Arizona Adventures Part 2

When we were in Arizona two years ago, we visited the zoo. The girls really wanted to go back again this time. It was one of the first trips we made after our arrival. It was a hot day so we headed out early. The girls were well coated in sunscreen and wore their new sun hats.

They both loved looking at the maps. With the hats on they looked like the were heading out on safari.

Checking out the flamingos.

Looking at the leopards.

The three orangutans.

It was pretty hot so we took breaks in the shade to eat snacks.


Aunt Andrea and Alexa heading back from looking at some animals.

Chloe zooming off to see more animals.

Arizona Adventures

It has been a rather crazy couple of weeks. Last week the girls and I traveled to Arizona to visit my sister Andrea and her husband Ryan. We had a great time invading their house. It has taken me a while to catch up from the trip and have a chance to post the pictures. I will try to break it in to stages so you can see some of our adventures in no particular order.

One of our stops was to visit the Lava Tube near Flagstaff, Arizona. This is a tube of lava that formed from an erupting volcano something like 800,000 years ago. The tube extends about 3/4 of a mile. You need to bring flashlights as you are exploring a tunnel under ground. I wasn't too sure how this was going to go as Alexa was not sure she liked the idea of this adventure. We headed out though and Andrea and Ryan were able to gather headlamps for everyone.

Alexa looked great outfitted in her headlamp but took one look at the cave...

and decided this was not for her. Chloe made it down to just passed the mouth of the cave, but opted not to go either.

in the end Andrea and Ryan explored the cave and I stayed up top with the girls. They happily passed the time building fairy houses.

Alexa enjoyed climbing around on an old log,

and Chloe collected lava rocks.

It was warm and sunny and I think we were all just enjoying the woods.

Spring Swing

Look it is 5:30Pm still light out and no snow, no coat, OK well there are mud boots, but these are the signs of spring

A Horse is a Horse

The girls asked Santa to bring them some sit on ponies. Santa left them a note explaining that they wouldn't fit in the sled. He left some pogo sticks instead. Grammie Sharon came to visit this weekend and brought these...

Apparently Grammy doesn't have the same rules as Santa. They are enjoying them immensely. Here they put on their princess dresses and were riding to the Ball.

We May Have Made It

We may have actually made it through the winter. Today was warm enough to put Alexa's tomato plants out on the deck.

I then was able to rake the leaves off of my brave crocuses.

Don't they just make you smile? I uncovered the guys in the backyard too.

It is so hard to believe that they can still be popping up after a winter where the snow was so high it covered the swings.

There is still some left... but with warm weather forecast over the next few days it is fading fast!

Art Arrival

A few weeks back Alexa created a picture. I scanned this picture and sent it off to my friend Jason. He has been diligently working to recreate this art piece as a mosaic for Alexa. Well, today, it arrived.

She is so excited to have it. We were looking at all the details, and I mentioned to Alexa that Jason said this piece was a real challenge for him. She said, "Aw, I should have made it easier so it wasn't so hard for him to do."

I told her I didn't think Jason minded because I made him try out some new things and learn to do more tricky things.

She smiled at me and said, "I did it! I made him smarter!" Thanks Jason. It is amazing, and she is trying to decide where she wants to hang it in her room.

The Memo Board

This is my refrigerator. There is nothing exciting in any way about this except, maybe, the amount of stuff on the door. I don't mind. In fact, I encourage it. The freezer is where I keep all my favorite quotes that have motivated me and nurtured me through some tough times. The newest feature on the door is the memo board. I ordered it in a fundraiser from Chloe's school. They have this fundraiser that they have done for two years now where they have your child draw a picture, and then you can buy things with their arts on it. A total suckers way to make money. I have a hard time saying no to things with my child's art on it. So this year a I bought a memo board. I thought it would come in handy to jot down the odd item that I need to pick up from the store each week. It has worked quite well. Alexa has really gotten into it. To the degree that I taped a copy of the alphabet above it so that when she asks me how to spell things for her to write up there, she will remember how to shape the letters. She has added things such as yogurt squeezers, pumpkin bread, and watermelon. Chloe hasn't paid much attention to the memo board. Well, until this week that is. I headed into the kitchen yesterday when I got home from work and noticed this...

Alexa had written the fruit punch up on Wednesday. Chloe has since added the vanilla ice cream, candy bars, cholot (chocolate) bunnys, and coco crisp now imiditly! (immediately).

Well, a kid can dream I guess.