We may not be ready to apply for our LPGA card yet, but occasionally we actually hit the ball far and straight! It took us a full hour to figure out which club worked best, and how to keep score. FORE!
Author Archives: Lynnette Melbostad
Lavender Festival — A first for all of us
“Last minute idea” I said to the AuPairs (via What’sApp, of course), “but tomorrow I’m driving to northern Arizona for a Lavender Festival near the White Mountains. Who’s in?” My car was quickly filled as 4 aupairs said “Count me in!”
OK, so the Lavendar Festival was a bit of a flop – especially after one of the AuPairs said, as we were getting out of the car, “I hate the smell of lavender — it gives me a headache”. Naturally we didn’t bring any home in our car — did I mention it was a 3.5 hour drive – each way?
Now the last minute stop at Woods Canyon Lake on the way home was a different story. Can you say: G O R G E O U S ??
Surfing in Arizona? Who knew?
Summer time in Phoenix and there is no place better than in the water. Big Surf in Tempe was our destination. Lots of water slides, wading pools, “waves” and sunshine. Fun day – and no one got sunburned. Score!
Baseball = All American Cluster Meeting!
CLUSTER MEETING – MAY 2016: We skipped the hot dogs, but we enjoyed pop corn, sunshine and what the au pairs now know is called “a pitcher’s duel”. Arizona State University hosted Univ of New Mexico in collegiate baseball at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, AZ. It took forever, but ASU finally scored a run in the 9th inning and won the game 1-0. For many it was their first baseball experience. And unfortunately, it may be the last for most of them. I loved it, however!
SEDONA – God’s Country
“Can i get a hallelujah? Can i get an amen?”
It was a
beautiful day in Phoenix (Sunday), so we rented a van and headed north to Sedona. Singing songs and eating chocolate was how we filled our time in the van. Our first stop was the Chapel of the Holy Cross. The view from the Chapel makes it well worth the congestion. Once inside 
the spiritual vibes “feel like the Holy Ghost running through ya … Yeah I guess that’s my church”
Thank you to Maren Morris and My Church lyrics.
January Community Service Project: Starting off the new year helping others!
Our group spent the afternoon preparing meal packages for Feed My Starving Children. This organization provides packaged meals to starving children all around the world. Our efforts, as part of a bigger group, packaged meals that will be sent to the Philippines and feed 85 children for one year!
It was fun afternoon … lots of singing, dancing, laughing and trying to think of victory chants that rhyme with Seven (our table number). We were unsuccessful with the later, unless “Kevin” counts.
Christmas at the Princess
Fire Pit & S’Mores – what more do you need?
What a festive place to kick-off the holiday season! Our December cluster meeting was spent at the Scottsdale Fairmont Princess Resort where they really know how to decorate for the holidays! During the evening, we enjoyed watching holiday lights dance to music on an enormous Christmas tree, laced up skates and tried ice skating, sat by a camp fire sipping on hot chocolate, and even tried our hand at roasting the perfect marshmallow for s’mores.
Merry Christmas everyone!
Who said it never rains in Phoenix?
“I’ve got a great idea”, I said to the AuPairs. It’s November and the weather is gorgeous, let’s go to the Fountain Hills outdoor art festival and walk around all afternoon! The day before was 81 degrees, sunny and absolutely lovely. The day we went to Fountain Hills, it was gloomy, rained all day and was 65 degrees! We still walked around – briefly, then spent the rest of the afternoon in a Chinese restaurant waiting for it to stop raining. Oh well … all of our events can’t be perfect …
Cool shoes, but bring a sweater!
SUNDAY AFTERNOON AT THE BOWLING ALLEY
It always looks so simple … ten pins, close together, how hard can it be to knock them down?! Based on our scores, it’s obviously a lot harder than it seems! But we sure looked good in our stylish bowling shoes.
Note to self: Bring a sweater next time.
Stand-Up Paddle-boarding in the Desert?!
Sitting or standing – it was fun!
Another hot summer day in Phoenix, so we headed to Tempe Town Lake and learned how to Paddle Board. Everyone had it mastered in a matter of minutes so we made good use of our time and paddled all around. Swimming isn’t really allowed in Tempe Town Lake, but if you “fall” off your board, I guess you’ll have to swim a bit. The water felt great!
There was also a fabulous tribute to those who lost their life on September 11 — one flag for every victim — including their bio. It was touching and a great remembrance.