Veterans Day Parade

Veterans Day is a big deal around here because people can get outside. Okay its not like a huge deal, but it had a parade so you be the judge.
We decided to go to the Phoenix parade mostly because it was right by Aunt Kays work which is always an added bonus. We parked at Swan, walked to the parade route, set up our blanket and picnic, and watched the parade.

We don't have a double stroller so this is how we ride sometimes. And yes, Madison has a sucker. It kept her quiet and calm until the parade. Kelsey promptly took the wrapper off and ate it once we got there. Win win in my mom book. Judge if you must.

 Sometimes not have a double causes some grief

The parade was very typical in the sense that every armed force was represented, there were a bunch of old people riding in their really cool old cars, lots of fire trucks and police cars, and about 13 Miss Arizona of some kind.  The beginning of the parade was new to me however. They had a GIANT flag held up by about 50 people as there was a fly over with some biplanes.

 The girls were so good. Most of the parade, Madison was so happy in the stroller and Kelsey was happy on the ground. Near the end Madison wanted to be on the ground and Kelsey wanted to be in the stroller. They planned it perfectly.

It wasn't that crowded so the girls were able to move about as much as they "wanted." They really had so much fun seeing all the soldiers, "princesses," flags, bands, and everything else.

Some stand outs included:
WWII reinactors

The ROTC groups: obviously the Air Force had a special place in my heart

The giant eagle balloon

The "princess" (one of the Miss Arizonas) that gave us a flag

Uncle Scott
Look Kelsey. Its Uncle Sam.
Uncle Scott came! Where is he?!

 

The war dogs

 

This... I mean seriously! Does your parade ride get cooler?! 

 

The UHaul man who absolutely LOVED being in the parade

Dancing to the bands

And that one guy who was on Parks and Rec. What was his name?

If you must know, we got kind of chilled during the parade. It was 67 degrees. We aren't used to being chilled any more.

 

My view walking home

I've never enjoyed a Veterans Day parade and we certainly had a great time.

BYU vs San Jose

The weekend of November 7th, Ethan met Jake Morris, Dallin Salmon, and Mark Apker in San Jose for the San Jose BYU  game. Because I feel so sorry for myself when ever Ethan's not home, the girls and I tried to party really hard to forget that dad was gone. It was literally less than 48 hours. I'm just a really big wuss.

Before we went to get Ethan, we sat outside all day long watching golfers. The course was closed for reseeding and reopened that day. I didn't realize how much I missed the golfers until they were back. I LOVE them! I love watching them drive by, I love hearing them talk, I love finding golf balls in my yard, and I love the occasional people who actually talk to us. I love the golfers.

Madison is melting hearts by learning how to blow kisses. It is my favorite trick she does right now.

We dropped Ethan off at the airport and then started to drive home. Both girls were asleep so I was thinking of what to do. I originally planned on going to the state fair, but traiffic was so terrible that I couldn't make the exit. No joke! I decided to just go home when I passed this sign for Tominash Farms in Tolleson which is really close to our house. I decided to stop there instead and I'm so glad I did.  To say it was a farm is really generous. It was more like a harvest playground. There was so much to do.

A petting zoo, corn maze both small and large, train ride, a corn-pit for babies, water races with old water pumps, slides, tractors to climb, bounce houses, bikes to ride, a rope swing, and one of those trampoline balloon things. To say we were entertained is an understatement. Since we went the weekend after Halloween there was like no one there either so we didn't have to wait for anything. It was really a lot of fun.


 Lets play a game... which one was awake when we got there and which one did I have to wake up?

And then she saw a horse. Life was hard at first

 After the farm, we went to the splash pad aka my shower, talked to dad, and watched Pirate Tinkerbell with popcorn. It was a great evening.

We didn't hear much from Ethan because he was at the game, but I just knew he was having an amazing time being with his buddies again. Later I did snag some pictures from Jake Morris

I knew Saturday would be long if we didn't do something fun so I decided last  minute to have a picnic at the Mesa Temple. While we were there they were setting up the Christmas lights AND there was a car show across the street. Again, another great day.

 I absolutely loved the cacti at the temple. The girls, not so much, but still a great picture

 Sorry Madison. I promise its out of love...

The car show was completely free and completely awesome. People just brought their old cars and opened the hoods for other car buffs to look at. We didn't really care about that, but what we did care about was the train, bouncy houses, and live music.

On Saturday Ethan went to Pepple Beach golf course and to the beach. This video pretty much sums up the amount of fun he had with his buddies. We miss those guys for sure.
Also lets take a minute to acknowledge that Ethan is swimming in the ocean in November with no wet suit. And we wonder where Madison's water love comes from.

 

 He's not actually golfing. They hopped a fence for a fake picture. If you look close you can see he is holding nothing.

Ethan came home after church on Sunday and we enjoyed the afternoon outside. Everyone was really excited and really tired! 

 We asked Kels to take a picture of the two of us and after 23 attempts we got these two pictures. All the others are of the grass or her hand. Good effort Kels

This one is actually awesome

Halloween

Halloween was awesome. It was on a Saturday and it was warm. We were able to do what ever we wanted. Trick or treating really is so cool when its 75 degrees outside.
Our neighborhoods is one that people drive to so there were people EVERYWHERE!! My favorite part about the whole thing was how people handed out their candy. Not all, but most people just sat outside on their driveways with tables set up. Some neighbors sat together and had little parties, some set up haunted houses, some were having BBQs, but no matter what they were doing, they were sitting outside. We rang some doorbells, but mostly we just walked up to people's driveway parties. It was really different and really fun.
If we are here next year I really think I want to set up a table on our driveway and just watch trick or treats.

Obviously we trick or treated with the Randells and the girls RAN from house to house. Each girl tripped at least once and they ended the night being pushed in Rich's wagon, but over all it was a giant success. Phyllis had little goody bags for each of them, including Madison, and Lorene gave them each king sized bars. Its so fun to have great neighbors.

After we played with the Randells and handed out candy for a while, we went and sorted all the candy. Halloween in Arizona really is the coolest.