St. David

The past few weeks we have been in St. David. Phil is following his uncles who are Family care physicians and is loving it. We are living with Phil's parents and it has been really enjoyable (except that we haven't been able to visit a whole lot with them since they are so busy!). Phil is hoping this experience will convert me to small town life! The weather has been great. Although it can reach 100 degrees, it cools off at night which is how a desert should be! Things I love about it here:

-It is beautiful. It is perfect timing as the vegetation is green (Phil's parents live on a hill so you can overlook the green St. David valley).

-Once again, the weather has been nice.

-It is quiet. It has been a really nice change not having to hear cars drive by all day (even though there is the occasional loud Semi that goes by).

-James' sleeping quarters. He sleeps in the pantry which is pitch black. This means he has been sleeping until at least 7 instead of his normal rising with the sun a little after 5. He has even slept a little past 8 the past 3 days. Bliss!

Things I miss:

-Having access to our car all the time. Phil usually rides his bike to school. Since he has to drive to work, this means I don't have a car at home to use whenever I please (does that sound totally spoiled?) Which brings up my next few points...

-Walking distance to a park. We could walk to the school which is 3 miles away which I wouldn't mind doing. But there aren't sidewalks and it is on a road where cars are going 50 mph so I don't feel completely safe with James in his stroller.

-Walking distance to the library. I actually have not been to the library in Benson yet and have good intentions to go, but it would sure be nice to be able to walk there.

-Radio stations, especially NPR. I really enjoy listening to talk radio while I'm cooking or doing other tasks and I don't thoroughly enjoy listening to "The Cave" all day.

The first week down here we were blessed to have three of Phil's sister's kids (Amy) with us while they were at girl's camp. We had some fun. I have only taken pictures of when they were here and not any since. The pictures are from when we went down to the "river". Unfortunately there wasn't any water but we found some fun critters while we were there. The other pictures are when we went for a hike in the "bone forest". Ah, the imagination of kids! We played some games, jumped on the trampoline, and had a water obstacle course in addition to our other adventures.

Pictures at the river:

Pictures of our bone forest hike:

James has been having fun as well. He loves to be outside and has a special interest in the cats (does he get it from his dad?!). One is totally afraid of us and the other likes to be around until James attacks it. I try to show him how to be soft and the cat appreciates it but it is kind of fun to see what James does and how the cat responds. Poor cat. He has sort of started to avoid James. We've also been enjoying a little kid pool that one of our friends gave us. It is something nice and different to do in the day along with little walks.