Arizona Fun!

After a fun-filled week in Utah, London and I were ready to soak in some sun. Brandon finished up his finals while we were away and was able to fly out and join us in Arizona at Ryan and Candice's house for spring break. I can't even begin to tell you how nice of a vacation it was! Brandon was with us 24/7, London let us sleep in until at least 9 every day, we had good food, and of course the company was top notch. We managed to pack in a lot of rest and a lot of activities. I hope you're prepared for pictures, because we got a few.

We were so excited to see Cubby again! He's grown a lot since Christmas and his personality is HUGE. He's got this smile that can warm the coldest of hearts.



We also made a new friend! Candice watches her niece Corynne during the days. She's just a bit younger than L, so they got along great (for the most part). London loved having a little friend around to play with all day. I don't know if it's Corynne's red hair or her quiet, sweet personality, but I just fell in love with her.



We started the week our right by heading out to a spring training game. Cubs vs. A's. I honestly have no idea who won the game but the kids loved being outside and it was an exciting and fun atmosphere. We've never seen a professional team play before, so it was a great experience.



Later in the week we managed to cram all 3 kids in the back of the car and ventured off to the zoo. The Phoenix Zoo is awesome. The trails are all shaded (probably b/c no one would go there if they weren't) and there is fun decor all around. It feels more like an adventure than just simply going to the zoo. They have an exhibit where you can go in with real-live, teeny-tiny, poo-flingin' monkeys. Okay, so we didn't see them fling any poo, but it was really neat, albeit somewhat nerve-wracking, to be right there in the cage with them. They were exciting to watch until one would get too close and the workers would start saying, "Keep really still... no sudden moves..." and then it was a bit unsettling. Unfortunately, L slept through the whole monkey experience. I think she would have loved it. Maybe next time.

Saturday morning we were up early to attend Ryan and Candice's ward's Easter breakfast. For some strange reason they hold a pinewood derby after the breakfast. Not just any pinewood derby, however. Every car has to carry an egg on it and it must not break. Just to spice things up a bit, they tip a table over and put it at the end of the track so your car crashes to a stop. I think Ryan and Brandon had too much fun putting their car together.

The winners and their trophy! (not really)

I can't imagine how much more fun they would have had if they had known all the rules; you were allowed to do basically whatever you wanted to the car to help it win. There were cars covered in foam, with springs that acted as shocks, with tape everywhere... you name it, someone had tried it. The real winners of the whole thing had their egg inside a padded tin can. On top of their car was an 8 X 10 piece of wood that was covered in flashing red and blue lights. To finish it off, there was an entire unravelled metal hanger poking out the front of the car, guaranteeing that it would hit the finish line before its competitors. I'm pretty sure this one activity alone guarantees that we'll be back out to Arizona for spring break next year. The Pleasant 2nd Ward won't know what it hit it.

For there record, this is how their car really did:

Please notice that the egg is mid-air, smashing into the table :)

Ryan, Candice, Cubby, and Mishka, we had so much fun coming to visit you! Thanks for letting us crash at your place and be lazy. We hope you can make it out to see us sometime!

For those who just can't get enough... here are some more pics!

(click to view pictures)