Halloween 2009

Purchase this delectable combo meal "to-go" for a very reasonable price!

Coombs Annual Halloween Party

Pumpkin Carving at Papa and Nana's

Halloween Night: After trick-or-treating through the neighborhood Grandma and Grandpa and Vess and Curtis came over for Chili Bowls (G's recipe of course).

But the most DELICIOUS treat of all was brand new BABY OLIVER!

Sam and Alison's Wedding

AUGUST 21st 2009 Sammy got married! He somehow nabbed Alison who is adorable (as you can see), endlessly nice, makes the best chocolate chip cookies ever and has been deemed the child whisperer (seriously, she is incredible with kids). He definitely has a keeper!

The Sibs: 3 marriages down, 2 grandchildren and one grandchild minutes away. Vanessa was one very prego trooper!

The Venue: Villa Sienna

Never a dull moment with my cousins Katie and Lauren. Wish I had photos of all the great family that came out for the wedding, so great to catch up with everyone!

Gracie and her uncle "Bingo" doing what they do best together; giving me ulcers.

The whole Nielsen Crew

Welcome to the Family Alison!

Summer 2009

Excuses, Excuses, Excuses...

Okay, here it is:

I am pregnant and feeling crummy (nonetheless hiding it for 12 wks)

We moved from Maricopa to Gilbert

My brother got Married

Parker started Kindergarten

Both my kids had b-days

Kirk started ASU's MBA program

So yes, I was busy and tired and I bailed on the blog!

A QUICK RECAP OF SUMMER WILL HAVE TO SUFFICE

TUKEE GIRLS

All my BFF's (except Bethany, we missed you) from H.S. together again - hasn't been pulled off in years. We were in the hot tub till early morning, lots of great laughs and stories. Oh what a night!

BACK TO SCHOOL

Parker started 1/2 day Kindergarten! Notice the "classy" outfit - when your child's b-day is on the first day of school how can you say no to their favorite spiderman shirt. Picture day, however, mom is taking back dictatorship.

BIRTHDAY TIME
Sadly, this is probably the last year I can get away trying to celebrate the kids birthdays together. Parker turned 5 and Gracie 3. No babies in our house anymore.

Parker's new obsession: Dinosaurs

Gracie finally got some new dolls, barbies, etc that are not filthy, naked or broken. Fingers crossed she will take better care of her new toy collection.

OUR FIRST GARDEN
One of the best experiences we had this summer was having a garden plot at a farm. We spent Saturdays seeding, weeding and picking fruit all summer.

Zuchinni, tomatoes, bell peppers, cantaloupe and watermelon. I like to think I might have a green thumb??

Did I mention it was Dirty?

LP 2009

My little stud!

Parker stole the spotlight everyday with his big ski run. I noticed that I didn't end up getting one pic of Kirk or I wakeboarding, this was so much better. This is the part of parenting that I love!

Taken just moments before we were ravaged by a storm in the middle of the channel. It was crazy, there were several boats that sank that day. All part of the adventure, right?

Kris and I playing around before a serious white-knuckled tube run with the boys.
Grandpa and Gracie rockin their shades

It feels a lot higher than it looks...

BANANA BOAT GIRLS!

Baby girl can't get enough of the jet ski!

FAREWELL TO COPA

Leaving your first home is bittersweet....

It is bitter because we will never put in as much energy, time or personal manpower to any other home. I found a love for decorating and Kirk learned he was pretty handy. We will always have a little bit of pride in our first big labor of love.

The sweet part is that we love being in Gilbert. It is perfect for us right now.

We really miss all our great friends in Maricopa and are happy to be close enough to come around and visit!

Father & Sons 2009

24 hours free of belches, ESPN, Parker's nightmares, Transformers and anything else male related.

I am really digging this whole Father & Sons thing!

Preschool Graduation 2009

Our little man has graduated from Preschool! We will really miss all the poems and songs he has learned and is teaching Mom and Gracie. He has learned so much and was the best cleaner in the whole Preschool (he will jump through hoops to get a gold star at the end of the day).

Kindergarten here we come!

What Parker is thankful for... (what he told his teachers verbatim)
Indiana Jones
playing baseball
Transformers show
water balloons
Mcdonald's
getting myself dressed
my whole bed
break the ice game
my mom making me chicken nuggets
digging holes
going to grandma and grandpas

Speaking of learning...
Parker overheard me tell Kirk I wanted to make Zuchini bread. So the P-man decided to surprise me and made it himself (as you can see above). Love watching how his little mind works!

VIVA LA MEXICO

We spent Spring Break with a little fun in the sun. FUN being the key word! Hands down best trip with our kids - I don't think they ever fussed and they played so hard that they were putting themselves to sleep at night. Santo Tomas you did us good!

One evening millions of fish were spawning all over the shore line (pretty rare thing to see). A little boys dream come true.

The Pad

Mad and I showed up with the same new suit from The Rack. Think she might be my twin...just born 6 years late.

Parker and Asher proving their manhood by picking up the spawning fish.

My Girls

BFF's for over 15 years. Big 10 year Reunion in May - YIKES!

Kayaking with the Fam. Kirk and Parker were able to Kayak with dolphins playing all around them later that day. It was the boys' highlight.

Parker and Grandpa patroled the beaches finding crashed airplanes, beached seals, eels and whales along the way. Parker couldn't get enough!

Parker and his bud Asher flying a kite. The boys were inseparable.

Piglet and I searching the tide pools for shells.

Beach Golf

Grace and her Uncle J chillin

Bub bye Santo Tomas. Miss you already.....