Family Trip - Arizona Vacation

Ok - it took me a while to upload all the photo's that I had from the trip we took to Arizona for a little family vacation and to also watch my amazing mother graduate with her Master's!!! Since I didn't have enough time to take off of work, LJ and I flew down instead of driving with the rest of the crew. LJ is a good little flier... And he's such a ham with the flight attendants.



Good thing our flight was terribly full - they gave us our own row so this little guy could roam a bit...



And when we landed in Phoenix, we found out that my parent's and brother were going to be quite a bit later than they had planned... We waited for nearly 5 1/2 hours in the airport for them to pick us up... So LJ needed to take a nap - and even though it was a noisy terminal - he still crashed!



Now.... for a scary story. After LJ took a nap and we had a little dinner at the Chili's restaurant in the airport, we were waiting near the terminal door after I got a text from my mom saying they were on the outskirts of Phoenix (little did I know that meant they still had QUITE a way to travel!). But anyway - I had just gotten off the phone with my brother (in-law) Ben and was putting my cell phone back in my pocket when this man (who was normal looking and didn't even get picked up on my creep radar!) stepped between the small space between me and LJ in his stroller and he took off with him!!! He only got a few steps by the time I reacted and caught the other end of the stroller and began the tug-a-war along with profanity yelling at this guy for trying to take my son!!! As he was standing and pulling the stroller against me - I didn't hold back - and kicked the man straight in the nuts! He was lifted off the ground - and fell down into a fetal position. Two police officers were right outside the terminal doors writing a ticket to a smoker smoking in a non-zone - and the two officers saw the whole thing but since it happened so quickly - they got to us by the time he was on the ground. - The rest of things that happened are typical police action after an incident - file a report, give statement, glare at creep in the back of cop car, remained rigid and both hands on stroller... - and just after they had left was when my mom text'd me to walk outside so my dad could walk to my terminal as they continued to drive up... As soon as my dad was within reach - I grabbed him in for a big hug, and yes, he instantly knew something was up. But he went in and grabbed my luggage while I put LJ in the front seat on my mom's lap until I could get his carseat in the van. Once in the van - I told my parents and brother the insane incident... and it took me the next 2 hour drive to the condo to calm down.... Needless to say - I am very thankful for the kickboxing classes I've been taking!!!

Now back to vacation..... LJ wore himself out quickly the next day with his cousins... Play hard = crash hard!



Here LJ is with Grandpa and cousins enjoying some after nap cartoons!!!



Ahhhhh - the relaxing time!!!



Grandma doing some homework, while Uncle John entertained a few other cousins!!!



Aunt Tera and baby Taylor (Grandma's birthday present!!!)



Uncle Ben with his little girls!!!




Lj with a crazy little Skylar-man in the background... can you tell he'd like to go swimming?!






LJ with Katie



Oh yes - he just had to find stairs to climb!!!



These psycho squirrels... They came out of nowhere it seems and would attack the food that they kept placing out for them...



At Grandma's graduation!!! Yeah!!!! It was a bit long for the little ones... but hey - we were happy to support Grandma!!! Congrats!!!
























While we were in Arizona, we were able to visit a wolf exhibit and actually get to see a real wolf! This was as close as we were able to be next to him - even though he was fairly tame - he was still a wild animal... Isn't he just a magnificant creature!






And we also found a little petting zoo!!!!









After meeting a real wolf - and playing at the petting zoo.... Yup - play hard = crash hard!!!



After the kiddo's woke up from their naps - Tera and I took them to an Indian Reservation/Exhibit and some ancient Ruins.... It was hot - but well worth the trip!!! And Owynn was VERY helpful in making sure she kept LJ's hand with hers and walked him with her!





















The pool at the condo was a refreshing delight! They had this awesome little kiddie pool that was great for all the little ones!



Grandpa and Baby Taylor at Church....



Grandma helping LJ enjoy a delicious Root Beer float!!! Oh YEAH!!!



Tera couldn't help but take this picture..... Owynn did NOT want to take a nap - but her poor growing body NEEDED IT! When Tera went to go check on them - she found Owynn had wrapped herself up in her blanket!



Coming to the close of our trip - we were waiting in Phoenix at Grandma and Grandpa's hotel room after we went for a quick swim before heading to the airport to fly back home... LJ found a friend that smiled as much as he did!!!! He was just too cute!



I also have a couple of video clips of my little sister, Shera, as she is singing some of her songs - especially one she wrote for our Dad for Father's Day. But that post will have to wait for another day!!!

We had a fun family vacation - and it was great to be able to spend so much time with them all!

Special Thanks to Hollie!

I'd like to send out a very special THANK YOU to Hollie. For those who don't know her, Hollie has been watching LJ for me ever since I went back to work when he was only 8 weeks old. Until I bought my first house recently and moved across the subdivision, we shared a backyard fence! Hollie made my transition back to work with an infant so much smoother because I knew he was in great hands - and even Hollie had some amazing helpers! Caleb and Ethan have grown to love LJ pretty much as if he were their brother! And I have appreciated how LJ has grown to feel so safe and secure with them as I work some pretty long days. Hollie did a wonderful job of blogging pictures and video's for me to see as LJ has grown over the past year and a half! As Hollie prepares to have another baby!!! (so excited for her and her family - I hope it's a girl!!!) - LJ has moved to another daycare. But my little man asks every day for Hollie! (which if you've ever heard him say her name, it's really adorable!) As both of our families continue to grow - we will have plenty of time for BBQ's and little get-ta-gethers! - especially if Hollie decides she needs to have this new baby at 2 in the morning!!! (let's hope not - but it's better to be prepared than not!!!) Anyway - Hollie... Thank you very much for all the love and care you have given my son, and for all the teaching and growing you have helped him with.


Here are some pictures from over the past year and a half......


























Thank you again Hollie! Hope the rest of your pregnancy goes well and you continue to enjoy every possible moment as you prepare to expand your eternal family!!!