Notes to future Arizona Residence

The kids were awesome!  Thank goodness my mom came to help feed and entertain!  

This is some random stop along the way to Phoenix.  

 We decided to come into Phoenix at the exact time the Cardinals football game was ending.  We love stop and go traffic to finish off a 12 hour trip :)

 We've arrived!!


We tried to get lots of advice and info from people who had lived in AZ, but there is nothing like living here for a week to point out the obvious differences from where you just moved.  So here are some tips I would give someone that I hadn't heard yet

 1. Wear sunglasses while running . . . even at 5 am!  With no mountain cover, the second the sun is 'up' is is glaring right in your eyes.
2.  Even though it is dark, it isn't necessarily time to sleep . . . there is no gradual night-is-coming-soon-dusk time.  The second the sun hits the horizon it is pitch black dark . . . usually by 7:00-7:30.  It is really throwing me off every night!
3.  Increase your eat out budget.  This is to include buying a DRINK every meal.  Asking for 'just a water' isn't going to cut it.  Be it Chili's, Peter piper pizza, Wendy's or Burger King the water here is DISGUSTING!
4.  Turn on Gas Utility.  It took us 2 FULL days of living in our new house to realize we didn't have HOT water only lukewarm . . . and we won't have hot water until Tuesday!  Nothing like boiling water for a bath!
5.  Crickets IN the house is normal (?!?!)  Have shoe (off your foot) ready to chase it around.  They jump high, fast and any direction, they are fine with landing ON you as well.   Crickets are a bit messy to clean up after they are killed . . . note that crickets are also food sources for scorpions . . . want to exterminate them immediately!!
6.  Males walking in the AZ evening heat may be wearing only boxer shorts and an umbrella and stop in to introduce themselves.  No big deal . . .
7.   So far the heat doesn't feel so unbearable, until you move . . . By move, I mean, take more than 5 walking steps, lift an 8 month old baby, open a car door then once you move, expect the sweat to begin.  But hey, it's a DRY heat so it doesn't take long to dry out :)  I found Jackson like this after 'nap- time (or lack there-of).  He insisted he was cold (its 78 degrees in our house) and wore it for house.

8.  When packing,  put all lamps and light bulbs in the rear so just in case the previous renter snagged all the light bulbs, you will have light to move in (I assume you will move in at 8 pm like us since it is the only bearable heat time of day.)
9. Bring a fleece blanket to church or wear a sweater.  The church is apparently trying to accommodate the males and make it super cool . . . it was freezing and every female had a sweater or a plush, fluffy fleece.
10.  When attending a swim party, enter with swim suit on, towel in hand.  Don't know why it is different in Utah, but after being questioned at 2 pool parties, we will comply.

We are almost set up in our new house, We're very glad we opted for a home in a neighborhood (with a garage).  It is the most space we've ever had.  We attended the ward and feel really excited to be here (but anxious to have new friends and feel at home).  Last week my mom and other brother and his family were in town so we were busy, busy, we'll have to see how this week 'alone' feels.

I'll get some pics of the house up, maybe next time Jackson takes a nap (so that will be in 2 -3 weeks).