Monday, February 15, 2010

Arizona Family Fun!

We finally made it out Friday night and arrived at my Dad's house in Arizona after midnight. We were exhausted but so happy to be there. I was so thankful my sister, Jill, went with me; she was a huge help with the girls and it was even more fun having her there.

I print this blog for my girls so below are tons of pictures from this trip. It is important to me for them to know their family and how much they are loved. My Uncles, Aunts, cousins, and Dad are so wonderful and we are so blessed to be part of their lives.

Katelyn was excited to see her Great Uncle Lonnie and was so cute giving him this hug.

Three of the four silly brothers (My Dad, Uncle Lonnie, Uncle Dale), their sister (Aunt Doris) and my girls.

Jordan and Katelyn with their "greats" and Grandpa.


Jordan's Great-Aunt Nancy. I love this picture of them.

Jordan soaking up attention from the brothers.


Wow. This moment really got me. My Great Aunt Vickie - Jordan's Great, Great Aunt - my Grandma's (Alice Jane) sister. It was Aunt Vickie's actual birthday on February 13th and she turned 82. When she walked in, I was taken aback for a moment because she reminded me so much of my Grandma who passed away in the 80s.


My Dad (Lynn), my sister (Jill), Aunt Doris, Great Aunt Vickie (my Grandma's sister), Uncle Lonnie, Uncle Dale and me - 3 generations.


Donae (Aunt Vickie's daughter-in-law), Aunt Doris, Aunt Vickie, Aunt Nancy, Jill and Me

Four generations. I love this picture too.

I noticed Katelyn coloring this picture while everyone was talking. I was absolutely amazed at how well she did.

Katelyn with her Great, Great Aunt Vickie and her beautiful picture.

My Uncle Hal showed up after his softball game (they won the championship!) and the four brothers and sister were together along with their Aunt Vickie.


My Aunt Anita and Uncle Lonnie's grandkids were there as well. My girls loved being with their "cousins". Jordan, Bella, Katelyn and Faith are sitting on the swing. Bella's birthday is December 1st and she is 3 days older than Katelyn. The two of them together was hysterical. Very cute.

Aunt Anita with her grandson, Eli.

My kids had more fun throwing rocks out in the backyard. They did this for hours. They were filthy by the end of the night but happy and exhausted. Katelyn ASKED ME TO GO TO BED - WOW!

Katelyn showing her Great-Uncle Dale a rock she found and liked.

The three year olds (Bella and Katelyn)!

Eli, Faith and Jordan still playing in the rocks. Who knew this could be so much fun. They threw them, put them in pots, dumped them out, filled more pots, etc.

Our cousin, Ethan, hurt his foot on this day. My Uncle Hal, a doctor, was taking a look at it and Jordan was very concerned for her cousin, Ethan. Ethan's Dad, Troy, is looking on.

Jill, Uncle Dale and our cousin, Janice (Uncle Hal's daughter, mother to Ethan and Luke) catching up.

The cousins - Jordan, Ethan, Katelyn and Luke. Ethan was great reading to them.

Sitting outside and talking.


Luke and Katelyn enjoying each other's company. Luke is 6 and was so great with Katelyn.

Aunt Nancy making something with Jordan and Ethan (Aunt Nancy's grandson).

Katelyn getting a cuddle from Uncle Lonnie.

All three mornings, the girls would go in to wake Grandpa up. Jordan would sit on my Dad and bounce on the poor man. He loved them waking him up.

Valentine's morning, I gave my girls matching bottle cap necklaces that were red and said "Love ya" on them. My Aunt Nancy made these gifts for my girls. As always, I loved them and was so appreciative. I know it takes time to make these things and I so love having them for my girls. My Aunt has 12 grandchildren of her own so to make things for my girls as well means so much to me.
The girls opening their gifts Valentine morning.



Jordan's list Valentine's Day - 1. Pick fruit, 2. Blow bubbles outside, and 3. Walk the dog around the lake. The girls picked oranges, lemons and grapefruit from the various trees in back of my Dad's house. They had a blast!




My Valentine babies.

More presents! Sue gave the girls dress-up clothes. Yes, they were thrilled!

Ok, this cracked me up. Katelyn is amazingly strong. She has always been even as an infant. I looked up to find her on top of my Dad's shelf holding herself vertical with her bent arms. She did this over and over -- holding her whole body up by her little arms.

In Arizona, I had to get a picture of my girls and Dad by the big beautiful cactus (Katelyn's term for them last year was "bite yous").
More glorious rock throwing back at my Aunt Anita and Uncle Lonnie's house.


Uncle Hal (Aunt Nancy's husband, the oldest brother) is always great playing with my girls.

Grandpa taking the girls for a golf cart ride at night.

The girls finally got to walk the lake and take the dog for a walk around it!

Everyone acting like a cactus.

Grandpa and his granddaughters right before we headed off to the airport. He was so worried about us flying because Jill had left the day before. Everything went smoothly and we arrived back home just fine.

We missed Valentine's Day with my sweetie because of not getting out Thursday night. We were suppose to come back on Sunday but came back Monday instead to still have two full days in Arizona. CHH picked us up at the airport. When we got home, he gave all three of us Godiva teddy bears and chocolates for Valentine gifts. Good Daddy! PS Katelyn ate her whole bag of chocolates immediately. Jordan saved hers so her bear would look good. Yes, Katelyn was eyeing both her sister and my bears later; I put them on top of the fireplace where hopefully she will not reach them :)