NASCAR!!

Linda and I, having a grand time!

Blurry shot of Finn w/ his big earmuffs on!

Aiden on the trolley ride to the race...

It was a hot afternoon...little cheeks are flushed red...

Collin's Dad and his wife Linda were here for about 5 days. They came in on the 17th...the next morning we piled into our van and cruised out to Phoenix to see a NASCAR race! Real and true! Tickets were free here to the military so we said "why not?". None of us had ever been before so we thought we'd check out all the hype

Pretty much everything you've ever thought a NASCAR race would be like- and then some! It was teeming w/ every imaginable kind of humanity -FABULOUS people watching if you are into that! I am and it was great!

We got there later in the afternoon and gates had opened at 12...The parking area was huge and full and many ppl. were hanging out in their loungers by their cars...drinking beer...bbq'ing...bs'ing. Then, when we were heading for the racetrack area-we headed toward the shuttle- and that's when we saw how dedicated people are to this sport. Row after row after row of RV's were parked and camped out. People had been there for several days-partying and waiting for the race. I couldn't give a number but there were tons of RV's! As many redneck folks that you'd expect and a whole lot of other types that you wouldn't. Lots of money going into this sport-there were tons of big name sponsors outside the track-giving out stuff. We missed most of that due to our later arrival but it was interesting to see it all.

We made it to our seats in time to hear the national anthem and to see Air Force jets do a fly-over, plus some freefall parachute guys jumped in w/ an American flag...very cool. It was really quiet when the anthem was sung...it got my eyes stinging! I love that stuff and the people that come to these races do too! Very patriotic!

Then all the racers were introduced and they did slow drive-by's in their cars and then it was time for the race to start. We all got our hearing protection, motors started up and the race began and IT WAS AWESOME!!!!

What an exciting sport to see, hear and smell! Really! It was so cool when they fired up their engines and the race really got going...I never thought I'd have enjoyed it as much as I did! I will definitely go again if given the opportunity.

The boys had a good time too although about an hour into the race it was all over for us! Ha!Ha! a hot day,no naps, tons of people and serious stimulation = meltdowns for little boys at some point!

Both of them had their own little breakdowns as we made our way out but I think they both had alot of fun. Frankly I think we were all surprised at how much we enjoyed it. Linda said she would definitely like to go again too.

We had a great visit w/ Bud and Linda...the boys love to have family here-it's a very fluid thing for them, having people come and go-they have been conditioned from all the visitors we had while in NC.

We did visit the sand dunes w/ Bud and Linda...we went w/out 4wheelers which was a mistake! Actually it was an experience to climb up the (very hot) sand dunes...they are quite amazing. They are off the highway on the way to Cali.- it is where some of Star Wars was filmed and some other sandy films...:) Next time we go we'll rent 4wheelers!

The rest of the visit was spent hanging out and laughing and talking. We had a good time catching up w/ B&L...so glad they made the trip!