Arizona Museum of Natural History

We finally saw this Museum with our Pogopass today!

The dinosaurs were great!  The kids learned all about meteors.  How they look and feel like a rock; but are actually iron and nickel.   They had great guides there That explained a few different fossils, rocks and dinosaurs. 

There were different hands on activities that they kids enjoyed. Such as;  dinosaur rocking horse,  puzzles,  teepee with faux fire inside, flash flood display and a wishing pond. 

What great adventures;  However, being that Levi has come here before for a field trip he saved the ' best for last ' !

In the back of the museum is a patio that features a mining water feature, with sand, gold and dishes to find and keep gold specs of their own.  

We all worked well together;  and I showed them some of my ' Montana skills ': because honestly I wouldn't be a true born Montanian if I didn't know how to mine!! :)

that gold settles to the bottom of the tray;  so the proper angle and continuous water, along with the consistent swaying motion to collect the most gold from your dish is crucial.  *see I think I know what I am talking about!  * ;)

However: with my 5th birth around the corner;  I found that I quickly started to melt in the Arizona Sun and decided that 20 exterior minutes was plenty for this hot momma.  *maybe mining shouldn't be done under an Arizona summer Sun* ;)

Bayden really enjoyed the rocks and running up the stairs. 

I love these kiddos!  

Crazy Storm

There was a crazy storm that rolled through last night.  We didn't know if we should freak out or try to enjoy it.

The trees were almost bending in half and the rains were so heavy!

The kids didn't seem to mind at first;  except Bayden .   He wasn't having it - he walked around with his hands over his ears and was concerned about my car and daddy's truck.  What a thoughtful little man.

Reed even had to run around crazy to make sure that everything was situated.

Thanks goodness for the Arizona rain;  the Lord knows we need it! 

Happy Monsoon!

However: our poor ward experienced many trees and trampolines ripped in half! (Good thing our trap is already M.I.A.)

So many in fact,  that a Scout decided to make an Eagle Project out of cleaning and disposing of over 40 trees that got disfigured throughout our area.

Crazy Gilbert Times! 

*we are just thankful that none of our mangled planes flew away!  * ;)

Xoxo

2 is better than 1, right! !???

Isn't 2 always better than 1!!?? Well that is what daddy thinks!  So who could pass up an opportunity of 2 swing sets!  Not an old man named ' Reed '!!

I know what you are thinking,  ' double swinging time,  monkey bars,  galvanized steel and a banned teeter totter of ' death ' !

Well here is the new backyard addition!  All fully concreted in;  totally legit & the real deal! 

P.S. I think that guy in the background is part monkey, part day labor and part cowboy;  it is funny how time can change a man! **

Now only a day to let this ' puppy' rest, than the kiddo's will be burning their little fingers on this hot summer bad boy! 

My summer SWIMMERS!

I love my ladies and their matching swiMming suits!  Yup,  they are spoiled!  Xoxo

Happy Late Easter

Easter this year was with the Jarman clan! 

We were the party hosts!  Nana was a big help.  She showed up a couple hours before,  to help out!  It was fabulous,  I was able to take a needed nap!

Everyone arrived at about 2pm.  Everyone contributed to the feast,  they all made such yummy food;  that I didn't have to do anything!

The cousin's were so excited to see each other!  It is always a nice visit; chatting about each other's lives!

We talked about our Donkeys and beef cow;  the slaughtering of our poor chicken's and peacock's; the recent remodels of our home and what still needs to be done and lastly our Roku television purchase.   It's always nice to get others opinions and ideas.

After our bellies became full, we prepared for the great egg hunt!  I never thought that our 'by-level' yard would be so helpful in distinguishing the kiddy and mature egg hunting areas.

Some of the ' little's' were into the hunt and some were into the first piece of candy.  It seemed like they all really enjoyed themselves. I was surprised at how tired our Bayden was, he was comfortably sleeping in his bed most of the time (thank goodness for an older sister to keep his bed stocked up with pink blankets and stuffed animals!! ;)

Then lastly, the after party consisted of a slip in slide; a small kiddy pool,  a glamourous claw foot tub and some productions of killing reenactments of killing movie scenes replayed in the our walk in shower.   Wow what a production the kids put on while the camera crew rolled the ' pretend ' camera from the comfort of the tub.   Thank goodness Reed installed all.

**p.s. Reed loved his tree hugging gnome!  He is hilarious, Because he takes good care of our 10 baby trees;  So I thought it would be fitting to get him a security tree hugging gnome! Yup,  money well spent!  Ha!  **