We drove down to Phoenix on Saturday, April 7 to stay at the Marriott Tempe at the Buttes. We arrived pretty late, so we got unpacked and went to bed.
The next day was Sunday so we headed out to the Mesa Temple and then to church. It was a really nice Easter Sunday. That afternoon we just walked around the grounds and enjoyed the scenery and time together.
Brady liked the cactus.
Monday it was time to hit the pool. Everyone enjoyed the dry low 90s and sunny weather.
Squirt guns were the weapon of choice (over the wet noodles). Even Jana got in on the action.
Amazingly, Ryan and McKay still enjoyed the hot tub...great view of the city, and of the pools below...
It was a beautiful resort with waterfalls in both pools and hot tubs on different levels of the pool area...
Brady enjoyed shooting himself in the eye with a squirt gun...
Ryan enjoyed the waterslide. He and McKay made several friends while there, so did Lisa.
McKay's sentiments go without saying...
Tyler had an orchestra tour that took him up through Idaho to Oregon and finally Washington. He got home late Monday night. So he flew down to meet us on Tuesday at Noon. It was great to have him with us so we celebrated by going out to Roy's Restaurant, one of our favorites!
After several days in the pool we ventured out to a local park. It was beautiful with a lake, a huge covered playground and a lot of open space.
We played some two-hand touch football and included McKay's new friend Terrence.
All the boys with Terrence--he really enjoyed McKay, a lot.
The next day we went to a big wildlife and aquatics center (zoo and aquarium). The panther was amazing...
We watched a show together...
A 22' albino Boa Constrictor probably wouldn't have done very well in the wild, but it does great here. We saw several other animals during the show too...
the boys enjoyed it...Tyler even took some pictures...
Brady felt the need for some added protection when they brought a flying bird out, it did seem to paralyze his arms
They liked the crocodiles...
...the lizards...
...the Galapagos Tortoises...
...Ostriches...
...more tortoises...yes that is Ryan giving McKay a spontaneous hug, such love among the boys!
We checked out the map to make sure we saw everything
Brady liked the petting zoo...until the goats tried to eat his shirt...
...off to the aquarium...
...flamingos are always neat...
The most poisonous frogs on the planet, cute, small and deadly--one touch would kill a grown man...
...sharks are neat when they're behind glass...
...crocodiles too...
Ryan made a makeshift McKay powered tank, it was pretty fast
We had a great time...it was fun to be together.
The animals had some fun too (even the Lemurs in the background)
