A Birthday Swimming Party, a Magician, and a HOT trip to Phoenix

How's that for a title? We have had quite a variety of activities the last couple of weeks. First off was a special birthday swimming party for this little 6 year old.

Eva turned 6 on August 27 and invited all her new Boise friends over to swim.

 The hot tub was popular hangout.

 Jared, the magnificent, also performed some of his card tricks 

and made all the kid's balloon animals.

 No birthday cake for Eva, rice pudding was her birthday dessert of choice.

 Time to open presents.

 On the Friday of labor day weekend, Tom and I flew to Phoenix to visit Whitney and see her new school and home, etc. We flew in early and Whitney was in teacher workshops all day, so we took the opportunity to explore the area.

We drove to Apache Junction and we found this old ghost town called Goldfield. It was an old mining town.

It was kind of a tourist trap, but it was fun to see and wander around.

 We drove on the Apache trail (an old stage coach road)through the Superstition mountains to Apache lake.

It was a beautiful day and drive.

 I've never figured out why wooden Indians sell cigars?

 We finally met up with Whitney at her elementary school.

It was fun to take a tour and meet the group of teachers she works with.

 We got checked into our hotel and watched the 

first half of the BYU vs. UCONN game, and

then went to Buffalo Wild Wings where we 

watched the 2nd half of the game.

Go Cougars!

 Saturday morning, Tom went golfing, so Whitney and I got pedicures!

 Then it was off to Sedona, the only problem was the HUGE traffic

jam we encountered on the outskirts of Glendale.  It took us

1 hour to go 4 miles, so we got off the freeway and turned around and chose

to go shopping at the outlet mall instead.

 We drove by the new Phoenix temple.

It's not too far from Whitney's apartment.

 It is beautiful! The open house is next month

and Whitney will get to be involved with that.

 We found a great Mexican restaurant and then we went to 

Scottsdale and walked around

We topped off the night by walking through downtown Tempe on Mill Ave.
That was an eye opening experience with quite the night life.
The ASU campus is right down town and Mill Ave. has lots of bars, restaurants, ice cream shops, etc. 
We saw a little bit of everything but enjoyed treats at Rita's
and an ice cream sandwich shop.
 Whitney's ward doesn't meet until 1 pm so Sunday morning 

we took a drive out to 

Lake Pleasant to check it out.

Can I just say it wasn't all that pleasant. It was kind of crazy

People just drive their cars, trucks, boats, etc right up to the water and

camp out. Talk about bleak, there were no trees and it was at least 100 and the water was 90. Whatever floats your boat I guess.

 After church, Whitney fixed us and her roommates a delicious Sunday dinner and then we drove out to Mesa and had a wonderful visit with Stacy and Tom and family and Ryan and Emily and family.

It was so fun to see Stacy's beautiful home and see all their cute kids.

I'm so thankful Whitney has family in Phoenix! 

I'm so sad I forgot to take a picture of our get together.

Monday morning Tom went golfing again, so Whitney and I

shopped and shopped and then met Tom for lunch

at a fun place that's been on the Food network, 

the Cornish Pasty co.  They serve pasties (meat pies)

I had a turkey, stuffing, sweet potato pasty, Tom had a meat, bacon and french fry pasty and Whitney had a Reuben pasty

They were all delicious!

 We drove out to Gilbert afterwards to see the new Gilbert temple.

It is also beautiful!
We found a Rita's for a gelati treat and 

 then we said our goodbyes and flew back to Boise.

It was so fun spending the Labor day weekend with Whitney and seeing her new home and surroundings. I think she will be very happy in the desert southwest.