A sassypants, an owl, and the stairs

Marnie requested to have pictures taken in her new bedroom. She loves being a big kid in a big bed with blankets she picked herself. Thanks again to Justin's Aunt Tammy and cousin Bridgett for giving Marnie this beautiful bed, and the trundle bed underneath too. She and Britt love having sleepovers in her room and staying up late to talk and giggle together.

Love those cheeks.

She told me, "mom, know what sassy means? It means you have add-uh-tood!"

How adorable is this burrowing owl?! We spent one evening walking around Zanjero Park in Gilbert, following this little beauty from post to post. They're pretty comfortable with people, so this one let us get close enough for the kids to really be excited about it. 

iPhone picture in progress...

Final picture. Owley and the San Tan mountains.

This owl dropped a feather and Britt snatched it right up! I love the spots.

Our new favorite game: Brimhall Ball. (Upside-down skee ball.)

The landing is Griz's favorite place to lounge. He gets sun in the morning, and is always conveniently located halfway from upstairs and halfway from downstairs. 

Pretty Marnie

Handsome Britt

I'm just now noticing the irony of this, but we had been finger painting with pudding, and here he is with clean hands and a pudding-covered face. :)

Afternoon at the moozeewum

Britt had a very enlightening dinosaur obsession this year, and I think we read every book in the prehistoric section of the Snowflake library. We recently had a fun afternoon roaming the AZ Museum of Natural History. Marnie loved it just as much as Britt did. She talked about the "moozeewum" for days.   

Justin! Look out! A pterodactyl is about to eat you!
Funny story: A while ago Britt was playing dinosaurs while Marnie played Polly Pockets. Eventually, as always happens, a rogue pterodactyl flew to Polly Pocket land and "ate" Polly. Marnie exclaimed, "BRITT! Don't do that! You know pteranodons only eat fish!" Haha...the girl knows her stuff.

Marnie said, "AW! Look at this teeny little cutie!" Guess those teeth don't scare her.

Love how Britt is copying Justin's body language here.

Puzzle time!

Marnie and Britt were thrilled at the 10 specks of gold they found in the gold panning river.

I think I see a speck of gold!

Hunting for fossils.

This museum has lots of interesting displays and artifacts.

This mammoth was BIIIIIIG!

The boy who adores theropods. 

This little lady wanted her picture taken with an herbivore, more specifically a ceratopsian, which she often claims to be as she stuffs spinach leaves in her mouth. (Last night, she was the last one at the dinner table, working on her second serving of spinach and snap peas. Finally! Something besides a cheese roll-up or a PB&J sandwich!)

Mighty Tyrannosaurus Rex

Since we were right down the block from Great Grandpa Mel Jones's ball fields, we had to stop and snap a picture of the kids there. Sassy girl and goofy boy. :)