Travel Journal Part 2

OK so this post is going to have a lot of pictures. I have a hard time deciding which ones to post so you get a bunch.

Wednesday
This day we decided to go to the Phoenix zoo. We went to the wildlife zoo which would have been enough but Abby has been waiting since last year to ride the camel. Trevor and I rode one last year when we went to visit but Abby was just barely too young. She remembered that she didn't get to and that she really wanted to so when we told her we were going to Nikki's house the first thing she said was, "And I can ride the camel." So we promised her she could. She was not going to let us forget it either so we went to both. We had a lot of fun and the kids just love the animals.

Nikki and the kids by the giraffes. (they were not as exciting as the ones we fed)

The famous camel ride! They had a blast and I was happy because I didn't have to go this year!

Trevor, Abby and Aunt Nikki enjoying their snow cones.

My three little chicks!

My first little chick (I told you he is just like a kid)!

Trevor riding the crocodile (he is obsessed with them)

Carter and Trevor in the clam shell (Abby was sleeping)

Carter the turtle

Carter driving the tractor. They had a little farm section and even though we see these animals all the time it was Carter's favorite part! He love cows and horses.

THURSDAY

This was pretty much a lazy day for us. We played outside and went on a picnic. In the evening we went to Fiddlestix for a while and then we went to a softball game. Trent is on a church team and they were kind enough to let Nick play too. So we went and watched. I just have to say that my kids are wimps. It was kind of a chilly night and we hadn't planned to go so I was not prepared with jackets. Anyway, the kids were all just whining and complaining about how cold they were. I finally ended up going to the car and getting their winter coats for them. We are the ones from Wyoming and my kids are the only ones with coats (winter coats none the less)! It was pretty funny.

FRIDAY

This was our last day in Phoenix so some of the day was spent sulking. We got up early and got ready to go to the children's art museum. (we tried to go Thursday afternoon but we got there 30 minutes before it closed so we decided to go back the next day). We went to this museum last year and I didn't get any pictures. Nick was sick last year so he didn't get to see it and I kept telling him how cute it was. I brought my camera but the batteries died after one picture and my extras were in our suitcase. Anyway, I really wanted to go back to Nick could see it and so I could get some pictures. Well, because I didn't get pictures last year, I made up for it this year. I took a lot of pictures. I just have to say that I talked it up too much. Nick was not really that impressed because I had made it sound so much better, and I do have to add that it was not as cool this year. Part of it was basically the same but the other part was completely different and pretty much stupid. Anyway, the kids had fun and here are some of our pictures.

Carter fixing me dinner

Abby washing the dishes

Trevor bringing me a plate of fruit

Carter's puppet show

Abby's puppet show

Trevor's puppet show

Carter putting the apple on the tree

Abby inside the tree house

Trevor and his pet rats! (we took this picture just for Grandma Terry)

Dad reading to Carter

Abby posing on the bug pillow (she didn't want to sit still for a story)

Trevor and Dad reading a story

The three munchkins by the painting room

After we went to the museum we decided we needed to go swimming before we left. We had planned on going to an indoor pool but found out that it wasn't open, so all week we didn't go. Anyway, we had told the kids we could go so we went to Trent's parents house. They are so kind to let us use their pool and they are always so hospitable. We went there last year too. The only trouble is it is an outdoor pool and it is still really cold this time of year. However, the kids didn't seem to mind too much. Trevor really had a ball. It took Abby a while to warm up but then she had fun too. Carter never did get used to it. I didn't either, I didn't even put my suit on because I knew I wouldn't. It was a good time and we are so glad that the Cowley's are so nice.

Trevor, Nick and Abby swimming

Carter and I did keep our feet in but that was it.

Abby and her hippo

Trevor and his Crocodile

After we went swimming we drove out to Gilbert to see our friends the Shumways. We knew them in Laramie and we miss them. It was so good to see them. We just hung out at their house and let the kids play. We wish we could have spent more time with them but it was sure good to see them for a minute. Thanks Shumways! We got back to Nikki's house late that night and we just went to bed.

SATURDAY

We left on Saturday morning about 4:30am. We wanted to get an early start so that the kids would sleep and so we could get home at a decent hour. We had a good trip home. The kids did GREAT! They were awake for a lot of it but they were so so good. They read books, colored, opened surprise packages, sang songs and ate snacks. We did borrow a dvd player from a good friend and we let them watch 2 movies on the way home. I don't think that it was necessary to have it but it did give me a nice break from trying to entertain. Thank you so much Jill! Anyway, we had such a wonderful trip. It is always nice to be home when you get home but we are ready to go back to that warm weather again! Thank you Nikki and Trent for such a wonderful time! We love you.

P.S. I forgot to mention that Carter loved Trent and it was so cute. He is such a Mama's boy but he really liked Trent and it was nice to have a break. I didn't take any pictures of the two of them but I think it was a good thing for everyone involved!

P.P.S Nick wrote down everything that he ate at the ball game so I guess I better share

5 hot dogs, 4 bags of chips, 1 box of popcorn, 1 bag of peanuts, 6 sodas and 2 waters. It makes me sick just thinking about it but he sure enjoyed it! Way to go honey!