I know, I know... you are thinking what in the world possessed you to move again!  In short OPPORTUNITY.  The opportunity to: have a greater professional challenge, allow Robert to stay home with the kids, move to a more family friendly neighborhood, lower cost of living, live in the house of our dreams, a pool.... the list goes on.  It has been about two months living in Arizona now and the only thing I really miss in greenery and a bustling metropolitan area.  Seattle will certainly always be home and the Bay Area a great stopping off point, but I could certainly picture The Flegel Four living here in Chandler, AZ for quite awhile.  The people are exceptionally friendly and people actually have kids in their late 20's and early 30's here... quite a shift from what we have become accustomed to.

  Our new house in Chandler, AZ

The pool... the kids are learning to swim! (Yes, there is a locked fence around the pool)

We have over 200+ kids in our neighborhood and are enjoying getting to know everyone... especially at first Friday "White Trash Happy Hour" involving a few beers/wine and a playground.  ;) 

Robert is embarking on a crazy new adventure taking care of the kids.  I think he is starting to get into a routine and I know the kids are really enjoying him being at home and leading them on adventures.  For right now the plan is to have Robert stay at home as long as it is enjoyable for everyone.  He definately seems a bit more tired when I come home each day!  Did I mention Robert has a "new look"?  His hair is longer and a beard has made an appearance.  

Robert and the kids in the pool... Robert sporting the new look!

Robert is taking the kids all around town... Casa Grande, The Phoenix Zoo, The Museum of Natural History, Tumbleweed Park, Paseo Vista and many other great field trips.

Casa Grande

Random adventure pic... not sure where this is... 

So here are the things that I have learned about Arizona:

• People are a bit more conservative here (and by a bit, I mean a LOT).
• Cars get dirty a lot faster here... hence the cheap monthly unlimited car wash programs ($15.99).
• Helmet laws were really meant for Arizona... why do 75% of the people I see ride motorcyles without a helmet, really why?
• Pedicures are a way of life.
• I didn't think things could get more casual than Seattle, but they can... picture flip flops and tank tops all the time.  Also, the random middle-aged woman at Target in her swim suit... I think they think it's okay because they have added shorts to the outfit.  Reality check, you are not four, it is not okay.
• People drink more here... maybe that is just us, but it is my observations that I can extrapolate across the entire state of Arizona.
• Groceries are at least 15%-20% cheaper here than The Bay Area.  Overall cost of living is about 40% less expensive than The Bay Area.
• People (and by people I mean Merle Hatch) is obsessed with Late Night Bingo... it is some type of social experiment, eager to find out the what the hype is all about.
• People talk about the heat here more than people talk about the rain in Seattle.  I would have thought it was a way of life, stop talking about it and just accept it and move on... or move away.  
• Southern California is only about a 6.5 hour drive... which means Disneyland can be a weekend activity.
• There is skiing within a two hour drive... who would have thought?

 

So if you wish to experience all of these things in person... give us a jingle we have a few extra bedrooms to house you... remember I said it was cheap here (that includes real estate).  

Seattle... will always be home!