pretty sure that sums up Pax's 2 favorite things from our recent trip to Tucs*n. That is where we went, just in case you didn't get that from the pictures of the huge, many-armed cactus. Although my son (unlike his mama at his age) has a healthy fear of sitting on the spikey things...but that's another story. And fair warning- this will be a long, possibly uninteresting post to anyone but family; but since this blog is also a sort of journal for our family-I'm gonna put in all the details! 
The kids with my Uncle Gene, my mom's closest-in-age brother...he's only 12 years older than she is :) 
From the fort, Pax could see a giant, many-armed cactua (read:very old) that he pointed out to everyone who came out..."Look! It's a GIANT CACTUS!!!"
It wasn't this one...but aren't saguaros COOL??
The first 2 days were spent with my Uncle Gene & Aunt Marilyn. My Aunt Jean and Uncle John (my dad's oldest sister) joined us for dinner the first night; the next day we went to the Desert Museum, which is pretty awesome--what I saw of it as Pax raced through the 2 miles of outdoor desert trails and I raced after him. His favorite parts? The snakes (which B wouldn't even look at); the scorpions which turned green under a black light (which, I'll admit, were pretty cool) and a video of a volcano exploding, which we saw after walking through a cave. We saw some javalina (wild boars) and coyotes in their habitats, too. Have to say the coyotes looked much prettier than their wild counterparts. My kids, however, were much more interested in these:
Yup, nothing beats a statue of the real thing and some dirt to play in. After some fantastic Mexican food that night with most of the Arizona connection (aunts, uncles, and a few cousins...I know someone got a picture of all of us; but it wasn't me, as I was trying to keep someone from getting refried beans and root beer all over the world), we went to spent the last few days at my Aunt Janet and Uncle Jimmy's house a bit south and east of Tucson. Pretty much they just live in the desert-but it's different out there, with lots of fun brush and sand and dirt and cactus...a little boy's dream :)
Blythe and her Great-Aunt Janet...she's the one who taught me to crochet all those years ago!
We headed down south at the end of January to visit family; both of my dad's sisters live there as do 2 of my mom's brothers. It's where my siblings and I were born-we moved to Colora*o when I was about 8 months old (there, the truth's out...I'm a transplant!). I can hardly recall a spring break growing up that wasn't spent in Tucson; some times Christmas, too. But my kids haven't been there so much-the little guy, just once when he was about 5 months old. And this was, of course, B's first trip. It was a fun, fast 5 days; spent eating, catching up with aunts and uncles, and basking in the warm(er) Arizona sunshine. I'm never a huge fan of traveling without Adam; but with my mom along things went smoothly and, although I felt like I could sleep for a week when I got back, it was worth it! keeping connections with family is always worth it. And now, since it's taken me 3 weeks to get this post done and I have 3 more rolling around in my brain...a few pictures. My camera's battery misteriously was drained by the flight down, so I shared my mom's point-and-shoot...seriously, you should be thankful :)
The kids with my Uncle Gene, my mom's closest-in-age brother...he's only 12 years older than she is :) 
From the fort, Pax could see a giant, many-armed cactua (read:very old) that he pointed out to everyone who came out..."Look! It's a GIANT CACTUS!!!"
It wasn't this one...but aren't saguaros COOL??
The first 2 days were spent with my Uncle Gene & Aunt Marilyn. My Aunt Jean and Uncle John (my dad's oldest sister) joined us for dinner the first night; the next day we went to the Desert Museum, which is pretty awesome--what I saw of it as Pax raced through the 2 miles of outdoor desert trails and I raced after him. His favorite parts? The snakes (which B wouldn't even look at); the scorpions which turned green under a black light (which, I'll admit, were pretty cool) and a video of a volcano exploding, which we saw after walking through a cave. We saw some javalina (wild boars) and coyotes in their habitats, too. Have to say the coyotes looked much prettier than their wild counterparts. My kids, however, were much more interested in these:
Yup, nothing beats a statue of the real thing and some dirt to play in. After some fantastic Mexican food that night with most of the Arizona connection (aunts, uncles, and a few cousins...I know someone got a picture of all of us; but it wasn't me, as I was trying to keep someone from getting refried beans and root beer all over the world), we went to spent the last few days at my Aunt Janet and Uncle Jimmy's house a bit south and east of Tucson. Pretty much they just live in the desert-but it's different out there, with lots of fun brush and sand and dirt and cactus...a little boy's dream :)
Blythe and her Great-Aunt Janet...she's the one who taught me to crochet all those years ago!A little early-morning digging in the wash.
My uncle made a "tractor" out of a lawnmower engine and hooks up a wagon to the back to give rides on....Pax was a bit afraid of it at first, and just wanted to chase it. I suggested his little sis ride with him, and he jumped in and held her...they laughed the whole time!
Gotta be brave for the little sister!
My uncle made a "tractor" out of a lawnmower engine and hooks up a wagon to the back to give rides on....Pax was a bit afraid of it at first, and just wanted to chase it. I suggested his little sis ride with him, and he jumped in and held her...they laughed the whole time!
Gotta be brave for the little sister!
He's showing you his dumptruck...he's pretty sure everyone wants to see it as much as he does.
We brought B's pack n' play to sleep in, but this is the little nest I made on the floor for my small son out of blankets, 2 sleeping bags, and some pillows. Looked pretty comfy! Our last full day there, we went back into Tucson and visited their Children's Museum, which was of course fantastic.
In the little-kid "rainforest" play area...giant blocks!
my little firefighters
Baby godzilla!
Inside of a submarine control panel...Pax LOVED this one! One of the best parts of the trip was when Pax came in from playing outside in the sand barefoot and told me, "It's ok, Mama, I'll just keep my toes on,". As if we would take them off like a pair of socks. All in all, a great trip-thanks for making it possible, Grammy!
We brought B's pack n' play to sleep in, but this is the little nest I made on the floor for my small son out of blankets, 2 sleeping bags, and some pillows. Looked pretty comfy! Our last full day there, we went back into Tucson and visited their Children's Museum, which was of course fantastic.
In the little-kid "rainforest" play area...giant blocks!
my little firefighters
Baby godzilla!
Inside of a submarine control panel...Pax LOVED this one! One of the best parts of the trip was when Pax came in from playing outside in the sand barefoot and told me, "It's ok, Mama, I'll just keep my toes on,". As if we would take them off like a pair of socks. All in all, a great trip-thanks for making it possible, Grammy!
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