The one thing we HATE about Arizona!

SCORPIONS!!!! Yes, they are poisonous, but no they won't kill you. They are actually pretty small, about 2 inches long. Lars has been stung before and says it's like a beesting. Like bees, I think it you are allergic, it can be a problem, but not for most people. This one was actually outside on the garage door. Most any we have found in the house have been dead, we assume from the cats playing with them (dogs and cats aren't hurt by their stings). We have found a live one inside about once a year. The only redeeming quality that kind of makes up for the scorpions is in exchange we don't have spiders or mosquitos! At least I've never seen any here so far.

The Easter Bunny????

Our neighbors hang out a lot on the street outside and we couldn't resist taking a picture of our next door neighbor, Mike, playing the East Bunny on parade with the kids riding their bikes around. The funny thing is he's about 6'5", ex-Marine, covered in tatoos, and is a corrections officer at the jail. Only a real man could pull this off! Mike and Beth are moving in a few weeks to a new house they built - we'll sure miss them!

Sarah's Weapon of Choice

As most of you know, Sarah can be quite creative when she's feelin' the (as she says) "mojo." This is one of her lastest creations. It took her quite awhile to sharpen the reeds from the palm tree outside and cut and tie her hairbows in order to secure it all together. I just had to take a picture of it because no one would believe me if I tried to explain it. If she's ever stranded on a deserted island, she'll be able to spear plenty of fish!

Rainbow

A rainbow is a very rare site in Phoenix as it only rains every 2-3 months, much less a double rainbow! This is the first one I have seen since we moved here almost 2 1/2 years ago. We were on the way to see the Easter Pageant at the Temple, and it was just beautiful. The rain ended just in time for the performance, which is the world's longest running production. There are over 400 cast members, all unpaid volunteers, and they have been performing "Jesus the Christ" for 100 years. It's free and open to the public, and people come from all around to see it. It's outside on the front lawn of the Temple, which can hold 12,000 people. It is amazing!

The principal at the kids' school handpainted these plaques for all the PTO board members as a thank you for serving. It was really nice of him. He's retiring this May after 30 some years in the district, the past 18 of which have been at Pueblo. The vice principal is becoming the Principal. I was asked to serve as President or Vice President for next school year, whichever I would prefer. I fear not having enough time to devote with me being in school and everything else, but the Treasurer and I are the only two board members left with kids at Pueblo so no one else will have any experience.

Erik got braces!

Erik got his braces this week after having an expander in the roof of his mouth for two months. Expanders took the place of headgear (thank goodness!). We had to turn it once a day, every day to spread his pallet apart. He'll get the expander out after four more months once his body has calcified the bone in his pallet to keep it open as wide as it is now. The braces will stay on for about 2 years. Much faster than the 5 years I had mine!