Fun on Spring Break

Last week was Spring Break.. Besides seeing our family in Tucson and having a girls day for Miss A's birthday, we also  jammed out at the The Rock of Worship Road Show. Some of our  favorite Christian groups were there, Mercyme and Jars of Clay.   It was a great night of fellowship and singing to God.

The rest of Spring Break we spent with friends and our new favorite place  Wet N Wild water park in Phoenix.   Living in Arizona you know the heat is on its way soon, and it's hard to find things that we can do outdoors without frying.   This year several of my friends and I have decided to purchase water park passes.  Even though it is a 25  min drive to the park, we plan to try and go at least two times a week. Several of us have vans so we can carpool.   It is only March, however we have already hit the 90's at least once.   The kids had a great time.    My all time favorite slide is the Tornado.  I was a little scared to let Miss K try it, even though she was tall enough, for fear she would flip out of the tube.   There's a drop, that I ended up going down backwards, and it is kind of steep.  She had no fear, just mom did.    We took Little Man the second day and he was not feeling the cold water.   He did like the wave pool, until the wave knocked him down (he was wearing a life vest) and he proceeded to let everyone know what he thought about it.   "The waves are RUDE mommy!," he yelled.     I couldn't help but laugh, not sure where he got that one from,  must have listened when I told him it is not nice to be rude to people.

http://www.wetnwildphoenix.com/Rides--and--Attractions/Tornado.htm

Here's a link to the pictures of the Tornado. The drop doesn't look to steep until you're going down it backwards. :)  I'll try and film the girls this summer on it.  So much fun to be had.

Time With Family in Tucson

Amy and I

On Friday we took a trip down to Tucson to spend some much needed time with my sister Amy.   Amy and I have been extremely close since we were younger, and it has been hard her living 12 hours away.   We started crying as soon as we saw each other. She moved to Dalhart, Texas, when she married the love of her life Randy last year.    Unfortunately, I had to work that night so we were only able to hang out for four hours.   The three hour drive each way was still worth the short time we saw each other. 

 Micah, Jocey and Randy

   Logan                                                                                                                             

My niece Logan is now learning  to walk. She will be one years old in June.   Matthew is as silly as ever, and such a handsome young man.     Micah and Jocey, Randy's daughters, seem to love being big sisters and are such beautiful young ladies.  It was nice to finally meet them.     We'll be headed out their way in about a month for Easter.   

We decided with as many children we have been blessed with, Chucky Cheese was the place for them to burn off all their energy.    They had a blast.                 Silly Girls

                                                        Lex, Allie and Katie                                

 Amy, it might have only been a few hours, but it was worth the long drive to see you. I love you and miss you and can't wait till next month, even if it does mean I'll be driving 12 hours one way to see you.  It'll be a short trip, but much needed sister time.

Princess For A Day

I can hardly believe that this Thursday, on St Patrick's Day, Miss A will be 10 years old. Where does the time go? I remember the first time I saw her and how much love I felt for her, and all of my children. She is growing into quite the young lady. She is 5 feet tall and can now share my shoes (Size 9). She has changed so much over this last year. I'm starting to see the "little kid" go away, and the maturity starting to take place.

She has made some pretty close friends this year. Today, to celebrate her birthday, I took Miss A, and two of her close friends, to have a girls day. She decided she wanted this vs. a large birthday party. It consisted of Pedicures, with Miss A laughing the whole time due to her feet being so ticklish, seeing the movie Gnomeo and Juliet, and dinner at Red Robin. It was neat just to have the few girls and spend time with them. They are all terrific kids. 

No birthday would be complete without a little bit of embarrassment. It reminded me of when Jenny and I were growing up and would try to embarrass the other. Jenny, you would be proud. :) We invited the waiter to come sing happy birthday to her. Well, the waiter and anyone else who passed us. The girls had a fabulous time, and I think it will be a birthday she will remember. Sometimes less is more!

I noticed how much the girls reminded me of myself at their age. She is about the age that Jenny and I were when we met. I think some of the conversations were a repeat of ours. Jenny, your mom would be so embarrassed by the conversation. There were conversations of farts, Justin Bieber, puke and how our van needs an ejection seat. I know, I know, you probably say she gets this from me. No matter, it was still an enjoyable time all in all. 
. 

Miss A, we love you a lot. Remember, God has a plan for you, and no matter what just be the best "You " you can be.

Day out With Thomas the Train

The nice thing about having a boy is we don't have to hear about princesses, make up or Justin Beiber.    Little Man is obsessed with trains, especially Thomas the Train.

Last weekend Thomas the Train visited Globe, Arizona.  We decided to take the three hour trip with our close friends and their twins to see the train.   The boys were so excited.  They know all the trains names, and were quick to correct us if we said the wrong one.  Maybe they need a little less Thomas the Train videos in the van.

They had tattoos, play trains, magicians and much more.   Sir Tophamm Hatt, or Sir Hat as Little Man likes to call him, took pictures with all of us.   The highlight of the trip was riding on the train.   The boys loved it, as you can see in the video.  (Sorry it's sideways, it was off Mondo's phone, and I didn't know which way was up.)

Father Daughter Dance

In February the girls had a great time with their dad, Mondo.   It was the yearly Father Daughter Dance.
   They get so excited, and even though Mondo doesn't really love to dance,  he seemed to enjoy the time together too.    This year they went with the Ham Family.   Mondo and Hilton (Mr. Ham) have become very close friends recently, and our girls love spending time together too.  Many times when you have a larger family, it's easier to do things with others who have kids the same age.

The girls were so excited for their new dresses.  Daddy brought them flowers and even put on his best suit for them.   I think it is so important for fathers to spend this time with their daughters.  Many people say you marry someone similar to who your father is.  I know this is not always the case, but what better way for my daughters to learn how a man should treat them when they come to that time in their life, than to have their dad take them out on father daughter dates.