May!

Well, the month of May has involved things like going back to work. :)

As such, I turned around and it was the 31st! The 19 or so pictures below highlight a few of the big happenings around the Cook household including:

1. Jackson deciding he's potty-trained! Suddenly, he just wanted to use the toilet, and we certainly weren't going to stand in his way (ew!). To help reward him, we let him rack up stickers and then get a candy treat. This to was to pass, though, as Jackson decided he didn't want a candy treat, the relief was it's own reward. He's been wearing "real underwear" for weeks now, and holding steady! (The only reason for the quotes around "real underwear" are that they are festooned with Nemo, Blue's Clues, and Spiderman!)
2. Visit to Vegas...Nana had an architecture conference and so we drove out for a long weekend to (we thought) see them. Apparently, the real cause for the trip was grandparent time, which left Jen and I with a night out, a matinee showing of Star Wars III, and lounging poolside. Thanks, Nana and Neddy!
3. Desert (and not-so-desert) life. A new sandbox is about the only thing in the backyard that resembles the desert surrounding our house. :) The crows remind us of our parched perimeter, though. (The crow photo was taken on the way back from Vegas...)

Well, enjoy!

We've enjoyed hearing from those of you who have dropped a line!

A beautiful shot by Jen of Jackson playing under the weeping willow in our backyard. You wouldn't know we were in the middle of the high desert, would you!?! 

Jackson and friend Tyler in the new sandbox! Sand is a totally engaging experience for little kids. They literally needed to be pulled away from it to do something else. 

Check out that (only slightly digitally enhanced) sky! 

A common sight in the Mojave!