Yuma Arizona Trip 2008

We took our annual (ok it's only the second time, but will soon become annual) trip to Yuma Arizona over the Christmas break to visit Mary and Fred who are now retired and have become "SnowBirds". We had such a great time and can't wait to go again next year!

We left bright and early the day after Christmas - 4:00 am to be exact! Scott and Michelle and their kids took the trek with us and made for an extra fun time! The drive down took 12 hours with only a few potty breaks and one Highway patrol stop (Slow down Scott!) Once we were in Yuma we began our adventures by hitting the large indoor Swapmeet. We all found "treasures" to buy and spent a lot of money.

Over the next two days we went to Los Alagadones Mexico to barter for some more "treasures". I think I got ripped off a couple times, but I guess that's ok - I got a lot of fun stuff. In Mexico we also enjoyed Nachos and Margaritas at the beer garden and eating at Mary & Fred's favorite mexican restaurant. We enjoyed the first day in Mexico so much that we decided to go back another day, which turned out to be an adventure. After spending the day spending our money we got in the looooooong line to get out of Mexico - 2 1/2 hours waiting in line with a 2 year old and 7 month old is not recommended. Dallin had found a couple of knives that he bought and wanted to bring them home. Grandpa Fred volunteered to take them across the border "just in case they give us any trouble". Well if trouble is what we were looking for- we found it! The border patrol did not take too kindly to the knives and gave Fred a lecture on California law prohibiting such items from crossing the border. After detaining Fred they sent him back in to Mexico to dispose of the items and a pass to get to the front of the line. Needless to say, all the rest of us left waiting and wondering what was going on was a little scary. Luckily everything turned out ok and we were able to get Fred back!

After spending the day in Mexico the kids wanted to go swimming, so we spent some time out by the pool. It is sure nice to see some 70 degree weather in the middle of winter! Mary and Fred also took us to their favorite restaurant LUTES so the kids could play the video games. Angie and Michelle really got in to playing the bingo lottery and even won a couple of bucks. Paul and Angie took Scott & Michelle (and Bryce - but don't tell security) over to the CocoPah Casino one night, where we lost a couple of bucks, but still had a good time.

Scott and Michelle made the trip so much fun and were were sad when they left a few days before we did, but we were able to spend a few days with Mary and Fred visiting the old prison and the Quartermaster park in old Historic Downtown Yuma. We also went out to an old mining Ghost Town. We spent New Years Eve with Mary & Fred grilling some steaks, eating shrimp and blowing our horns. We went back to our hideous hotel room early and none of us saw midnight, oh well, I guess that's how you know you are getting old! The whole trip we had been driving around town seeing signs for a "Date Shake" - so Paul made me promise to get him one. As we were heading out of town we stopped and got a Date Shake - they were really yummy!

After leaving Arizona we drove a few hours to Boulder Nevada (Just outside of Las Vegas) to see my Grandma and Grandpa Lundeen (the kids' Great Grandparents). We drove over the dam for the first time and it was quite a sight - they are building an amazing bridge! We visited with my Grandparents and then they took us to dinner at the Railroad Pass Casino. I think they were as excited to see us as we were to see them. We then spent the night at the Virgin River Casino in Mesquite - this room was a lot nicer and quieter than the room in Yuma! But alas all good things must come to an end ... and so we are home again - catching up on laundry, taking down the Christmas decorations, fighting the cold, shoveling snow and back to work. Well, at least we have next year to look forward to!