Arizona was a nice break

Our 12 day trip to Arizona (4-15 Nov) was a delight in so many ways.
--Visiting with Aaron, Trina and their 7 children was so much fun; we ate out, went to the Old Tucson Movie studio lot, the colossal caves and a church primary dinner.  Here are some photos of that part of our vacation.

--We also had a delightful visit with Mike and Melissa along with Jacob, Wyatt, and Tyson and Blake (Melissa's boys).  We hung out a lot, enjoying getting to know Melissa whom we came to really like and appreciate.  One of the highlights (for us, not for Mike and Melissa) was watching the Seattle Sea Hawks wax the Arizona Cardinals.  We also ate out at a nice Mexican restaurant as well as BBQ.  Here's some more photos.

We are grateful for the time each of these families made for us--we truly felt welcomed and loved.

Wouldn't it be nice?

Just some random thoughts as this hectic and at times brutal political campaign season comes to an end today.  Wouldn't it be nice if:
1.   Civility were the rule and not the exception.
2.   Campaigns were run strictly on the issues and not on personal attacks and innuendo
3.   Political parties were fined every time an ad was run which shaded the truth
4.   We could elect grown-ups from both parties who understood the value of healthy compromise and collaboration
5.   The minority party was treated as the "loyal opposition" instead of the enemy
6.   Money weren't a factor in any of our political races (yes, I understand that giving money is a form of freedom of speech; it also tends to be a corrupting element as well)
7.   The campaign season didn't start the day after the election
8.   When we elected a politician we also elected their mother to sit beside them and pull their ear when they got mean or stupid

Well, I guess that's it.  Let the 2012 campaign season begin!!