Gold & a New Ride

 Owen discovered that if you put a dollar bill into the vending machine at the pool, and then push change return, a gold dollar comes back to you! So they do this over and over until they get the coin they want. They like the ones with Sacajawea on it.  

Owen thought it was Bob Ross on the quarter... honest mistake.

 Luke's been doing the Swimming and Lifesaving merit badge at Brimhall Aquatic Center. I think it's been a nice change from just swimming laps for an hour at swim team. But those laps paid off because he's in great shape! The required 150 yard swim is nothing for him now.

  

 Our big green car needs some repairs costing several thousand dollars. We, and the mechanic, both agree it's better to put money into a "new" car rather than spending it on a car that's just going to keep needing repairs. So van shopping we went. Gid's face says it all. Dave wanted a Toyota Sienna. We test drove three vans with a break for lunch at Rubios in between. One in Phoenix, one in Mesa, and the last one in Ahwatukee. He bought the last one and we named him Ironvan because he's the color of Ironman. ;)

Owen snuggled the hamster into my stuffed bear's arm the other day. He surprised us by staying there for a nap!

 And the hamster eating peanut butter. I love his ear in this picture and Owen loves that he's standing like a human. He usually chirps when he smells peanut butter and we tried to get a video of it, but he knew he'd get the treat without the trick so the tricks on us. 

Gideon came along with us to cub scouts on Tuesday night. We painted rocks (that will be hidden at the Riparian Preserve at the next activity) and then we played a fun game called Sprout Ball.