Dad's Visit- Springs Preserve

We were thrilled that Frank's Dad came to visit. We had a wonderful visit. Both kids competed for his attention. We took him to Springs Preserve and the next day we hiked the Historic Railway Trail.



Marie-Anne

Phoenix for my B-day

For my b-day we went to Phoenix to spend the night and go to the zoo. We also had Boston Market twice, which Las Vegas does NOT have. I love Boston Market!



Alex complained that he wanted a museum instead of the zoo, but once we got there he was super excited. I was impressed with all of the hands on stations around the zoo.



The zoo also had a very impressive playground that was built to look like a treehouse with a stream beneath it. Of course, the kids had a great time there and did not want to leave.



The kids' favorite part was touching the sting rays, (splashing in the water for Sabrina who couldn't reach the rays.). Alex got soaked.

Marie-Anne

10th Wedding anniversary

Today is our 10th wedding anniversary! Wow, that's a long time, but it doesn't seem like it's been that long. I am truly blessed to be married to my best friend. Frank is a wonderful husband. I told him that I'd renew his contract for another ten years. He replied that he'd have to ask his wife. I'm sure she'll agree.

Marie-Anne

Hiking at Red Springs

These pictures do not do justice to the beauty of this place. We've been here several times, but I thought the name was Calico Basin, (that's the name of the road, not the area).







We hiked a trail that we've never taken and it took us into an entirely different area. I am so glad we did. We didn't do as much climbing as the kids wanted, (we could have climbed all day and it wouldn't have been enough) but it was a great hike! It was also a wonderful way to celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary!







Marie-Anne

Kumon workbooks

For Alex’s third b-day Elexa sent him some Kumon First Steps workbooks. They are wonderful. Now that Sabrina is three she is doing them. There are some that Alex didn’t do and some new ones that came out after he was older. Alex and Sabrina are doing some of those together.

He’s seven and they are for younger kids. True, but they are a good review of some skills he doesn’t use too often and they help solve another problem. Most of Alex’s school is on the computer or independent study. He was jealous that I was spending more time with Sabrina. Most of their school is still done separately, of course, but now I get to spend time with both of them working on the same thing at the same time.

This has worked out beautifully and they actually encourage and help each other. They LOVE doing this and both kids ask to do the workbooks every day, (sometimes more than once).

Marie-Anne

Family hike

Hiking is something that we enjoy as a family. Today we went to Frank's work then hiked to a small mountain. We hiked to the summit as a family! Yes, Sabrina made it the whole way, (with help).

Locks of Love

It's been 11 years since I cut my hair. Needless to say, in that time it grew very very long.



I got it cut this morning and donated about 2 feet of hair to Locks of Love.



I love the new do.

Marie-Anne

Chuck E. Cheese

On Thursday we went to Chuck E Cheese for family night. The kids absolutely love that place. They were both super excited.

Marie-Anne

Volcano

Alex had a lot of fun making his Plaster of Paris volcano, painting it, and making it erupt.



Marie-Anne

Paradise Park

On Saturday we went door to door inviting people to church. Since we were near Paradise Park we let the kids play after we were finished.

Marie-Anne

Springs Preserve

We saved some of the kids' birthday money for a membership at Springs Preserve. This is one of our favorite museums. It is very hands on.



The kids brought in some nature items to exchange. Alex got some wheat that someone laminated and Sabrina chose shells. After exchanging their nature items the kids spent a while playing with legos. They also each got to decorate a lunch bag.



After I dragged them away from the legos we spent most of the afternoon at the play ground. We had never been to the playground before. The kids absolutely loved it. It is a very nice playground with a climbing area that looks like a mammoth skeleton, lots of sand pits, a train, and climbing walls that look like rocks.



After lunch I dragged them away from the playground. We went inside, but didn't stay. We soon found ourselves back outside, but this time we went to the building area and another sand pit. We spent the rest of our time there.

The kids had a lot of fun and Alex wanted to know if we could go back the next day. Nope, but soon.

Marie-Anne

Maslow Park

Thursday was an absolutely beautiful day so I took the kids to Maslow Park after shopping at WalMart. We didn't stay too long because we were also going to Springs Preserve.

Marie-Anne

Wetlands Park

Frank had today off so after spending the morning just hanging out we went for a hike at the Wetlands Park. It was an absolutely beautiful day. We got some exercise and had fun as a family for free.

Marie-Anne

Game Night

(I still have no idea how to turn the picture.)

Now that the kids are getting slightly older and wanting to play games we will be having family game nights. We tried this before, but they weren't too interested. We have quite a stash of games, most of which, were from the thrift store or b-day gifts. (If you buy games from the thrift store be sure to open them or you'll get home with missing pieces or missing instructions.)

Marie-Anne

Bonnie Springs

Frank had Monday off so he took us to Bonnie Springs, (a tourist trap outside of town). We went there when we first moved to Las Vegas.





Alex and Sabrina both loved it; especially the merry-go-round, the petting zoo, and the train.





Marie-Anne