Phoenix

This past weekend, Edward had to recertify in his ATLS, Advanced Trauma Life Support. Normally, this course is offered on your military base at the local hospital, but since we don't have a hospital, no course. Instead, the Army sent him to Phoenix to recertify, and we decided to tag along for a little get-away. While he was in class on both Saturday and Sunday from 7AM-6PM and had no fun (dropping him off that early with the kids was SO much fun), we managed to have fun and do some shopping. We had hopes of doing more outside, but IT RAINED IN PHOENIX!!! Yes, I guess I'm cursed that whenever I go away for a weekend in "places it never rains," it rains.

Madison's criteria for a hotel is an indoor pool, which we located. She made sure to be safe with her float and life jacket. She had water wings too, but Luke was messing with those.

She's really looking foward to swimming lessons as soon as the pool on base opens.

Saturday morning before the rain started, we found a train park a few miles from our hotel. I had read about it in the AAA book, and it turned out to be a ton of fun. Madison loved walking on the tracks.

Aside from real trains you could view, the park had a small train that took you on a mile loop around the park. The park was free, and the train cost $2.00-great cheap morning!

Train station

There was also a great play area at the park. Both kids had a blast.

Luke is always trying to do things he's too young to do.

Both liked this dual slide because they could go down together.

Sitting in the sand is always fun.

Throwing sand is even better.

Getting ready to slide.

Face first

Hanging out

Climbing

One slide, two sliders

Hanging, my little monkey

More of the train park

Luke is in the corner of the picture, pointing at the train.

The park

Madison was really obsessed with sitting on the tracks.

Always a good day when they leave smiling.