On 4/4/15, I went to Tucson Botanical Gardens, Bach's Cactus Nursery and Arthur Pack Park. The boys made a cardboard robot.
4/5 was Easter. Nathan got his Easter baskets from the Easter Bunny. Nathan did a little Easter Egg hunt in the house. We went to church. When we came home we colored eggs.
I went to the Desert Museum on 4/6.
On 4/10 I got to see baby owls for the first time. They were at an apartment complex at Ina and Mona Lisa. They were hard to see and photograph, though, because they were high up in a tree.
On 4/11 the boys went to a car show/drag racing.
The boys went to the U of A Spring Fling on 4/12. I went to see some more baby owls on Oracle Rd in Oracle. These were in a saguaro and much easier to see and photograph.
On 4/17 I went to the Reid Park Rose Garden and Tucson Botanical Gardens. That night we all went to see the owls in Oracle.
We went to Torque Fest at the Pima Air & Space Museum on 4/18. Then we went to the Pima County Fair.
I took Nathan to the Children's Museum on 4/21. It was great for about 45 minutes until a ton of school groups showed up. Way too many kids in there. We ended up leaving after an hour and a half. Then Nathan and I went to eat lunch at Grimaldi's.
After I picked Nathan up from school on 4/22 we made a quick trip to the Tucson Botanical Gardens. The flowers I was hoping to see were already closed up for the day, but there seemed to be buds ready to open within the next couple of days. So we returned there the next day. Still not many open! We then went to Tohono Chul Park. There were a few open, but also a ton of buds getting ready to open within the next couple of days. We went to lunch at Pita Jungle.
Thursday, April 23, 2015
Thursday, April 2, 2015
Spring into Spring
3/25 I went to Bach's cactus Nursery. Some of the cacti were blooming so I got a few good pictures.
3/26, Connor and Lisa came to visit. We took them to Phoenix for a few days. On 3/27 we went to a White Sox vs cubs game at the new Sloan Park. Cubs won! The next day Dawn went to Wildlife World Zoo (to see the baby meerkat and baby kangaroos) while the rest of the group went to the another baseball game. On 3/29, Dawn went to Butterfly Wonderland and Desert Botanical Gardens. The rest of the group went to the train park and to another baseball game. We returned back to Tucson that night. The next day Dawn and Lisa went on a hot air balloon ride. It was a cool experience. The only downside is that it went from Marana Airport north toward Picacho Peak. I think other companies take you closer to downtown Tucson toward Saguaro National Park West and another one goes over by Sabino Canyon. Dawn would like to check one of those out some time. The next day Paul, Lisa and Connor went to the Biosphere 2. Dawn and Nathan went to Tucson Botanical Gardens and Tohono Chul Park. Nathan took more pictures than Dawn. A lot of the irises were blooming at Tucson Botanical Gardens and the Flying Saucer cactus flower was blooming at both gardens! Paul, Lisa and Connor went to Kitt Peak that night. On April Fool's Day Paul had to go back to work for month end close, Nathan went to school and Dawn took Lisa and Connor to the Desert Museum. We got to see the new black bear cub. Today Lisa and Connor had to go back home.
This weekend is Easter. Tonight we are taking Nathan to see the Easter Bunny!
3/26, Connor and Lisa came to visit. We took them to Phoenix for a few days. On 3/27 we went to a White Sox vs cubs game at the new Sloan Park. Cubs won! The next day Dawn went to Wildlife World Zoo (to see the baby meerkat and baby kangaroos) while the rest of the group went to the another baseball game. On 3/29, Dawn went to Butterfly Wonderland and Desert Botanical Gardens. The rest of the group went to the train park and to another baseball game. We returned back to Tucson that night. The next day Dawn and Lisa went on a hot air balloon ride. It was a cool experience. The only downside is that it went from Marana Airport north toward Picacho Peak. I think other companies take you closer to downtown Tucson toward Saguaro National Park West and another one goes over by Sabino Canyon. Dawn would like to check one of those out some time. The next day Paul, Lisa and Connor went to the Biosphere 2. Dawn and Nathan went to Tucson Botanical Gardens and Tohono Chul Park. Nathan took more pictures than Dawn. A lot of the irises were blooming at Tucson Botanical Gardens and the Flying Saucer cactus flower was blooming at both gardens! Paul, Lisa and Connor went to Kitt Peak that night. On April Fool's Day Paul had to go back to work for month end close, Nathan went to school and Dawn took Lisa and Connor to the Desert Museum. We got to see the new black bear cub. Today Lisa and Connor had to go back home.
This weekend is Easter. Tonight we are taking Nathan to see the Easter Bunny!
Saturday, March 21, 2015
A great time of the year to be in the desert...
I love this time of the year in Tucson because wildflowers start showing up and cacti start blooming.
3/9/15 I went to Ajo Highway near Sandario to see the poppies by the pipeline. The poppies were not really open that early so I went on to the Desert Museum. I went back later in the day to see the poppies on Ajo Highway and was surprised to see a huge jackrabbit. The thing looked as big as a deer. I did get a few pictures, but I did not have my telephoto lens with me at the time.
I took Nathan to the Children's Museum the next day. He loves going there...until it starts to get crowded. He is so good there. He shares with the other kids and helps out those who are younger than him.
3/14-3/17 we went up to Phoenix. On 3/14, we went to an Angels vs White Sox spring training game at the Angels stadium. White Sox ended up winning. The next day we went to the NASCAR race. This time we had pit passes. We got to go in the winner's circle and we signed the finished line. I got close to the stage and took pictures of the drivers as they were introduced. Blake Shelton walked by, but I only saw the back of him! Kevin Harvick won again! 3/16 We went to the Reds vs Giants game. The Reds won. We split up on St Patty's Day. I went to the Botanical Gardens and the zoo. The Botanical Gardens were disappointing because not many cacti were blooming yet. The boys went to the train park in Scottsdale and an auto museum. Then they went to the Angels vs Rockies spring training game at Talking Stick.
I cooked the corned beef and cabbage the next day. Nobody really cares for it, but me. But once a year I want to eat my traditional St Patty's meal.
Today the boys went to the 4th Avenue Fair and I went to the Tucson Botanical Gardens. The gardens were crowded since it is a Saturday, but I was excited to see the iris garden starting to bloom. Some of the cacti were starting to bloom as well.
3/9/15 I went to Ajo Highway near Sandario to see the poppies by the pipeline. The poppies were not really open that early so I went on to the Desert Museum. I went back later in the day to see the poppies on Ajo Highway and was surprised to see a huge jackrabbit. The thing looked as big as a deer. I did get a few pictures, but I did not have my telephoto lens with me at the time.
I took Nathan to the Children's Museum the next day. He loves going there...until it starts to get crowded. He is so good there. He shares with the other kids and helps out those who are younger than him.
3/14-3/17 we went up to Phoenix. On 3/14, we went to an Angels vs White Sox spring training game at the Angels stadium. White Sox ended up winning. The next day we went to the NASCAR race. This time we had pit passes. We got to go in the winner's circle and we signed the finished line. I got close to the stage and took pictures of the drivers as they were introduced. Blake Shelton walked by, but I only saw the back of him! Kevin Harvick won again! 3/16 We went to the Reds vs Giants game. The Reds won. We split up on St Patty's Day. I went to the Botanical Gardens and the zoo. The Botanical Gardens were disappointing because not many cacti were blooming yet. The boys went to the train park in Scottsdale and an auto museum. Then they went to the Angels vs Rockies spring training game at Talking Stick.
I cooked the corned beef and cabbage the next day. Nobody really cares for it, but me. But once a year I want to eat my traditional St Patty's meal.
Today the boys went to the 4th Avenue Fair and I went to the Tucson Botanical Gardens. The gardens were crowded since it is a Saturday, but I was excited to see the iris garden starting to bloom. Some of the cacti were starting to bloom as well.
Monday, March 2, 2015
Spring is here!
We went to the Sonoran Science Academy open house on 2/19/15. I was rather disappointed. The school does not look nearly as nice as a Casas. The classrooms look cluttered. I am hoping that Nathan will get a good education there, though.
Paul took Nathan to the NHRA races in Phoenix on 2/20.
Nathan went to Marley's birthday party on 2/21. It was also at Heart & Soul and once again he was the only boy. He had fun, though.
We went to Picacho Peak after church on 2/22. Good rains brought out the poppies a little early. This is the first year we finally got the chance to see them there. It was a cloudy day.
I went back to Picacho Peak on 2/25 to take more pictures of the poppies. I went right after I took Nathan to school, but I had to wait for the poppies to open. Then the sun was playing games with me that day because it was causing glare in my pictures. I think it would have been better to wait until the afternoon to take pictures there. After I picked Nathan up from school I took him to Arthur Pack Park. While he played, I took pictures of the round tailed ground squirrels. They did not seem as plentiful as last year, but there were several running around.
Nathan was supposed to be off school on 2/27 for Rodeo Days. He really wanted to go to school that day so I paid extra to have him go. I went to Tucson Botanical Gardens to photograph the butterflies and flowers. Then I checked out the Japanese Gardens. I was disappointed. It was small and there were not many flowers. They had koi, but no water lilies or lotuses. They said those bloom in winter between Oct-Dec, but I think they said they do not plant water lilies, only 1 or 2 lotuses. From there I went to Tohono Chul Park. I was going to eat lunch there and check out the flowers. As soon as I got there I got a call from Nathan's school. They asked me to come pick him up early because he was misbehaving. He threw sand on Peyton's head and threw pebbles at Aubrey. When he was in thinking time, he threw pebbles at another child AND a teacher. He has been in trouble for throwing sand and rocks before so he knows better.
We went to Monster Jam on 2/28. We went mainly to see Scooby Doo. There were a couple of other new ones there, too. Nathan likes El Diablo and Zombie. Zombie had an automated "mouth". We bought the pit passes so we were able to meet the drivers and take pictures. Unfortunately, a lot of my pictures got blurred again. One of these days I will learn how to take pictures at that show! We are considering going to the world finals in Vegas. We can't go this year because it is the end of March and Lisa will be visiting us. We may plan for next year.
Yesterday, 3/1, we decided to go to the Renaissance Festival at the last minute. We had a fund time. We rode the elephant and camel. Nathan also got to ride the llama. I did not realize until the ride home that most of my pictures came out really bright because I had my ISO turned up the day before at Monster Jam. We did get to see some wildflowers during the drive, too.
Paul took Nathan to the NHRA races in Phoenix on 2/20.
Nathan went to Marley's birthday party on 2/21. It was also at Heart & Soul and once again he was the only boy. He had fun, though.
We went to Picacho Peak after church on 2/22. Good rains brought out the poppies a little early. This is the first year we finally got the chance to see them there. It was a cloudy day.
I went back to Picacho Peak on 2/25 to take more pictures of the poppies. I went right after I took Nathan to school, but I had to wait for the poppies to open. Then the sun was playing games with me that day because it was causing glare in my pictures. I think it would have been better to wait until the afternoon to take pictures there. After I picked Nathan up from school I took him to Arthur Pack Park. While he played, I took pictures of the round tailed ground squirrels. They did not seem as plentiful as last year, but there were several running around.
Nathan was supposed to be off school on 2/27 for Rodeo Days. He really wanted to go to school that day so I paid extra to have him go. I went to Tucson Botanical Gardens to photograph the butterflies and flowers. Then I checked out the Japanese Gardens. I was disappointed. It was small and there were not many flowers. They had koi, but no water lilies or lotuses. They said those bloom in winter between Oct-Dec, but I think they said they do not plant water lilies, only 1 or 2 lotuses. From there I went to Tohono Chul Park. I was going to eat lunch there and check out the flowers. As soon as I got there I got a call from Nathan's school. They asked me to come pick him up early because he was misbehaving. He threw sand on Peyton's head and threw pebbles at Aubrey. When he was in thinking time, he threw pebbles at another child AND a teacher. He has been in trouble for throwing sand and rocks before so he knows better.
We went to Monster Jam on 2/28. We went mainly to see Scooby Doo. There were a couple of other new ones there, too. Nathan likes El Diablo and Zombie. Zombie had an automated "mouth". We bought the pit passes so we were able to meet the drivers and take pictures. Unfortunately, a lot of my pictures got blurred again. One of these days I will learn how to take pictures at that show! We are considering going to the world finals in Vegas. We can't go this year because it is the end of March and Lisa will be visiting us. We may plan for next year.
Yesterday, 3/1, we decided to go to the Renaissance Festival at the last minute. We had a fund time. We rode the elephant and camel. Nathan also got to ride the llama. I did not realize until the ride home that most of my pictures came out really bright because I had my ISO turned up the day before at Monster Jam. We did get to see some wildflowers during the drive, too.
Love is in the air
Nathan had his 5 year old pediatrician appointment on 1/13/15. He was 44" tall and 41.5 lbs.
I took Nathan to the Children's Museum on 1/15 and then I took pictures of him at La Placita. He was not that excited at first, but by the end he was having fun and posing for him.
Nathan and I went to the Desert Museum on 1/20. Finally got to see the free flight show for the first time of the season.
I went to Reid Park Zoo and Tucson Botanical Gardens on 2/2.
Nathan went to his friend Eirene's birthday party on 2/7. It was at heart and soul. He was the only boy there, but he had fun.
The next day we went to Whitewater Draw to see the sandhill cranes. They say about 30,000 sandhill cranes fly into the area every day during this time of year. Afterward, we ate lunch in Tombstone.
Bella turned 7 on 2/11.
Nathan actually wanted me to take Valentine's pictures of him on 2/12. Then he wanted to take pictures of me. It was cute because he tried to stabilize his camera on a chair just like I was doing when I was taking pictures of him.
On Valentine's Day, we ate lunch at Grimaldi's. They had awesome samoas cheesecake. Then we went to the gem and mineral show. Nathan opened a geode and got amethyst. I was not finding much until the end. Paul ended up buying me opal heart earrings and a matching necklace. We went to dinner at Athens on 4th.
We went to Lodge on the Desert for dinner on 2/15 per my request. We went to celebrate our anniversary early. We went there last year for our anniversary, too. I was hoping to get the roasted chicken this time, but they were out. I was disappointed about that. I also really wanted the creamy garlic soup that I had last time, but this time the soup of the day was cream of cauliflower. It was alright, but not nearly as good as the creamy garlic. My ribeye was good, but the meal was expensive and we were not that impressed this time.
I took Nathan to the Children's Museum on 1/15 and then I took pictures of him at La Placita. He was not that excited at first, but by the end he was having fun and posing for him.
Nathan and I went to the Desert Museum on 1/20. Finally got to see the free flight show for the first time of the season.
I went to Reid Park Zoo and Tucson Botanical Gardens on 2/2.
Nathan went to his friend Eirene's birthday party on 2/7. It was at heart and soul. He was the only boy there, but he had fun.
The next day we went to Whitewater Draw to see the sandhill cranes. They say about 30,000 sandhill cranes fly into the area every day during this time of year. Afterward, we ate lunch in Tombstone.
Bella turned 7 on 2/11.
Nathan actually wanted me to take Valentine's pictures of him on 2/12. Then he wanted to take pictures of me. It was cute because he tried to stabilize his camera on a chair just like I was doing when I was taking pictures of him.
On Valentine's Day, we ate lunch at Grimaldi's. They had awesome samoas cheesecake. Then we went to the gem and mineral show. Nathan opened a geode and got amethyst. I was not finding much until the end. Paul ended up buying me opal heart earrings and a matching necklace. We went to dinner at Athens on 4th.
We went to Lodge on the Desert for dinner on 2/15 per my request. We went to celebrate our anniversary early. We went there last year for our anniversary, too. I was hoping to get the roasted chicken this time, but they were out. I was disappointed about that. I also really wanted the creamy garlic soup that I had last time, but this time the soup of the day was cream of cauliflower. It was alright, but not nearly as good as the creamy garlic. My ribeye was good, but the meal was expensive and we were not that impressed this time.
Sunday, January 11, 2015
It's a new year...
We had a nice Christmas, but I was sick. Nathan of course made out like a bandit. He got all kinds of new toys and gifts. I got Paul a gift card for Jason's Deli and IHOP. I also got him an Angels jersey, a Noah's Ark tie, Escape, Drakkar, ho hos, etc...
We went to the Manheim Steamroller concert at U of A on 12/27. I was a little disappointed in it. They played some songs that I did not even know and they had some strange things going on on the screen behind them. I love their Christmas music, though.
New Year's Eve was spent at home. We were all in bed before midnight!
We woke up to snow in Tucson on New Year's Day! We did not have snow in our area, but there was snow in the valley. We decided to go take a hike by Pima Canyon Trail. It was just beautiful and I got some great pictures. We also drove by Gates Pass and some of Saguaro National Park. Oro Valley got a great dusting of snow.
My 40th birthday was on 1/2. I am not really happy about turning 40. I feel so old. I wish I had more to show for my life, too. But it is what it is. I spent the day with my son since he was off for school for 2 weeks. He was so sweet to me. He sang happy birthday to me like 4 times. Paul got me a tres leches birthday cake. We went to Olive Garden for dinner.
On 1/3, we went to Phoenix Zoo and then we went ice skating downtown Phoenix. None of us know how to ice skate, but we had a good time. They have a nice set up there. My feet were hurting too much for me to get the hang of skating. Nathan kept falling, but he tried and he did not cry. We ate dinner down there at Copper Blues.
My aunt D.J. died on 1/6. She had been sick for awhile so we knew it was coming. She got an infection and they had to take her off dialysis and her ventilator. She agreed to a DNR. I think the family is handling it well. They had an extra year with her that they did not think they would have. Unfortunately, we had not seen her for at least a couple of years. She was a great aunt to me and I was close to her growing up. I will miss her. Her funeral was on Friday, 1/9. Unfortunately, we were not able to go. It would have been too expensive to fly there and too complicated with Nathan.
I went to Reid Park Zoo and the Tucson Botanical Gardens on 1/7.
We went to the Manheim Steamroller concert at U of A on 12/27. I was a little disappointed in it. They played some songs that I did not even know and they had some strange things going on on the screen behind them. I love their Christmas music, though.
New Year's Eve was spent at home. We were all in bed before midnight!
We woke up to snow in Tucson on New Year's Day! We did not have snow in our area, but there was snow in the valley. We decided to go take a hike by Pima Canyon Trail. It was just beautiful and I got some great pictures. We also drove by Gates Pass and some of Saguaro National Park. Oro Valley got a great dusting of snow.
My 40th birthday was on 1/2. I am not really happy about turning 40. I feel so old. I wish I had more to show for my life, too. But it is what it is. I spent the day with my son since he was off for school for 2 weeks. He was so sweet to me. He sang happy birthday to me like 4 times. Paul got me a tres leches birthday cake. We went to Olive Garden for dinner.
On 1/3, we went to Phoenix Zoo and then we went ice skating downtown Phoenix. None of us know how to ice skate, but we had a good time. They have a nice set up there. My feet were hurting too much for me to get the hang of skating. Nathan kept falling, but he tried and he did not cry. We ate dinner down there at Copper Blues.
My aunt D.J. died on 1/6. She had been sick for awhile so we knew it was coming. She got an infection and they had to take her off dialysis and her ventilator. She agreed to a DNR. I think the family is handling it well. They had an extra year with her that they did not think they would have. Unfortunately, we had not seen her for at least a couple of years. She was a great aunt to me and I was close to her growing up. I will miss her. Her funeral was on Friday, 1/9. Unfortunately, we were not able to go. It would have been too expensive to fly there and too complicated with Nathan.
I went to Reid Park Zoo and the Tucson Botanical Gardens on 1/7.
Monday, December 22, 2014
Almost Christmas!
On Thanksgiving we went to dinner at the Alvirs. They are kind enough to cook for us every year.
We took Nathan to see Santa at Foothills Mall on 11/29.
We went to see the Trans-Siberian Orchestra perform in Phoenix on 11/30. Paul and Nathan did not enjoy it much, but I did.
Paul and Nathan went to the Sonic Rush Tour to see Mater on 12/6.
Paul had to go to Chicago for work 12/8-12/10. Of course whenever he leaves town something goes wrong here. I tried to take Nathan to Zoo Lights on 12/10. I fainted when we were standing in line. Luckily, there was a police officer there with his family. He helped me and offered to wheel me around the zoo with his family so Nathan could still see the lights.
On 12/13, Paul went to the U of A vs Michigan basketball game. He could not get three seats together so he went by himself. U of A won.
The net day was Nathan's birthday party at Peter Piper Pizza. Only 4 kids came from class...all girls. Emily, Eirene, Jade and Sadie. I think they all had fun, though. The theme was Disney Planes Fire & Rescue.
Nathan had school on his birthday, 12/15. I brought cupcakes for his class. That night he wanted to go to Oregano's for dinner.
The next day was his Christmas program at school. "Look at all of the decorations!".
Nathan's Christmas party at school was on 12/17. I went to help out. The class made gingerbread houses. I had never made a gingerbread house before so the one I helped Nathan make did not turn out that well.
We went on a mule/donkey hayride by River Rd to see Christmas lights on 12/19.
We went to play in the snow on Mt Lemmon on 12/20. That was the first time we ever went up there when there was snow. That night we went to see the Christmas lights in Winterhaven. They had some pretty cool houses this year: A Christmas Vacation House, a Polar Express train that blew smoke, a fountain display, A Disney Frozen display with a snow machine, etc....
We went to Sabino Canyon to see the last of the Fall colors on 12/21.
We took Nathan to see Santa at Foothills Mall on 11/29.
We went to see the Trans-Siberian Orchestra perform in Phoenix on 11/30. Paul and Nathan did not enjoy it much, but I did.
Paul and Nathan went to the Sonic Rush Tour to see Mater on 12/6.
Paul had to go to Chicago for work 12/8-12/10. Of course whenever he leaves town something goes wrong here. I tried to take Nathan to Zoo Lights on 12/10. I fainted when we were standing in line. Luckily, there was a police officer there with his family. He helped me and offered to wheel me around the zoo with his family so Nathan could still see the lights.
On 12/13, Paul went to the U of A vs Michigan basketball game. He could not get three seats together so he went by himself. U of A won.
The net day was Nathan's birthday party at Peter Piper Pizza. Only 4 kids came from class...all girls. Emily, Eirene, Jade and Sadie. I think they all had fun, though. The theme was Disney Planes Fire & Rescue.
Nathan had school on his birthday, 12/15. I brought cupcakes for his class. That night he wanted to go to Oregano's for dinner.
The next day was his Christmas program at school. "Look at all of the decorations!".
Nathan's Christmas party at school was on 12/17. I went to help out. The class made gingerbread houses. I had never made a gingerbread house before so the one I helped Nathan make did not turn out that well.
We went on a mule/donkey hayride by River Rd to see Christmas lights on 12/19.
We went to play in the snow on Mt Lemmon on 12/20. That was the first time we ever went up there when there was snow. That night we went to see the Christmas lights in Winterhaven. They had some pretty cool houses this year: A Christmas Vacation House, a Polar Express train that blew smoke, a fountain display, A Disney Frozen display with a snow machine, etc....
We went to Sabino Canyon to see the last of the Fall colors on 12/21.
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