6 Months Later.....

It's been Six months since we moved from Colorado to Phoenix so I thought I would jot down some thoughts and maybe check back again in six months to see if anything has changed.

* It doesn't seem "real" that we are living here yet, it seems like a long trip.
* I miss my church in Erie. Our church here has a lot of nice people but I feel somewhat of a disconnect still.  Today the ward was split and I'm hoping this will help to have a smaller ward.  We live next to HUGE churches with congregations of over 30,000 people.  How the heck would their leader meet their needs?  It seems nuts to me.
* Landon and Dayton were more of the "bigger fish in smaller pond in Colorado whereas now they are the smaller fish in a big pond" They are fitting in well and have made some friends but still need more.  Reece has thrived in the preschool here and has a best buddy next door.
* Football here is nuts compared to Colorado and I thought Colorado football was nuts.  We LOVE it here though. Actually there are tons more sports programs and lots of options to choose from. Most things also go year round.
* I've become more of a recluse here.  It's been 6 months and haven't had one party yet? WHAT!  I keep telling myself to have people over but then I don't.
* Love the Elementary school here.  Good programs but keeps the kids super busy. Landon is in the Gifted and Talented program here like he was in Colorado but is finding it more challenging here.  The teacher hands out a lot more homework and I think expects a lot more. Dayton especially is thriving a lot more here than in Erie and has an excellent teacher this year-YAY!
* Preschool is more expensive, along with speeding tickets, car insurance and ELECTRICITY!
*I love having more stores, entertainment, church, and school close by.  BUT I need to stop eating out so much cause I'm getting fat  :)  It is too convenient.
* Monsoon's are awesome and apparently it's been a mild season.
*It's hot in the summer (duh) but it's bearable.  Everyone just goes out of town in the summer.  I can do that.
* I loved my Colorado house more but I love my Phoenix backyard more.
* Travis travels a little less here but still quite a bit. At least he gets paid more :)
*As my kids get a little older I find myself wondering about what I want to be when I grow up.  I don't think I'll be satisfied being at home by myself when they are in school all day.  I'm starting to look at different options.
*Starting a running blog has been fun to connect with others who share that interest and to read about their triumphs and challenges.
* My kids will have a lot of opportunities here. Excellent schools, excellent music teachers, excellent extra curricular activities and a lot of kids and families around that share our values.
* We will live less than 5 miles from a new Temple! Our church building is next door.  Huge blessing.
* I miss my friends in Erie and Parker a lot.  I had a lot of friends, especially in Erie, who shared my same passions and I haven't found those here yet---but I will!

After moving as much as I have I know things just take time but I'm not very patient.  I know I have to put myself out there and make it happen but sometimes wouldn't it be nice if it just showed up on my doorstep?

Not such a huge exciting post.  More for my benefit than anyone else's, but thanks for following along.

Labor Day Weekend

You'll never guess where we started off Labor Day weekend at!  FOOTBALL GAMES!  It was awesome and I can't believe I didn't take any pictures :(  What a lame mom I am.  I'll get some next time.  I was too busy cheering I didn't think about it.  Landon's game was first and they creamed the opponent 34-0.  Dayton's team followed up with their own smack down delivery with a win of 40-0.  It's sort of brutal to watch when the score is so one sided but we have been on the other side of the smack down our fare share so I was excited to start off the weekend with wins.  Dayton was especially loving it as this was his first football game ever.  He is tight end and we noticed he loves to "lay people out".  He is a brick wall.  It is hard for me to even lift him anymore.  He couldn't get enough.

Anyway, after football we lunched then loaded the mini for our quick trip up north to Sedona.  We have heard this is a great close place to get away and we were excited to relax and get away together.  Reece is always excited whenever we get to stay in a hotel.  He thinks it's the coolest thing.

When we got to the Hotel we had two adjoining rooms reserved but they didn't have two rooms that adjoined waiting for us.  They had upgraded one of the rooms to a suite (nice thought) but in so doing made it so we had two rooms on different floors--! Umm, this doesn't work when you have little's under the age of 10 unless mom and dad split up which was not in the plan.  Anyway they eventually found us two rooms together but they didn't adjoin. Anyway, not ideal but whatever.  To "make up" for their well intended screw up they gave us free breakfast so the kiddos took full advantage complete with hot chocolate.

Landon being a goof

Reecer man's best attempt at whip cream mustache

mmmmmmm Bacon!

and chocolate covered marshmallows? Yes, they had a chocolate fountain at the breakfast buffet.    All in the family partook except yours truly because nothing says gag like chocolate marshmallows first thing in the morning. Dayton took a plate and was sneaking it back to our room and mom and dad were teasing that he was going to get in big trouble for that so he is trying to hide it.

After picture Travis said "Why are you taking a picture of me eating yogurt?  Is that exciting?  Me: Maybe"

So after breakfast we did some of this

Sightseeing in Sedona

And some of this

Hot tubbing in Sedona, too cold to swim, it was in the 90's, brrr (just kidding, we swam too)

Some shopping

Sadie put this hat on first thing when we went in the store so naturally we HAD to buy it. I love girl shopping!

And too much eating

Dayton was really excited the restaraunt left all that crap (you know, tomato, lettuce, pickle) off his cheeseburger so he didn't have to scrape it off.  SCORE!

We enjoyed some street entertainment

And made some of our own

I liked this mat, and wanted to buy it but everyone else was "too cool" for it. (I'm easily entertained)

1st night was pure relaxation, we went back to the hotel and watched movies.  Home Alone 3 for the kids and 310 to Yuma for mom and dad.  It was great.
Monday was the only day we really had anything substantial planned and that was to check out the Slide Rock State Park.  According to the latest reviews it was suppose to be a casual but fun outing for "families".  So toting our four littles we headed up and to our dismay this is what we found.

Total bummer!  Every now and then they have to close the slide because of bacteria.  GROSS.  The ranger said they test the water every day and this is the 9th time this season they have had to close it.  Well, we tried to make the best of it and hiked around a bit.

Dad also found a lizard which is always a hit

He also found this....FREAK

And then we watched (like annoying tourists) as the ranger did this?.......

Do you see the little friend he dumped out of the garbage can? We could sure smell him.

Goodbye little skunk, thanks for the entertainment.

After our "strenuous" hike we had some snacks

Followed by a "photo op".  How many camelbacks do you need for a 1 mile hike?  It depends on how many kids you have.  Our case 4.  They loved it.

It was a short quick trip but we had fun getting away together.  Happy Labor Day!