Road trippin' to Saint Cheesy'

There was an awful plane crash that happened right outside of Saint George last weekend. It was a sad tale about a couple that was enjoying a flight, but suddenly ended fatally.  Reed got the phone call after it happened, informing him of what had went down. 

After the call, he asked me if I wanted to go visit my sister on Saturday.  A quick trip to get the remains and store it at Papa's yard in Phoenix, to do an investigation.

I was Grateful to find a couple babysitters and Nana, to help for 24 hours. I didn't want to take any baby's because it was mostly driving, and that didn't sound fun at the time! 

So at 1am Saturday we took off.  It was a chilly night,  but we only had to get to the yard to get Reed's custom 'Rig'!  I realized then, that even though I was in snow suit that I am a 'wuss'.  Yup, an "Arizona cold weather wuss"!

Anyhow Reed did most of the traveling, which was nice. He only asked me to drive once, because he is used to going alone anyways!

He dropped me off at my sisters at 8am! Julia is such a good sport and great host for visitors! We quickly made up for lost time, and were gabbing up a storm! After her regular house duties, she took me out to get soda and we helped prepare a few things for her ward Christmas party that evening! 🎄🎄

I am always impressed by her willingness to help those around her neighborhood!

❤️

She has a heart of Gold! 

Check out these cute snowman 

After he finished up his job he showed up at the house and took a quick snooze! 

Reed and I said our goodbyes, then escaped to a long awaited bite 

to eat at Cracker Barrel!

I was sad to come to town on such circumstances,  but was grateful for the opportunity to see my hard working sister!

Love you juju!

XoxO

Aurora Christmas Choir

This little Aurora had a Christmas Concert on Thursday that we enjoyed. 

Daddy was working late, but made it last minute. 🙌🏼❤️ Which made her night! :)

She sang Beautifully and used a lot of hand gestures, we are so proud!

Afterwards we spoiled her and took her to Inn 'n Out, to eat (her request)!

 

Zoo Field Trip- Kalaya's Version

Last week- 

I had the opportunity to go to the Phoenix zoo. Kalaya and I had a great time, with her class! I am so grateful that we live this close and that she's able to see all the animals!  

 I was able to speak to the teacher, who raved about her! She basically said that she is a smarty pants that is usually always setting the 'grading curve' for her class.  To the point where, she sets it too high for the class.  Which in turn gives the others kiddos bad grades,  so Mrs. Tommf has to always adjust.. 

Haha,  you go my Kalaya girl and do your thing!  

  Our Kalaya is such a peach and I hope she knows how much we love -> the daughter of God, that she is! 

Her cute friend Taylor is with her in a few pictures! 

It's funny to me how much she loves to hold hands and is so sensitive.  So we ended up, just holding hands for most of the day!   

"She is a Lover, not a fighter" and we love her for that!  

Quick Retreated

Well, Reed and I made a fast getaway! Headed up to Sedona and Antelope canyon! 

We took off Friday night (a couple weeks ago) & had Emma be in charge of the house.

We arrived at the Sedona Hotel in the evening & enjoyed Subway on our travels.  

Since around our Anniversary it seemed crazy time to take off, I purchased a Groupon for the Antelope Canyon Tour, by Blue Feathers.

Nov. 13th was the last day we could use it, so it was nice to have the extra pressure! ;)

I always love the funny characters that we meet up in Sedona!  They are a funny crowd, from all walks of life (that is for sure!)

Our Tour guide was a German Man that has lived here most of his life, with the Indians. Which makes him a great asset to the community, because he is well informed on Sedona's history.  Apparently he works for 9 months out of the year-pulling 80 hour weeks.  Then travels and vacations the other months. 

In the Antelope canyon our Indian Guide was hilarious!  He was a self proclaimed photographer that would take your camera phone and yell at people to move out of the way, or else they will get "shot".

Saying goodbye

Well, it's a bittersweet time...   Reed's parents have moved on to Mesa.  So that means - that the home that he grew up in Tempe, is looking for new owners. 

Sometimes kiddos don't understand what that means, so we went back one last time to reminisce before it sells.

->Here is Reed next to the address.  We went inside to take a last look at the quick remodeling that was done, before it sells.

We talked about the many times that the kiddos jumped on the couch, pulled it out and watched a movie.  The many hot summers that the pool saved -> this stir crazy, sometimes pregnant momma and kids!! 

Reed spoke of the different remodels throughout the years,  Switching rooms and his siblings.  It is crazy how empty it is now. 

Reed told us of the many tree's that had "come and gone" out in the pasture. The fun Easter activities out there! 

He then told us about the zip lines that they created over the property & the near death experiences that go with such things. Oh what fun times in the irrigation and horse stalls.

As we left and drove around the neighborhood, he pointed out the homes of a few of his friends and where Some Scouting activities happened. It was a good neighborhood. 

**As you look thru the picture above, you will notice something and miss something.**

  You will notice that it is a lovely home to spend a childhood- want to grow up in.  But you will miss Nana & Papa.  They no longer live here, so this is no longer home to Reed. 

Because home is where Nana and Papa are!  

❤️ We are so grateful for their hard work giving Reed strong Roots and a good childhood!❤️

Xoxo

Family

We had a good time visiting my family on Sunday.  Well at least some of them! ❤️🤗. But I am trying to document it more. Sam, John, Emma, Isaac & Hannah were there - along with my parents!

We had a yummy chicken pot pie, played a few games then went to their fabulous parks (which makes Val Vista Lakes a sought after neighborhood).

The kiddos were having the time of their lives, watching some of the adults boys messing around on the playground toys.  "Just testing out the limits" & were joking about the what 'if's".

What if it snap because of my weight, would Aurora fly off the seat?  Also have you seen that YouTube video where there was a overweight guy and a small guy,  that snapped one off?? I haven't seen it but, Apparently that small guy flew!

We then proceeded to talk about Isaac and his previous work experience.  Ha, Isaac always is good for a laugh!  He told us about his first job when he moved here, that Reed hooked him up with - while Reed was the maintenance supervisor up in Scottsdale.  

The 🍞 Sandwich shop can remain nameless.  But apparently Isaac upped the owners sandwich sell's, because he was the well known delivery boy.  He had a sweet abused/old trusty scooter, with a custom basket to place deliveries in.  Isaac then proceeded to tell us about his largest tip ($150) & smallest order largest tip ($50 on a $7 sandwich). 

He bragged about how some of their customers would call and want a Wheelie down the road, in front of the dealership. These dealership employes would then all make a bet with each other, whether or not he would do it. And as you know Isaac, he usually never steps away from a dare! So that he did & made another huge tip. 

He then talked about his 'wannabe mafia boss and his wife', taking money out of the register and blaming him. His Boss was a hot mess and still kind of is one! Lol!  

Isaac knew that area like the back of his hand, he said! And his boss Jon relied on that! 

My favorite part was when Isaac told this:

Apparently, there were even a few times when Jon was in tears because there were a few motorcycle accidents around the complex.  So nervous consistent customers were blowing up the phones, praying that it wasn't the Delievery boy Isaac!  When he returned from a Delievery and oblivious to what was going on, he took his head seat off and was immediately greeted by Jon explaining the story and expressing gratitude that it wasn't him.  But then quickly changing the subject with his East Coast accent "Well, get going- you have 10 more deliveries."  

Oh, the fun wreck less life of a Delievery boy! 

RV stylin'

Camping-

We went to try the new/old trailer out and what a surprise....   We found out that the heater worked and generator worked without a hitch!  Yay,  for a Tuscan Craigslist special!  Daddy was so proud of himself, for finding such a good deal on such short notice!  He had a last minute work trip, so he thought he finagle a deal with a poor 'Tuscan AZ Victim'. And that he did!  The poor succor was trying to sell it for 6k, but Reed walked away with only 5k missing.  He was so proud!

We got this gem back into the valley, the following day.  Then it quickly became Reed's project!  *Because, let's be honest - he always has to have one of those!* 

Isn't she she pretty, we call her Betsy! 

She quickly became a favorite with the kids,! They always wanted the back open, so they could run through the toy trailer and up and down the ramp!

I just want to make sure that we had a few things that I believe are priorities! Such as heating and a toilet.  

So generator, fridge, water tank were slightly checked before our travel!

So Friday came and dad was in town, so off we went! 

There weren't too many places super close, since it is officially winter for most of the other states. We did go a little past Payson, right around Bear flats.  There was one other crazy camper, like us there. And a bazillion hunters, with their no-shave November faces! 

Daddy found us a good spot and Kalaya quickly informed me that she left her suitcase at home.  Whoops :(

Since it's 'all about food' while you go camping, I tried to make sure we had a good supply!  Ditch oven pizza, quesadillas, Ziploc omelettes, Dutch oven Apple dumplings, sandwiches and chips. Mostly cooked everything outside, except a few times. Those are the moments where I remembered how much I enjoyed modern conveniences !  All the kids were great sports, lots of Uno was played!!!

Dad was still officially on-call for work, so he had to travel up the mountain a few times. So one time we went up with them, to get phone reception. 

*it was a steep climb, but the kids did really good! You will notice how most of them are on Reed or poor Levi, in some of these pictures! *

I am grateful for these boys stamina! I had a hard time myself, just carrying three jackets and Levi's hat. Ha, lol! 

The electric razors came in handy, except when the batteries became dead!

The first night was pretty breezy, we felt bad for our neighbors because they had to tarp up part of their pop up. Then we reminisced, about the times that we were young and dumb with our "broken zippered' pop up (with young and nursing babes) .. 

**It was overall a great learning experience to prepare us for our next trip.  The shopping list is long and the whole bottom plumbing needs to be restored. **

But again Reed loves projects so, meeting our plumbing needs should be right up his alley!