The Vally of FUN in the SUN!

I truly love to visit Arizona. I love everything about it: shopping, the sun, and fun activities. But, the thing I love the most is the family we get to be with when we are there. I don't have a sister so I cherish Adam's sister Jen. She is a great example and a great friend. These are the sweet kids we are grateful to call our cousins...

SimeonCorinne "sweet cheeks"Miles "smiles"
Uncle JoeyAunt Jen aka "Aunt GEM"

We always stay busy no matter what it is we are doing. Here are some of the highlights of our trip:

Opening game of the Arizona Diamond Backs. We all got a free D-Backs t-shirt.

Playing at the Park

Swimming in the pool - which isn't heated and not so warm in April!

Climbing the rock wall at Bass and Pro Shop

Ok, most of you know how competitive our family is. We love to play games or do activities but most of all we like to win. I believe this comes from Adam's side of the family. One member of the family (I won't mention names) says, "If your not cheating your not trying!"

So, all the kids were doing the rock wall and of course everyone wants to be the best, go the fastest or just get to the top FIRST. With one exception, Miles. He loves video games way more that physical activities. We tried to motivate him by telling him which level he was at and what he had to do to get to the next level. The girls go first, Corinne and Hilary. Hilary's legs are about twice the length of Corinne's but that didn't stop her. Neither of the girls made it to the top the first time. Then it was the boys turn. Miles only made it to "level one" and was done. Marshall didn't make it much further. Then the girls wanted another shot. Miss long and lean was victorious and made it to the top. Corinne was so close - a couple more inches of height and arm length and she would be right there. Marshall couldn't be shown up by his sis so he tried again too. He made it about as far as Corinne, same problem. I have a feeling next visit to AZ we will end up at the Bass and Pro Shop climbing wall! The kids did great. I love the determination each one of them has, especially sweet cheeks.

Adult night out at the D-backs game against the Dodgers

Manny Ramirez -one of twenty-five people to have hit over 500 career home runs. His 20 career grand slams are the most by any active player, and the second most all-time, behind Lou Gehrig's 23.

(Adam had me take a bunch of pictures of him, he must be important. Of course he is blog worthy so I googled him.)

Bowling!

Calli won the first game by one pin beating Hilary 124 to 123! Great job girls. Gotta love those bumpers. Calli is queen of picking up the spare.

Oh and we can't forget the story of "2 for 1" (what a great deal) while bowling. There was a split (one pin on each side of the lane) so Jen and myself had the bright idea to bowl at the same time so we could pick up the spare and beat Adam. It worked, and we didn't even get caught!

Easter 2009
Hutchinson KidsNice Kids
Disclaimer: Calli isn't flipping you off. She points with that finger.

Activities for the day included:

-egg hunt
-listening to the Hutchinson kids sing in church
-bunny banana cake
-fun and games

We have so much fun being silly I had to share these priceless photos!

Wow, if you made it all the way through this post you are a true and committed blog reader. I had so many fond memories I couldn't leave any of them out!