Mountain Biking

For PE today, the whole family went mountain biking in the desert.  It was so much FUN!

The boys simply had a blast. 

We didn't see one rattlesnake.  Thank goodness!

But we did see a roadrunner.

RAW Beauty

2/23/11 Update

We've been busy getting settled in our new temporary home.  Most of the boxes are all unpacked now and we are getting more organized everyday.  We've had some time to explore, as well as, meet up for some homeschool park days with the kids in the area.  I can't believe how many kids are homeschooled in close proxmity to us.  It's so wonderful!

The days have been going by so fast.  I can't believe tomorrow will be a week since we moved here officially.  Over the weekend, the weather was kinda chilly and rainy with some hail where we live.  North of us, there was a massive snowstorm which we are excited about because we are going skiing Friday.  Next week, we are going on a homeschool hike in the desert.  Fun! As you can see, were getting right into the swing around here.

Here are a couple more pictures of our rental.

The front courtyard

The boys are loving this room!

Our backyard-I love looking at the mountains in the distance.



First Day in Phoenix

Today was spent unpacking and getting organized.  We also took the boys to the Homeschool PE class in Anthem which is only 5 miles north of our rental.  The boys had a blast and they even made some friends.  Not to bad for our first day in town. 

Move In Day-2/17

The day finally arrived for us to settle into our new home.  It was a busy day unpacking and getting settled but we managed to have some fun too.  Our neighbors two doors down from us, another homeschooling family, invited us to dinner.  How nice was that!  They were so welcoming and made us feel right at home.  We feel so blessed!

Our new temporary home.

Tombstone, AZ

It's been a bit crazy the past couple of days so let me bring you up to speed.  We left San Antonio on 2/15-Tuesday.  It was a very long travel day.  We stopped briefly for dinner in El Paso, TX which is much bigger than I thought.  And everyone speaks spanish whether your at Starbucks or Ross.  It was kinda neat.  I thought for a moment I was in Mexico.  Of course, Mexico was basically right across the highway and you could even see it.  It was wild.  We did get stopped a couple of times at various checkpoints by border patrol but it wasn't really a big deal.  We drove into New Mexico and called it a night.  The next day was also a heavy driving day but we managed to make two stops. 

We stopped in Tombstone, AZ which is a small cowboy town where the movie Tombstone was filmed and the sight of the original gun fight that took place there many years ago.  It was a neat stop but I felt it was complete tourist trap if you get my drift. 

Zach and Jason with a real cowboy.

After Tombstone, we drove into Tuscon and had lunch at the Old Pueble Grill.  It was ok.  Once lunch

was over we pretty much headed into Phoenix.  I can't believe the trip is coming to an end!

San Antonio 2/13-2/14

Mexican food, the Alamo, the Riverwalk, oil, armadillos, long-horn steers are all things having to do with Texas. What a neat state! What a long state across-almost 900 miles! 

As soon as we arrived in San Antonio, Mexican food was on the agenda.  We ventured to a place called Tito's.  Can I say, the best queso con chili ever!

 After lunch, we headed to our hotel, The Contessa, on the riverwalk.  It was really nice.  I would definitely recommend this hotel to anyone interested in visiting San Antonio.  The rest of the day was spent pondering around the riverwalk, taking a boat ride and watching a movie

on the Alamo at the I-MAX. 

The next day was Valentine's Day.  We went to the Alamo first thing. This city has so much

history.  It's so interesting.  We learned all about Dictator Santa Anna from Mexico and how he

battled the Tejano's to gain control over the Alamo.  A 13 day battle insinuated costing the lives of about 200 men including Davey Crockett.

The rest of the day was totally relaxing. 

 I got to enjoy a 75 minute massage and then joined the guys at the hotel pool to lounge.

The weather was great and we all needed some down time. Then it was off 

to dinner at Paesano's on the Riverwalk. 

Happy V-Day from the Price's!

Travel Day

After our Creole/Cajun lunch at the Acme Oyster House, we headed out of town.
I do have to say our lunch was simply amazing. Both boys tried oysters on the
half shell, Seafood Étouffée, gumbo and a Po-boy with fried oysters & shrimp.
Well they are growing boys after all. They loved everything but I think they could
do without the raw oysters especially Jason who said "GROSS". Well, it seems like we are eating our way across the country because tonight for dinner, we had Texan Barbecue in Beaumont, TX. I think I'm going to have to buy me a bigger pair of pants. Ha, Ha

New Orleans

As you can see, the boys are totally getting into the Mardi Gras spirit here in New Orleans!

We got in yesterday afternoon and had a full day.

And of course a trip to New Orleans would not be complete without a beignet from Cafe Du Monde.

Move over Krispy Kremes, here is our new favorite!!

Yes, the boys even made it to Bourbon Street but only for a quick glance.  We want to keep them as

innocent as possible.  Ha, Ha

The evening ended with a superb dinner at Brennan's.  I was so proud of the boys. They were so well behaved at the white linen fancy restaurant.  Of course, they were pretty spent by that time.

Foley/Gulf Shores, AL

Brrrrrrrr! It was 28 last night in Gulf Shores. You don't expect it to be this cold in southern ALabama. Even though the temps were cold, we had a great time visiting with Linda and Nick Steen yesterday and this morning. Nick used to be Jeff's boss from A-dec. The Steen's took us to LuLu's (Jimmy Buffets sisters' restaurant) to enjoy a margarita and to a fabulous dinner at the Blue Cobalt. What a great way to spend the evening and to decompress. This morning when we were pulling out of the Steen's driveway, Jason, my youngest,says, "They are the nicest people!" and I have to totally agree with him.

Well, you can tell Mardi Gras is definitely in the air around here. Everywhere I look there are decorations. We are heading to New Orleans today so I'm expecting a big party scene out that way. I'm going to have to buy a sarong to shield the boys' eyes! No beads for them!!!!

Nick and Linda Steen

On the way out of AL, we just had to make an impromptu "homeschool" stop in Mobile Bay at the Battleship Memorial Park.  The boys loved looking at the tanks, military aircraft and the big Naval ship.

Early departure

It is approximately 7:30 pm, one day early and yes, we are officially on the road. After several mishaps with our mini van including a flat tire (I know of all days), we are finally beginning our journey. Today was a difficult day leaving behind everything familiar; my house, my neighbors, my dear friends and family. It was gut wrenching walking through the house one last time as the movers were putting the last few boxes in the truck. The kids were just babies when we moved here. Jeff and I put our whole heart into building this home. Lots of love and so many good memories! So as I wipe the tears falling down my cheek, I take a deep breath and say good-bye to my precious home that we have lived in for the past 8 years. I will miss you!

WELCOME

WE, The Price's, are getting ready to embark on a new exciting chapter in our lives.  My husband Jeff just took a promotion with his company that is requiring our family to relocate to PHOENIX, AZ.  After years of living on the east coast, it's time to leave what we know and explore the other end of the US.  I am sure this momentous move to the west coast will be one of  excitement, wonder, and plenty of adventure.  Yes, we are so sad to leave our friends and family.  We will always cherish you but we will not say good-bye.  I know deep in my heart all our roads will cross again at some point in this lifetime or the next.  The official date of this new adventure begins on  February 10th, 2011.  We WELCOME you to join us on this new journey of ours.