Arizona State Fair

It has been years since I've been to the state fair. I've never taken my kids, just seemed a little too scary and dirty. But this year Josie danced at the fair.



She did a really good job.  She did a tap number to "Pump Up the Jam".  She's really improved these last couple years and absolutely loves loves loves to dance!  We're constantly asking her to PLEASE take her tap shoes off. With so much tile flooring, it gets very loud.

Her cousins, Kami, Mallory and Paighton also danced. So we had a great time together after the performances enjoying the fair.

Going on rides...


eating very fattening fair food...

being so dang cute!

learning to milk a cow...

and petting the animals! Ries absolutely loved the animals. He squeeled and laughed with every one!

We had such a great day and can honestly say...We can't wait for next year!

A Hiking We Will Go!

Yesterday, we took the kids to Superstition Mountain hiking and had a great time!  Although it did get a little hot, it's always great to take time to enjoy and appreciate the beautiful desert we live in.  
We're still cool and ready to go. 
Josie only fell down three times, T.J. fell down once and Jimmy felt like he was going to fall down a lot.  (I guess Ries has grown a lot since last time he was in that backpack.)

Josie can't resist the opportunity to pose, even when she's tired and sweaty.
T.J. was excited that he can count this towards an achievement for scouts.
Is it over yet? We're now hot, tired and hungry. But it always seems like a great accomplishment when we're done. Hopefully next time it won't be 90 degrees!