Summer Family Vacation, Part 1

Spence got July 9th-17th off from work because we had originally planned to go to Yellowstone for the Riddle family reunion. After much deliberation, we decided that it wouldn't be wise to drive that far (about an 18 hour drive) for 4 days at Yellowstone and then have to make the trip back. With gas prices being as they are, they cost of plane tickets would run at least $800 dollars for our family, plus trying to figure out what to do with the dogs. This would make the trip over $1000 dollars. And driving that far would also cost lots of moola and would not be very fun with two kids. So Spence and I decided to do a "staycation". We used some of the money we would've used on Yellowstone for some camping gear and some Phoenix fun.

My mom wanted to come down to see the kids (it's been about 4 months and she misses them) and so it ended up being great because she was able to watch the kids while I studied for my Microbiology test (which I passed, yeah!) and so that Spence and I could start off the staycation with a trip to the temple on Saturday the 9th. It was a great experience for us both and a great way to start a great week. We went to church on Sunday and had yummy shishkabobs for dinner and got ready for our next fun filled day at.........

Sunsplash!

My mom and brother Nathan went with us to Sunsplash and they watched the kids while Spence and I went on some of the bigger slides. However, they did have quite a few big slides that both of the kids could go on and we had a blast taking them down! Sariah was done going down the slides when they tipped over in the pitch black slide and Spencer landed on her head. What's a summer vacation without watermelon?At the arcade Sariah just wanted to ride on the motorcycles and I got to play Guitar Hero.

We quit after 3 holes of minature golf. The kids were exhausted and it was so humid and hot, even at 8 p.m. We had so much fun and I think my mom and brother did too!

The next day we decided to go to the Phoenix Children's Museum. We have never been and we hear it is so much fun for every age, and it was! Spence enjoyed himself too. It brought out the kid in him (which isn't too hard to find)

Sariah making icecream cones
This marketplace was unbelievable. The food looked so real and Sariah spent a good portion of the day here. She loved going through and picking what she wanted then taking it to the cash register where some of the older kids liked to play cashier. I'm just glad she doesn't have a whole lot of junk food in her cart. She loves her fruits and vegetables!
Eli playing with the split peas. He loved it! And the best thing about this place, you don't have to clean up the mess!!!!!!

This is Spencer being a kid!

The kids also loved the noodle forest........

and the tricycle carwash.

Sariah painting the big castle

This treehouse was amazing. Spencer wants to make one for us someday. And the great thing about it, there's no tree!!! Just a huge contraption of wood, medal and fun things like a real boat and a bathtub. It is definately a work of art.


The kids had so much fun in Part 1 of our family vacation but stay tuned for part 2 coming soon!