We had an amazing two week trip to Arizona in March to see both of our families! We planned the trip for months but Dave didn't get official work release until about a week before leaving. We left at 9pm on March 11 from Biloxi as soon as Dave was home from work and ready to go. It was a 1537 mile trip one way to Flagstaff that ended up taking us about 23 hours with stops for gas. We drove straight through, switching off driving at each gas station. The girls were amazing! They have always been good in the car but this was the longest trip we have driven so we weren't sure at what point they would be done. Elise had one little toddler moment of not wanting to get back in the car but it was quickly resolved once we started to drive again. Our good friends in Biloxi were so kind to let us borrow their DVD players for our trip which was so nice to change up activities as we drove.
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Driving into Flagstaff was gorgeous! The fresh crisp air, snow capped mountains in the distance, pine trees all around, were just as we hoped for. We arrived at Evan and Taelor's house around 6 pm their time and were greeted by Taelor and Sierra. It was our first time meeting Sierra since she was born last July. She did what appeared to be a double take when she saw me and we assumed her reaction was because of my similar features to Evan. The girls loved meeting Sierra and playing with her. |
My parents, Jennah, Makayla, and Haley had arrived in the night so we woke up Sunday morning to more family in the house! The last time the girls were with Haley was Easter last year when we went to California for Evan's wedding so they were excited to play with their cousin again. The girls always love trying on Auntie Jennah's fancy shoes. Dave and the girls loved using Evan's hammock for the week and we were very surprised and grateful for Evan and Taelor getting us our own to take home with us! It has been used daily in our backyard since we have been home again.
Baking with Nana and playing a new game of Disney Pictopia.
We took family photos with everybody together and I learned that less people trying to get the kids attention to look, the better :) It was my first attempt at family photos, but it was a lot of fun! Now I will have to learn photo shop!
It was fun to have Brook out for one day so we celebrated her birthday and Dad's! Mom and Dad flew her out from Minnesota Sunday night and drove from Flagstaff to Phoenix to pick her up. They did it again Monday night to take her back and I am so glad we were able to see her, even for just a little bit!
We all live far away and I'm not the best at staying in touch, but when we get together we can pick up as sisters and enjoy being together. I'm grateful for these little seesters of mine!
Tuesday- We went for a hike on Parsons trail.
Elise wanted to jump off a cliff just like daddy so she jumped from a much lower ledge after swimming across on Dave's back. I tried to convince her to jump again for a picture but she thought one jump was enough :)
These two sweet cousins are so good at sharing and I loved watching them interact and play together.
Auntie J let Bailee catch a ride in the baby carrier on the hike out!
It was amazing to see the sun go down behind the mountains so I played with my camera as the sun set.
The next morning, dad, mom, Makayla, Haley, and Jennah left to go home to CA so Evan and Taelor took us to the Grand Canyon! The girls wanted to explore, mostly Bailee, more than I was comfortable with in this area. Dave and Evan went down to the little rock in the distance and Bailee wished she could have gone.
The girls pretended this was their throne and traded off being the queen.
Sierra was so good with me holding her when we went outside so I got a good amount of time cuddling her on the hammock!
I enjoyed a good early morning run with my dad and Ranger and Dave was also able to get some running time in while we were there. The altitude was a bit of a change for us and being in such fresh and clean air was wonderful! Flagstaff is beautiful and we loved the week we had with family there!
