Well we are back from the Grand Canyon and wow what a weekend!
We arrived pretty late in Williams, AZ but that didnt stop the girls from getting up early! We walked across the street to get some hot chocolate and went back to the hotel for a continenental breakfast. We headed over the train station a bit early so we could take pictures. The girls enjoyed the western show before boarding the train for their 2 1/2 hour train trip. The girls were super excited about the train trip and loved getting a snack in the cafe car. Up at the Grand Canyon the girls finished the Junior Ranger program and learned about the newly released Condors up at the Canyon. With a 10 ft wing span these birds were very impressive! The girls saw 3 of them quite close and were very excited. Everyone agreed that the Grand Canyon looked so pretty it almost looked fake. The girls explored the south rim, lookout point and the Hopi House Museum before boarding the train to return to the hotel.
Excited by the train trip the girls were so surprised when they pulled into the train station and saw their Horse Drawn Carriage ride waiting to take them back to the hotel. They said they all felt like princesses and waved to the crowds all the way to the hotel.
Sara celebrating her 8th birthday not only had the whole train sing her Happy Birthday but also got to drive the horse carriage for a little bit.
They capped off the day with some pizza from the Pizza Factory across from the hotel. Then they had a surprise party for Sara with cake and presents.
Sunday we got up early packed the car and walked over to the Country Pine Restaurant for some of their world famous pancakes. Having to waste some time we stopped at a local swap meet before checking out of the hotel. Now bouncing in their seats we headed for the horse stable. The girls got a special class about horses and caring for them before heading out for an hour trail ride.
The trail ride was quite eventful because Lizzie's Horse fell to its knees spooking Alyssa's horse causing it to rear up and take off at full speed with Alyssa hanging on! Luckily both girls were able to stay in their saddles and all made it back to camp. The leader said they were both natural horseback riders to hold their seat without falling.
After recovering over happy meals at the local McDonalds we headed over to the Bearizona that just opened which was just amazing! We started with a 3 mile drive where animals were loose and really close to the cars. We had a bear pass right in front of us which was incredible. After driving through several times we headed into "zoo" area where the girls got to see a bird show and see various baby animals playing in natural habitats. It was incredible and we were glad we stayed for it.
Monday, July 25, 2011
Monday, July 18, 2011
Krispy Kreme Donut Tour
June
We all met at the local Krisy Kreme Donut store for a tour. After a super short disappointing tour we made the best of it with a quick donut before leaving.
We all met at the local Krisy Kreme Donut store for a tour. After a super short disappointing tour we made the best of it with a quick donut before leaving.
Sunday, June 12, 2011
End of the Year Pool Party
June
We had our end of the year party and rented the Apache Junction pool which we got to ourselves. The kids had fun playing in the whirlpool, going down the slides and jumping off the diving boards. It wasnt too hot and we enjoyed watching the kids having fun.
We had our end of the year party and rented the Apache Junction pool which we got to ourselves. The kids had fun playing in the whirlpool, going down the slides and jumping off the diving boards. It wasnt too hot and we enjoyed watching the kids having fun.
Hollywood
May
The big trip this year was to Hollywood California. We took an airplane to Ontario, rented cars and headed to hollywood. The girls got to go through Ripley's Believe it or Not then have lunch at Mel's Diner. We got to see the stars on the walk of fame and checked out Graumans Chinese Theater where they got to look at hand and feet prints from various stars. Next they headed to the world famous Madame Trousseau's wax museum. The museum has tons of wax figures the girls were able to pose with. They all had fun posing and acting silly. Not enough fun we headed to the beach for a couple of hours of playing in the surf and making sand castles. Not quite exhausted we headed back to the hotel for some pizza and much needed sleep.
Up early the next day we headed to Universal Studios. We got to see the Terminator Show in 3d which was amazing. We headed over to the animal show where they got to see a couple of the Universal Studios animal actors and how they are trained. After eating lunch we got to ride the tram into the backlot where they got to see Wisteria Lane from Desperate Housewives, the block from The End of the World with Tom Cruise. A few of us think we spotted Steven Speilberg working on a new project. We got to see the new King Kong 3d set which was amazing. They got to see Jaws up close and personal. They also got to see various "towns" Universal uses for filming including mexico and new york. They got to see where the Grinch was filmed as well as the Psycho Motel with Bates to wave them by. After the tram ride they decided to go on the rides, Jurassic Park, Simpsons and the Mummy before eating dinner. Then we hit another show-Water World before heading back to hotel. They helped close the park!
After falling to sleep happy but exhausted we got up early to pack and have a small party to celebrate Angela's Birthday. Then we headed to Knotsberry Farms where they got to ride some serious rides! After a quick lunch and a few more rides we had to leave early and head to the airport. After turning in the cars and having dinner we boarded our plane and headed back to Arizona.
The big trip this year was to Hollywood California. We took an airplane to Ontario, rented cars and headed to hollywood. The girls got to go through Ripley's Believe it or Not then have lunch at Mel's Diner. We got to see the stars on the walk of fame and checked out Graumans Chinese Theater where they got to look at hand and feet prints from various stars. Next they headed to the world famous Madame Trousseau's wax museum. The museum has tons of wax figures the girls were able to pose with. They all had fun posing and acting silly. Not enough fun we headed to the beach for a couple of hours of playing in the surf and making sand castles. Not quite exhausted we headed back to the hotel for some pizza and much needed sleep.
Up early the next day we headed to Universal Studios. We got to see the Terminator Show in 3d which was amazing. We headed over to the animal show where they got to see a couple of the Universal Studios animal actors and how they are trained. After eating lunch we got to ride the tram into the backlot where they got to see Wisteria Lane from Desperate Housewives, the block from The End of the World with Tom Cruise. A few of us think we spotted Steven Speilberg working on a new project. We got to see the new King Kong 3d set which was amazing. They got to see Jaws up close and personal. They also got to see various "towns" Universal uses for filming including mexico and new york. They got to see where the Grinch was filmed as well as the Psycho Motel with Bates to wave them by. After the tram ride they decided to go on the rides, Jurassic Park, Simpsons and the Mummy before eating dinner. Then we hit another show-Water World before heading back to hotel. They helped close the park!
After falling to sleep happy but exhausted we got up early to pack and have a small party to celebrate Angela's Birthday. Then we headed to Knotsberry Farms where they got to ride some serious rides! After a quick lunch and a few more rides we had to leave early and head to the airport. After turning in the cars and having dinner we boarded our plane and headed back to Arizona.
Bridging Ceremony
May
The Bridging ceremony was held at Usary Park this year. They girls got to cross the bridge and say goodbye to their old levels and hello to their new levels. We had a few girls bridging from juniors to cadette: Daelyn, Amanda, Alexis and Ashley. We had only one girl bridging from brownies to juniors: Lindsey
The Bridging ceremony was held at Usary Park this year. They girls got to cross the bridge and say goodbye to their old levels and hello to their new levels. We had a few girls bridging from juniors to cadette: Daelyn, Amanda, Alexis and Ashley. We had only one girl bridging from brownies to juniors: Lindsey
Wet and Wild 500 Party
This year the 500 party was held at Wet and Wild. It was a bit cold but the girls were so excited to get out there and try out the new water park. The park was huge and the girls immediately jumped in and tried out the wave pool and slides, while most of us parents were huddled up freezing. They had a barbeque with hot dogs and hamburgers. Would have been nicer if it was a lot warmer :)
Father Daughter Bowling
The girls got to go for the evening with their dads and bowl. We here the girls had lots of fun and did a great job. They even got to have a little pizza/soda break while bowling.
Amazing Jakes 1000 party
May
We had 7 girls who sold over 1000 cookies each and were invited to Amazing Jakes to celebrate and get their big prizes from the Girl Scouts. Alyssa, Lindsey, Angela, Lizzie, Stefany, Abby, Daeyln all came to play. They were able to go to Amazing Jakes all day for free and bowl, ride the rides, miniature golf, and play the games. They had unlimited food and drinks. We couldnt last all day but we here some of the girls helped close the place. What a great day!
We had 7 girls who sold over 1000 cookies each and were invited to Amazing Jakes to celebrate and get their big prizes from the Girl Scouts. Alyssa, Lindsey, Angela, Lizzie, Stefany, Abby, Daeyln all came to play. They were able to go to Amazing Jakes all day for free and bowl, ride the rides, miniature golf, and play the games. They had unlimited food and drinks. We couldnt last all day but we here some of the girls helped close the place. What a great day!
Biosphere2
April
We finally got to go to the Biosphere2. It was interesting seeing where the scientists lived for 2 years. The girls got to walk through the 5 different environmental zones: rainforest, high desert, low desert, savanah, and ocean. The loved the expanding room which served to regulate the atmosphere in the bio-dome. They were split on whether they lived the rainforest or ocean area better. They all agreed it would be exciting to be able to live their for 2 years but way too much work.
We finally got to go to the Biosphere2. It was interesting seeing where the scientists lived for 2 years. The girls got to walk through the 5 different environmental zones: rainforest, high desert, low desert, savanah, and ocean. The loved the expanding room which served to regulate the atmosphere in the bio-dome. They were split on whether they lived the rainforest or ocean area better. They all agreed it would be exciting to be able to live their for 2 years but way too much work.
Skateland
April
After a break to do cookies the girls are back to their regularly scheduled fun :) We started with a trip to skateland where the troop hosted an event for the neighborhood. The girls were given a 1 hour skate lession, then had a pizza party and then they got to skate for 2 1/2 hours. They had so much fun and were exhausted afterwards.
After a break to do cookies the girls are back to their regularly scheduled fun :) We started with a trip to skateland where the troop hosted an event for the neighborhood. The girls were given a 1 hour skate lession, then had a pizza party and then they got to skate for 2 1/2 hours. They had so much fun and were exhausted afterwards.
Its cookie time!
The girls had an impressive start to cookie sales this year pre-ordering a record 10,000 cookies. On the day of cookie pick-up we had to have a special place to pick up our cookies because there was so many. All the parents kicked in to help move cookies, count cookies, and load cookies. There was cookies, cookies, cookies everywhere!
The troop was lucky enough to get some great booths and ended up selling a record 18,000 cookies! Our per girl average was over a 1000 for each girl. Amazing Job! Our girls rock!
The troop was lucky enough to get some great booths and ended up selling a record 18,000 cookies! Our per girl average was over a 1000 for each girl. Amazing Job! Our girls rock!
Kiwanis Splash Down Party
December
The girls got to go the Kiwanis Club indoor wave pool. After an hour swim lession and water safety class the girls got to play in the wave pool for 2 hours. The girls were having so much fun they didnt want to stop to eat their pizza lunch. Everyone agreed that the pool was "cool".
The girls got to go the Kiwanis Club indoor wave pool. After an hour swim lession and water safety class the girls got to play in the wave pool for 2 hours. The girls were having so much fun they didnt want to stop to eat their pizza lunch. Everyone agreed that the pool was "cool".
Lost Dutchman Hike
November
We set out for our annual hike to the same place as last year. We went on the Lost Dutchman trail to see the hieroglyphics. So this year I was determined to make the hike. Last year I only made it half way and turned back. It was hard but I finally made it to the end. It was interesting to see all the pictographs that have been there for hundreds of years. It is a 4 mile hike round trip and all the kids made it this year. We had a picnic lunch at the end of the trail and headed back. I dont know about the girls but I was so sore :) It was worth it though.
We set out for our annual hike to the same place as last year. We went on the Lost Dutchman trail to see the hieroglyphics. So this year I was determined to make the hike. Last year I only made it half way and turned back. It was hard but I finally made it to the end. It was interesting to see all the pictographs that have been there for hundreds of years. It is a 4 mile hike round trip and all the kids made it this year. We had a picnic lunch at the end of the trail and headed back. I dont know about the girls but I was so sore :) It was worth it though.
Botanical Gardens Butterfly Class
October
We went to the Botanical Gardens to participate in a special Girl Scout class on Butterflies. The guide took the girls through the botanical gardens pointing out butterflies and telling the girls about them. They even got to dress up and with some party blowers pretend to be a butterfly. The highlight of the class was a trip into the Butterfly Pavilion where the girls got to see tons of butterflies up close.
We went to the Botanical Gardens to participate in a special Girl Scout class on Butterflies. The guide took the girls through the botanical gardens pointing out butterflies and telling the girls about them. They even got to dress up and with some party blowers pretend to be a butterfly. The highlight of the class was a trip into the Butterfly Pavilion where the girls got to see tons of butterflies up close.
Halloween Sleepover
The girls decided they wanted to have a sleepover! After a spooky eyeball spegetti dinner they got busy. We carved pumpkins, decorated pillow cases for trick or treating and did some crafts. The girls stayed up late watching Halloween shows and playing games.
Juliette Low Birthday Party
The troop hosted an event for Juliette Low's Birthday Party. We had stations with activities like cupcake decorating, carmel apples, cake walk, Juliette Low daisy swaps, birthday party poppers, and a couple games like the right/left family and a Juliette Low trivia game. The girls and their parents volunteered to run a station and we invited over 80 girls to come to the event. It was a great experience for the girls.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Sept As You Wish Pottery
Well the girls finally got to go to As You Wish to learn all about clay and to earn their clay badges. They got to paint a tile, make a coil pot and a pinch pot. They learned about glazing and tools used for clay. They had a lot of fun and learned alot. They cant wait to be able to come back and get their the tiles.
Well the girls finally got to go to As You Wish to learn all about clay and to earn their clay badges. They got to paint a tile, make a coil pot and a pinch pot. They learned about glazing and tools used for clay. They had a lot of fun and learned alot. They cant wait to be able to come back and get their the tiles.
Encampment- Hippie Camp 2010
Not to tired from our Disney trip which we just came back on Monday we headed out on Friday to Shadow Rim for the Hippie Camp 2010 Two Rivers Encampment. We stopped in Payson for dinner at McDonalds. We ended up at camp around 8:30 where we checked into our cabins in the Settlers. We had three Cabins with the younger girls in one cabin and the older girls in the other. The girls unloaded and played in their cabins till late at night.
Sat we woke up and headed to the special 9-11 flag raising ceremony. Which was really nice. The girls had pancakes for breakfast then headed for their first session: Solar Oven Making. They made solar ovens from pizza boxes and made mini pizzas from english muffins. The second session the girls did splatter painting. They were given bandana's and they sprayed them with different colors. For their 3rd session they went canoeing. No one swamped their canoe but they had fun paddling around the pake. Time for lunch so the girls headed to the lodge for sub sandwiches. After lunch the girls got to take a break and make some pet rocks and take a break back at their cabins (some headed to the creek for a creek walk). Then the girls headed over to make walking sticks where they got to burn designs into their walking sticks. After a quick snack they headed over to do their last session and made tie dyed shirts. Then it was time for a scavenger hunt and then a speggetti dinner. Afterwards some of the girls were tired and wanted to go back to their cabins while some went to roast marshmellows at a campfire.
Totally exhausted their girls woke up early to pack and load and clean camp. Then it was time to say goodbye and head home. After a quick stop at McDonalds for an ice cream break we headed home.
Sat we woke up and headed to the special 9-11 flag raising ceremony. Which was really nice. The girls had pancakes for breakfast then headed for their first session: Solar Oven Making. They made solar ovens from pizza boxes and made mini pizzas from english muffins. The second session the girls did splatter painting. They were given bandana's and they sprayed them with different colors. For their 3rd session they went canoeing. No one swamped their canoe but they had fun paddling around the pake. Time for lunch so the girls headed to the lodge for sub sandwiches. After lunch the girls got to take a break and make some pet rocks and take a break back at their cabins (some headed to the creek for a creek walk). Then the girls headed over to make walking sticks where they got to burn designs into their walking sticks. After a quick snack they headed over to do their last session and made tie dyed shirts. Then it was time for a scavenger hunt and then a speggetti dinner. Afterwards some of the girls were tired and wanted to go back to their cabins while some went to roast marshmellows at a campfire.
Totally exhausted their girls woke up early to pack and load and clean camp. Then it was time to say goodbye and head home. After a quick stop at McDonalds for an ice cream break we headed home.
Disneyland Trip
Sept 3-6
First the girls bundled into the van for an 8 hour trip to the beach and Disneyland. California here we come! We stopped midway for lunch at Carls Jr and the girls were greatful to get out and stretch. They were doing great! We were amazed there was no complaining at all about being squished or the long trip, they were just to excited about going to California and kept asking if they were in California yet.
We arrived at the Huntington Beach around 2:00 and it was absolutely gorgeous outside. The weather was perfect for the beach. First thing the girls change into their suits and headed to the beach. You should have seen their faces as they hit the sand for the first time. One of the girls even turned to us and asked if the sand was real! They were just amazed at how soft the sand was. Once down by the water they loved exploring the beach. They made sand castles, buried themselves in the sand, dug for crabs, and played in the water. We were amazed to look and see two dolphins playing in the waves not ten yards from where the girls were playing. Around 6:00 we decided it was time to leave. The girls didnt want to leave but they were also excited to go to their hotel. We reminded them to go to bed early so they would be able to get up early and head to Disney. They were so tired from playing at the beach they ate some pizza and headed straight to bed.
Sat we got up early and headed to Disney. After a quick stop at the entrance for some special pins celebrating their first day at Disney and the Parade of Stars on Main St. We decided to do Fantasyland first. They rode, Peter Pan, Mr Toads Wild Ride, Snow White, Pinocchio & Dumbo. Then we had to run to the California for our 10am class Animation Magic that they did as a special class for Girl Scouts. We rode the double decker bus to the front of the park where they made a special annoucement for the troop to have a great day at Disneyland which the girls were trilled over.
Over at the California they took their 3 hour class with a Disney specialist that walked them through all aspects of animating a Disney movie. They learned about storyboards, then how basic animation works by making some simple cartoons themselves, then they were off to learn about how to put voices into the characters by putting their own voices into popular cartoon characters, they got to take a special drawing class with a Disney artist and learned to draw a character step by step like the disney artists to it. They went to the show with Crush (computer animated character from Nemo) and afterwards they were invited to stay where they got to have a special question and answer with crush and the girls were so excited to get to ask questions and have them answered by crush. Afterwards the girls got to produce and put on a play from beginning to end about Mickey and Friends going to the beach. All in all very educational and fun class.
Of course starving they headed over to Ariels Grotto where they got to have lunch with the Princesses. The girls loved being able to meet all the princesses while they ate.
Since we were at the California they decided to do many of the rides at the California before heading back over to Disney. They braved California Screamin, Tower of Terror, Rapids and Soarin over California which was a favorite. We also went on Monsters Inc and the Bugs Life rides. We watched the 3-d Muppets and Bugs Life shows. We got to see the High School Musical Parade before heading back to Disneyland.
Over a Disney we started with the Jungle Ride, Indiana Jones, ending just in time for the girls to grab a snack and watch a part of Fantasmic while we headed over to Thunder Mountain. Then we wandered over to the Bobsleds and caught the Fireworks display. We went on the Tea Cups. Then it was time for Space mountain. Then the girls decided to run back and ride Indiana Jones while the rest of us headed towards the exit. We left Disney at 12:30 am what a long day!
Not to slow them down they were up bright and early where we headed over to Disneyland again. Where we headed to Its A Small World and Rabbits Wild Ride in Toon Town where they explored Toon Town for a bit before hopping onto the train and getting off in Tomorrowland where we rode the Nemo Submarines, Buzz Lightyear, Space Mountain again, Then it was time for lunch so we headed over to the Pirates of the Carribean then lunch at the Blue Bayou. After lunch we headed over to ride Poohs Ride and Splash Mountain. Then it was time to head back to California where went on Screamin again. We picked up our Color of Wonder dinners ate then went over to watch the Color of Wonder. On our way out we split up so some of the girls could go on the Tower of Terror and the rest of us headed over to Soarin over California. Then it was time to leave. We left around 12:00 am after another long day.
Monday we packed up and headed home.
First the girls bundled into the van for an 8 hour trip to the beach and Disneyland. California here we come! We stopped midway for lunch at Carls Jr and the girls were greatful to get out and stretch. They were doing great! We were amazed there was no complaining at all about being squished or the long trip, they were just to excited about going to California and kept asking if they were in California yet.
We arrived at the Huntington Beach around 2:00 and it was absolutely gorgeous outside. The weather was perfect for the beach. First thing the girls change into their suits and headed to the beach. You should have seen their faces as they hit the sand for the first time. One of the girls even turned to us and asked if the sand was real! They were just amazed at how soft the sand was. Once down by the water they loved exploring the beach. They made sand castles, buried themselves in the sand, dug for crabs, and played in the water. We were amazed to look and see two dolphins playing in the waves not ten yards from where the girls were playing. Around 6:00 we decided it was time to leave. The girls didnt want to leave but they were also excited to go to their hotel. We reminded them to go to bed early so they would be able to get up early and head to Disney. They were so tired from playing at the beach they ate some pizza and headed straight to bed.
Sat we got up early and headed to Disney. After a quick stop at the entrance for some special pins celebrating their first day at Disney and the Parade of Stars on Main St. We decided to do Fantasyland first. They rode, Peter Pan, Mr Toads Wild Ride, Snow White, Pinocchio & Dumbo. Then we had to run to the California for our 10am class Animation Magic that they did as a special class for Girl Scouts. We rode the double decker bus to the front of the park where they made a special annoucement for the troop to have a great day at Disneyland which the girls were trilled over.
Over at the California they took their 3 hour class with a Disney specialist that walked them through all aspects of animating a Disney movie. They learned about storyboards, then how basic animation works by making some simple cartoons themselves, then they were off to learn about how to put voices into the characters by putting their own voices into popular cartoon characters, they got to take a special drawing class with a Disney artist and learned to draw a character step by step like the disney artists to it. They went to the show with Crush (computer animated character from Nemo) and afterwards they were invited to stay where they got to have a special question and answer with crush and the girls were so excited to get to ask questions and have them answered by crush. Afterwards the girls got to produce and put on a play from beginning to end about Mickey and Friends going to the beach. All in all very educational and fun class.
Of course starving they headed over to Ariels Grotto where they got to have lunch with the Princesses. The girls loved being able to meet all the princesses while they ate.
Since we were at the California they decided to do many of the rides at the California before heading back over to Disney. They braved California Screamin, Tower of Terror, Rapids and Soarin over California which was a favorite. We also went on Monsters Inc and the Bugs Life rides. We watched the 3-d Muppets and Bugs Life shows. We got to see the High School Musical Parade before heading back to Disneyland.
Over a Disney we started with the Jungle Ride, Indiana Jones, ending just in time for the girls to grab a snack and watch a part of Fantasmic while we headed over to Thunder Mountain. Then we wandered over to the Bobsleds and caught the Fireworks display. We went on the Tea Cups. Then it was time for Space mountain. Then the girls decided to run back and ride Indiana Jones while the rest of us headed towards the exit. We left Disney at 12:30 am what a long day!
Not to slow them down they were up bright and early where we headed over to Disneyland again. Where we headed to Its A Small World and Rabbits Wild Ride in Toon Town where they explored Toon Town for a bit before hopping onto the train and getting off in Tomorrowland where we rode the Nemo Submarines, Buzz Lightyear, Space Mountain again, Then it was time for lunch so we headed over to the Pirates of the Carribean then lunch at the Blue Bayou. After lunch we headed over to ride Poohs Ride and Splash Mountain. Then it was time to head back to California where went on Screamin again. We picked up our Color of Wonder dinners ate then went over to watch the Color of Wonder. On our way out we split up so some of the girls could go on the Tower of Terror and the rest of us headed over to Soarin over California. Then it was time to leave. We left around 12:00 am after another long day.
Monday we packed up and headed home.
Monday, August 23, 2010
Aug 8th Rainforest Cafe and Aqurium
We started with lunch at the Rainforest Cafe then headed over to the Aquirium where the kids got a special class to introduce them to different sea life. We then went on a hunt to answer questions while walking through the aquarium. Afterwards we had an icee break and headed home!
We started with lunch at the Rainforest Cafe then headed over to the Aquirium where the kids got a special class to introduce them to different sea life. We then went on a hunt to answer questions while walking through the aquarium. Afterwards we had an icee break and headed home!
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