Well, we had an incredible week in Phoenix and believe me when I say that we wish we were back there in the warm weather but it is sure nice to be home and back into a routine.

 The drive down was not as long as it sounds…30 hours!  We stopped in Bozeman, Montana for a late supper and to watch the NBA All-Star festivities for three hours and then another stop at the Grand Canyon for many photos.  Once we arrived to our condo at around 4:30pm Phoenix time, the boys assumed their positions on the couch to watch the All-Star game and us girls went grocery shopping.  After a much deserved supper we hung out in the pool and the hot tub for the remainder of the night.

Day 2 we went to the Outlets at Anthem mall outside of the city to do some shopping….I think the boys came out with more stuff than us girls did!  After that we went to another mall in Phoenix and did some more shopping (again, mainly the boys).  Outside the mall there is a small amusement and mini golf park that we decided to go into.  For the first time ever, Conrad and I went on a roller coaster and the drop of doom.  I have never been so scared in my entire life!  The roller coaster was awesome but the drop of doom…not so much.  When something raises you high enough that you can see all of the 6th largest city in the US….that is just wrong…then it drops you so fast but all you can do is try to hold your lunch down!  You can believe that I will not go on that ever again!  Then after a long day being on our feet, we went back to the condo, bbq’d supper and then went for another swim.

Day 3 we were in a pickle as the water in our condo was shut off for maintenance (would have been nice to know in advance) so we had to wash in the pool.  After some lazying around we went back to the amusement park to play mini golf.  I have never seen a sweeter mini golf park!  There was four different courses!  After golfing we went over to Ross Dress for Less for another round of major shopping.  This store is amazing (see post about Washington trip) and so darn cheap.  Think of it as a Winners but 100x better!  Best deal of the day was a sweater that Conrad found (the Penguin brand) for regularly $250 for $24!!!  Best deal ever!!  To finish the day off we went home, bbq’d supper and then went for another swim.

Day 4 we found a really cool go-kart place that the boys wanted to try out.  When we got in we soon found out that their computer system had crashed so the boys went go-karting for free (regularly $25 each) and us girls went wall clmbing for free!  Apparently it is the best place to go-kart in the states, it was so hardcore!  Then we stopped at the zoo to check it out and soon found out that it would take a whole day to walk through so we left (after staring at turtles, fish and ducks for 1/2 hour) to get ready for the Suns vs Lakers game.  There was so much to do at the arena before the game started so we went there 2 1/2 hours early.  We took in all the activities, won some free stuff, and then went to our seats.  We didn’t have the greatest seats but we could still see fine and sit all together.  This was Shaq’s first game with Phoenix so it was hugely publicized and incredible to witness.  It was a great game but in the end LA won by a few points.  It was great to see Kobe as he is just an incredible player even though I am not a huge fan! 

Day 5 we went back to the zoo and had so much fun.  I think we left our condo at around 10:30 and didn’t get home until 6pm!!  We took lots of pictures!  Then on our way home we stopped at Target to pick up supplies to make posters for the next day’s basketball game (as we found out that if you win the best poster of the night, you get to go into the locker room and meet the players after the game).  We just relaxed that night while watching some tv and making posters, then finished it off with another dip in the hot tub.

Day 6 was started with another round of swimming and finishing up posters and starting to pack as we were leaving the next morning at 6am.  That night we got all dressed up in our gear (Dana was dressed as the Hulk with a Shaq jersey over top and a sign that said “The incredible Shaq is Back!”, Conrad in a Nash jersey and a sign that said “The final peice of the puzzle” with a picture of the champion trophy in puzzle peices and Shaq’s peice fitting into it, Joel with a Suns t-shirt on with a sign that said”Preview of the Finals” with pictures of both teams and the championship trophy and us girls’ with Nash jerseys on and a poster that was a big Canada flag and said “Our NASHional Guard” with Steve Nash’ number on it.)  We were sure we were going to win as we caught the attention of many video and cameramen.  Then some lady pulled Conrad aside and asked him if he wanted to attempt a shot during a time-out for a chance of winning money.  He could choose between a foul shot for $800, a three-point shot for $8000 or a half-court shot for $80,000!!!  So, the first time out after half time, they brought him out to the court, with the whole stadium and players watching, and attempted the three-point shot.  He took the shot and it looked like a winner but unfortunatley it was a little long and hit the front of the back rim and bounced out.  Oh well, it looked good though.  Right before the game started, I was walking on the path down courtside and I looked up to move over for the people walking opposite of me and guess who it was…..Maroon 5!!  So, stupid me said “Oh hey, Maroon 5, hows it going?” while putting out my hand for them to shake it.  I sensed some hesitation but then they shook it right back and smiled back at me!!  Pretty exciting eh!  In the end, I think they ran out of time to name a poster winner, which sucked as we would have won!!  That game was definatley the highlight of the week though.

Day 7 we got up and left Phoenix at 6 am and got home after only 27 hours of driving! 

 Needless to say, we are quick exhausted and are very much anticipating the weekend already!  I will post some pictures once I figure out which out of the 500 are worth putting on here!

 Sheena

She is leaving for dog-sledding up north for two weeks and then off winter camping as a leader for the CLBI trip.  I wish her a great time and warm sleeps!

I will call you tonight and expect and call when you get back…I just need to know that you are alive!

The trade is almost official…Shaquille O’Neil is a Phoenix Sun as Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks are headed to Miami.  Big news…big, big news!  This means that in 14 days, we will be watching Shaq play with his new team!  I am sure going to miss Marion though but he wanted to go anyway.