Flashback Friday

I'm going to plumb the depths of my mind and remember way back to oh, say, a month ago. Our week in AZ was the perfect escape from late winter in Utah.

Saturday: The kids and I were up and gone by 7:15. I've learned some valuable lessons about driving alone with children. #1 They get nothing to drink but water. #2 Two stops and two stops ONLY! #3 Bring lots of snacks. #4 If possible, control the DVD player for the little ones from your seat. Following these rules made the trip a breeze. That, and the fact that everyone was FINALLY feeling better after months of sickness. (Note to self: perhaps be a little more lenient on the number of stops?? Though the little boys can pee in a bottle if need be, girls cannot.) After 44 oz. of Diet Vanilla Coke (to help keep me alert after my 4:30 a.m. wake up), I was literally dancing as I herded 4 children inside the gas station as fast as humanly possible.

Sunday: After 9 a.m. church, we took a nap, played outside and had the big Sunday family dinner.

Monday: We went to the AZ science center. Our favorites were the Forces of Nature platform show, the nitrogen demonstration, and the bed of nails. After naps in the afternoon, we were ready for our extended family home evening. I'm still trying to figure out how I got assigned the lesson for that one.

Tuesday: We joined Alisa for her ward park day in the morning. Beautiful 75 degree weather. I visited a high school friend turned college roommate in the afternoon. It was so much fun enjoying the breeze in her backyard as we caught up. Thanks for letting us come, Alice. Sorry it's taken me 3 years to come by, even though you live 7 minutes from my in-laws.

Wednesday: After joining Lindsey for HER ward park day, Mom B, Gma Betty and I took Isaac out to lunch for his 4th birthday. The kids played in the kiddie pool in the backyard while Adam napped and I read on the porch. We stayed outside until dinner.

Thursday: We went to the Gilbert library in the morning. As much as I love our library here, I miss this one. It's big and open, and has a gazillion more books. I might have to move to Springville in a few years just for their new library. After the library, I met up with my sister-in-law, Kaylee (visiting from SD), for lunch at Macaroni Grill. It was great to see you, Kaylee! In the afternoon, we went to Braden's bball game for an hour. We picked up Z from the airport around 8:30 p.m.

Friday: Zach and I went to the temple in the morning and played Bananagrams and Codfish with the family in the afternoon and evening.

Saturday: We took the kids to Freestone park in the afternoon and had a birthday bash for Isaac, Warner, and Kambree. After dinner, everyone played games and I packed for our trip home.

Besides the weather, which was beautiful the whole time, my favorite moment of the trip was watching Kambree attempt to walk after spinning on the tire swing. Well, that and the 15 dozen Krispee Kremes that showed up. Good times. Great fun. Can't wait to do it again next year.