Arizona Vacation. Part 2: the Entertainment

We did so many fun things while on vacation. A fun highlight was going swimming at the pool. It was also a survival technique because the temps were in the 100+ degrees half the time we were there. Oy. The first day the temp was 104 degrees. This was Liam's first time swimming. I think he really liked it, but preferred to walk around the outskirts of the pool collecting rocks and playing in the water faucets. He is such an explorer.

 Funny side note: my brother Alex got a third tatoo that he never told my dad about. When he got his first two my dad was pissed  not thrilled, so Alex didn't want him to know about the third one. So he didn't take his shirt off or go swimming for the first few days we were there haha The poor guy was dying. It took him that long to build up his courage, but with enough teasing and bullying encouragement he finally told dear old dad. And my dad didn't really care ha! All that worry for nothing. It was my sweet mom who just shook her head and wondered where she went wrong lol just kidding.

We also went to several baseball games, and saw the Arizona Diamondbacks play the Phillies. My dad scored us some great seats. I was a little concerned that Liam would not do well sitting through a 3.5 hour game, but little man did pretty good! Granted I missed most of what was going on because I was trying to keep him entertained the whole time, but still enjoyed the game.

One of the games we attended Liam slept though four innings! Remebmer I said was a baby whisperer? Well, I rocked him to sleep at Alice Cooperstown, carried him 6 or so blocks to the stadium, waded through the throngs of people, found our seats, put one of my hands over his ear every time the crowd cheered too loudly (this included a grand slam I might add!), and Liam stayed asleep! Impressive, eh?

One thing that I found to be highly entertaining and can keep Liam occupied and happy for a gloriously long time are blow pops. Liam loves them! Yes, he is a pink sticky mess afterwards, but he loves trying to suck on the sucker and will lick it all the way to the gum. Side note: if you're traveling on a plane with young kids stockpile suckers in your diaper bag. I'm not kidding. This trick saved us on both flights this trip. (Thanks for the tip Dani!)

 "Go D-backs!"

We spent one day at the Phoenix Zoo. It was really hot that day. But when is it not hot in Phoenix? We survived. The zoo has those "misters" that spray water on you as you walk by---those are heavenly inventions.

 You can sort of the see the tiger in the background. The poor cat didn't move from that spot. It was the only shaded area in the whole enclosure. Can you blame him?

Julie, if you're reading this, then this picture is for you. Oh those flamingos. Wink.

 And a nice snow cone to cool off...

And playing in the water area for the kids, too. I was secretly wishing it was socially acceptable for adults to run through the water fountains. Seriously the AZ heat kiiillls me.

One of the nights my brothers, and Anthony and I went gambling at a casino. I know a thing or two about Texas Hold 'em, thanks to my brother Chad. But I wasn't about to play poker at a casino. Too much of a wuss haha But we did play some slots. Wyatt lost 60 bucks. Chad lost a few hundred in a matter of mintues. But totally won it back on the Wheel of Fortune with a $350 spin baby. "MONEYS!!" haha no one will really get that but Chad ;) I won $25 and Anthony lost $40, so we together we lost $15 which is like the cost of a movie, so we figured it was a regular date night!

Can you tell that I would have the worst poker face?!

The fun continues. The next day we spent at an amusement park. And the sweet thing is that the park was shut down for only a high school class, but they let us in anways. So there were literally zero lines, and no crowds to fight.

Seeing if Liam is tall enough to ride any rides. Maybe next year?!

We are waiting in line for the Sky Diver aka the Pee In Your Pants Diver. This ride takes you 100 feet in the air (totally doesn't sound high, but so totally is.) and then you hover at the top for a second and then plumit toward your death the ground. For a few seconds your weightless and suspended in the air during the freefall. It's the worst feeling in the world. And we rode it three times. Ha. My sweet hubby who has "an issue with heights," not a "fear of heights" lol even rode it. And my little 6 year old nephew, too. He didn't cry on this ride, but he did on the log ride. What?

While we rode the rides, my parents entertained Liam :) Look how cute my dad and Liam are---twins in their BYU hats.

And a Pearson Family Vacation wouldn't be complete without a friendly game of mini golf! And believe it or not, there was no yelling, fighting, or swearing. Only minor cheating. :)

The week went by way too fast. I love when my whole family is able to spend time together. It doesn't happen nearly enough! Thanks so much dad for planning such a wonderful vacation!!!