We had to move the trailer over on the driveway about 8 inches so that the slide-out would open while Gramma was here to stay. We took it around the block the long way and ended up in Parker, AZ! Just in time for the Bluewater Desert Challenge off road racing!

Trevor is learning to be a photographer

We camped right near “the gauntlet”. It is full of chicanes and jumps so the crowds can see the trucks show off.

You knew a big-brand sponsored truck was coming because they were tailed by their own high-end helicopter.

Blasting dirt on the turns

The vehicles were creating a man-made haboob

If they came through too close together, the dust got so thick that the racers could not even find the track and would just pop out of the dust in random places.

The cloud descends on camp

The boys had a little gang of kids to hang out with all weekend

Our trailer was in the outer circle

We borrowed a UTV for a slow ride around

Trevor roasted his own hotdogs. The fire pit is something Bill made for a friend years ago from an old washer tub!

Trevor’s new friend Ryder and Trevor took turns pushing each other all over camp in the dump truck

Someone brought the coolest camping griddle-trailer. It was amazing!

He cooked homemade carne asada. mmm

In the end, the trailer is now far enough from the wall that we can open the slide. Now we just have to wash it inside and out! It got a little dusty.

Something newwwww!

Trevor is getting a few private swim lessons courtesy of HopeKids and AquaSafe Swim School! He was so excited, he is just a water boy. He did a great job, I was impressed. It was a very nice place too.

He didn’t make a fuss at all, and did everything his instructor asked

Swimming with his face underwater! I was proud of him!

Diving in!

His instructor Mary is super patient and fun.

Learning how to float

Trevor was going under water to fetch plastic rings and having a great time. He gets three more lessons this month. We will have to decide when/if we can keep sending him when they are done.

Brendan wanted a turn, but he had to wait with me. There was a toy room and a snack bar and a waiting theater for parents. Maybe next year, Brendan! 🙂

These crazy boys will be five so very soon! I can’t believe it!

Trevor is really liking school. We are trying to figure out how Brendan can go to class too. We initially were going to have to wait until October 24th to see his ENT about the sleep study results, but they called us and had a cancellation and we zoomed right over! The sleep study went so well and Brendan’s ENT thinks that we are so close to getting the trach out. He just wants to be cautious and feels it would be irresponsible to take the trach out now with the cold/flu/RSV season starting. Brendan was in the hospital two times last winter with respiratory illnesses.
We have an appointment at the end of February and if all is still going well, the trach will come out then. It is tough to wait, but we don’t want to take high risks.

“Ninja school” continues to go well. Brendan loses interest fast. He probably will not continue for a while once the trial period is done. Trevor is much more enthusiastic about it but needs to work on paying attention. It is entertaining to watch and they have made some progress after just 4 lessons.

Both boys received their white belts.

Posing with their instructor who they say looks like their cousin. It is more in her mannerisms than just appearance. It is funny.

Learning palm strikes

Being a ninja is tiring!

Peek out of line

Palm strike!

The last part of each class is a game that is fun but helps develop some important skill. This was “Ninja Ball”. The kids had to run on their knees and avoid getting tagged with the ball.

Saturday night, Bill was catching up with an old friend so Bailey and I took the boys to the last baseball game of the season. Thanks for the t-shirts, Bailey!

Brendan even acclimated enough to take off his ear protection. He did much better than the last time we went to the stadium. It was an exciting game. The Diamondbacks were up 5 to 0 in the first inning!

We also got to watch the giant dome roof open up!

We were behind 3rd base

Sunday it was really rainy and cooler so we went to the zoo! It was they best because there were not so many people there. I dragged them around in the wagon with their raincoats on. There are no pictures in the rain. 🙁

We did stop and see their buddies the stingrays.

More fun is coming on Wednesday!