Lansing Science Center

Our Arizona Science Center museum pass has been a great investment.  We have used it to get into museums all over the country in California, Utah, Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan and of course Arizona.  We recently took a trip to Lansing for a service project and stopped at the science center there for a couple hours of fun.  I'd like to think that my kids are going to be geniuses because of the exposure that they've had to these various learning opportunities but in all actuality it's just another playground to them!  My favorite was the bubble room!

Funny Comment

Carter:  "Mom, the people in China must be the most talented because they make most everything." 

The Train Park

It's really too sad that we didn't discover this park while we lived in Arizona. I had heard of it but we had never been there. So sad because it really is a great park. I think we spent at least 4 hours there. We had a picnic, played on the playground, climbed on the train cars, rode the train and carousel and ate ice cream cones. All in a days work!

The lady working the concession stand commented that it was too cold to eat ice-cream... it was in the high 60's, so funny. And really, is it ever too cold to eat ice cream??

I Heart AZ...

When we got to AZ last month it was in the 70's, it was borderline hot. I LOVED it! We flew into Tucson and were able to visit some great friends from medical school. We went hiking (term used VERY loosely... we had 6 small kids with us) at Sabino Canyon, a favorite hot spot from our Tucson days.

Mostly the kids enjoyed playing in the creek. There wasn't a whole lot of mileage gained on our "hike."

Later on we went to the ostrich farm at Picacho Peak. That place is some serious fun, all at the tune of 5 bucks. We fed the deer, goats, mules, ostrich and lorakeets. I am a terrible mom because I got my kicks out of coercing Carter and Gage feed the ostrich. Carter had memories of being bit by an ostrich the last time we were there. I think he was over it and had geared up to feed them again when Gage got bit! They don't have teeth and don't bite hard but it's enough to scare the bujeebees out of you (I'm pretty sure that's a real word). I will admit that I didn't feed them but definitely got some great laughs out of watching my boys do it.

Carter and Credence, one of his best friends ever.

Gage's VERY sad, "I just got bit by an ostrich" face.

Look at those hungry ostrich... they look MEAN!

The Lorakeets are my VERY favorite. They're so pretty and they land right on you and eat the nectar right out of your hand. Soooo much fun!

I'm not sure why I put this picture in here. Should I die tomorrow this is certainly not the picture I would want to be remembered by!

I'm not sure what Cam would have done had he caught the bird.

Carter thought it was pretty great...

and his facial expressions killed me!

Gage, he was okay with it for about 7 seconds and then he wanted that bird OFF of him.

(This was a coerced grin.)

*Note the flip-flops, shorts, sunshine and SMILES... I love AZ!

Do you know CPR...

...Crazy People Running that is! Last weekend I ran the Ragnar Relay Del Sol with 11 of them! A 204 mile relay race in Arizona from Prescott to Tempe. We had a team of 12 runners in 2 vans who took turns running continuously for 30 hours. Each runner ran 3 legs so it was Run. Drive. Sleep? Repeat! Our team was Crazy People Running (CPR) It was crazy, it was fun, it was exhausting. It was a freaking awesome time! We drove, we ran, we cheered, we slept... not really, and we laughed A LOT. Everything is funnier when you're tired! My good friend Julie put the team together and she was the only one I knew. I was a last minute fill in for someone who got injured while training but I couldn't have chosen a better group of people to run with. I would love to put together a team to run the Ragnar DC this Fall, any takers??

Running my 3rd (and final) leg of the race

Just after finishing my last leg... I'm still smiling!

Sporting our sweet reflective vests. After someone was hit by a car in the Vegas relay last year all runners were required to wear reflective vests from dusk to dawn. Unfortunately another runner was hit this year during our race when he stepped out in the road right in front of a car. Such a tragedy, our heart goes out to his family and loved ones.

More COWBELL!!! It is amazing how motivating a ding a ling a ling from a cowbell can be!

At the finish line with the whole team (and my moosejaw flag - Love the Madness!).

Julie and I sporting our CR-AZY hair and our sa-weet medals... we were crazy people running after all!!

Gage's Birthday Roundup

Our little Goob turned 4 and we celebrated cowboy style. It may have been a mistake to have his birthday in conjunction with our trip to Arizona because both he and Carter are making plans for their birthdays next year... in Arizona! They get awfully spoiled!

In my attempt to pack light I soon realized that I wasn't going to have room to take all of our cowboy getups with us so they were left behind with the exception of 3 little cowboy (or semi-cowboyish) shirts for three cute little cowboys. When Gage found out we didn't bring his cowboy boots with us he sported the saddest little frown I have ever seen. On the verge of tears he said, "I don't have my cowboy boots? We have to cancel my birthday!" The little stink knows what he wants and he knows how to get it. Seriously though his boots were TWO sizes too small but he would still wedge his foot in those little things. It's a good thing Walmart bailed me out and I was able to find a new pair for $8. And thanks to some awesome cousins who had some cowboy hats for my yayhoos to wear. Man alive, I never knew a cowboy outfit was such an imperative part of a cowboy birthday!

Our February party at the park almost got rained out but the rain finally stopped about 30 minutes prior to go time but since Arizonans are little pansies when it comes to being out in the cold (myself included) we had our cowboy grub inside then headed to the park for the pinata (Gage's #1 birthday request) and a little outdoor fun.

We told Gage to make a wish, so he says, "I wish..." but before he could say anything else Carter shouts, "NO! Don't say it out loud! You have to make the wish in your head!"

Aunt Janet surprised us all and showed up to the party when she should have been sleeping (she works nights). She came in with her Indian feather, gave the kids squirt guns and started a game of cowboys and indians. The kids were in heaven! Sooo much fun!

I have the best family in the WHOLE world! The cousins:

Gage's girlfriend, Rylee, came to party with us. It was sooo fun to see the Cole's! Gage picked up right where he left off a year and a half ago and grabbed her hand on the way to the park. Too Cute!

Happy Birthday Goob! You are one terrific kid!! Your big smile lights up a room. You may be one obstinate little turkey but your cuddles and hugs melt my heart. You have a little temper not to reckon with but you are super helpful when it's on your terms. You make me smile and laugh (especially when you're being naughty and I ought not to) every single day!

I love you to infinity and beyond!

I hope this year is the best yet...

but I really wish you'd stay small forever!!