Wedding, Birthday, & Swimming

We spent 2 weeks in the hot AZ sun.

First a Wedding.






A Birthday! Can't believe HY is FIVE.



And lots of swimming.

It shouldn't surprize me

That my Sweet Daughter knows ALL of the Words to Popular from the Wicked Soundtrack....

And yet, it kind of does.


While we were in AZ {I promise that I'm still doing to write about our adventures there} we had the coolest, most wonderful opportunity to go see Wicked. It.Was. AWESOME. My new favorite. So to help us get ready for the show, a friend of mine allowed me to borrow her CD. We listen to it DAILY. And both the kids ask for it when we get in the car.

What a treat. Thank grandma and grandpa for treating us all. We loved it.

Returned

We spent about a week in Arizona visiting family and enjoying the sun that we were so missing in Utah. I think we got enough sun to last us the entire year!

In looking thru the pictures I realized that I didn't take that many photos. I guess when I go on vacation, I really take a vacation from everything, photo-taking included. So, I was pleased that we got to have a family picture taken by our favorite aunt ashree. Here's a sneak peek of her amazing work!


{love mini-e's stinker face}






{isn't this dress darling? Aunt Runnie just whipped it up in a few hours especially for the occasion}

{love that his shirt is untucked. typical.}



{wow!}


{after it was all said and done I thought a little bit of pool might cool me off. The kids couldn't help but join me!}


Getting family pictures has never been so much fun!
Thanks to my dearest friend ever!

Cabin Fever

One of our favorite things to do while we are in Arizona is to visit the cabin in Payson. It's such a peaceful, relaxing place. I wish lived much closer to this little piece of paradise. What a blessing to have it in the family.

HY had to give the tire swing a try. He was sold! I don't blame him. Looks like a lot of fun.
Wish it were big enough for me.




Mini-E took her turn as well. She seemed a bit reluctant at first --

but then... she was all smiles {except when HY tried to get back in}


We put HY to work cleaning the fire pit.



And Daddy was in charge of starting the fire. More than happy too!



We enjoyed a few night around the campfire talking, taking pictures and eating smores. My favorite!


And of course, we finished a puzzle as always. One of our favorite past times at the cabin. It was a lot to do for just a couple of days.

july FOURTH o-nine

Our 4th of july was spent in hot hot Arizona. Grandma and Grandpa took the kids to the church parade and breakfast early that morning.

They were more than excited to show off the grandkids and Farmboy and I were more than happy to sleep in a bit. We did arrive in time for the last few songs and breakfast.


Farmboy and I got a short date where we traveled around Mesa visiting some childhood spots. And of course we stopped in to get some Thrifty icecream {it's hard to pay over $.25 and not feel like you are getting ripped off}.

That evening we headed to a local church ball field {thinking we'd be the only ones with the brilliant idea---not a chance} to see the fireworks. They were perfect. 20 to 30 minutes long is just right for 2 tired kids. HY and Mini-E thought it was wonderful. And I have to admit that it's my favorite part of the holiday as well.

Mesa Family Photography Session Giveaway!

My best friend is giving away the coolest thing ever. Go check it out and you could get a free family photography session. You won't be sorry. But hurry, she's announcing a winner in a week.

Arizona Vac-A

Our trip to AZ was fabulous. It's been since January that we've been there & we decided that January is definitely the best time to go. We forgot how nice and hot it can be, even at the beginning of September. I guess Utah weather has become a part of us.

The trip down:
Grandma Suz & Grandpa S made the trip down so enjoyable. They took the 2 munchkins in their car with them! It's the first time in ages that Farmboy and I have been in the car alone (Aunt Little S came with us, but that's practically alone). We got to read Breaking Dawn (Ashley we finished it on the way home---we can now discuss)and that made the trip go by much more quickly.

Pason:
We stopped in Pason to spend Labor Day with Grandma & Grandpa Great B. HY played on Grandpa Great's tractor. We just relaxed, did puzzels, & watched movies. It rained and rained so much so that we couldn't get out to get to church. Farmboy and I took a Sunday afternoon walk & got "rained out"...it was a short, but drentching walk. On Monday afternoon, we did succeed in getting up the muddy moutain but not without some serious skillful driving & a little help from above.

Look at this chair just hiding in one of the downstair's bedrooms...My plan was to take it out into the field and snap a few pictures, but the rain had other plans.

Mesa:
Oh--my. All the things we did in Mesa! I got to visit friends (2 girls night outs, that's a first), hang out with Ashley (although we didn't have time to squeeze in some photography---I'm still whining about that. We got to see Aunt Runny & her kiddos. A birthday party for our newest 8 year old---what a treat to see Uncle L the Great & his kids (especially their new baby Z). Of course we got to hang out with Farmboy's family. The kids were in love with Grandma Suz & Grandpa S's pool & trampoline!

A few pictures of Ike's special day.

Home:
And now, it's time to get back to the usual, whatever that is. We've got chores & joy school & church & friends...all the good things. It's nice to be back home & enjoy a bit of cool weather. I feel like Fall is upon us or coming quickly. It was nice to have one last Summer Fling.

Returned

We just returned from the land of the SUN! Ain't that the truth.
Farmboy and I both grew up in Arizona, but I tell ya this...I don't remember it being so dang hot!
I've become such a pansy when it comes to the heat. I guess I've grown accustomed to this Utah weather.

As I hopped in the car this morning, I rolled down the windows and enjoyed the cool Utah breeze thinking to myself, "it's not so bad here, a bit toasty today but...nice" then I looked at the thermometer on the rear view mirror that read "69"...
Clearly I've lost it! 10 years ago, I'd have pulled out my turtle neck sweaters for a morning like that!
How things change. That is the thought that kept coming to my mind over and over again when I was in Arizona.

I have a million photos to rummage through & and I'm only behind on a few thousands things, but I am resolved to posting our trip in AZ. Stay tuned!

A lota lota lota...

As you can see we are revamping the look of the blog. Starting off the new year with a different look. And, in honor of doing things differently, you are gonna need to start at the end of this post if you want to read the events in chronological order. If you don't care, start wherever you'd like.

HY loved jumping on Grandma & Grandpa's trampoline. If you look closely, you can see he's black from head to toe. This is the way all boys should look.

Church on Sunday is always a joy in AZ. We run into lots of friends from a different time in life. Here's Mini-E looking fabulous in the dress that Nonna bought her for Christmas. I love it!

Girls' Night out! Yea baby. Love these girls. Thanks so much for coming to see me. You make me feel like a million bucks. Friends like these make it very hard to live in another state. I wish I could see you more often. And Crazy Mamma.... You are a super Star! Crack me up. And that's hard to do. Thanks Tina for making this night possible.

A trip to the Zoo! Tina & her kids showed us the ropes at the Phx Zoo. HY was in little kid heaven. I need a Sweet G at my house. Thanks for letting us tag along.

Hiking "A" Mountain. As a kid, my dad would always take us to the "A" for a little hike. It's just perfect for an Arizona afternoon. Farmboy's family had never done this...so it was the start of a great tradition.

Self portrait...I took a piece of the "A" as a souvenir. Grandad will be so proud!

Grandma & Grandpa made life so much fun. Thanks for always being willing to watch the kids while we were off & about. Hope you love your Christmas present from HY & Mini-E.

The flight up. This is Mini-E's 1st plane ride ever. HY was showing her how it's done. I'm so glad that my kids are good on flights. HY zonked right after we took off & Mini-E loved the snacks & drink.

Grandma Suz was right there to pick us up. HY gave her a big squeeze.