My hosts for the week
As the school year came to a close in June, I was a little bummed that I had no plans to see my family over the summer. Last year Jackson and I spent almost a month straight with family, which was great, but it was not in the plan this year. As he was working full time for the United Way, I decided to work summer school and then just jump back into the swing of things at the end of July.
At then end of June I was talking to my sister Sarah and she invited me out to Arizona for a week. She was just throwing it out wistfully, but the more I thought about it, the more I wanted to make it a reality. Little by little things began to fall into place. Sarah was super generous in helping me get out West and we found an AMAZING deal that we couldn't pass up. The day after returning from Jackson and I's New England adventure, I was on a plane to Phoenix.
I know, I know... Phoenix in July??? Crazy! The forcast was displaying high's close to 115 degrees with no clouds in sight... but it was more refreshing than I ever could've imagined!
Sarah picked me up from the airport with her newest addition in tow and wisked me up the Arizona mountains. As we drove she explained that her friend had invited her up to a family cabin for a few nights and I would stay up in the cabin with them for a night. I envisioned a cozy cabin overflowing with children and parents trying to stay sane... oh wait... this was the "cabin" she spoke of.
The Cabin
Really, this is a family cabin? It has 13 bedrooms with a personal bathroom and sitting room in each room. It includes a 6 car garage, sport court, game room, theatre, pond and dining hall. We spent the night with three other families, and it never felt crowded. Not even at meal time! Another great feature about the cabin is that it was up in the mountains, and about 15 degrees cooler than in the valley. It was amazing.
Three stories high!
The theatre. Yes, this is inside the house.
What, you don't have a cougar in your sitting room?
The dining area. The kitchen behind it has three ovens,
two sinks, two dishwashers and two refridgerators!
After enjoying the cabin we came back down to her adorable house in Gilbert. I loved spending time with Lynlee and getting to know my new nephew, Cooper!
Lynlee insisted we go to her favorite place in the whole
world, Bahama Bucks to enjoy a shaved ice.
On the way home she had a little fat face!
Cooper Lee Nelson, 6 weeks
Going to the park with Lynlee
My first night at Sarah's I was woken up at 4:00 in the morning by a surprise! My family had driven down from Utah to see me!! As I woke and hugged them I was overwhelmed by emotion and happy tears streamed down my face as I realized I would spend the next few days with my parents and sisters!! Even thinking back on it now it is hard to hold back tears - my family is so amazing! Thanks for coming down to see me!
They had planned on surprising me pretty much from the time my visit to Sarah was finalized. I had just a few hints here and there that I would see at least some of them, but I never imagined that all of them would be able to spend so much time with me!
Family Attack! Crystal and Ariel upon arrival
The remaining days were spend relaxing at the pool and spending quality time together as a family. We laughed, we cried, Dad showed us crazy videos of cars, Lynlee showed off like crazy, Ariel was hilarious, Crystal was so supportive, and Mom was so caring. Us sisters went shopping and did each other's nails. Mom, Ariel and I went to Sarah's kickboxing class, in awe that she gave birth six weeks ago and was teaching like nothing happened. It was such a memorable vacation and I am so blessed to have such a wonderful family!!
Mom and I at the pool
Lynlee and Ariel chillin in the pool like the rockstars they are...
This might actually be my favorite photo of the week.
Sarah is so adorable... and awkardly squeezing her son's chest...
Lynlee graduated from her first two wheeler to a taller one with Grandpa's assistance
She rode her big bike over three miles with Grandpa like a champ.
How many three year olds do you know who are on their second two wheeler???
Crystal takes Lynlee for a ride
Pool time!
We spent a lot of time in the pool...
Lynlee learned to Cannonball!
Typical Dad on vacation. He borrowed a saw from a neighbor (yes, a stranger)
and cut down two dead trees.
Dad relaxing like a man after disposing of the trees.
Grandpa with his two grandkids!
We experienced a crazy storm - enough to turn the neighborhood park into a lake!
Ariel entered the living room as above
Lynlee: "Why are you wearing that scary costume?"
Lynlee, wearing the "costume"
It's a triple hold!!!
