lookers

We are staying at the West ward Look in the foothills, which despite the drive was probably a good decision.  The grounds and room are nice.  It's fun that every time we approach the foothills Aiden mentions that we are getting to the out skirts of town where there are more views of the "black dot mountains" and Keaton starts again yelping at every "cool cactus" he sees. Aiden thinks that the way Keaton says cool cactus is funny and that he should name his pizza shop that - because of course KC is going to have a pizza shop? Who knows with these giggle guys...

art hunters

Tubac felt like a feast for the eyes since it seemed that after a few years there was a new set of patterns and little ceramic creatures laying around. It was also really hopping and it seemed most spots had expanded the giant collection of art. Aiden played a spelling hunt game with his grandparents nearly the entire time - he would spell a word and they would have to find what was spelled and vice versa.  Keaton spent the visit finding these little peacocks and roadrunners that rocked and "rescuing" them by helping them sit back up and then declaring that he "saved the day!"  

sonoran smiles

Someone's first glimpse of Tucson - and cactus! - during the day:

travel faces

The many faces of travel with the Brennan boys... 

We had some flight delays and lotsa waiting around for luggage and rental cars... But two mostly happy guys that were beyond thrilled by the robot ice cream machine on our layover and the novelty of sitting in a car seat outside of a car.  What can I call the no nap, late bedtime airplane riding Keaton and the past 1am EST of each giggle puss? Miniature drunkards?  How about mostly happy drunks?  You know what mini drunks think is really funny?  When a cop pulls over your daddy no less 100 yards from the rental car lot and shines a flashlight in your car.  You know what is important to the po pos?  Headlights on! Haha!  I couldn't stop laughing from our rental car watching daddy in his rental car finally flip those lights on... With a warning, we finally cruised to the hotel and the giggles were all out of two sleepy guys.

more tidbits

This week got away from me somehow... Aka. I forgot to setup my auto posts ;). I was in charge of organizing a print cookbook layout for KC's school auction which was fun, but the precious nap time I do have should've been spent packing for our trip to AZ - oh well, all's well that ends well and I like that little cookbook ;). We also spent many after schools meeting friends to run around in the tennis courts, more fun at school with KC in their little pumpkin patch and nature art time, and a storytime with a squawky crow and sharky boy.

tidbits

Little tidbits of our life lately...  Osage oranges and mini pumpkins at the farmer's market, hanging out at the playground with our buddies, date day at the Mosaic with street pianos, more school boys tromping down the path to school, tennis with our buddies (thank goodness one of the mom's does those tough mudder races because the boys locked themselves in the court area by accident - she scaled the fence just like a superhero according to AB), and hibachi dinner (Aiden gobbled the kids' glazed salmon)...

1771

We took a step back into 1771 at the Claude Moore Colonial Faire in McLean.  We left with bellies full of chicken and sausage made over a fire, a hollow cow horn, a spice pack custom made by Aiden and Keaton (aka. potpourri), new sword and militia marching skills, a jacob's ladder, a hand painted fan and doggie portrait, and a little piggie and turkey love.

pumpkins

These funny little pumpkins of mine rolled up to the pumpkin patch to pick out pumpkins to paint with our old Lake friends.  It was the perfect fall day to take the perch path around the beach before breaking out the paints and stickers.  We played on the beach while the paint dried.  There was also a spot to make some paper pumpkins to hang in your window.  Our door step is now full of fall cheer and a little bit of sand we dumped out of our shoes ;)

hagley 2

The top floor of the Hagley Museum (all sponsored by Dupont) had a fun science lab and a bunch of cool stuff made from synthetic fibers.  Aiden loved that you could get into the race car especially. The computer games to match up what was made out of which type of material where Aiden's second favorite.  KC was all smiles with the astronaut suit - that was good for shaking hands.  We had to head on down the road so we never even made it to the third part of the museum with the old Dupont home. We'll have to head back someday.

hagley

On the way back from NJ, we wanted to stop someplace so I googled around for good spots close to 95.  I found this gem in Delaware called the Hagley Museum.  We took a risk on whether the kids would enjoy it, but it ended up being fun for everyone.  The boys even seemed somewhat interested in the Nylon exhibit that I found really neat - fiber!  The first part of the museum has a bunch of cool machinery exhibits and then the outdoor areas were really pretty.  They had a great lunch cafe there too (homemade spinach tortellini in a blush sauce - yum!), which was a short scenic hike through the woods - which were full of old machinery covered in vines.  Second, more scientific part, of the museum coming soon...

sesame 2

These guys loved the characters all over the place.  We caught a bunch of fun guys at the end of the day once the crowds had cleared.  The Elmo visit was unfortunately during Keaton's nap, but Aiden made sure to tell him that his brother said hello.  Keaton did get a chance to see him up close during the show later on and he saw all the characters during the giant parade.

sesame 1

This trip to Sesame Place was perfectly timed for the ages of our kiddos.  The park is owned by the Sea  World company and it had some features that reminded me of good ol Ohio Sea World back in the day.  The elaborate rope climbing, slides, and bouncy pillows create fun memories.  We arrived as the gates opened and headed straight to all the rides without any lines.  I could tell they were prepared for big crowds so that was the best choice.  All the characters and buildings were spiffed up for Halloween which made it extra fun.  They have so many great shows - and get ready for this - a LIVE Elmo's World show.  It even had let's ask a baby, the dancing drawer, and the shade for Mr. Noodle (who just happened to look just like the bartender at the party the night before ;) The crowd helped Elmo pick his Halloween costume and learned about scarecrows. Part two coming soon...

fans

While I sort through the many photos I took on the big camera at Sesame Place, I have one moment to share from the full eight hour day we spent there.  Aiden and I were on our own while Keaton and J took a nap back at the hotel.  Aiden has been on a huge animal show kick (pretty much only wants to watch the Wild Kratts if the tv is on).  I told him Jack Hanna is sorta one of the original Wild Kratts from when I was growing up (not sure how Jack would feel about me comparing him to his younger competition, so I told him that with a hushed voice ;)  

I expected a show, but instead it was meet and greet style.  You could say hi to a few of his animals (they rotated in a bunch of different animals, but we got to meet the Bear Cats up close and personal).  Then you actually had a chance to get an autograph and a photo with Jack Hanna.  I have to admit that I had a fan girl moment (out of nowhere!) and Aiden was genuinely excited.  Jack liked us pulling out our star struck excitement and he even added our names to our autograph cards and asked where we were from.  It was a fun part of the day...

sesame snaps

Oh my, did we have fun at Sesame Place?!  That place is awesomest awesome according to Aiden.  I even brought the big camera, and still managed quite a set on my iphone when the camera was in my bag and I needed a quick snap.  So here are the quick snaps with many more on the way...

fete 2

Cheers and congratulations all around!  The very first friend I made in college - (literally meeting in line to pick up my dorm key and for many semesters we shared the exact same class schedule) - got married this month.  I could not be happier for him!

Here are some more photos from the party in NJ.  I can't resist the photos of those little vested gigglepusses playing hide and seek.

More here:

http://flickr.com/gp/brennans/i4BjQR/

fete

I have more fun photos on my big camera, but here are a few snaps from a great party to celebrate the union of two of my favorite people.  It was also a mini college reunion.  

These little rag tag vested brothers were geared up and ready to go after a quick drive to NJ and plenty of chillaxing time in the hotel.  We headed to the party on beautiful country roads, and arrived at the perfect setting on the perfect night (phew, those anti rain dances worked!). 

KC kept asking where the party face painting was, so he must have thought it was a festive party.  Aiden asked one of my old college friends if he could hear her cackle (she has a great laugh)... But they mostly kept out of trouble and roamed with daddy enjoying the natural playground.  They even found a caterpillar... More photos when we get back from our other fun...

playground

Aiden's school has a great natural playground that he just loves.  The designer of the space was hosting a professional photographer to take photos of kids playing.  This poor woman had her work cut out for her, but here are some of her images she shared with us: