Have You Ever Seen an Espanoza Fish?

I had the pleasure of observing the rare Espanoza fish in its natural habitat and wanted to share this unique experience with you!

Not only are the weeds in bloom....

...so are my flowers!! The irises, alovera, and poppies have all started to bloom.

The trees are leafing out and the holleyhocks look like they are going to be huge this year!

I love spring!!

Easter

Danae was beautiful in her Easter dress, well, she's beautiful all the time! Michael's boss Nita bought this dress for her a couple months ago and told him it was for Easter, and it made such an adorable Easter dress for church!

We all went to Williams and went to church with my parents. We had lunch there and Jason, Heather, Micah, Weston and Rylee joined us. It was good just to relax and enjoy visiting.

The older I get, and now having a child, I have always wondered how things like Santa Clause and the Easter Bunny made their way into Christmas and Easter. I have always known the true meaning of these holidays, but I know I got caught up in the 'side tracks' of these special days. My Sister-in-Law Heather always has such good ideas for making the reason for the day shine through while still letting the kids enjoy the fun with these whimsical characters. I admire that so much and want to follow her lead on a lot of those ideas (hope you don't mind!)

Danae has mastered the 'raspberry' and now incorporates various babbling and humming with the raspberry for a musical treat. She also can sit 'up' (more like lean forward in froggie fashion) for short periods of time by herself. Yesterday, Nanny Judy told us she rolled from her back to her tummy...I'm still waiting for her to show Mommy and Daddy that one.

How She Loves Razzzzzpberries

Danae just learned how to blow raspberries and she thinks it is the funnest thing. I have to admit, it is pretty darn cute! She usually wakes up happy and now she wakes up happy and blowing raspberries! The first day she figured it out she blew raspberries...with food, at Nanny Judy. She is getting more animated with her excitement when mommy or daddy come home. She has even started to play the flirtatious shy game by smiling and then hiding her face in my shoulder when daddy, or other men, say hi to her.

This girl makes me so happy!

I LOVE this Mommy gig!

Danae is on the verge of sitting. She certainly is going to have an appreciation for food. We have recently given her avacado and strawberries with pears (part of my baby food making venture with my friend Ahna). She loves these two "dishes". I can't get the spoon filled up and in her mouth again quick enough! She leans into the spoon and she makes happy noises when she gets it in her mouth. I get a kick out of it each time I feed her.

Her friend Jack is really starting to take notice that there is another little person around when Ahna amd I get together. This last time Jack was facinated with touching her. Danae hasn't quite developed to that stage yet, but they should be playing together soon!!

Can you say "Daddy's Girl"!

Almost 20 Weeks Old!!

Danae is just about 20 weeks old and as adorable as can be!! She has started sticking her tongue out when she smiles and it is so darn cute!! She has also found her toes.

Enjoying the yummy mushed up squash.....

Marilyn, Carrie and Koebe came out for spring break.

We all went to Out of Africa. We fed the giraffe, watched the tigers & bears swim and watched the funny monkey things who "like to move it, move it". (its a Madegascar thing) Each time we go there is something new.

Michael filmed a snipet for the travel/food channel with Andrew Zimmerman of the show "Bizzar Foods"

Big Red meets T-Bone

Last week we had the horses in the St Patrick's Day Parade for the police department. We were staged next to the Arizona Cardinals entry. Big Red, the cardinal, started messing with the horses a little (with our permission). The horses didn't mind him, it was a great opportunity for some sensory training. Then I let Big Red get on T-Bone, again, T-Bone didn't mind one bit having a large red feathery thing climb up on him...all he was worried about was if anyone had any food for him. Go figure!