Picacho Peak

We had our first camping experiment with the M&Ms earlier this month, and we had a blast. We went for one night to the Picacho Peak State Park near Tucson, just in case we had to pack it up and head home in the face of disaster or little kids who couldn't handle it. I must admit it couldn't have been much better, and much fun was had by all (although I could have done with the swarms of gnats, but what can you do?).

Daddy setting up the tent! (I-10 and the train in the background)

A campsite visitor

Boulder-whacking behind our campsite

The beautiful sky

Camp dinner ~ hamburgers and hotdogs

Camper Daddy starting the fire

The palo verdes were in full bloom, and you could hear the buzzing of busy bees everywhere

Early the next morning, we hiked the Children's Cave trail. It had little postings all along the trail narrated by a javalina, who talked about his friends and how they eke a living out in the desert.

Daddy and the M&Ms in the Children's Cave

With Mommy too!

Dia de las Madres

We decided to get out of the house in the morning on Mother's Day and I headed over to Sabino Canyon with the kids for a hike! We made it about a half mile up and decided to turn off on the Bluff Trail, only to discover the Sabino dam, and Sabino Lake! The kids delighted in the off-road hiking and I learned the hard way what "Let's just get our feet wet, Mom" really means. :)


A snack before we took our shoes off


Michael came back from "just getting my feet wet, I promise, Mom" with his entire left side soaked!




Miranda found a little island


The dam had some great flow!


Michael tried and tried to find a spot to slide




Lots of squealing from Miranda


On the path back from the dam


The view of the dam from the trail we took back




Every prickly pear had one or two flowers open, and they're about ready to open 30-40 more each! Spring in the desert can be so lush!

Folk Festival Part 2

Our friend Bill snapped some nice pics of us at the Folk Festival that I thought would be fun to share! (Hope he doesn't mind me putting them up!)


Dancing with a festival wreath, her first ever!


Michael, who is "hiding"


Always with my mouth open!


Being sneaky with Bill's backpack

Tucson Folk Festival

Went to the Tucson Folk Festival today and had so much fun! (I really loved their poster this year.)



Not much is better than freshly popped kettle corn (yum) and grilled hot dogs (sauerkraut on Mom's, thank you) in the sun. The music was great too as was the company, because our pal Bill Ogroski surprised us and met us there. The kid's folk music was so-so but still fun.


Michael and Bill


Anti-camera Miranda


Michael and Bill playing around


Finally got a smile out of her...


The kids at the end of some neat architecture