Game Day!

Game day on campus may be routine for Matt, but not for Caleb and I. Each season, we wait with great anticipation for an early kick so that we might take part in the game day festivities too! Our chance came this past weekend when Arizona took on Washington State. The weather was perfect, the seats were great, and the family time was priceless. Despite the disappointing loss, much fun was had by all! 


             

Caleb reacts to the loss...

Halloween Festivities 2013

For Caleb, Halloween was yet another opportunity to play fireman with the one, very sweet, exception of collecting chocolate! I had hoped to dress as a family of super heroes this year, but couldn't deny my little rescue hero the opportunity to wear his turnouts. He received them from Papa Bob less than a year ago. At that time, they needed to be rolled twice. Now, not at all. Wearing them this Halloween was a must! 

Festivities began Wednesday morning with a party at preschool, then pumpkin carving at home. Thursday was another full day which began with a costume parade at the library and 

ended with a fabulous night of sharing God's love with hundreds of people at Vision's annual trunk or treat event!

Preschool Treat Bag 

Pumpkin Carving & Lighting

Library Fun: Story Time, Monster Mash & Costume Parade

    

4th Annual Boo Bash & Trunk or Treating

Fabulous Fall Fun

Fall in the desert isn't exactly fall in the midwest. Maple and oak trees do not paint the desert, nor do their leaves crunch underfoot. You do not bundle up to attend a football game. Cool, crisp walks to Biggby Coffee to enjoy a hot caramel apple cider no longer take place. In fact, the season barely announces its arrival at all. With fall being my favorite season, it would be easy to focus on what the desert doesn't have to offer. However, I have found great joy in discovering the many blessings of this beautiful season right where God has planted me. 


Fall in the desert means the start of six months of beautiful weather! The temps have cooled to the upper 80's and you can start and end your day in your favorite pair of jeans. Summer annuals are replaced with winter ones providing our backyard with continuous color. Hot air balloons once again pass over our home in the early morn. More evenings are spent playing in the park or watching Caleb ride his bike. We spent Caleb's first fall break baking cookies, adorning our windows with his handiwork and splashing at the pool!

Fall color can be found, if you're willing to make the drive. There are a few spots near the summit of Mt. Lemmon where aspen trees and a handful of maples can be found. This year we ventured off the beaten path in search of the maple trees. We enjoyed a picnic, hike and photo op among the golden leaves. A sweet taste of home. Our quest for fall color on Mt. Lemmon has become an annual tradition and has yet to disappoint.

The Marana Pumpkin Patch, located just north of our home, has become another family tradition. Surrounded by corn fields, the pumpkin patch is yet another reminder of home. With admittance you can enjoy the giant jumping pillows, petting farm, corn mazes and a ride to the pumpkin patch where everyone can select one pumpkin. We also splurge for the train ride, which we feel is a must! We all had the opportunity to bounce on the jumping pillows, and oh what fun! We laughed, and laughed and laughed. We had a blast! Both Caleb and I asked for a giant bouncing pillow for the backyard. That request was denied, so we'll just have to do it again next year! 

This year, as I wandered though the patch, I marveled at how no two pumpkins were alike. They varied in size, color and shape. All beautiful, but all unique. I was reminded of how every person God created is both beautiful and unique. He loves us all the same, and gave his life for each and everyone of us. We are called to love as He loved regardless of what we may or may not see on the outside or how "lovable" anyone may or may not seem.

Whenever there is a chance to feed Caleb's fire fighting interest, we feed it! We learned of a family fun event at Trail Dust Town. Not only could children dress up, trick or treat and ride the carousel, but the Tucson fire fighters would be there with their fire truck! The fire truck was not there when we arrived, so we made our way with the masses through the wild west town to collect candy and ride the carousel. We then found the fire truck! The firemen couldn't have been better! 
They loved his turnouts and wanted to know where he got them! They were sensitive to his shyness, and made him feel very special! Caleb then informed us he really wanted a balloon animal, so with hesitation, back to the wild west we went to battle the masses for a green giraffe. Caleb's immense joy and gratitude made the whole evening worth it all!