Encanto Park

Last week Dan came home and said he was taking us out for a family day on Saturday. He said we need to be ready to leave by 10 and to dress for outside. He had planned a special surprise outing. I spent all week trying to figure out what we were doing and where we were going.

He took us to this neat park up in Phoenix. Its a huge park which has a golf course, a river you can fish in or rent a canoe or paddle boat, a playground and a little amusement park. We were going for the amusement park. There was a train that took you on a trip around the amusement park. We of course took a train ride first. It was a lot of fun and we got to see what rides there were.

After the train, which the kids wanted to go on again we headed over to the airplanes. Hayden and Phedora both ran for the helicopters. After the helicopters, we were off to do the bumper boats. We had to wait a bit since there was kids out having their turn. But it was worth the wait. Waiting in line. They were so good and so patient!
Hayden really wanted the blue boat. Phedora wanted a red boat, but she settled for blue as well.
Next we were off to ride the dragon roller coaster. The first couple of times they rode they were in the second seat. The last time they were able to try out the front seat. They went around quite a few times. Which was surprising to us. Usually you go around just a few. Phedora was loving the roller coaster. She does after all have a need for speed, and it got going pretty fast for a kiddie ride. Holding on for dear life. Its a whole new experience in the front seat.

Next we were off to go drive the cars. For this ride they chose to be in the same car. Which for the sake of pictures is always nice.

Next we went to the merry-go-round. Unfortunately, I forgot to turn the flash back on. So no good pics of the kids. Phedora decided that she would scare me and go hands free. She almost fell off and I was not a happy mommy.

After the merry-go-round we went for a airplane ride. The kids chose to ride in the same plane. Which was again very nice. Now we just need to teach them to both look at the camera at the same time. Then we were off for a spinningly fun time on the tea cups. Dan can really get us going. I feel feeling pretty sick when we got off. So afterwards Hayden and I headed back to the boats and Dan and Phedora took a few more turns on the tea cups.

Afterwards, we took a leisurely train ride and got some ice cream.
After ice cream the kids went on a few more rides again and then it was time to go. By 12:30 it was just too hot to be outside anymore. All in all it was a great day at the park.

On our way to the car we came across this plant which I had to take a picture of.

I had to have this picture of the plant because of this one. We went to this great little hamburger place for lunch that was right down the road. We almost didn't go but we were so glad we did. It was basically a indoor BBQ. They cooked the burgers on a charcoal grill and they were so good. I have to say it was the best I have ever had. And the fries don't even get me started on the fries. Lets just say we will go back!

Fire Station Tour

We finally were able to make it to a fire station tour! We have been trying for so long and usually we are busy on the tour days. Tuesday we weren't busy so we headed over to the Gilbert Fire station. We joined a playgroup down here and one of the other area groups had the tour scheduled. So we figured we would tag along since it was just down the road. Hayden had a great time playing in the fire truck and asking a ton of questions. He was quite shocked to learn that they sleep there. The Gilbert station 24 hours on and 24 hours off. We got to tour the ladder truck which is one of the biggest. They also had a antique fire truck.

Phedora took a little bit to warm up to all the activity and the firemen. but once she did she had a great time as well. Here's a few pics of the kids. Unfortunately I didn't get a pic of the antique fire truck. Just a pick of the kids sitting on it.

The Journey West

Last weekend we drove out to Ca to see the grandparents. We left on Friday morning and headed west. We were met by thunder, lightening, rain like I have never seen before and flash flooding. We also encountered the highest gas prices we have yet to see at $4.29 a gallon

If you look closely at this picture you can see the higher mountains through the rain. This one was taken once we got down into the Coachella Valley. I want to say we were right around Palm Desert.

We stopped for lunch at this great little taco stand in Cabazon. Its called Blue Coyote Tacos or something like that. Dan used to eat there when we lived in Palm Springs for lunch. I'm not sure why I never went there. But I have to say I am glad I never did. It was so good that I would want to eat there all the time. We did stop again on our way back and take some pics of the kids. It was raining on our way out so we stayed in the car and Dan got the food. Here's a couple pics of the kids though on the way home.

The Journey West

This is a small taste of what we experienced on our drive to Ca. This was just outside of Quartzsite, Az.

Our First Thunder Storm

Well we have been here now for just over a month now. We have experienced warm weather, scorching hot weather, cloudy with a few rain drops and now this. A real rain in the desert along with thunder. Its a mere 70 degrees with steady rain and thunder. The thunder here is much louder and longer than anything I remember up in Wa. The kids are loving playing out in the rain. Though they think it is cold out. Just a few days ago we were breaking record highs. Our hottest day so far was 108. And was it ever hot! I took a few videos of the kids playing in the rain and the thunder as well. Apparently I should have waited a little while longer to take them. The thunder seems to get louder with each one.

With the temperatures cooler I turned off the AC and opened the doors and windows up. Its nice to get some fresh air going through the house.

I hope you enjoy the video.

A busy May

May has been the month for buying all our new toys. First things first we got a new lawn mower and weed whacker.

We opted for this mower because it has a Honda Motor. My dad's always saying that Honda makes the best motors. Its a pretty nice mower. Dan wouldn't admit it on the video we took but he said he loved doing the yard. Even though he was originally mad that he bought himself work.

The we had to get a new vaccum cleaner. And when I say had to I mean it. In Wa our vaccum took a turn for the worse and then broke. So we went out and bought a little, I mean little Dirt Devil. It was great for the little apartment. You could vaccum twice without having to dump the canister. Well in the bigger house.... We had to dump the canister everytime and its really meant for little jobs anyway. So while we were out looking at washer and dryers one time we decided to take a look at the vaccums. I have wanted a Dyson now for a long time. While looking at them we see this other vaccum. Its called Halo. So since the kids are complaining that they want to leave we each grab a little flyer for it and start walking back to the car. It uses ultra violet light to kill bacteria, flu, dust mites, fleas, lice and mold amongst other things. I have to say given that Dan and I both suffer from allergies we were pretty sold on it. So when we got home we looked it and watched a video test that the local news down here performed and we were sold. I have to tell you I feel much better about our carpets now and while Dan thinks I am crazy the carpet feels a bit softer to me after I vaccum it.



Las t but surely not least we finally got our new washer and dryer. I LOVE them. And they are so pretty. We went with the Samsung in Tango Red. They are not the steam ones. We really didn't need the steam and to have it was a huge price jump. We were more concerned with the sanitize function which we do have. The washer also uses Silver Ions to do a cold water sanitze as well. We picked it up last Saturday and brought it home. But the washer didn't work. The cold water vavle didn't shut so as soon as we turned on the water the washer started to fill up. Monday a guy from the repair company came out and fixed it and I have been doing laundry ever since. Did I mention that I love it! At the end of the cycle the buzzer goes off and then it plays a little melody. It makes you want to go in and change the laundry. Its like its calling you. Its also pretty quite. With the laundry room off the kitchen I was affraid we would be hearing it. Once we close the door you hear a light hum and thats it.

Rain!

Well you can hardly call it rain compared to back home. But it was sprinkling this morning when we got to the Library. I swear the kids thought they were going to melt or something. They were running to get under the cover yelling Rain! Rain! It was amusing to say the least. After the library we headed over to the mall play area for the first time. The kids had fun playing with all the kids. There was a lot of them since its considered to be "cold out." At least thats what the lady I was talking to said. Funny how its "cold" when its 80 degrees out. It was a little breezy though so to those acclimated to the heat it was a little chilly but hardly cold. The weather people say to enjoy today as it will probably be the last cooler day for the season. I have to say the clouds are a nice little change but I am glad they wont be sticking around :) Well I am off to mop and dust. And the kids are going for naps. I hope Hayden doesn't pull anything like Phedora did yesterday!