Phoenix 2014

We went to the Challenger Museum of Space. We had high hopes for it, but it wasn't as awesome as we expected it to be.  My kids weren't focused on learning anything, and just wanted to run and play with Aaron and Lacey. And there wasn't anything hands on, like we expected.

 Playing in the pool.

 We like to watch Kitchen Nightmares with Gordon Ramsey. This restaurant was on it. It show cased some crazy owners who didn't listen to anyone and who were rude to customers. BayLea was DYING to try it out. We expected some sort of a show, but the owners were very very nice. We did see a bit of an attitude from the husband, who noticed that I didn't have a spoon for my creme brûlée, and mentioned how he was the only one who could do things right, but other than that, our meal was very good (granted though, we didn't order anything that had been complained about on the show...we had spaghetti, and fettucini alfredo. Both excellent.) Amy chatted with BayLea about her necklace (her manatee necklace) and talked about how they are real animal lovers.

Our desserts were incredible.

Weekend Fun

 We had a very short visit from cousins, Aaron and Lacey…My kids would have loved to have them here a week. BayLea was super sad when they left after a day and a half…  :(

 Aaron got Breccan involved in a new game…we are having a hard time pulling him out of video games right now! LOL

 I wasn't home when the beds were being prepared, but my girl, Bay, knows how to do it! Choccolate, towels, water and a stuffed critter on every bed!

 Basketball…BayLea didn't make any points this week but she played awesome defense again!

 We checked out the new roller rink in town. They all had a great time. I felt almost like a super star with people who remembered me from Rainbow Roller Rink came up and talked to me! One lady came up out of the blue, and I don't know who she was, and told me that she liked my roller rink better! Ha. Wasn't mine! But I guess I halfway lived there...

 Jill skated, as well as both Aaron and Lacey, BayLea and Breccan.

 Breccan was actually there for a birthday party, and he racked in the tickets to get those very awesome worthless pieces of plastic prizes! LOL

 We also went to a Jam Session. Dad hasn't played for a long time and I know he had a blast. Chris is here, being Chris…staring at dad.

 My sweet friend, Susan…singing extraordianaire, kindermusic wonder-teacher, and super sweet person.

 And this is her nice hubby, who was smiling at her right here.

Then, Taryn, Chris's daughter, tells me she is going to sing the 'cup' song up there. I told her "BayLea sang that at a talent show at school last year." Taryn says "She knows the words??? I'm going to go get her and she can do it with me". Jery and I both said, "well, she probably won't do it, but you can try." Next thing I know, she is up there. You could just BARELY hear her, and probably only Jery and I could hear her since we know her voice so well, but I was so very proud of her for doing it. I told her every time she does that, it will get easier!!! And frankly, a jam session where she doesn't know anyone would be the best place to practice, as all these older people are sooooooo supportive of things like this.

Then when it was dad's turn to sing again, Chris set up his mike for him….guess he forgot that dad is only 6'2" and not 6'8".

Fun weekend!!!

 This monster was outside our hotel. It was HUGE!

 We had a fun time at the water park...Big Surf.

 Breccan managed to 'catch a wave' and rode it almost all the way to the shallow part of the wave pool. After the wave receded, we were like "WHERE'S BRECCAN!" and finally found him in the shallow end!

 I love the Saguaro cactus, and we had to get pictures by one!

 We stopped to eat at this little diner and after looking at the stuff on the walls, the worker told us how this little cafe was the meeting place of the imagination team that put together the movie Cars. This little town played a big part in that movie, with many buildings being replicated for the movie, the owner of this cafe is the model for one of the statues in the movie, and the Cozy Cone Motel was modeled after the Wigwam Hotel.

 'MATER!

 We drove forever to see the Four Corners on the way home, and the kids were a bit underwhelmed. Not really a lot to see! They were like "ok, let's go shop!"