Yogurt

The kids enjoy their yogurts. I enjoying watching them enjoy them but I don't enjoy much about cleaning up after.
Pete never gets messy. It's amazing. He could wear the same outfit for days and I would never have to change him except into his pajamas. Jamie, on the other hand, I change her clothes at least twice a day if not more.

Guest

Besides my dad and my in-laws, we had our first out of state visitor last weekend. Our friend Karen from MI was visiting other friends in the area and came to have dinner with us Sunday night. It was so good to see a warm, familiar face. We had all missed her and it was sad to say goodbye again.

Smile

Coloring with Omi and Opa, stopping to smile for a picture.

Lake Pleasant

One morning the in-laws, the kids and I set out to see if we could find Lake Pleasant. I had heard about it and seen Lake Pleasant Parkway so I figured it was pretty close. The GPS said 40 miles but in actuality I would say we came upon it in no farther than 20. It was really cool to see such a huge lake in the middle of the dessert. We all loved exploring the area and I'm glad to know we have such a great recreational area so close to home. Maybe someday we can get a boat. And pull it behind our motorhome. And camp and go boating, and fishing, and hiking and off-roading........

Watching a rattlesnake in the visitor's center.
Panning for gold at the visitor's center.
In front of a really tall cactus.
Hiking on a trail by the visitor's center.
Trail down to the campground.

Casino

After closing on our house P. took the kids back home for naps and I went with my in-laws to a casino in Scottsdale. I am always up for a little gaming myself so used the opportunity to play a little and get out of the house without the kiddos. Mostly I just needed a change from the norm and a day out at the casino sounded like fun. I was off on my own after obtaining a players card and sat down at a video roulette table. I lost $40 in a matter of about 10 minutes and decided I was done. It wasn't fun losing and in fact it made me a little sick to my stomach. I am pretty sure I could have used that $40 on something much better than 10 minutes in a smokey casino. That $40 could have gotten me a few much needed shirts and I think it would have been more fun shopping. So instead of feeling bad for myself I wandered around the beautiful hotel they had there, grabbed a Phoenix/Scottsdale visitors magazine and found a quiet spot overlooking the pool to read. It was a perfect way to spend my afternoon. I people watched, read, closed my eyes for a bit and did some thinking. I was relaxed, I was alone and I was content. I thought about my lost $40 for a little bit but mostly I just enjoyed the quiet. It was a perfectly sunny and beautiful day and I thought about how perfect and beautiful my life was. And it really is.