On December 27, we went to Singh Farms in Scottsdale with Sarah, Nathan, and their kiddos. It was such a beautiful place with lots of fresh produce, baked goods, and snacks for sale. You really felt like you were in the woods, in contrast to the typical urban desert landscape. There was a reverent vibe in this place, which I found equal parts strange and peaceful.
Ryan & Evan at Singh Farms
Fun oversized hay chair
Ryan, Max's friend Asher, and Max climb a tree
After the farm, we headed over the the i.d.e.a. Museum in Mesa, armed with free passes from Aunt Sue! Sarah & Nathan, Max & Amelia went too. I had read about this place when we visited during the summer, but didn't get there at that time. So I was happy to check it out this time around.
Evan plays instruments outside the museum.
Lots of opportunities for creating at the i.d.e.a. Museum, so as you might imagine, Ryan really enjoyed this place. He and I made some abstract art with strands of tissue paper.
Burke & Ryan constructed a 2-story building to add to the city already built by other museum-goers. Nathan built a king out of sponges to rule over said city.
The bug area was very interesting. Lots to learn and then opportunities to create. Ryan's scorpion drawing is dedicated to Sarah James, who is absolutely terrified of scorpions.
Evan did some creating too. I drew the outline of the flower. He added details - colored in the flower, added grass, and a sweet message. He also really enjoyed the black light camping room. He mostly liked Artville, where there were opportunities to play and be physical.
How cool is this? Love the colors and subjects.
Our Sunday adventure was to visit Rawhide Western Town in Chandler.
We saw a gun show. The boys weren't too sure what to make of it. A lot of the jokes went over their heads. The gun fighting seemed to shock them. But they did like when the guys jumped/fell off the roof. It definitely made an impression.
Petting zoo - It was all fun and games until the llama sneezed and passed gas at the same time, sort of right in Evan's direction. We left pretty quickly after that.
The boys really enjoyed panning for gold.
Train ride with Nana & Lolo
We escaped the jail cart and headed home.
On Monday, we met more members of my Rittmueller/O'Brien family at the LDS Temple in Mesa to enjoy the Christmas festivities. We walked through a room, which displayed nativities from across the world. This was fun for my creative, geography-loving little boys.
My Aunt Barb & Uncle Joel (my mom's siblings), along with their spouses, children, and grandkids...and us.
Temple Lights
Organ Stop Pizza for dinner. It's difficult to seat a group of 16, but my cousin Ann saved the day and spotted a large-enough table in the very crowded restaurant. I was so in my happy place. I remember visiting this place once when I was a child and it made an impression. The music was really fun, and I was glad the boys got to experience it. Too bad Ryan was a little under the weather, and they were both really tired. We'll have to pay Organ Stop another visit next time we're in Arizona.
The organist played Alley Cat, while these animated cats dance along. That song has become an ear worm in our household.
The whole crew!
On Tuesday, we went on another hike. We were in search of Fat Man's Pass - another trail on South Mountain. It was not the smoothest of excursions (the first access point we tried was closed because the trail was damaged, Ryan was having stomach issues and generally feeling ill, and we weren't exactly sure where we were going), BUT, I'll tell you, I liked that hike a lot. I was not nearly as sore and the scenery was amazing. I would love to try it again, now that we have this initial experience under our belts.
I hung with Ryan most of the time, constantly stressing about and evaluating his behaviors because he wasn't feeling well. His stomach was bothering him and he kept asking to sit down. That being said, he hiked pretty far. It helped that Burke carried him from time to time.
There were times when you couldn't see the city below. I just felt surrounded by nature. It was so peaceful and lovely.
On the day we arrived, we walked to a neighborhood park. On our walk, Ryan noticed citrus trees and expressed an interest in them. They made an impression because we don't ever see citrus on trees in the midwest. He really wanted to pick an orange or grapefruit straight from a tree. The problem is that most trees are on peoples' property. Nonetheless, we promised we'd figure out a way for him to pick citrus before we left. So, the day before we left, we checked this last item off our AZ to-do list.
These branches were hanging over the fence, but we still felt we needed to be a little sneaky.
He was so happy!
We celebrated New Year's Day with a very long travel day! We woke up in AZ and flew to Chicago. Christine very kindly picked us up at the airport. We went back to Joey & Christine's house, where the rest of my immediate family was gathered, and celebrated mini-Christmas (presents) and New Year's (wings and football) with them. After a enjoying time with the Ponka's, we drove 2 hours home to Michigan.
New winter hats - they have become the boys' preferred winter hats.
Poor Ryan, he was putting on a brave face, but he was still pretty sick - stomach, fatigue, and phlegm. It took about 7-10 day for regular Ryan to return to us. Whatever it was, the rest of us didn't seem to catch it. Weird.
Caleb's second Christmas - the paper ripping year.
Speaking of Caleb, I HAD to include this amazing, classic picture!
He's horrified, but still super cute.
My parents gave the boys a drum set for Christmas. Here's a picture of Burke being a fantastic, multi-tasking dad. He's simultaneously helping Evan build a Lego vehicle and assembling the drum set. (While also drinking coffee. See the mug? Coffee helps him become Super Dad.)
2015
The year of the drum set
17 days into 2015 - Wishing you all a happy, healthy year!
A year of many marvelous memories.
XO
