Weekend adventures...

We have started a new "thing" with Tatum.  We have decided that, whenever we have her for a full weekend (which is usually except for this month), we will plan an adventure to somewhere we haven't been.  Last weekend it was Patagonia Lake which is South East of Tucson.  It took us about 1.5 hours to get there.  Can you believe there is an actual lake (with water) in our neck of the woods?  I mean, we have "rivers" in Tucson but they are dirt ditches.  I never have understood that concept coming from a place that has an ACTUAL river with water (that remains all year long!). 

Our conversation definitely turned to the usual.  T's desire for an RV and my desire for a speed boat (for skiing).  I think either or both toys would be great for our lifestyle and for the kids.  Tay proved herself to be a true lake girl so I know she would love it!  This lake would probably be a bit too small for skiiing in my book but there are other lakes that we are going to check out.  And a lake that we found back in the early summer - Lake Roosevelt which is North of Tucson (thus closer to us).  Maybe someday...

In the meantime, we rented a small, aluminum boat with a VERY small motor and paddles!  Tay asked several times, "can this thing go faster Daddy?"  But the small size of the boat and the closeness to the water really helped when she had to hang her fanny over the side for a quick pee break!  Haha!  She is really good at copping a squat - no matter where she is!!  When you gotta go...

The other cool thing was that we ran into a pretty big art festival with live music and rides (you know, the scary carnival rides!!).  We ended up stopping by there on the way out of town.  T and Tay rode the swings...TWICE...much to T's dismay.  He ended up as green as his shirt!  But Tay had a BLAST and so did we! 

Here are some pics from our adventure:
Our picnic at Patagonia Lake


Embroidered table cloth, picnic basket and cloth napkins were wedding gifts from my Dad and Smom


Our view from the picnic area


The adventurers!


From the boat rental marina - the pedestrian bridge over REAL water


Captain T taking his girls out sporting a very fashionable orange vest!


The princesses on the boat


Row faster Daddy! 


Woohoo!  Successful pee break!


A beach with swimming!!


The strangest sight...there were pelicans (at least 8 or 10 that we saw) at this lake!!!!


Hittin' the beach with my sweetie


And cashew's first visit to the lake (29 weeks, 4 days)


Tay lovin' the lake!


Awesome shot!


The infamous swing at the festival...T's stomach was not the same after this...


But Tay LOVED it and hit it twice!


Nothing better for a swing sick belly than some yummy roasted corn!


And what would a festival be without a face painting!?!


The next day was the pumpkin patch.  An even further drive than the lake!  We couldn't believe how far it was...we didn't remember it being that far.  But it is tradition and, other than being pretty wiped out from the previous day, we had a pretty good time. 

First stop, Circle K for a paper, ice tea and a Yoohoo for Tay



Our tats ROCK!  Thanks Grandpa Dan and Grandma Twila for the pumpkin tats!


Farmer Tay looking for peppers


Cashew's first trip to the patch...in utero


CHARGE!


Tay up to her eyeballs in kernels!  Thanks for the cute ponytail holder Grandma Carolyn and Papa John!


The search is on...


Tay next to two pumpkins!!


My loves


The last bit of energy


Long arm of the lens


Looking forward to our next adventure...