Happy Birthday & New Things

So today we did several new things that we haven't done before as a family or as individuals but before I blog about that I wanted to at least post a couple of pictures for Meala's Birthday.

Celebrating a dog's birthday is also a new thing for us too. Jared asked a while a ago if there was a day for dogs. And sure enough, National Dog Day on the 26th of August and so we decided to make it Meala's first birthday. (She's only six months old).



We made her a special dog cake. It was so disgusting to mix all the ingredients together but she really liked it.


Is that a smile?


We even made birthday hats from cereal boxes, it was kind of fun!




And she got presents, lucky dog. :)



Now on to today. Today is August 28th, one day before my supposed due date. I would just like to note that before we begin because we walked SO MUCH today!

First we went on a hike to the Saguaro National Park. (It was only 2 miles but it was super HOT).


This first picture is a tribute to my dear Wesley, who grew up in the desert and finds it to be so beautiful. He always used to talk about how pretty it was and I always had doubts about it.


But he was right, it's just like the sign says.



Barrel Cactus.

Pretty to look at,



Not really fun to sit on.


(Jared's face is sincere. They were both pretending to sit on it but one poke actually got Jared. Not bad, just enough for all of us to have a good laugh).

More pretty things...


Yes these pretty things are hanging out on horse dung but still pretty.




Wes stopped at this plant, it's called a Creosote Bush. He said that it was what makes the desert smell so good after it rains.

So I broke off a piece and smelt it. HOLY COW! It totally smelt like cat pee! I really had to laugh at that.



But just to be fair, later we did walk by another one and it smelt way better. I guess you aren't supposed to break the plant.


Then we came home and I took a nap. Super tired.

Then we decided to go to the Pima Air and Space Museum for a special night showing.

It was so neat. Definitely a must see if anyone is ever in Tucson.

The kids in front of the bumble bee.

Both kids have decided they are master ninjas, so there may be more photos of them trying to pose as ninjas. I'll try and weed them out.

They got to get into some of the planes which was pretty neat.





I know they are my kids so I am biased. But they are too cute!



Jared finally got to do something that he has wanted to do for a LONG time (which when you're five means like DAYS!)

He finally got to eat astronaut food!



The Space Gallery



The even got to ride on a hover chair. Too Cool!






Novalee wanted to pretend she was getting eaten by this plane called the "Dirty Dawg." :)



The first sunset I've seen here in Arizona! It was very pretty. There was rain, lightening and this.




It doesn't get any better.


Well, those were our adventures for today.

Arizona

So I have been in Arizona now for almost two weeks. I would say my feelings for the state are definitely mixed. Here are some things I have noticed and my feelings about them.

Things I don't care for:

1. The cold water is not cold, so you never get to brush your teeth with cold refreshing water.

2. Just about everyone smokes (at least in Tucson). I was totally under the impression in Oregon that we were really getting a hold on the no smoking thing. Here it is totally the opposite.

3. The temperatures are unbearable right now. Every time I step outside (except yesterday) my skin feels like it is being seared off.

4. Everything is made of Stucco and landscaped with rocks and cactus.

5. There are pockets of the Ghetto/Slums everywhere (at least in Tucson).

Things I really like:

1. I love LOVE LOVE that we drove through our first monsoon last weekend. SO COOL!

2. On that note, lightening is so amazing! I got to see it during the day for the first time this week.

3.I really like that the topography reminds me of Mexico and if there was an ocean nearby I would feel like I was on vacation all the time.

4. I love that there are so many resturants around. I drive around and keep mentally adding new ones to my (must eat there list). Now if we had the funding...

5. I really like the mountains surrounding our area. They remind me of home.

6. I have yet to see one but I am looking forward to the much talked about beautiful sunsets.




Happy to be here, happy for the adventure, happy it's not permanent.

More Fun & Adventures

So I haven't blogged in a while and between moving and the adventures of moving there is a lot to blog about. So this post might be ridiculously long. However, some of the pictures might be worth it. :)

Before we moved to Arizona, our family decided to get together at the beach and enjoy the day together. So August 7th the family all drove to Seaside. After finding places to park and meeting up (which took work) it was a lot of fun.

Grandpa Larry had the most fun of all I think...



What a kid.




He did finally share.



Novie kind of likes her cousin. :)




One of the really cool things that they did at the beach was build a sand castle. I can say with confidence that I have never built one this cool.



But the only thing the kids wanted to do was...









And of course our dog had fun digging holes with Novalee.

The Wednesday before we left, August 11th, the kids celebrated their accomplishments as awesome summer readers by going to Oaks Park for the day.

Of course I am too huge to ride any of the rides and Wesley was at school so Jeremy my brother came to ride the rides with the kids.





I thought Jared was really brave going on this ride all by himself. It was pretty crazy. I remember as a teen hating this ride.



The Scrambler...I'm so glad Jeremy was there and I didn't have to ride any of these kinds of rides. I get so sick. :(



Jared did in fact get sick after the Scrambler and while Jeremy and Novalee went on to ride The Octupus or Spider thing, Jared went for a more mellow ride with Lewis and Clark.





Then Jeremy and Novalee decided to ride this one too for good measure.




While Jared flirted with a cute girl in line on this ride. When he got on the plane of his choice he realized the girl didn't follow him.



So he hopped off quickly before it started and went to find her. He did but he realized that he would have to ride in the rear...



So he jumped off again and I think made a better choice over the girl. What's better than flying your own plane and having two guns to beep. :)





Then we moved.




While driving to Arizona, Wesley's truck kept spewing antifreeze (Twice) which thankfully he was capable of repairing on his own.

Thankfully my mom came to change drivers (well to be honest she drove most of the way).

Thankfully the kids were amazing and only asked about every 10 -15 minutes if we were in Arizona yet.

Finally we made it.

We spent the night at Grandma and Grandpa Crockett's house.

The next day the kids were super happy to take a dip in the pool. It was my first experience besides a pool you pay to swim in, that wasn't so cold that you felt like you were going to get hypothermia.



We are pretty glad to know that our dog likes water.





The condition of our new apartment was a little surprising when we first arrived. I think we were all expecting something different but with a little effort you can make anything home.

Here it is day one.







Jared also started Kindergarten on August 16th. Crazy! He is getting so big!





On Wednesday August 18th, Wes took us up to the Madeira (I'm feeling confident I spelled that wrong but am equally feeling too lazy to look it up) Canyon. On the way we stopped at the San Xavier Mission.









Here we are at the Canyon (notice I left out the name, it's because I don't know how to spell it). :)









Hopefully the next adventure involves having a baby. :)