Monday, March 23, 2009

Arizona Part 2

One of the best parts about being home for so long was being able to meet up with good friends that I don't get to see very often. Crew and I got to have a fun little play date with my very dear friend Lindsey and her little girl Emma which included the park and Ned's Krazy Sub (yes, it is still just as good as it was in high school)! Unfortunately, I didn't get any pictures which is really sad because Emma and Linny are both so dang cute! Another reunion that I failed to get on film was with some of my roommates and their hubbies from BYU. It was so fun to catch up and let our kiddos play. One outing I did get pictures of was with Ashley, Hawli, Kasey, Jackie and their kids at a park in Chandler. It was a great day to be outside swinging and playing. I'm holding my friend Kasey's baby Cole in this pic.

Kasey, Hawli, Ashley and boys at snack time

Crew has really be into helping in the kitchen lately. He was so proud to be Grandma's "helper"

One day when Matt got done a little earlier we had a family date at Golfland! It was really fun letting Crew discover goofy golfing!

The first couple holes he really worked hard to hit the ball with the club but after 5 or so holes he realized throwing it worked much better. He must have learned to golf from his mother!

Of course a family date would not be complete if we didn't have a treat and Matt's favorite Bahama Bucks just happened to be close by. Mmmm, it really was pretty tasty!

That night we had my good friend Brian and his wife over for dinner along with our Arizona family, the Reeders and the Miners. Brian and Emily were married last August and this was the first time we have really been able to hang out. It was so much fun but then again, it is always fun when Brian is around!The Reeders and the Miners have been my family growing up since my family is the only one in Arizona. They have partly raised me and have been there supporting me throughout my entire life! It was really fun to spend an evening with them again!The next Friday we drove down to Sahuarita, after Matt finished his internship, to spend the night with Matt's brother Michael and his family. Sahuarita is down by Tucson and we had a great visit! Crew loved playing with his cousins especially Ashley! He always wanted Ashley around! (She is the oldest)


Crew and Samantha are four months apart which means they always want the same things and she is a little more aggressive than he is! This caused a few clashes but there were some moments when they did get along well. I figure they will outgrow it soon enough.

Crew was very helpful around my parents house. He was in charge of watering the plants every couple of days.

Ready for church


Picking oranges in the backyard


Alright, here is a good series of shots! The last Monday we were there we headed back over to the Allens for the majority of the week. We went with Becky to pick grapefruit at one of their friend's homes and there were long-horned cattle in the groves! Their friend said they wouldn't hurt us and to say "Shoo Cow" when they got too close or wave a big stick at them. But honestly, look at these guys! Their horns were huge and there were at least 20 of them! To make it even better, these cows love grapefruit! So when they saw us picking them they would swarm around us hoping for a taste! It was truly one of the funniest scenes. Crew loved it and wasn't scared at all but did keep saying "shoo cow" because he heard us saying it. We were laughing so hard but still tried to fill our sacks fast because nice or not, I am not totally comfortable around sharp horns!
Crew "shooing" the cow


This cow was waiting for Crew to throw him another grapefruit. Funny shot


That last week at the Allens, Matt's sister Jeni's family came up along with Michael's wife Sarah and their kids. Crew, Samantha and Remy were usually hanging out together.

Some of the gang at Cabella's



It got pretty toasty there that last week (90's!) so we busted out some summer water toys and let the kids go at it! I forgot Crew's suit at my parents but he needed some sun on his thighs too!




Ah, this is a little taste of wedding photos! Crew was a total stud in his little suit (thank you dad and Last Chance!) I am so excited to get the pictures back from the photographer but he really did look so handsome!



Crew and Grandma



Luckily, the reception was in a friend's backyard so the kids were totally entertained during the reception on the playground in the corner.



Katherine's wedding was perfect! She looked so beautiful and the whole day went really well. I will post more pictures from the wedding when I get them but for now we love Kath and Devin so much and are so happy for them!

We packed up and headed back home Saturday. It was such a great trip but it did feel so good to be home! Crew was so happy to see all his toys again that he got out every single one he owned!




Thank you to everyone who played, fed and took care of us the past three weeks especially our parents! We love you all and miss you much!

Sunday, March 22, 2009

Arizona Part 1

We just got home yesterday from three fun-filled weeks in Phoenix! Matt was set up for a two week internship there by his school and the last week was his spring break and Katherine's wedding. Needless to say we did way more than I can justly post but here are some pictures to highlight our trip. We drove out to Phoenix Feb 28th and stayed the first night with the Allens. Crew and Grandma enjoyed the Arizona sunshine blowing bubbles in the backyard.



My sister Maren and her boys came in that first Monday for a couple days. We went to Fountain Hills one morning in Scottsdale before meeting Matt for lunch. All of the boys seemed to really enjoy themselves. Here are Parker and Grandma.
Crew was a big fan of the fountain
Crew and Carson really have a blast together. They did a lot of jumping on the tramp, merry-go-rounds, running, laughing and following grandpa around. These two boys sure love each other!
Maren and Parker in their stripes. Looking at the pictures, I guess everyone got the stripes memo that day.
Another highlight of the week was going to a spring training game with the Becks. Matt had long days but got off early that Friday and we went to a Cubs/ Dodgers game. Our boys had a blast and it was really good to catch up with good friends. Don't ask me the score, I go to baseball games more for the socializing!
Saturday morning was a Crew's idea of a perfect morning: dirt, shovels, and grandpa.
We met up with the Hunts later that morning for Lehi Days. This was an event that I really looked forward to every year growing up and it was so much fun to be able to be there again! Crew and Ethan loved the horses, cows and all the animals.
The whole gang
By far the best part of Lehi Days for Crew was riding the pony. He wasn't nervous at all but that may have been because my mom was helping with the ponies. He said that he was cowboy Tyrone (Backyardigans) and threw out a couple good yeehaws too!
After Lehi Days we headed back over to the Allens for the rest of the weekend. We had some excellent Mexican food Saturday night and enjoyed a fun Sunday evening with Chloe, Bella, Buffy and Chris. It is so fun to see Crew enjoy his cousins so much!
Sunday night we drove back out to Mesa to start the next week. It was really great to be in Arizona in March and finally smell the wonderful orange blossoms again. It has been 8 years but they smell better than ever!

Saturday, March 21, 2009

Get Ready...

We just got back from three weeks in Phoenix so I will have a lot to report! Beware, a major post is coming soon!