Azirona

If my kids pay attention to me, they are sure to fail geography. Try as I might, I feel compelled to pronounce some things wrong. Azirona, for one instance. Rount Mushmore, for another. Ah well, chances are they AREN'T paying attention to me and their future grades are secure.

The kiddos and I drove to AZ last Monday. Zach went to San Diego on business, and joined us later in the week. We made a stop in Prescott to spend the night at Jordon and Katie's house (thanks again, guys!), and made the rest of the trip to Gilbert on Tuesday. It was a museum-going, dinner-eating, shirt-shopping, park-playing, movie-watching, baby-blessing, lake-going, picture-taking, cousin-playing, walking-taking, birthday-party-having good time.

As we drove home (Zach and Adam both miserably sick), we classified it as a non-stop, exhausting week of family fun. My favorite was walking every night for 45 minutes in the beautiful cool fall weather. Well, that and our trip to Canyon Lake on Friday. Derec brought his boat, Big Mable (tube), wakeboards, and borrowed a few wave runners. It was a blast.

On Saturday we celebrated Mom and Dad D's 60th birthdays. We planted flowers and seeded for winter grass, and had a birthday party that evening. We made the trip back in 10 hours flat Sunday. It's always nice to get home again, but the 50 degree weather change was a shock to the system.

At the park: Luanne and Adam. I'm pretty sure my other children were IN Arizona, but I so rarely saw them, I can't be sure. I certainly don't have many pictures of them.

Adam's new friend. He found him at the AZ Museum for Youth's toddler play area. It kept him occupied forever.

Cousins: Cade, Garrett, Lucy, Isaac, Warner

Zach's sisters: Katie, Alisa, Lindsey

It's a wonder this drawer still functions. I think 18 grandchildren have taken their turns playing in this drawer. The other 3 are still too young.