tales from a far-land

In early October, the Phoenix Zoo opened a new exhibit called Dinosaurs in the Desert.  So, with our friends the Bukatas, we decided to go check it out.  It was a really cool exhibit.  The dinosaurs felt very real.  Their animatronic bodies were especially detailed and allowed them to follow the visitors with their eyes and heads.  One of the dinosaurs even spit water out at you as you passed by.  It was a very impressive exhibit.  One we will most likely visit again before it disappears in the spring. Brooke, Madi, Logan and Aiden Madi with one of the dinosaurs The boys checking one out Aiden and Brooke The kids Aiden didn't want to take a photo Being a paleontologist and digging for bones Brooke and Madi Aiden and T-Rex All of the kids received dino tattoos Madi being silly Aww, so adorbs...

This year as a fun family activity we decided to take the kids to the Phoenix Zoo's Howl-O-Ween event which occurs on the Saturday night before Halloween.  It was good quality family bonding time.  The kids were pretty well behaved considering that we waited in the entrance line for much too long.  We enjoyed trick or treating, visiting with characters and running away from zombies.  Me and Madi spent the end of the evening dancing at the Mad Hatter Dance Party.  Madi could have danced all night! Here are some of the activities we enjoyed at Howl-O-Ween: The Great Pumpkin Pathway --  Wander along a pathway full of jack-o-lanterns and be sure to keep an eye out for all of the fun carvings and decorations. Trick or Treat Trail -- Stroll through the Arizona Trail for fun tricks and candy treats. “Scare”ousel --  Enjoy a special ride on our spider-web-covered carousel. Pirates of the “Scare”-ibbean --  Aye Matey! Come aboard and witness...

Last month, our family and our friends, the Bukatas, participated a fun run sponsored by Cigna Healthcare that featured RunDisney.  The one mile run was located at the Phoenix Zoo.  Aiden was pretty excited to run the course while Madilyn was less than enthusiastic.  At one point, she may have actually told Josh, "This is not a *fun* run!"  Aiden pretty much ran the entire event until the last quarter mile.  At that point, he turned to me and said he was done and didn't want to run any more.  I quickly pointed to the gigantic balloon that signified the end of the race and told him that we just had a little more to run.  What did Aiden do?  He quickly detoured off the concrete path and headed straight towards the balloon through the desert.  His little legs didn't stop running until he made to the balloon and across the finish line.  I am not sure if I have a cheater or a genius on my hands. After the run, we were all invited to the zoo...

One of our favorite family holiday traditions is to attend Zoolights at the Phoenix Zoo.  This year's visit was especially special.  Our kids were asked to assist in the annual "flip the switch" presentation during the CBS Channel 5 evening news broadcast.  They, literally, helped Paul Horton, our neighbor, turn on the holiday lights at Zoolights on its opening night.   The weather was beautiful, the moon was full and the kids were in pretty good moods.  It was a pretty cool experience! Aiden and Madi in holiday attire Sibling love! Paul on the air with the kids Standing by the "switch" The news crew and kids Pulling the "switch" Aiden and a snowman Daddy, Madi and Mommy with Jengo the talking giraffe Aiden and Mommy Selfie Our family with Santa Aiden and Santa (Madi refused to sit with him)