New Years Day and Last Day

    We weren't sure what to do on New Year's Day.  It's kind of difficult because some things are closed and some things aren't.  We checked and the train park was open that day.  We decided to start our day at the train park.  It was a good choice because it wasn't busy at all.  I think most people were still sleeping in.  We rode the train and the kids got a chance to play on the playground for a bit. 

Ready to ride the train again.

The train

Riding the carousel again

In the tunnel

Dawson discovered playground equipment that was a train.  He spent most of his time here. 

On the swing

  That evening we went out to dinner with my grandma.  My grandma had recommended a desert nature preserve nearby where she lives.  Ashlyn had been asking us all sorts of questions about the desert and different types of cactus, that we thought it would be worth checking out.  We decided to go before dinner.  The weather was in the mid-70s so it was just beautiful.  The desert preserve is on the outskirts of town, so it really feels like you are exploring the actual desert far from the city. 
    We went in the late afternoon and it was the perfect time of day to go.  It wasn't crowded at all.  They have a 1/2 mile waking path to walk down.  It's really neat because along the way there are all sorts of signs and different information areas explaining different things about the plants, vegetation, and animals of the Sonoran desert.  I know that we all learned quite a bit about deserts that day.  We were all surprised by how green it was for being a desert.  My grandma explained that was due to all the rain they had gotten that year.  Again, we will definitely be adding this to our places to go when in Arizona. 

Ready for a little hike. 

The desert really is gorgeous. 

Reading about the desert. 

  On our last day there, my mom and I had some shopping that we wanted to do before we left.  Joey decided we would take the kids to the train park one last time so they could have fun and not be bored with shopping. 

Little daredevil boy

On the train they have a passenger car that kids can ride in.  Ashlyn discovered it and wanted to ride in it all the time . Here is Dawson in the passenger car. 

In our backyard there is an orange and lemon tree.  They were both full of fruit.  My mom and Joey picked a lot to bring home with us.  There is nothing like a fresh lemon or orange picked off a tree in your own backyard. 

Ashlyn helping

Drinking a root beer

Joey and I couldn't get over how old she looks in this picture.  My kids are growing up way too fast!!!

Part of famous Camelback mountain.  It is a very popular spot to hike.  I hiked it two years ago with Bryan and Steven.  I can't wait to hike it again some time. 

Part of the golf course.  Gorgeous!