kids were allowed to climb in!!

Thatcher did not want to get out!!

Pat with ASU's own Sparky!!