Zoo Day

We finally took June to the Phoenix zoo for her first time. I haven't been since high school, so this felt new to me too. Except the smell, I remember the smell vividly.

Some highlights:
• We went with the Reids, who were good sports through June's snack breaks, animal observations, and eventual tantrum on the carousel. Plus, Cora makes the best "funny face".
• June's animal sounds throughout the entire time. (Monkeys: "AAH-oo-oo", Lions: "Neyum Neyum" which is June's cat sounds)
• The monkey cage, which is both amazing and terrifying. (Amazing because of how close the monkeys jump around you, and terrifying because I was thinking of the movie "Outbreak" the entire time we were inside.)

We'll see you again, Phoenix Zoo. That splash pad will be calling our name this summer.

Oo-da-lolley golly what a day...

William's family came to town last week, so we spent the day at the fair. 

We rode the Ferris Wheel and ate plenty of fried foods.

While June seemed hypnotized by the color, lights, food, and noise, I was hypnotized by the inhabitants there. The fair makes for some fine people-watching.

Greer 2012

Greer was tops this year. There is just too much to say and too many photos to share, but I'll be brief.  

We did pretty much everything I said in this post. The following are a few more highlights:

· My mom had the famous "Dana Cabin Bear" shipped from Utah to tell the amazing story of Grandpa Joe killing the bear. I think every Dana has heard the famous words: "... In one ear and out the other...." But it was fun sharing that story with the great-grandkids of Grandpa Joe.

· The cabin was amazing. But the best part was the game room. Many tears were shed in that room (because I didn't win a single game of pool). 

· Each night, my family prepared a mini devotional. I loved hearing the testimonies of my siblings.

· William's birthday celebration (I'm WAY behind on posting, but more on that later).

Thank you, Mom and Dad, for creating so many great memories for us. 

Original Coombs:

New Coombs + Dana Bear:

AZ Love Part IV

Happy 100th to my home state!

My first three lists are here, here, and here...

... and here's the last part, most of it being my favorite images.

76. My parent's backyard

77. The fact that the bola tie is the official state neckwear

78. Camelback mountain

79. Arcadia area

80. Frances

81. The experience I had in the city of Nogales

82. Arizona news shows (because my relatives report them)

83. Arizona Museum for the Youth in Mesa

84. My June was born in this state:

85. Concerts at Gammage:

86. This view in Downtown Prescott:

87. A lake in Prescott

88. When Downtown Prescott decorates with our state flags

89. This view at Joe's BBQ

90. This view in the White Mountains

91. This view from Sunrise Ski Lift

92. Greer Lodge:

93. Yellow wildflowers in the White Mountains:

94. Greer Lake:

95. The bakeries in Mexican grocery stores:

96. This daily view:

97. This view at Zia Records:

98. I wish I could see this more:

99. A lake in Show Low

100. Grassy knolls in Pine/Strawberry

Okay now everyone who comments needs to tell me things I missed or need to try... GO!

AZ Love Part III

Okay just to clarify, these lists are in no particular order. I've had someone point out that I put the Mesa Temple AFTER swimming, and while a nice swim in the pool on the temple grounds would be refreshing, the temple DOES come first in my heart. So again, these lists are in no particular order.

This is part 3 of my '100 Reasons Why I Love Arizona' to commemorate its 100th birthday. Part 1 is here and part 2 is here.

51. The wonderful fact that all of my immediate family all lives here. Let's keep that up, guys.

52. Cacti and succulents thrive here, two plants that I can't kill.

53. Chandler Fashion Square

54. Soda in styrofoam cups are available almost everywhere.

55. Flancer's

56. Bahama Bucks (Strawberry Colada Bahama Rama Mama.)

57. The glorious drive between Show Low and Springerville. (William and accidently took a wrong turn once and ended up there. It seriously looks like the set of Lord of the Rings.)

58. Sunrise Ski Lift in the summer

59. Fireworks are now legal

60. Lake Powell

61. The abundance of corn fields in the summer

62. No major natural disasters (I'm terrified of earthquakes and tornados)

63. Ned's Crazy Sub

64. Rino D's Pizza

65. Mesa Community College (Go Thunderbirds.)

66. The fact that we're only 6 hours of Disneyland and the beach

67. Orange blossums

68. Sonoran Hot Dogs

69. Wildflowers in the spring

70. Chiles (the spicy veggie, not the restaurant)

71. 2nd Friday in downtown Mesa

72. Liberty Market

73. The fact that we're only 2 hours from snow and forest

74. Grimaldi's, Five Guys, The Habit, In & Out, Ikea, Trader Joe's, and Sprinkles all exist in AZ.

75. My roots in Arizona. I love the stories of my ancestors settling/moving/living here.

AZ Love Part II

Here is Part 2 of my AZ Love series. See part 1 here.

26. Higley Hot Dog

27. Queen Creek Olive Mill

28. Pizzeria Bianco

29. Arizona Science Center

30. The Little Colorado River (in Greer)

31. Water & Ice

32. Lolo's Chicken and Waffles

33. Indian Fry Bread

34. Downtown Gilbert

35. Lenny's Burgers

36. Moreno's Mexican Food

37. El Taco Tote

38. Bookman's

39. Gecko Grill (PLEASE open soon.)

40. Arizona State Fair (mostly for the food)

41. The Grand Canyon (what I've seen in pictures, anyway.)

42. Cold Stone Creamery (I just had a scoop of Chocolate Cake Batter... DREAMY.)

43. Harkin's Movie Theater

44. Harkin's Movie Theater refillable cups

45. Gilbert High

46. Elmer's Mexican Food

47. Last Chance

48. La Grande Orange

49. Superstition Ranch Market

50. Nielson's Frozen Custard*

Wow... I just realized that most of these are food-related. I wonder if I moved to Wyoming, I'd lose 50 pounds.

*Again, not invented in Arizona, but at least we have one.

AZ Love Part 1

When I think about the possibility of moving somewhere else (namely California, Oregon, Virginia, Utah, or that town where the Gilmore Girls live), I can't help but think that they don't even remotely compare to my home state. Sure, our summers are too long and green foliage lacks in most of the valley, but it's totally worth it to me.

Arizona will be 100 years old this February 14th, so on behalf of each year it's been around, I'm listing 100 things I love about the Great Grand Canyon State. (No, I've never been to the Grand Canyon... pathetic, I know.)

This is part 1 of my list:

1. Mesa (not just because I was born there)

2. Greer

3. Carolina's Mexican Food (particularly their tortillas)

4. Pro Ranch Market

5. Joe's BBQ

6. 75º in January

7. Swimming (almost year-round)

8. The orange groves

9. Mesa Temple

10. Prescott

11. QT*

12. Smeeks

13. Bosa Donuts

14. ASU

15. Phoenix Suns

16. Arizona Diamondbacks

17. Sunsplash

18. Pine/Strawberry

19. The monsoon season

20. Tia Rosas

21. Scottsdale Fashion Square (which, by the way, is getting a Madewell this spring)

22. Marquee Theater

23. Zia Records

24. Wearing flip flops year-round

25. Ted's Hot Dogs

*I realize that this establishment was not created in Arizona, but the fact that we have them is a HUGE advantage for this state.