Camping in Payson

We found a nice campground in Payson to get out of the Heat. Spent two weekends there. We went fishing the first weekend but didn't catch anything (too hot). The second weekend was rodeo weekend so we were able to take in the activities surrounding the rodeo including a farmers market, a parade and the rodeo itself.

Fishing . . .

Yes thats a camp fire in AZ. I also thought this was a good photo at the rodeo, catching the rope at full length.

Making s'mores.

Route 66 - Oklahoma City Vacation '09

Yeah we know we haven't added anything for a while. Facebook tends to suck up tremendous amounts of time. But we will start with this post:

This years vacation involved a road trip from Phoenix to Oklahoma City. Along the way we detoured parts of the old route 66 and saw sites. While in OK City - we met up with the Schuhmacher clan. The kids had a great time together. Why Oklahoma City you ask? Why not? But we did find things to do. The zoo, the route 66 park, the Harley Store (ok its a staple on every trip), a pizza fun parlor, a brew pub, a locked up ball park (that only I got to enter to retrieve a 6 year old's hat), the OK City Bombing Memorial, and more. It was a good trip but a lot of driving. On the way back, we visited a brewery outside of NM that had some really good beer. Here are some photos.





The boys at the Continental Divide in New Mexico.















No interesting sites in OK you say? How about a zoo with actual bears that don't hide. Like this one. (I can watch bears for hours.)

Angie and the boys at Cadillac Ranch. If you drive route 66 you have to stop - its the law.

All the Kids at the Marriott Residence in OK City.

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day to all the dads, but especially to our Daddy, Papa, and Grandpa! We are so happy to celebrate you! Thanks for all you do for us. Have a fantastic day. We love you lots and lots!
Love and Hugs,
Patrick and Aaron

These are the boys . . .

Happy 2nd Birthday Aaron!

Happy Birthday Aaron! We wish you a wonderful day and a year filled with good things.
With lots of love and hugs,
Mom, Dad, and Patrick

My how you have grown! You are just as cute now as you were then!

Philisophical/Theological Question

Are there more stupid people in heaven or hell? On the one hand stupid people perform stupid acts deserving of eternal damnation. On the other hand weren't we taught that God is a forgiving God and shouldn't the first people on the list to be forgiven be the ones who are too stupid to know any better. Were Adam and Eve evicted from Eden for eating the fruit of the tree of knowledge? So . . . is ignorance truly bliss? Are we longing to hear those divine words . . .


"Congratulations dumbass, you may enter these pearly gates."

Aaron's First Hair Trim

Decided it was time for at least Aaron's bangs to get a little trim. So Susan Marie agreed to take care of it. Having him stand with me right there seemed to work extremely well! Not sure when we'll tackle the rest. I still like the curls!

Renaissance Festival

We were able to attend the Renaissance Festival this year. We went with Grandma and Grandpa Obert and had a fantastic day. It really wasn't enough time to even see it all. It was Pirate weekend, so the boys were fascinated with all the "pirates." They had great snacks, saw a couple of shows, went on some rides, and got swords!

They each got to take a shot at a bow and arrow. Patrick really wanted one. Perhaps another time. I think we know what would happen at this stage of life.

Aaron was determined to go on this rocking horse. So I went with him. It really wasn't so fun at least from my stand point!

Snack time...

Photo fun...

Grandma, the boys, and I got to ride on an elephant. Her name was Chris. It was a fun experience! The boys really seemed to enjoy it. It's great experiencing these events through the eyes of the kids.

Aaron goes to the Zoo with Mommy and Auntie Mel

Aaron LOVES the carousel and wanted Auntie Mel to take him on. He had a blast and didn't want to get off, as usual!

Riding on the train and eating popcorn. Can't beat a day at the zoo. Thanks Auntie Mel for going with us. We'll have to do it again one of these days when you have off...

Recent photos...

Aaron and Bubba, just hanging out...

Time at the zoo with Papa. We had a nice afternoon. They especially enjoyed the Orangutan exhibit and we could have stayed for hours. Kasih, the 3 year old, was quite entertaining that day!

Couldn't believe that the giraffe was actually SITTING. Had to get it on a photo.

Patrick and Keisha.

Dobby and the boys.

Aaron getting Papa to give him rides on his bike!

Aaron and Cabo, his buddy! They sure look out for one another!

What do they mean "Exactly what they were doing at IHOP was unclear" - isn't it obvious?

Hilton vs. homeless man
Feb. 24, 2009, 10:19 AM EST
MSN Entertainment
"I am placing you under citizen's arrest," a spike-heeled Nicky Hilton announced to the 50 year-old homeless man who allegedly pushed the heiress to the ground at 5 a.m. Saturday morning outside a West Hollywood IHOP.
TMZ first broke the story about the celebutante-turned-fashion-maven's run-in with the law.
"One of our deputies was at the IHOP, having a coffee break, and noticed a waitress run outside because there was a commotion," Los Angeles County Police spokesman Steve Whitmore later told Us Magazine.
The magazine went on to report that it took both Hilton and the officer to restrain the man, whose name is Michael Broadhurst.
Hilton was not injured but Broadhurst was arrested for battery and is set to appear in court April 21.
Exactly what the rail-thin billionaire was doing at IHOP remains unclear.

Yes, I agree . . .

January 27th, 2009

Happy 6th Birthday Patrick!

On Saturday the 24th Patrick had a party with his friends from school at McQueen Park. (Thank you Papa for reserving the ramada!) He had a great time. They played on the play equipment, had Scooby-Doo cake, did some arts-and-crafts, and had a pinata! A good time was had by all. On his actual birthday he decided he wanted to go to King's Fish House at the Tempe MarketPlace for dinner. It was yummy and he followed it with ice cream from Cold Stone.

We hope you had a fantastic birthday!

We love you!

Mom, Dad, and Aaron

A Scooby Doo Birthday at McQueen Park.

Birthday celebration in the Classroom. Patrick is pictured with his teacher, Ms. Bailey!

Opening gifts at home after dinner.