Autism Kids Can Diamondbacks Game

The Arizona Diamondbacks donated a suite to the Autism Kids Can organization for last nights game.  We were so excited to attend the game and loved getting to park in the players garage and use the donated suite.  Alex came prepared with his noise cancelling headphones.  We got settled in and loved getting to watch the game. 

This was the first baseball game that we have attended as a family and reached the end of the game!  We are very grateful to the Diamondbacks for their hospitality.  Alex was able to relax and truly take in all of the amazing parts of a professional sporting event.

The Diamondbacks stadium has a wonderful kids area.  We took the kids over during the 7th inning stretch to play and get some wiggles out!  They even got to meet the fun Bobble Guys that race on the field!!

What a great night :)  

Thank you Diamondbacks and Autism Kids Can!!!

Phoenix Suns Basketball Camp

Dadam won an opportunity for Adam and Addison to attend a basketball camp with the Phoenix Suns through Intel.  The kids were separated into groups and coached by the Phoenix Suns and Mercury staff and players.

The pictures above are of Addison running drills and having fun.  Dadam stayed with her so that is why we are missing photos of Adam.  Both Adam and Addison had a great time, they really loved getting jerseys and backpacks from the Suns and can't wait to go to a game!!

First Day of School

 Smiley Face pancakes have become a first day of school tradition at the Berniger household!  Oreos, blueberries, raspberries and bacon created our faces this year.  All of the kids loved them and of course the smiles were contagious :)

Lunches were made and water bottles filled/labeled, but my favorite thing about first day lunches are the fun notes that I get to slip into each of the kids boxes :)

Each of the kids got to pick their outfits for the first day this year!  We had pirates, kitties and dessert predators this year.

Backpacks loaded and off to bus stops we went!  Addison and Alex get picked up in our front yard, but Adam walks about a block to his bus stop.

Alex's First Day of Kindergarten!

Alex is in Mrs. Rice's class this year.  I am nervous for him, but Mrs. Rice has a treasure chest and so Alex is raring to go :)

Addison's First Day of 1st Grade!

Mrs. Hartung is Addison's teacher this year.  She loves the ocean and has told us that her class will be adopting a manatee during the year.  Addison is excited to continue learning her sight words and building a great foundation of reading.

Adam's First Day of 4th Grade!

Mrs. Mills will be taking Adam an his journey through 4th grade this year.  We are really hoping that he has a great year building friendships and continuing to love math and science.

Amelia and Mommy's Special Day

Once all of the kids got on the bus Amelia's happiness quickly turned to tears.  I had expected as much and so I had created a special snack bag and backpack for her to wear as she and I drove to the school to meet the kids in their classrooms.  She wasn't completely satisfied, but it was a start!!

 

Once we stopped by all of the classrooms and met all of the teachers Amelia and I headed to a nail salon to get pedicures!  Amelia loved getting to feel special and sit in the big girl chair!  While getting her nails painted she also ate her Happy Meal!

Once the kids returned home from school everyone enjoyed cookies and watermelon!  Swimming rounded out the afternoon and we all geared up to do it all again tomorrow!

Final Horrah of Summer Break!

One week until school starts and both the kids and I are READY!  Needing to fill our days with activities to get us through is an understatement :)  The kids are tired of swimming and with school just around the corner they are biting at the bit!

We enjoyed our time in northern Arizona.  We even got to experience the Arizona Cardinals final team camp in Flagstaff.  Filling the final days was tricky, but we had fun bowling, playing on splash pads throughout the valley and hitting the water park a few more times.

We finished up our summer with the Children's Program at church.  All of the kids did an amazing job on their parts and songs.  So, we are all tan, tired and ready to start the new school year.

Arizona's Natural Treasures!

 The Grande Canyon

 Our family has visited the Grande Canyon a few times, but this was the first time to be there during a storm.  The kids and I drove up and didn't want the day to be wasted.  We loved running from the rain and watching the lightning strike across the sky.

 We were lucky to experience the fast moving storm.  From moment to moment the sky, colors and canyon changed.

 We had the opportunity to enjoy some great moments of clear skies and snap a few group photos!

 The kids enjoyed the grass (rare in Phoenix) and chasing the squirrels. 

 Due to the storm the kids and I ducked into a few places we had never visited before.  We enjoyed learning about the canyon and different films, visitors and equipment that have been used throughout the years.  We truly had a fun day, but were glad to get dried off and warm on the way back to the hotel!

Sedona, Arizona

 

 Sedona was a first for both the kids and I.  As we drove into the Sedona Valley the red rocks captured our attention.  We were quickly surrounded by the amazing red rocks as far as our eyes could see.  Because this was our first stop we visited a tour company and set up a trolly tour.  While we waited for our time slot the kids and I ventured out to the Chapel of the Holy Cross.

 The Chapel of the Holy Cross was built into the side of a rock.  The church is still used today and the kids liked seeing the crosses and candles in the chapel.  The church is very small but it was a great way to start our day in Sedona.

 We headed back to the tour stop so that we could load up!  The kids and I learned a lot on our tour.  Sedona has the first McDonald's without golden arches, their arches are turquoise :)  The Thunder Mountain Railroad ride at Disneyland and Disney World is based on a section of rocks in Sedona.  They also have a few rocks shaped like characters, the kids favorite was Snoopy!

We were able to get off of the trolly and wonder around at a few points.  We had fun hiking and seeing if we could feel the "Sedona Vortex or Energy"!  I don't think that any of us felt anything special, but it was fun to try!

 Sedona is also home to a lot of fun art and shops.  We all liked getting being able to stretch our legs and see new things!

Sedona was a bit warm by the afternoon so the best way to end our day among the red rocks was trying the local ice cream!

This was the first time that the kids and I have taken an overnight trip without Dadam.  I think that we all had a fun time, but we would have enjoyed it a lot more with him along!