The Haynes Family: Vacation Part 2: "Tuc-son"

Tuc-son is what Emma calls it, but part 2 of our vacation was spent in Tucson, AZ to visit our good friends, the Thompsons. Above, Emma and Ethan...

We always say that Emma will marry one of the Thompson boys...we don't care which one. They're all precious. I was interested to see if she had a special bond with one in particular. (The last visit, Ethan seemed to have won her heart). Above...looks like they are still pretty sweet to each other. :)

Our whole gang at the Desert Museum.

Ang and Nielle.

I think Angie needs to crop our kids out of this photo and use it as her Christmas card. All her boys are posing perfectly!!! My Mr. Tomato face was so proud to wear his new tennis shoes. :)

Uh, oh, wait a minute. Now Emma is holding Levi's hand.

Our Little Rascals (minus one) eating a snack so everyone stays happy in the hot outdoors.

The kiddos.

Emma with Lucas. Awww...

My boy.

Tucson had been getting a lot of rain lately, so the cacti had these gorgeous flowers on them. :)

Emma trying on bat ears at the museum.

Pool time!!! We hit the pool a lot while we were there. It was so refreshing to cool off at the end of a hot day.

Emma borrowed Lucas' goggles...HILARIOUS!!!!

Ethan and Levi being tossed by Adam and Greg...

After a good swim, Caleb decided he'd rather sunbathe and dip one foot in the water. He stayed so still for the longest time...

Caleb may take after Levi--liking to dress up. "Mr. Flair" loved to wear whatever was lying around.

Another pretty cactus w/ flowers.

At the zoo, we got to feed giraffes. Caleb hung onto me for dear life, and was not interested in the humongous head that was approaching him...

...Emma fed them, but the debate is still out as to whether or not it was an enjoyable experience for her or not.

Levi's 5th "Big Cat" birthday party!!! I just love how he's got his arm around Caleb and they're smiling like they are BFFs. Too cute.

"Dr. C."
This is what everyone called Caleb. He loved wearing a doctor's stethoscope around his neck all week.

Emma and Levi.
Their bond definitely grew on this trip...Levi has a passion for animals and dress up...both of which Emma can greatly appreciate...AND...

...Levi did her nails. (please enlarge photo). Paw print stickers!!! What more could a girl ask for?!?!? ha You should have seen her trying to eat her snack with them on. It's like when you buy a cheap set of fake nails and after putting them on, you're so afraid to touch anything because you're afraid one will pop off if you use your hands...

Balloons.
Kids love 'em. But by the end of the night, Angie and I were so ready to pop every single one. And we did. All we heard all afternoon was:
"He's got mine!"
"What color did he have?"
(and hearing this one 1,000 times after one would float up to the extremely high ceiling) "Oh no!!! Mommy! Daddy!!! Can you get that for me?"