Arizona Love

When my mom told me she was planning on going to Arizona to visit her mom (my Nannie), I jumped at the chance to invite myself along. 

As a family, we used to spend a lot a time in Arizona at Nannie and Papa's house. We were down there at least twice a year every year that my parents lived in Utah. Once they moved to Washington, I found myself in college, and spending all my time off from school or work journeying Northward instead of South.  Needless to say, I've missed my Arizona.

Although it had been over six years since I had been there, some things never change... and I found myself feeling very sentimental, nostalgic, and a little existential throughout my week with Nannie, my mom, and my kids. 

But maybe those nostalgic thoughts are for another post...

This one's for pictures. :)

 

This is Caleb. He's my cousin, Jacki's little guy and is about one week older than my Sarah.

Sarah is giving her new pal a little pat.
(I wish my "pat-down" at the airports had been this innocent and happy.)

I love this chubby little guy.

This is Lily.
If you think you are looking at my cousin, LaChae in miniature, you might be right.
I took to little Lily immediately. (Although I had met her before.) All week, whenever we were together, she would bring me her treasures and show off her talents. I loved it.

Miss Maddie. Jacki's girl. She is the sweetest little thing.

Are you kidding me with this kid?!! Little Wyatt. LaChae's newest.

My mom pretending like she is Maria... and the kids.

My Papa's grave.

I am so happy that we made this visit a priority. I don't think I've visited Papa's grave since he died. 

Nannie, Mom, and I shared a few tears and laughs here during our visit.

To say that he is missed is the biggest understatement ever... Actually, that sounds like I'm making light of it. I really, truly miss my Papa. He's one of the greatest men I've ever known.

Mom and Nan.

I love my Nannie.

My parents, my grandparents, and my great-grandparents were all sealed in the Mesa Temple.

I loved walking around the grounds with my mom and Jakey. (Nannie volunteered to sit in the car with sleeping Sarah.)

I may or may not have told Jake that this random truck in the parking lot was "Mater".

... And my mom may or may not have placed him on what he now calls "My Mater."

Pretty cool truck, though.

Arizona's sunsets are killer.

I dig palm trees.

Pretty.

Jake fell in love with Nannie's toys.

Especially Lara's old wooden chicken, Steve's old cars and trucks, and the Cowboys and Indians.

We put a pink foam curler in Sarah's "hair". It kind of worked.

Then, she and Nannie played their little game of of tilting their head back and forth... it's Sarah's new favorite game, and it's pretty adorable.

See? I told you.

I wish I went through my Nannie's house and taken more pictures. At least I got the pool.

We had to constantly tell Jake that the pool was locked and we couldn't go in.

Oh, man. Oh, man. 

These orange trees are amazing.

Seriously, the fruit is straight from heaven.

Jake loved picking oranges.

I loved spending time with m Kempton family. Here we are playing "Hilarium", which was hilarious.

Wade and Caleb.

Nannie and Sarah.

Jacki and Jeff.

 

And finally, LaChae and Wyatt.

LaChae and her kids came by before I flew out on Monday.

I love this cousin.

It's funny (and sad) how little I get to see LaChae  nowadays, when I saw her everyday for four semesters of college.

P.S. I can't believe I didn't get a single picture of little Kate. She is perfect.