2 for the Price of 1

A while back I found a 2 for 1 deal inside my egg carton to go the Wildlife World Zoo. Dan and I had been trying to figure out what we want to do for Memorial Day. Something that would be fun but not hurt his arm. (which wasn't lot)  We had looked the zoo up online and it didn't look that big (some maps can be deceiving). So we figured, we go spend a couple of hours and we would take some water and some snacks and we would be done mid-afternoon. it was going to be a cool day of 95 degrees we wanted to take advantage of the Beautiful before we hibernate for the summer.


Well .   .   .   .

We got there at 9:30am and didn't get done til 5:30pm. We decided that was the best Zoo by far that we had ever been to and we still missed a couple of things. Here are some of the highlights of what we saw and did.

We were able to see a baby Flamingo. Who knew baby flamingos were white.

Dan petting the Sting Ray.

Dan and I decided that after taking 2 1/2 hours of just going through the aquarium part of the part that we would have lunch at Dillon's in the park. Turned out they were having a special so lunch wasn't too bad. The last part of the aquarium they had a Rare Albino Alligator. Can you see it?

We were able to feed some birds, they suck the juice out of an apple.

We also fed some Giraffes, it was a little slimy, but fun. Through out the park they had little feeders that you put in a quarter and it gave you feed like a candy machine. We also fed some cod, ducks, geese and what ever else got to the food first.

It was a nice to forget our worries for a day and relax at the zoo.

Tea Party for 2

Can I just tell you I have the best Husband in the whole world.  After Dan finished his last final (which we were both grateful it had been a long quarter) he took me to a tea party.  It was located in a little house in Downtown Glendale.

Parking was entertaining, it was in an alleyway what was slightly wider than the car. Upon arrival we were ask if an elderly couple with a wheel chair could have our table due to the fact that the hallways weren't wide enough for her to go down. Sure, I said. We were relocated to the Princess Room. (Dan was probably thinking what did I get myself into.)

The Party was wonderful, we were served scones, finger sandwiches, fruit, and some small desserts and an endless tea pot of a berry herbal tea. It was a lot of food and really good. There were some toys to play with and lots of tiaras that the little girls could put on while they ate.  While we were waiting to pay Dan put on a tiara for good sportsmanship.

We had a nice relaxing Tea Party (late lunch). I love to do girl things once in a while, Dan is a great sport and company. Love You Dan.

New Challenges in April

Well I better catch everyone up to date. We have had some new challenges at the end of April. Dan and I were playing some intramural softball with some of our friends from class. The 1st & 2nd week went well. Week 3, not so much. Dan was running from 1st to 2nd base and fell and hurt his arm. (He made it to 2nd and he was safe!) however once he got to 3rd, he was becoming delirious.

Dan and I left the game early and went to the ER. I dropped him off and went to park. I didn't realized how banged up he was until I walked into the ER and I saw blood dripping off his knee and how he was still completely cover in red dirt. It looked like he had been attacked by a Tazmanian Devil.

After a very long night in the ER the MA wrapped Dan's arm in a split and said don't take it off until you see the Ortho. 3 days later we took the splint off because is was itching, BADLY! Low and Behold!

Can you see the blisters? By the end of the day these blisters covered the whole back side of his arm(from wrist to almost his shoulder.)We went into urgent care clinic. Over the course of the next couple of weeks we had lots Pain, drugs, doctors appointments, drugs and more Pain. Long story short. Dan crushed his Radial Head (top of the radius bone by the elbow) on the the shaft of the radius(on to the bone) So his arm is slightly shorter.

Dan's x-ray - the black lines should meet.

Oh, I forgot to mention that is was also his right arm which he does everything with. He was lucky to not have surgery. (We were truly grateful) however they couldn't cast his arm due to the allergic reaction he had to the splint. The last 7 1/2 weeks have been eventful at times. 4 1/2 more weeks to go, 1 more doctors appointment and lots of exercise and therapy to get the Range of Motion back.

Say hello to my little friend...

     So it is my turn to try out this girly blogging thing.  Well, lets see if I can add my own manly twist.  Living in Phoenix, the "Land of the Sun", has its good things and its bad things.  The shining example of the bad is the never ending sun and heat in the summer.  This Sunday is suppose to reach 100 degrees.  It is April for crying out load!!!!!  What happened to the old saying, "April showers brings May flowers".  No showers here, just mouth drying heat.

     Sticking to another old saying of many wise mother, "If you can't say anything nice......".  Well you know the rest.  So one of the wonderful things about Arizona is the openness with the 2nd amendment.  In phoenix anyone who owns a gun has the right to sell it, without the trouble of having an FFL(Federal firearms license).  Well I have found this website that locals sell and trade there firearms.  I recently purchased a new friend I like to call "Thumper".  Thumper is a H&R single shot 500 S&W magnum.  If that doesn't sound ominous and impressive then you must be dead.  Well  let me wake you up by showing you what the ammo looks like.

This is a comparison shot of Thumper ammo and a normal 9mm round.  As you can see Thumper eats 50 caliber ammo for breakfast.  Lets now see what Thumper looks like.

He looks small, but looks can be deceiving.  He is a lot like Bruce Lee, he is small but he packs a extremely large whollup.  Now for are final unveiling, lets see what Thumper can do. 

Look at that hole.  That is bigger than the hole that brought down the Titanic.  Well, maybe.  Atleast that what my shoulder felt like afterwards. 

So, as you can see we are doing well so far in Phoenix.  School is as good as it can be.  We sweat alot and we now feel cold when it is 70 degrees outside.  But, A happy wife is a happy life.  And a happy husband owns lot of guns. 

The Craziness of Spring

Since it's been a little while I will start with March.

    In March I (Melissa) had the opportunity to return to Washington for 2 1/2 weeks.  Dan was unfortunate and had to stay home and Study. (the Wonderful Life of a Med Student ).  In my trip there were lots and great and sad times.

    For those who don't know my Grandpa past way on March 10th. He lived a wonderful life and we love him dearly. Dan and I will truely miss him and his spectacular sayings, poems and exercises. (if you don't know what they are I will have to share them with you the next time I see you.) We will also miss his example, his wisdom and the oustanding amount of love for others.

On a Happier note; I had the wonderful opportunity to spend most of the time with my AMAZING Grandma Peggy Salisbury and help her in this Transition.  We had some great laughs, crys and loads of fun. My Grandma has lots of natural talents. (She will tell you she has none and will want to sit in the back of the room.) She is a social butterfly and loves games. (once you convince her it's not for old people)  I loved this time to really get to know her and she is an amazing women.

I also was able to spend some time with family and see my beautiful little niece. When I figure out how to get pictures off my phone i will post them.   TTFN.

A Long days work

Dan and I joined this club called the 3000 club. It's basically rescues extra food off the truck that the stores can't take and you can pick up to 60lbs of produce each week. Well last week when we picked up our produce it had almost all the ingredients to make Salsa. so we made a batch last week (about 10 pints) Dan and I did all the prep work together and canned it in a couple of hours.

This is just some of what we get.

Well this week when we picked up the produce. We decided to make another batch. Well I didn't get to making it on Monday so I thought I will just make it Tomorrow (Tuesday).  Most of you know that I watch a 2 1/2 year old(almost 3) and a 4 Month old boys. I figured I would just get most of it done while they napped. Then I thought, "Landon is playing, so I will cut up some peppers or start on the tomatoes." Most of you with kids know that when they figure out that you are doing something they either interrupt your every 2 minutes or want to help. So I had lots of help with the tomatoes taking the skins off and playing in the water, but that was about the span of attention of a 2 year old.  When Dan needed a break from studying for finals he would come out and join the fun.

So all in all the usual 2 hours of making and canning salsa took 8 hours. Then what ever tomatoes were left over I canned.

Sometimes I just forget how long somethings can take with children. It's not a bad thing! Just an adjustment that we all love.

Trying Something New

Many of you have asked why don't we have a blog. So here it goes. We are going to try this blogging thing out. We are not english majors or professionals of any kind. I(Melissa) am just a person getting her PH T. (Putting Hubby Through)

Most of you know that Dan is in his 2nd year of Medical School and is slaving away most days studying for his next exam which is always a few days away. We have both decided that we miss the undergrad and high school breaks that were 2 weeks long or all summer. These 1 week breaks are not enough to recover from the amount of information that they throw at you. Finals are this week and all of us around here are excitied for this long quarter to be over.