1300 Miles Later

Our family's trip to Arizona was wonderful, relaxing and just plain fun! We had the best time. What a happy memory!
We started the trip on Thursday morning at 2:30 am; I know, I was thinking the same thing. However, it was genius to leave that early. The kids slept and Greg did great with the driving (he had his IPod with a book on tape and his stash of sugar). We stopped for breakfast in Kanab (4 1/2 hours later). We ate at McDonald's and let the kids stretch their legs. We didn't stay long because we were excited to get to sunny Arizona - it was freezing in Kanab. Before the trip, Greg and I had scoured the Internet for fun car toys to keep the kids entertained. We decided at each stop the kids would get a fun something to help pass the time. We broke out the best toy of all in Kanab. Each child got their own TV/DVD player with headphones. AMAZING! Everyone was thrilled and Mom and Dad couldn't believe the quiet for the next hour. Even Kate was enthralled with Beauty and the Beast.

We kept driving for the next five hours. We detoured just before Flagstaff to visit Walnut Canyon. We debated making this stop, but I'm so glad we did. This area is filled with Indian cliff dwellings. The best part is the mountain 'island' that has dwellings all the way around it. The hike was difficult, but worth it. Luckily they had backpacks at the Visitor Center for toddlers. After we picked ours up, we were off. They hike down was great (except for the knowing you have to go back up!). You descend down about 200 stairs mixed in with some trail. Once you reach the 'island' you walk around the loop and head back up. It was fascinating. Enoch especially love it. We had to keep reminding him to stay off the ruins, only look. So difficult for Enoch!

Like I said, the hike up was difficult, but the weather was pleasant, the company good and we finally made it!
After Walnut Canyon, we had lunch at Wendy's in Flagstaff and we were off to Cave Creek! We only had a few hours after Flagstaff and they passed quickly.
When we pulled into the neighborhood where we were staying Greg made the comment that we were in the hoity-toity neighborhood. We keep driving, left that neighborhood and enter the hoity-toitier neighborhood. When we reached the house, we were in awe. In fact, I was a bit anxious about letting my kids into such a house it was so fancy. But, the kids were well-behaved all weekend and we didn't have any problems.

It was so incredibly good to see my family. I haven't most of them in a few years and I missed them so much. We all gathered in Arizona to celebrate my Grandma's 86th birthday. Out of her 49 living descendants (and spouses), 47 of us were there! Even my aunt, uncle and two cousins from Australia came over. It was so special to be there. As people trickled in on Thursday night, we hugged, talked, cried and had a great time.

For the next two days, we just stayed at the house and visited, swam, ate, watched movies and celebrated Grandma's birthday. We really didn't leave the house. It was so much fun to have everyone there together. We all fit very comfortably into this ginormous house. I wish I got some pictures of the inside, but since we spent most of our time in the back, that's the only place I took pictures.

The pool was so fun and the kids went swimming at least twice a day. They loved playing in the hot tub. It really wasn't that much warmer than the pool, but it was small and shallow and their 'little pool'. Gavin had a great time going down the slide and jumping off the waterfall.
From 7 am- 9 pm, someone was assigned pool duty. Of course, parents were in charge of watching their own kids swim, but there was always someone outside sitting by the pool watching for stray children. Good thing, we couldn't keep Enoch away from the pool! Everyone gladly did their shift and it made me a lot more relaxed knowing the pool was being watched at all times.
The backyard was amazing with so many things to do. Kate loved the playground with the sand and swing. Enoch liked wondering in the field and looking for the pet tortoises that lived back there. Gavin loved the pool. At night we would sit around the outdoor fire on comfy couches and visit. There were many sitting areas to visit and just enjoy the warm weather.
There was also a pond of turtles in the front yard that Enoch was obsessed with. If I couldn't find him, I knew he was with the turtles.
We celebrated Grandma's (Nathalie Helena Hatfield Halverson Hanson) birthday on Saturday afternoon. My Grandpa's siblings came for the party and it was wonderful to see them again. I think the last time I saw them was when I was a baby. We were able to visit with Hallie & Gene, Gloria & Bud, Jim, and Jay & Will. What wonderful people. Dinner was delicious and then we attempted to tackle family pictures. We did the best we could.
Grandma with her children:
Grandma with her children and grandchildren:
Grandma with her great grandchildren (Enoch is hiding in the back):
Grandma and our family:
By Saturday night, we were all exhausted.
Sunday morning was bittersweet. We were so happy to be there, but knew it was time to say good-bye. We packed up the car, had breakfast and then took the next 1/2 hour saying farewell. I don't know when I will see some of my family again. It was hard, but I'm so grateful we went. I will have incredible memories of this weekend for a long time.