Our Annual Trip to the Renaissance Festival!

Well, it is "summer" in the desert again. Which means that the Arizona Renaissance Festival is here.  This year we did not make it to many shows but the three we did were new ones to us (because of the boys) and were all at the same stage!  We did make it to the Wyld Men again, but that is not hard to get my boys to because of the fantastic acting MUD!  We listened to a group called Tartanic.  I heard them last year and really loved this.  I got a video clip of their version of "Amazing Grace"  which I will share with you blogger is not uploading!

We also stayed and watched the Bird of Prey show.  Which if you know me and my boys was truly a joy.  Got to see these amazing raptors in action up close. And our seats were PERFECT!  Here are some of the amazing pictures of these beautiful birds.

Black Vulture Native to Arizona

Red Tail Hawk

Lanner Falcon

Lanner Falcon

During the show we also saw an African Vulture (who was very amusing) strip a chicken leg.  That was the last video I got before the memory card was full :( 

The vulture then ate the chicken leg bone whole!

We watched the Fire Whip man, Andy McCracken (No clue if that is his real name, but it is definitely fun!)  Zane was very taken with him and is using his blankets as whips.

Cody was able to do a couple of rides and Zane did as many as he could talk us into, but he mainly did the ones that involved shooting arrows and guns, throwing things so he could break something.

Mother Goose had her geese all dressed up for St. Paddy's Day

Cody loving on Maggie

Zane loving on Maggie

Waiting for their turn on the giant rocking horse

Cody hanging on tight to Zane as the rocking horse starts

The Fun of being bungeed into the air

Hanging for the next show

Neon Splash Dash in Photos

My little Duckie, 80's hairstyle

Pre-race picture with our shirts

Pre-race, all clean

Getting ready

Finish line from the start line

Start line

Waiting to start

First glow station

Spray at the glow station

One of my runner/students was there! (Taught her in 7th, 8th and was her coach in 9th!)

After 2 glow stations

after 2 glow stations under the black light

Last glow station

FULL SLIDE!!!  (Look at the pointing ;)

And Marissa got him better!

All Done!

Hair under black light

Eyes got it too

Date night to remember

The Three of us!  Marissa was such a HUGE help keeping Zane in sight!

You will do it next year!

Pumpkin Festival Number 1

Oh, how I love this time of year.  A/C is only kicking one three to four times a day instead of every hour.  I can open up the house, even if it is for a few hours.  And I am able to kick the boys outside to play all day and not feel like I am an evil heartless mom, because I would actually go out too (and do just not so much in the summer).

Another reason is that the outdoor activities are endless here!  I love harvest.  It has always been one of my favorite times.  People coming together and helping and sharing.  The changes of seasons and the smells and baking that take place.  Also, this is the time for festivals and fairs.  I was never much of a fair person, but I love the festivals.  Especially pumpkin ones.  So we went to our first tonight.  Here are some of the pictures.

Cody getting ready to slide

Down the slide

Riding the honey bee with Daddy (barely over the bar!)

Zane on his own honey bee

A ride with mommy

Too bad they don't use tomatoes anymore

Zane's Black Widow Tattoo 

For my Grandparents who loved sunflowers (Especially Doris)

Riding the swings with Daddy

Only Trouble could come of this

We had a great time.  We spent 30 or more minutes in the corn maze.  Next year I have to remember to bring my running watch so we can see what pattern we made.  Also, a very nice surprise was the storm that was coming in.  We were south, away from the city lights and could see a thunderstorm moving in!  It had spectacular lighting and by the time we got home, rain had started, but just barely!  What a great night!