Good-bye to Snowflake

Right before we drove away from the house I had all the kids stand by the front door so I could get a picture of them.  I wish I would have done this at all the other places we have lived, so they could remember where they lived and what they looked like then.  This move was by far the easiest one yet.  Maybe it's because we do it so much.  We also had so much help.  I think I will miss it the most.  We made the best friends in that little town of Snowflake. We will be back to visit soon!

Claire turns six

 Our little girl turned six a couple of weeks ago.  Amid change again.  Last year when she turned five we had just moved to Snowflake a couple weeks before.  She did so well adapting to a new place and a brand new school experience and made lots of new friends.

 Aaron got a call from the city of Mesa inviting him to interview for a position in their budget department and ended up getting the job. (We found out when Aaron's parents were visiting).  They wanted him to start fast, so we took the next week-end to go down to "the valley" (we now call it, just like all the other northern Arizonans).

Luckily we found that the resort we stayed at back when our van broke down, were advertising a special $60 a night for two nights that very week-end, so we took advantage.  We all loved the pool!
We also met with our realtor and found a short term rental until we can zero in on a house we'd like to buy.

 This little girl had been so patient with us and all of our moving.  This is the sixth house she has lived in in her six years of life.  We love you, baby girl.  We love your sweetness, your kindness, your courage, your creativity, and your spunk!

Happy Birthday to Claire!

Strawberry

 Grandma and Grandpa Adams were able to visit us mid June and we took a trip to Strawberry, AZ together.  Here we are on a hike to the waterfalls at the Tonto Natural Bridge State Park.

 Claire under one of the falls.  It's kind of like a drip, since Arizona is in a constant drought.  But it was cool water on a hot day. 

 The Tonto Natural Bridge.  

We stayed the night in a little one bedroom cabin in Strawberry.  A friend I met at the kid's swimming lessons rents it out to tourists for just $60 a night.  A great deal and it was just right for our crew. We ate at the Strawberry Lodge where we all had all you can eat fish and chips and awesome pie for dessert.  They had live music and the kids danced and we all had a great time.

  The next day we went out to the Fossil Creek Llama farm.  The kids were able to pet, feed, and brush the goats and llamas.  Then we washed up and sampled goat cheeses, yogurts, and fudge.

Alex was a little nervous around the goats, but has picked up their language.  He went around the house for a couple weeks shouted "Maa!" at the top of his lungs.  This little guy is an expert walker now too.