July 4th Getaway

We returned to our favorite local resort for the Independence Day holiday weekend. We met up with friends; attended a Native American heritage festival and a guacamole making class; some of us did yoga; and there was even a dance contest for the kids... However, due to a technical issue with the camera, you won't see any of these activities memorialized in photos. You will have to use your imagination.

 

The few pictures we did get are below.



We had a great view from our balcony.

 


Marley looks down on all of the pools.

 

 
 


One of many trips down the waterslide.

 


Grayson terrorizes the swimmers in the "beach" area.

 

 


Grayson gets airborne.

 


Marley is right behind him.

 


Gray prepares for some snorkeling.

It's Hot in Arizona

Phoenix area breaks record with 119-degree heat

Phoenix area breaks record with 119-degree heat
Arizona Republic-12 News Breaking News Team


Sat Jun 29, 2013 11:04 PM
The Valley broke the record Saturday with the highest temperatures recorded for June 29—119 degrees, meteorologists said.
Saturday’s temperature broke the previous record of 117 degrees in 1994, meteorologist Tim Pollard said.
The official high temperature taken at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport makes Saturday the fourth hottest day on record, Pollard said.

When it's 119 degree's....it's pool time.

Here is a short film produced and directed by the Smith Family:

 

Golf & Rattlesnakes

Thursday afternoon it was only about 110-degrees, so I decided it was perfect weather for golf. On the 16th green I found a 5ft+ snakeskin that had been shed by a local rattler. Since there was a group of golfers not too far ahead of us and the skin lay undisturbed in the middle of the green, it is likely that this critter had only slithered across the course within 30 minutes of us.....That is why you don't look too hard for golf balls when they roll into the weeds and/or desert. You never know whats hiding out there.

Camping at Woods Canyon Lake - Part II



Back at the campsite.



The sun is coming up.



 



The kids are digging for bugs.



Sunday afternoon we headed to Tonto Creek.





(Photo by Marley)



 

We uploaded a few more photos, which are located at the link below:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/azsmithstuff/sets/72157634204137571/

Camping at Woods Canyon Lake - Part I

This weekend we took the tent, the dog and the kids, and headed out on an adventure. We camped at Woods Canyon Lake, which is located in the Sitgreaves National Forest and/or halfway between Payson and Show Low, AZ.

7,500 ft above sea level and looking south towards Payson, AZ.

Woods Canyon Lake

Grayson, his fishing net & his dog.

Marley gets right in the water.

The campsite.

Bears were on the prowl.

A female elk wandered right into the campsite next to ours for a late afternoon snack.

The kids were able to get within 15 feet of the elk.

Lily napped in the sun after a morning at the lake.

The girls were excited about their catch of the day.

Crawfish & a fish friend in Marley's bucket.

The kids fished until dusk.

A fisherman patiently waits.

Camping

We just returned from a weekend camping trip at Woods Canyon Lake and Payson (AZ). Stay tuned for lots of pictures coming soon.

Swimming With Marley & Grayson

We made a couple of short videos this week while splashing around the pool.

 

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