Holy Haboob!

What on earth is a haboob, you ask? Well, let's ask the world expert on anything and everything. Wikipedia says:

"A haboob (Arabic هبوب) is a type of intense sandstorm commonly observed in arid regions throughout the world. They have been observed in the Sahara desert (typically Sudan), as well as across the Arabian Peninsula, throughout Kuwait, and in the most arid regions of Iraq."

Sahara desert, Arabian Peninsula, Kuwait, Iraq, Phoenix, AZ....

Yesterday evening the ENTIRE valley was eaten alive by a giant haboob. Seriously. I had family in town that was visiting more family in Mesa (east valley) and they were stuck there for hours while a rolling blackout of dust completely consumed everything. Zero visibility, trucks being blown over, and according to 12 News in Phoenix, over 700 calls to emergency dispatch from 5PM to 7PM last night, and Phoenix Fire Department responded to over 300 incidents in the same time period. THANK GOODNESS we were all somewhere and not on the freeway because that was absolutely the most dangerous place to be. And it took FOREVER to pass over and the weatherman was saying they're thinking it was 50 miles wide at some points.

Here are a few shots from different areas around the valley that I got from the 12 News facebook page:

I had just got home from work and was unloading my teaching supplies, talked to my mom and there was nothing unusual going on. Got inside with Miss Viesa and about an hour later they called and had no power and they couldn't go outside. I didn't get to see it roll into downtown because it was already dark and I was inside my house by the time it was getting bad. Here's a video taken by a valley photographer of it eating downtown:


The Phoenix Haboob of July 5th, 2011 from Mike Olbinski on Vimeo.

Again, thankfully we were all safe and didn't suffer any real damage on this side of town. I went outside this morning to look around and found that we may need a car wash.

And that was our CRAZY night. Can't wait to see what else this monsoon has to throw at us. Sheesh.

XO,
Ash & Vies

Independence Day!

Happy 4th of July to all! Miss Viesa and I spent the day at my cousins' property in Queen Creek (about 45 minutes away from our Phoenix house). She met chickens and cows for the first time (she thought she was tough but the cows were entirely unimpressed by her). We ate ourselves sick and chilled out until the sun went down and we squeezed in some less-than-legal backyard fireworks before the storms came. I didn't take any photos because I was too busy enjoying myself and the convenience of Chris' iPhone camera is out of reach for another four weeks until he gets home.

For those of you unfamiliar with Arizona monsoon season, it is the crowning glory of summer (usually starts late June/early July). Gigantic dark clouds take over the sky while huge thunderstorms with lightening/hail/whatever else decides to fall out pour down on us for any given afternoon. Despite raising the general humidity level (we miss the dry heat + kills all swamp coolers), the air is thick and tastes like desert rain. That sounds dramatic, but it does. And it's delicious.

Looks a little something like this (not my photos):

Source

Source

The season has started out strong so far and I hope it continues. It was lovely surprise to have a storm today. They're not supposed to roll into Phoenix until later in the week. More on this, I'm sure, in the coming weeks. Hopefully I can get some great lightening photos of my own.

I'm so happy to call this place my home and happy to celebrate Independence Day with my family. Christian had a great day with friends in San Francisco and got to see some big fireworks. We miss you, honey.

Love,
Ash & Vies

Happy Birthday, Valor!

[Photo heavy post ahead!]

My dad's brother has four kids: Michael Jr., Valor, Honor, and Liberty.  I LOVE my cousins so much (almost as much as my uncle loves being patriotic) and I am very fortunate that we're a tight bunch. I was so excited to get to see them while in town but they were totally disappointed that Christian wasn't around. In Honor's words: "Christian's job is a party pooper." Yes, dear, it is. Today was Valor's 8th birthday and he wanted to go to the circus! I'm not typically a fan of the circus because of the wild animals they use in their shows but I found out I had a ticket already purchased for me and my little guy was so excited so off to the circus we went. Birthday boy had a blast and I have become inspired to learn how to juggle! 

After the circus, we had a barbecue for Valor at my dad's folks' house. My grandparents live on a beautiful piece of property in the desert against the Catalina Mountains. On our way the rain started and it must've cooled everything down to a gorgeous 100 degrees. Ahhhh....sweet relief. We had a blast. 

Valor decided to decorate his cupcakes with his own Lego guys! He's such a sweet and creative kid. He picked each of us our own cupcake based on who was on top (I got a skeleton riding a motorcycle).  

We made it home just in time to do some night swimming! And swam just long enough to almost die of a rogue lightening strike. That's us waiting outside of the pool for it to clear up (which it never did). 

Now the whole family is watching Field of Dreams with all the lights off and the windows open so we can watch the storm. It's pouring. It's absolutely beautiful. Tucson summer nights for the win.

Hope everyone is enjoying theirs. Full day tomorrow. 

Love,

Ash & V

P.S. Goodnight Chris. We love you and miss you. xoxo