once upon a time

I'll never forget listening to Grandpa tell Jack a story about three little bears. I wish...

happy birthday, Aaron

We celebrated Brazey's birthday at my favorite celebration spot: Agua Caliente Park.


There's the boys around the Thomas the Tank Engine cake, with Brianna the neighbor, and in the shadows are Dakota, Rumur, and Xander.


I made Jack throw his mudball far away from the cake.


Mama Dee was there. And childhood friend Doreen with her husband Chris (Xander and Rumur are their children. Xander was born the very same day Jack was.)


Lifetime friend Ana was there with her son Alexandar. Alexandar was undoubtedly the Rock Star of the party.


Good cake.


Mom says when we were kids Doreen and Ana spent by far the most time at our house out of all our friends.


I'm so very grateful to have them in my life.


And to have my sister in my life. Nobody makes me laugh like my sister. It wasn't my birthday, but it felt like my party, surrounded as I was by the people I love.


funny hat #1


funny hat #2


Ball. Mimi. That's Stephanie behind Aaron. She's a good friend to Mandy, and Dakota and Trey's mom.


The Rapscallions: Evan, Jack, Xander, Rumur, Dakota.


Good Party. I love you, two year old boy. I'll always be your Mimi.

day at the park

satellite


mine


haircut


more fun with your eyes closed


serious


brothers


tongue


This is the aftermath to a conversation Evan had with the little girl getting off the slide. Previously she'd said to him, "You can't be my best friend, guys." To which Evan replied, "Of course not. We don't even know who you are."

snowy sunday

We gathered at the McDonald's at the base of the mountain. The bundled boys piled into the CRV and the mamas and Brazey went to WalMart and then went home to make chili and take a nap.


Jack's portrait of Evan on the way up.


Jack's portrait of himself.


Jack sliding down the slope on his saucer sled.


Evan, same.


Yeah, it's cold. And wet.


But the sun's out


and you got your sled on.


Or you could just roll yourself down the mountain. In the movies if you did that you'd be a big snowball and roll all the way into town.


Fire in the hole!


The Most Awesome Snowman on Mt. Lemmon. Other people took pictures of themselves with it.


Like this dork.


At the lookout, after the fun.


Sorry I missed it.

Fourth Avenue Street Fair

It rained on the Street Fair, but we still went to see our neighbor Carolyn dance. Dave and Jack had their hats on and their hoods raised.


Michelle had her umbrella. We had one, too, but it wasn't raining that hard. And the holiday cheer kept us warm.


David and Michelle chatted. Jack watched the whole show from start to finish without complaining.


Carolyn didn't tap dance onto the stage until the last performance, but look how rosy and professional she is! That's her in the back on the left


Again, Carolyn on the left. She was Jack's age when we moved to this neighborhood. I'd watch her put on a show on a big rock in the front yard. She had a special dance choreographed to the different rhythms and tones of a local car alarm. It was awesome.

Downtown Parade of Lights

Kicked off with the tree lighting at the downtown library. We sang carols and met Gabriel's Angels, a group of therapy dogs.


I brought snacks. That was smart. Amongst all the kids there we polished off all six bags.


Every time we're at the downtown library the boys try to climb the giant apostrophes (or commas, or whatever they are). They haven't yet ascended the summit, but I bet the next time we're there they'll succeed.


I got all excited about the NPR StoryCorp Airstream. I wanted to go inside but what would I say?


Curbside seating. We shared our snacks with that little girl in the background.


All of us curbside. Daryl, David, Xander and his friends Isaiah and Abraham?, Jack's hidden behind Ana and Aurora, Evan, Aaron, Brock, and Bin.


The parade begins and the Tuckers are on their feet. It's too much fun to sit curbside!


Aaron's favorites were the Big Trucks.


Bin's favorites were the dog rescue groups.


My favorites were the Virgins.


Here's little Juan Diego.


There they go. So festive.


We also liked this funny man on a tiny bike. He did light tricks.


Didn't know Jack's school sponsored a float. Jack waved at some of the riders and called them by name.


Aaron also liked the Cool Bus...


and the Big Boys loved the Stormtroopers of the Dune Sea Garrison. They were a big surprise and thrilling for all of us.


That's Vader behind the troopers. He was huge.


Unknown Jedi. Unknown to me, anyway.


Overfed Boba Fett.


See the joy?


Didn't catch the name of this group of marchers, but they were blind and marched with lighted canes.


Beagle Rescue. One of Bin's favorites.


My favorite.


Brazey's last favorite.