Happy Fall!

Happy Fall!

Monday, April 30, 2012

Mr. Fix-it

Last weekend, Continental Ranch had community yards sales and Caleb scored big! He found a workbench that came with hand tools, power tools, and loads of workbench accessories! I don't know of anything else that has ever held his interest for so long! You name it, and he will fix it!

Caleb with his new workbench and tools

Every handy man needs a pair of safety goggles

Time to get to work

Pool Time Fun

Last week we hit 100° and it was off to Target for an inflatable splash pool and hours of fun!

Daddy inflating the pool

Big enough for everyone to cool off

Caleb checking the progress

Time to get changed

Ready to jump in






Bisbee


On Sunday, April 22, Matt and I headed south to Bisbee, AZ to celebrate our anniversary. On the way, we stopped in Tombstone for a taste of the Wild West. After visiting a few shops and enjoying lunch at the Crystal Palace Saloon, built in 1882, we were off to Bisbee. Bisbee is approximately 90 miles southeast of Tucson. It's tucked away in the Mule Mountains. There are layers upon layers of homes and businesses built into the hillside. They are connected by antique staircases and winding narrow streets. Bisbee was founded in 1880. This old mining camp produced gold, copper and silver and was once the largest city in the southwest between St. Louis and San Francisco. Upon arrival, we wandered the streets and climbed some of the many sets of stairs to take in the sights of Bisbee. Our hotel, the Letson Loft, is one of the oldest authentic Victorian buildings in Bisbee. Our room sat above an art gallery overlooking downtown Bisbee. After checking in and receiving a tour of the boutique hotel, we visited some unique shops and enjoyed an amazing dinner at Santiago's Mexican Restaurant. Strings of lights hung across the streets and illuminated our walk back to the hotel. The following morning, we enjoyed coffee in the room as we watched Bisbee come alive. We had breakfast at the Bisbee Breakfast Club before taking a final stroll through town and making a stop at the Lavender Pit Mine. 


Tombstone
O.K. Corral Gunfight Site

Tombstone
Chocise County Courthouse built in 1882.

Tombstone
Allen Street

Our arrival in Bisbee

Old Bisbee

 "B" Hill

Entrance to our hotel

Letson Loft Hotel
We stayed in the room on the far right overlooking downtown.

Pythian Castle

Brewery Saloon built in 1905, now the Stock Exchange Saloon

Covenant Presbyterian Church, founded 1900

Old Bisbee stairs

Castle Rock

A beautifully painted stairwell 


The start of our stair climb adventure

The view of Old Bisbee from the top of our stair climb

Old Bisbee Cross

Our room at the Leston Loft

Another view of our room

Happy 9th Anniversary!

Enjoying a morning cup of coffee and watching Bisbee come alive

A quick pic before checking out

Lavender Pit Mine

We enjoyed incredible service and food at Santiago's Mexican Resaurant

Ornate Stairway 

Layers of homes and businesses on the hillside

Views of the Covenant Presbyterian Church and Cooper Queen Hotel

Mull Mountain Tunnel Pass, leaving Bisbee



Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Gram and Papa's Visit

The day had finally come for Grandma Ann and Papa Bob to arrive in Tucson! Shortly after their arrival, Caleb and Gram were playing chase in the backyard. We grilled out for dinner and simply enjoyed being together. How precious these moments are. Friday included a trip to Monkey Business where Caleb and Papa drove race cars in the arcade, a pizza picnic in the park and a swim at the hotel pool. The following day Ann and I had a girls' day out that was full of shopping and lunch at a Greek cafe. The guys spent the day watching the Tucson Air Show from our backyard and flying a kite with Caleb. They also put together a plan to add grass to our backyard! That evening, the first piece of synthetic turf was laid and Caleb was hitting golf balls off his new lawn. Oh how wonderful to have a place for Caleb to run and play! Sunday, Matt and I were off to Bisbee to celebrate our anniversary, and Caleb would have Gram and Papa all to himself. We wrapped up the visit with a trip to the zoo, another dip in the pool and an evening in the park. Gram and Papa would leave the next morning for the airport. After many hugs and tears, they were on their way to see Mark in California. How blessed we are to love and be loved so much!


Trying out the bubble machine from Gram

Bubbles bubbles everywhere

Driving race cars with Papa at Monkey Business.
 If only there were points for hitting light poles.

Scoring some tickets

Trying to catch apples

Playing toss at the hotel pool

Fun in the sun
Happy to be with Gram

Hey Gram, that tickles!

Enjoying a surprise visit from Daddy

Testing out his golf clubs on his new grass from Papa Bob.

Playing cars with Gram before bed

C'mon chase me everybody


Getting a boost from Gram at the park

Helping Daddy clear the rocks for the second piece of turf

Papa rolling out our new lawn

Caleb referring to the map at the Reid Park Zoo

Posing for a picture in front of the tortoise and ostrich exhibits

Capturing a family pic at the children's play area

Watching Sundzu, the baby elephant,

Making music at the new Tanzania exhibit

Trying out the drums

Gram and Papa

Enjoying one more dip in the pool

Playing splash with Gram

Giving Gram and Papa a rocket balloon demo

An evening in the park

Bob and Matt
with the Silverbell Mountains in the background

Playing on the new grass with Papa