82 degree Arizona

I had some time off because I wasn't teaching the week of Thanksgiving so we loaded up and headed to Tucson on a ROAD TRIP!! to visit Adrianne's sister and family. With stops at Kanab and the Grand Canyon we headed to Tucson. It was nice to be back to 80 degree temps and full-time shorts again. Tanner kept complaining that it was too hot. We all got to experience being on an Air Force base (Christian enlisted awhile back). We shopped at the Commissary - great prices. The barrell (Sanguro) cacti were cool - I don't remember ever seeing one before. We then hit a wild west town and gun show - Jake was the hit as he beat the roper at hit own game. We didn't get to watch the BYU game but I found out I didn't miss much except a few interceptions.

The Pima Air and Space Museum was very cool. With Uncle Christian, the boys accidentally opened a hatch in the monster NASA plane. We tried to avoid the B-17 bomber memorial because of all the naked ladies on the wall - it was a quite trip to see the "flying fortress".

It was then back to home. We stopped at a motel on Route 66 in Flagstaff and had a memorial experience. Anders actually went poops on the potty all by himself - it was quite the celebration, we went to Taco Bell to celebrate. We visited the Lowell Observatory - this is where Pluto was discovered in 1930. They all feel sad that it is not considered a full-fledged planet anymore.

Adrianne then had a crazy, spontaneous idea. She suggested staying the night in a Navajo hogan just outside Zion National Park. And so we did. We were the only folks brave enough to do it at the Village of Many Nations. While it was freezing outside, with a small fire inside we had 70 degree temperatures. It didn't fall below 50 degrees even after the fire went out. These are very well insulated. This was the highlight of the trip. Jake and Tanner both said they will never forget this road trip. Therefore, we had a successful trip. Staying in the hogan just before Thanksgiving reminded each of us of the blessings we have. This is a great country that allows all of us to be successful in anything.