Arizona Day 1

Yesterday was our first full day in Arizona. It was in the low 80's, not a cloud in the sky with a slight breeze. Perfection.

We started the day with a walk down the canal, which is located behind the condo. What can be better than a walk and frozen yogurt?




A walk, frozen yogurt, AND cupcakes!

Walking off the sugar.

Throwing rocks into the water was a highlight of the day.

Mall of America

On Friday we officially ushered in my birthday weekend with a trip to the Mall of America to be tourists for a day. We had never been to Underwater Adventures, and it was worth the wait (and every penny of the hefty fee, even with a coupon). It really is amazing. Afterwards the plan was to have a fun-filled lunch at Rainforest Cafe, isn't that the touristy thing to do? But after we were sat directly under the faux flying monkeys, Millie asked several times to "go somewhere quieter." She even suggested we go home for lunch. So we apologized to the friendly waitress and headed up to Bubba Gump's. It was nice and quiet, and we even got to sit "outside" on the balcony overlooking, well, JCrew. We continued with the tourist for a day theme by snapping so many photos that a nice lady in the booth next to us asked if it was our first time to the Mall of America. "No, we live in Minnesota," I explained. "We live in St. Paul," Millie corrected me, practically spelling out St. Paul for emphasis. Sheesh.

After a couple of ride at the Park Formerly Known As Camp Snoopy, and some intense Lego time, we ended the day with ice cream and a nap in the car. Divine.

We're soooooo excited!

Groovy.

Whoa!

Eeeck. Me no likey giant turtles.

(Insert whispering voice in a fake British accent) Finally, after many failed attempts, we have managed to capture an actual photo of the elusive North American Mom, otherwise knows as "Mommy," "Give me!!" and "NO! I don't wanna!"


Millie really dug Bubba Gump's.


Round and round they go.

Millie and Tony take Legos very seriously.

Tired little tourista.

Aminals

It may not have been the best choice of days to visit the MN Zoo, what with about 10,000 high schoolers visiting for Spanish Day, but it was still so much fun to expand our horizons and explore beyond Java Train and Como Zoo.

Thanking our tour leader.



Cool fake rocks eh?



You would assume they are this excited about the cool fish in the tank, but you would be wrong. It's all about the ramp when you're two.



Just because the Komodo Dragon is sleeping does not make it any less scary.



You're on my turf now sister.



I see a camel! Two humps!!



You talking to me?

That's my girl

Millie asked me for coins to throw into the fountain at La Casita. "What are you going to wish for?" I asked her.

"Some money," she answered without hesitation.

Paaarty

A wedding reception? Brunch at the Ritz? Nope, just a small get-together at Coco's house.

In full pink and red Valentine's Day garb.

Elliot and Zach making Valentines.

Mame and David making Valentine's Day spiders.

Elliot loves Valentine's Day.

Coco handing out popcorn balls. Yum!

Multi-tasking

Preparing for Valentine's Day

First, lick...I mean, make the dough.

Conduct regular quality checks. Every 15 seconds should do it.

Show pride in your work.