Top 10 Moments of 2013

2013’s memorable moments are in.  Was there a dominant theme coursing through the nominations much like there has been the last two years?  Not really.  Nothing more specific than history – or learning.  This year’s field was much more varied than in years past.  Here are my top 10 moments of 2013.

10^th Best Moment: Halloween

It’s growing on me – quickly fixing itself to third place on the holiday hierarchy and taking home a top 10 prize for the second consecutive year.  What made it great?  Gray was the perfect age – so excited and couldn’t believe that everyone just gives out free candy.  Batman.  Outdoor movie.  Party.

9^th Best Moment: Rim Country

So many memories in 2013 rediscovering various parts of Arizona as Reese learned its history.  The Anasazi.  The Sinagua.  The Hohokam.  The Hopi.  The handful of day trips up North connected me to so many of my younger days.  What made them great?  The stars.  Hiking.  The views.  The national monuments.    Jerome.  Kids bundling up in blankets and pillows to watch movies with the back seats laid flat on late night drives back home.

8^th Best Moment: Daddy/Daughter Dance

A tradition I look forward to each December.  What made it great?  My date.  Reese’s excitement.  Shopping for a dress and shoes.  The music.  Reese pretending to be embarrassed by my energy in front of her friends.  After-party pizza.

7^th Best Moment: Apple Annie’s Orchard and Pumpkin Farm

A great trip!  What made it great?  The spontaneity – and all the fun surprises that come with zero expectations.  It was a road trip.  The ostrich farm.  Staying in Tucson.  Kids learning more about healthy food.  Apple cider doughnuts.  Pumpkin ice cream.  Tombstone.  Farm-to-table freshness.

6^th Best Moment: Gray’s Birthday Carnival

What a party!  What made it great?  It was for all ages.  Music.  Pizza & Drinks.  Surf competitions.  Jousting.  Bounce House.  Obstacle Course.  Giant Slides.

5^th Best Moment: Philadelphia Trip

Five days of brotherly love!  What made it great?  Please Touch Children’s museum.  Ben Franklin.  Mini Golf.  China Town.  Reading Terminal Market.  Bobby’s Burger Palace.  Supreme Court Jeopardy. History and Learning.

4^th Best Moment: St Louis, MO and Springfield, IL Trip

Gateway to the West!  What made it great?  Lewis and Clark Museum.  The Arch.  Sculpture Park at Night.  City Museum.  Dred Scott Revisited.  Day trip to Springfield.  Lincoln Presidential Library.  Lincoln gravesite.  History and Learning.

3^rd Best Moment: Cedar Point

The roller coaster capital of the world!  What made it great?  Just Reese and dad time. Cardboard and sock-stuffed shoes. Millennium Force (x6).  GateKeeper (x2).  Top Thrill Dragster (x2).  Snake River Falls.  Wicked Twister.  Getting sick on MaXair.  Being human windshields crushing hundreds of bugs riding Millennium Force at night in the front row.  Rock’n Roll Hall of Fame.  Cleveland Science Center.  Indians fans.  The Thirsty Pony.  And The Winking Lizard Tavern.

2^nd Best Moment: Baltimore and Washington DC Trip

Nine days in our nation’s capital!  What made it great?  The feeling of being back “home.”  Crab cakes in Baltimore.  Sore legs.  National Aquarium.  Edgar Allen Poe and William Douglas.  Escalator racing at the hotel.  Interesting Walks and Talks.  The Zoo.  Jaleo’s.  Reese winning airplane contest at Air and Space Museum. The mammal movie at the Natural History Museum.  The lunch counter sit-in and civil rights lecture at the American History Museum.  Games and puzzles at the Building Museum.  Craft projects at the National Portrait Gallery. Warner Theater (Clifford the Big Red Dog play).  Bistro du Coin.  Matchbox.  Clyde’s.  The Monuments.  Abraham Lincoln history tour.  Clara Barton.  Late Night Walk to Krispy Kreme with Reese.  We the Pizza.  Ice Skating at the Sculpture Garden.  History and Learning.  No itinerary - just enjoying what we came across.

Best Moment of 2013 (as if there were any doubt): Vera Jane.  She's the perfect fit.  She tags along wherever we go.  She's happy and fun.  She's cuddly.  She loves her brother and sister.  She plays guys with Gray.  She reads books with us.  And she's already getting so big.  

Honorable Mentions:

Oak Creek Canyon Hike in the Fall: Gorgeous weather.  Fun hike.  Picnic.  Rock skipping in creek. Dinner at Granny's Closet.

Rediscovering Saguaro Ranch Park: Grapefruit picking, peacocks, chickens, stray cats, old buildings, climbing things, and a playground.

Golf: So many outings - kids always have a great time.

Wonder Book Report: Lots of fun working with Reese.

Out of Africa: Always a fun outing.  Lots of animal interactions.  Jerome.