Spring Soccer Season 2013 Has Begun

On Saturday morning Marley and "The Lightning" took the field for an exciting soccer match.

3 weeks removed from a visit to the ER for a sprained ankle Marley was healed and ready for the beginning of the *Spring soccer season.
(*February is "Spring" if you live in Arizona where it is 75 degrees...)

The water boy keeps the players hydrated on the sidelines.

Marley takes a short rest during the halftime intermission.

Grayson helps himself to a halftime snack.

Another successful day.
(Grayson is a honorary member of The Lightning.)

Another Parade

We made our annual trip to the Parada del Sol in Scottsdale this weekend.

Pre-parade activity.

Grayson directs traffic.

The parade kicks off.

Spectators lined the street.

A lovely family picture taken by Marley.

One of Grayson's friends rides by to say hello.

Cowboy Grayson

Grayson had an exciting day at the "rodeo".



He is the most dangerous cowboy in AZ.



Grayson rides his horse, Bullseye.



He lasso's wild critters.



He tames the bull.



And finally, he celebrates with his proud Mom and a refreshment.



Marley & Her Sprained Ankle

We made our bi-annual visit to the Banner Desert Medical Center last night. Marley was injured jumping in an inflatable "bouncy house" at the gym. She was diagnosed with a bad sprain and put in a splint. She will on crutches for at least a week....

South Mountain

This weekend the family went hiking at South Mountain Preserve, which is located just south of Phoenix.

"At more than 16,000 acres, South Mountain Park/Preserve is the largest municipal park in the country, according to the Trust for Public Land. The history of South Mountain Park/Preserve as a city park dates back to 1924. Prominent local citizens, with the help of Sen. Carl Hayden, bought 13,000 acres from the federal government for $17,000. In 1935 the National Park Service developed a master plan for the park with riding and hiking trails, picnic areas and overlooks, all in rustic regional character. The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) built many of the facilities in the park, based on this master plan. Visitation at the park has gone from 3,000 a month in 1924 to an estimated three million a year today. South Mountain Park/Preserve actually consists of three mountain ranges, the Ma Ha Tauk, Gila and Guadalupe. "


http://phoenix.gov/parks/trails/locations/south/index.html

We posted a lot more pictures of our day at: http://www.flickr.com//photos/azsmithstuff/sets/72157632565274648/show/