The kids were on TV!

A friend of mine works for Macy's, and she needed some models for the opening of the new San Tan Village store. She asked my kids to model some outfits for the grand opening, where Channel 3 news was going to be filming. They asked the kids to play around on the play equipment until they called them over for the last segment, where they were going to pose them and ask them a few questions. Unfortunately, the last segment got cut, but there is still some video of them playing around on the play equipment. For those of you that missed the news on Friday morning, here's the link to the segment. Sorry, I couldn't put the video up here--I tried!

http://www.azfamily.com/video/gmaz-index.html?nvid=343979&shu=1

Our Tucson Adventure

For spring break, we decided to take the kids to Tucson for a few days. It was a perfect time to visit my grandparents, Grandpa Melvin & Grandma Emily, and a good excuse to sneak in a few fun excursions as well. Our first stop was Picacho Peak. Connor had been learning about Picacho Peak in social studies, so it was perfect timing. We climbed the Calloway Trail, which is the trail that runs between Picacho and Buglers Peaks. It was a fun little hike, and just enough for all the kids to enjoy without tiring them out too much. Then we rested at a picnic ramada and ate lunch.

While we were there, the kids became Junior Rangers. It's a cool program that the Arizona State Parks does, and the kids had a blast with it. They had to be "sworn in" and even got a ranger badge.

After Picacho Peak, it was off to visit Grandpa Melvin & Grandma Emily. Unfortunately, I forgot my camera for that one... Luckily, Antie Andie remembered hers. Andrea, do you have some pictures for me? :-) It was a fun visit with Grandma & Grandpa, and we even got to see Grandpa Todd, Uncle Kent, Aunt Colleen, Uncle Dave and Aunt Rena, too. It was a lot of fun to visit with everyone, and the kids had a blast in the backyard.

Then we checked in to the hotel--and for the kids, I think the hotel was the highlight of the trip. They got to go swimming and watch TV--two things they NEVER get to do at home!

The next day we went to the Arizona Sonoran Desert Museum. The kids had a lot of fun there, too. They got to go through a "cave" and look at rocks and minerals and came out in a "mining dump" where they got to look for cool minerals. They even got to take one home. And, of course, they all picked pyrite, and you can't convince them it's not real gold! They also enjoyed seeing some amazing animals, although some of our favorites weren't out. We did enjoy watching the coyotes, wolves, and beavers most, though.

Right along the same road as the ASDM, there is a very cool museum called the International Wildlife Museum. That was our next stop, and was it ever cool! Thanks, Charlotte, for telling us all about it. This museum is a huge collection of taxidermied (is that a word?) animals. It's amazing! We saw wolves, polar bears, lions, tigers, giraffes, hippos--you name it! Any animal you can think of is in this museum. We even saw a panda bear specimen that was over 100 years old. There were some incredible animals that we never would have believed existed. And they had a deer and antelope wall that would make Grandpa Zeke drool! The kids liked this muskox. He was pretty cool. They also enjoyed the sea otters, the grizzly and polar bears, the jaguars, and the Arizona room. Tatum was pretty terrified of alot of the animals. She wasn't coming anywhere near the huge gator sprawled across the Africa room.

The last day of our trip, we visited Colossal Cave. It had been at least 10 years since Justin and I had visited Colossal Cave, and although I remember liking it alot last time we went, this time I was terrified. Something about the long drops on either sides of the path, and my kids walking single file along these precarious pearches, made me sweat and shake! I was glad when that adventure was over. The kids and Justin, of course, had a great time. They didn't even notice Mom in the background freaking out.

We learned some of the history of the cave, heard the famous train robbers legend, and got to see some beautiful cave formations. Although people have destroyed much of the cave's beauty, there is still quite a bit to enjoy. This picture is of the kids standing in front of one of the cave formations they call "Bone Crusher." I guess the formation is low enough that too many people have cracked their heads on it! I'm glad we took the kids to see Colossal Cave--but I'm not anxious to return any time soon.

All in all, I'd say it was a successful trip. Lots of fun, and minimal fighting--that's what makes a great vacation, right?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, RYLEE!

Rylee's birthday was Thursday, and we can't believe she's already 8 years old! She's been asking for me to teach her to sew, and since we thought that would be a great hobby for her, we decided to get her her own sewing machine for her birthday. She was thrilled, as you can see. She also got a sewing basket, with all the little notions she'll need for her projects, from Grandma Greta and Pardner. She's all set to start a project--and with spring break here, it was perfect timing.

Anyone who knows Rylee, knows that she LOVES to read. So she was really excited when Grandma Kathryn and Grandpa Brant gave her some books from her favorite series, The Sisters Grimm. She hasn't put those books down, and has already read 2 of them since she got them... and they are over 300 pages each! She's also saving for another American Girl doll. This time she really wants one of the historical dolls, a colonial girl named Felicity. So when Grandpa John and Grandma Linda and Grandma Austin sent her a birthday card with money tucked inside, she was tickled. She said it was the best birthday EVER! She's so easy! And thank you, everyone, for remembering our sweet Rylee and making her birthday so special.

And if all this wasn't enough, although Rylee had to go to school on her birthday, it was field trip day. We spent the day at Rockin' R Ranch in Mesa, AZ. Rockin' R Ranch is a real working pioneer ranch that belonged to Charles Robson, one of the original pioneers to settle Mesa. We panned for gold, and Rylee even found a few "nuggets." We also used an old fashioned water pump, took a wagon ride, designed our own brands, learned about the Native Americans of Arizona, and watched a fun cowboy music show. It was actually a fun little field trip, and we both had a great time!

Then after school was soccer practice and dinner. Rylee picked out the restaurant, Red Robin--YUM! So we enjoyed a fun family dinner at Red Robin. What a great way to celebrate our little girl! We're so glad she's in our family. We love you, Rylee Bug!

Happy Camp

Rylee LOVES to cook. And last weekend, Grandpa Zeke showed her how to cook bacon in a dutch oven over his camping stove. Over the weekend, Grandpa Zeke and Grandma Debby came down to go camping just outside Superior. Connor and Tatum went out with them on Friday afternoon, and then Rylee, Justin, and I joined them on Saturday afternoon. Greg, Jill, Charlotte, Emily, Pardner, and Grandma Greta joined us Sunday for breakfast.

Then we went on a hike... a very LONG hike. ;-) We went on what was supposed to be a short easy hike, but ended up taking 3 times as long, and took us straight down from over the top of this hill. It was an interesting hike with the kids. Tatum was not a happy camper.

But despite our little detour, we had an awesome weekend! Thank you, Grandpa Zeke and Grandma Debby. We had a blast!

Rylee's First Cello Recital

Rylee had been bugging us for two years to take cello lessons. When we realized she was serious, we let her start taking lessons last November. She's been taking lessons for about 3 months, and she had her first recital on Friday. She did an amazing job, and we are so proud of her. Justin even made a little video so everyone could see how well she did!

Second Place Finish

Connor played his last soccer tournament of the season this weekend. The boys played really well most of the weekend. Connor's first game was phenomenal. He played really hard and scored 2 goals and made several assists. His team took home the 2nd place medal. (Connor is in the back row in the sports goggles--you know, the littlest guy on the team!) Way to go, son!

Valentine's Day Parties

Last Friday the kids celebrated Valentine's Day/Arizona's birthday in school. I basically planned and ran Tatum's first grade party, hence the reason there are no pictures of it. I was far too busy running around crazy. But I helped in Connor's classroom, and it was quite the experience. Connor's a good kid, but I can't say as much about some of the kids in his class. I definitely have a newfound respect for his teacher. She has her hands full.

Rylee's teacher opted to skip a Valentine's Day party. :-( However, Rylee's best friend Megan (who moved to NY last year), was able to come down to visit. We had a major slumber party, with 5 little girls running around crazy. It was a lot of fun, and Rylee was really glad to see Megan. After the slumber party was over and our house returned to normal, I realized that I forgot to take pictures!