Arizona Flashback

Here are a few pictures then and now of Brooklyn, Jace and I from almost three years ago and then now.

This is Brooklyn at 8 months and then now at 3. She wore her ASU cheerleading outfit to both games (supplied by Uncle Eric - THANKS!)

Here is Brooklyn, Jace (in my belly) and I at our hotel before the game almost 3 years ago and then here is us now with one of our favorite little cousins Adelle.

What a difference a few years can make! Our last trip to Arizona was for Thanksgiving, it was a great trip. This trip was just for fun and it was equally as fun although a few family members were left behind :)

Just for kicks

kicking cousins!

Doin' the Ride Thing

Brooklyn has been catching a ride with Jace whenever he rides his tricyle or her scooter around the house. This irritates Jace greatly. I think I know who will be a future carpooler!

Next stop....Mount Everest

Jace is definitely quite the climber these days...he finally mastered this climber at the park and he was so proud. He did it over and over and over again. It is so fun to see the growth in him. I think he took this courage to his crib when he decided to jump out of it for the first time.

D*&%M Chair!!!

I am not sure exactly WHY he wanted to go through the chair this way to go up the slide but he came up with this idea himself so I let it play out.....poor guy, he ended up very frusturated. Sorry little man, you must have thought you were smaller than you are and it would be easier to get through the chair obstacle course! Maybe next time, or just omit the chair all together, as the slide does have steps...just a thought ;)

It's in the can

ahhh...the joys of delegating!

Clean up song

It is nice to see Brooklyn using the same strategy I use with her to clean up to encourage her baby brother..

Luau Anyone?

Someone put the pig in the ground and bring out the dancing girls....she is ready! Brooklyn loves this outfit, she has asked me constantly if she can wear it....I don't think she even knows what Hawaii is but I do know she represents it well :)

P.S. Thank you Auntie Darla for bringing this adorable outfit back for Brooklyn!

Get your cone on!

What a big and happy girl eating her first ever ice cream cone! How cute is that face? Too cute, I know!

Adelle Turns 4!

I can't believe this little sweetheart is already 4, time flies watching these little munchkins grow up. Here are a few pictures from Adelle's Birthday Celebrations. A true diva, she had multiple celebrations :)

Giving her cake a little birthday poke!

Hat man! He was obsessed with these hats. Brooklyn did the same thing a year ago at Addysin's bday party!
Cousins and friends!

Bounce, bounce, bounce

Score - 2 girls and 2 boys = 4 cuties!

Such a serious Buzz Lightyear

Adelle and all of her birthday loot!

Cousins eating together

Cake time

How I love thee...

I love everything about these two....everything. But some of the things that I love that they are doing right now is:

• I love how Jace makes the sound affect of a yawn when he yawns


• I love the way Brooklyn says "Why not" when I tell her no...I love the way her mind thinks and she challenges me for a reason, a really good reason at that.


• I love the way Jace grits his teeth when he comes over to give me a kiss.


• I love the way Brooklyn pats my back when I hug her.


• I love how Jace goes and sits at the table when he is hungry, he is so subtle.


• I love how Brooklyn puts her hand on her chest and says "Brooklyn" when she refers to herself - example "and Brooklyn goes too"


• I love how Jace puts his hands behind his head when he sleeps, he constantly looks like he is kicking back with no care in the world.


• I love how Brooklyn gives Jace such a hard time but is always so concerned about where he is, she really does love him and protects him.


• I love when Jace sings in his crib in the middle of the night - especially when he puts himself back to sleep.
• I love how Brooklyn thinks mixing water in multiple bowls and cups is "cooking"


• I love how Jace says "tickle, tickle, tickle" and tickles himself.


• I love that Brooklyn always asks me "can i give them a hug" whenever I tell her we are going to see one of her friends or family.


• I love how grumpy Jace is when he wakes up from a nap and he kicks his legs because he is frusturated. It is so out of character for him that it makes me laugh.


• I love that Brooklyn really thinks Roxy (our dog) loves to dance with her.


• I love when Jace touches my toenails and admires them when they are painted.


• I love how Brooklyn says "OH MY GOSH" and "That is SOOOOO cute" - when she says it I hear me.


• I love both of their faces when I pick them up at Irene's, it is easily the best part of my day coming home to them.


• I love how they like to snuggle up next to each other in bed to watch movies. It is the sweetest thing in the world snuggling with both of them. They fight over who is going to sit closest to me, I act like it bugs me but secretly I love it :) :)

Performing Duo

Friends Reunited

THE GANGS ALL HERE!! I remember vividly not too long ago these "babies" were Brooklyn's crew and she would not do anything without them...eat, sleep, car ride, bath...they were all there! Pablo and Austin were her first two companions when she was about 15 months old and instantly the three amigos were unseparable. But as time went by, the Backyardigans welcomed many other friends (or third wheels as they would say) to their little group....Yo Gabba Gabba friends, Mickey Mouse clubhouse friends, princess friends. In the last few months Brooklyn has formed attachment to other items and these "babies" have all been on the sidelines waiting to get back into her circle....well, the other night she stopped at the stairs and said "Wait Mommy, I need babies" and she ran into the playroom and grabbed her old friends to go to bed with her. A little Backyardigan sleepover was the result.

Sibling Rivalry

A few things can be realized after watching this video: It is not always sharing and caring in the Martinez house and most importantly to Jace, the little guy DOES win sometimes!