Tucson part5

Our very last day in Tucson was great.  We were living the camping lifestyle (although there was an In-N-Out right across the street).  The boys loved eating their breakfast at the RV table inside.  

 Molly enjoyed sitting as close to Papa and Ahwee as she could

 While we waited for out cousins to come, Ryden did some scootering and Trevin took a walk with papa.

 When the cousins arrived, we all hopped in the back of Big Red and drove to go look at some critters.  The kids had a blast riding in the back with no seat belts.  Livin' on the edge...

 This pic cracks me up...sorry Jacob

 The kids were interested in the snakes and gila monsters for a good 5 minutes.....

 Then they found a "stage" to play tag on...much more fun

Trev must really like Jacob to share his baby skateboard with him...

 We decided to check out the trail and see if we wanted to attempt a hike...

 Trev was NOT interested, so Ma & Pa took him back to the RV and Sara, Steve, and I took the other kids on a 'hike'.

 We hadn't even gone a few feet before Emma pointed out a real live gila monster...

 Sara documenting it for all her facebook peeps

 Emma and Ryden could care less....onward to the hike!

 I used to despise when my mom would make us stop for a picture back in the day.  Well who's idea do you think this photo was?  I'm my mom's daughter all right...Get together!!  Better cheddar!!

Hiking with four kids sure does involve a lot of complaining!

At least Steve got some great nature shots...

And I got some great artsy shots...ohh..tree in focus...kids blurry...

 Jacob made sure that Ryden watched his step going down.  Caring cousin.

 They had benches pretty much every few feet...which our kids had to sit down at each one.  Come on kids.  Step it up!  This is a hike! Not a casual stroll through the park :)

 Steve's idea...hang from this tree like a monkey.  This was so painful on the hands!  I did this exercise as well, but proof is on Sara's camera.

Steve had to one-up everyone

 We finally made it back and Papa picked us up in Big Red again.  The kids all got a treat for making it through the horrendous nature hike (I loved every minute of it!)

Steve and I especially loved riding in the back of Big Red....woo hoo!  Roller coaster!

We got back to the campsite and relaxed for a little bit.  Then it was time to say goodbye

 I think Emma wanted to sneak Molly home with her....

Such a fun, memorable trip to Arizona...

Tucson part4

Now Ryden can never go visit Ahwee without making a pear pie.  So that is just what the two of them did....at 8 in the morning.  This time Ryden didn't even have to lick the pears or stick his finger in the sugar.  He is growing up...

Then it was time to take a ride in my old car.  My dad fixed up the '65 VW bug I used to drive all around Tucson in my hay day.  Ryden was extremely excited to ride in the back around the block without a car seat.  Whoa doggies.  Trev hopped in at the last minute also.

 I seem to always be in town in April which happens to be right around my friend Jeanne's birthday.  So we always plan a little celebration for her.  I have known Jimmy (my dads nickname for her) and my friend Cathy since kindergarten.  Roya is my high school homie so we all go WAAAY back.  It's always fun catching up with them.

 I am perfecting my selfies

Me with the birthday girl

The next day, Sara invited me to an open gymnastics place so the kids could get some energy out.  Emma doesn't look like she is doing anything but resting.

Ninja Trev

The day sort of got away from us and next thing I knew, we had to start packing up to head to our campsite for the weekend.  We were all going from room to room to car trying to get everything ready.....while Trev sat in Toby's dog bed.  Every time someone would pass him, he would say "Ahwee push?  Mama push?"  Also, notice his choice of stuff to bring in the dog bed...because who doesn't love to carry around a box of macaroni?   

We got to the campsite at Catalina State Park (only about 20 minutes from Papa and Ahwee's house) and had some watermelon.

 Then the boys and I left the campsite to go to the cousin's carnival at their school.  It was super fun!  Tattoos, bean bag toss, acapella groups (which Trevin totally dug)...

 I really think the kids enjoyed playing on the playground the best though.  Trev enjoyed putting rocks on a plate.  

 And of course....the snow cones and cotton candy were a major hit

 Snow cone CHEERS

 Trev ate more paper than snow

 Back at the campsite...Trev did some light reading before both boys were out for the night.