Fun in the Sun

We have been living in the desert for 3 weeks now and part of me can't believe that we have almost been here for a whole month already! Bill finally had something school related this week- he had orientation. It was a super long day, but he got to meet classmates, teachers, etc and is encouraged by the job prospects... the average salary from last year's first graduating class in this field is higher than we anticipated and one alumni who spoke to them had accepted a job offer by October of last year... just 2 months into the program! The next 9 months are going to be intense, but we feel that it will be worth it!

Because Bill hasn't had school or work, we have been getting in lots of play time! We decided to get annual zoo passes and we love it! We are going to try to make it a Friday tradition to go and went the last two weeks. It is nice to be able to see the zoo at a leisurely pace instead of trying to get everything done in a day. This last Friday we took an opportunity to feed the giraffes. It was so much fun! Charlotte even fed "our" giraffe a lettuce leaf... she wasn't overly impressed, but she didn't cry, so I consider it a victory.

Bill's birthday was at the end of July and we celebrated by eating at a pizza place in Phoenix called Cibo. It was mostly authentic according to Bill and pretty good.

We tried gelato at a nearby Italian grocer and enjoyed it! Bill got melon just like they serve it in Italy he says. I love that whenever I take a picture of Charly and Bill, she only has eyes for her daddy!

We have also found a splash pad that is fun for all of us... you know, the splash pad part for the kiddo and shade, misters, and an Orange Julius a few feet away for Bill and I! It is at a really cool outdoor mall, so it is fun to wander through stores while we are there!

Bill also found a place to play hockey and will get to play twice a week. Once for pick up games and another for league play. It is only about 15 minutes away and much earlier in the evening than the groups he played with in Utah so hopefully it can happen more frequently than it has in recent years!

We are having a lot of fun in the desert sun so far, but we are going spend our last school-less week someplace sunny, but a little cooler ... the Petrosino's are going to Disneyland!