Aaron & Ashley Time

Having Aaron & Ashley near my parents is the best. We invaded their house (which is not a little thing with four kids) and had a lovely time playing games and going on adventures. Oh, and holding Annie, the doll baby:

Be afraid, Annie. Very afraid. 

They took us to Madera Canyon to this cool spot with a hollow tree bridge and a (tiny, tiny) bit of water. The kids were in heaven. Actually, I was too! 

Catherine & Aaron in the tree bridge

Catherine and her great love, reunited once again: 

Seth being Seth.

He made me send this to the Knoxes: 

Elise had some trauma climbing on the rocks, but survived: 

Elliot & Aaron throwing rocks in the water.

Amazingly neither hit the other in the head with a rogue toss:

Elise with the love of her life: 

Trying to win Uncle Aaron over: 

I think Aaron may have a new admirer: 

Aaron found a huge boulder and NEEDED to climb it. 

Which meant we got to climb it together: 

Boulder selfie: 

Ashley & Elliot joined us on the boulder: 

And, eventually, Seth & Catherine: 

After Madera we did what everyone wants to do when they visit Arizona in December:

go swimming! 

The heated pool was still a bit chilly, but without the wind we would have been fine!

Thankfully the hot tub was perfect. 

We love Aaron & Ashley! Every time we visit them we start seriously considering moving...

Holding Babies and Other Fun

Once, there was a poor little baby named Austin who was loved to death by his cousins.

"Save me, please!" 

"A four year old? And you think this is a good idea?" 

"How much manhandling can one baby take?! Save me, Mom!" 

When we weren't mauling Austin it was off to the park for some sand angels: 

Big girls don't need to be pushed on the swings.

Big girls push their grandpa on the swings instead: 

Eventually we got around to doing Christmas-type things.

Like making gingerbread houses (actual gingerbread not used): 

(please note Jon in the background, working on seminary lessons yet again)

Houses are for fools.

Just eat the materials and get it over with: 

Catherine put herself down for a nap (in Grandpa's bed) but eventually woke up to join in: 

Sabino Canyon

Because we like to torture ourselves, we took the kids on a hike through Sabino Canyon. Sabino Canyon has lots of great things: cactus, rocks, scenic overlooks. And sand. Lots of sand. My kids and Kenna's kids saw the dry wash bed and came to a dead halt. Who needs to hike when you can play in sand?

Aaron, asking one of his millions of questions.

Breydon, Adleigh & Catherine

The two toddler rivals

Eventually we convinced the kids to move on: 

I'm normally not a scenery photographer, but this is for everyone who thinks the desert is ugly.

After driving through west Texas and New Mexico, I can attest that the desert IS ugly.

But not in Tucson!

Breydon was my hiking buddy.

He may have almost fallen asleep on my shoulders.

Aaron and Pusch Ridge: 

Our glorious group of hikers: 

Grandkids on a big rock (minus Adleigh, who was throwing a fit): 

Grandkids on a rock with Grumpy Adleigh.

Lost Breydon, though: 

My little outdoor baby jumping off the rocks: 

Hiking with little people isn't very relaxing, but the memories are (???) worth it.

A Lot Like Christmas

Even when it's 75 degrees outside, Santa still comes!

Was it worth the craziness to get to see Santa? Debatable...

The actual subject of the song "Santa Baby": 

Amazing Santa Baby can accomplish anything with her hat over her eyes.

Hot cocoa bar! 

The kids loved the (nasty) cookies and cream cocoa.

I could never choose between hazelnut, mint, raspberry, dark, or salted caramel.

Someone else opted to skip the cocoa and just raid the pantry.

At least she also got a plate out: 

Aunt Kenna was the festive one who finally got us to make gingerbread houses: 

(Make sure to observe Jon in the background working on his seminary lesson prep. He had a goal to plan one lesson every non-travelling day of vacation. I was doubtful he could pull it off, but he did!)

Elise opts to skip the house part and just eat it straight up: 

Catherine put herself down for a nap, but managed to wake up in time to decorate: 

We love having family to share Christmas traditions with!

Park Playing

When we first talked about taking this trip, it was going to happen over the summer while the kids were out of school. But then we ended up homeschooling. One night while we were discussing details, Jon asked, "Why would be go to Arizona during the summer if we're homeschooling?" Suddenly we both felt a little stupid. Everyone knows that winter is when you head to the desert! It was a lovely 75-80 degrees when we got there. Definitely time to head to the park!

Grandpa leading his grandkids

Welcome to Arizona, Seth!

You get a cholla cactus piece in your foot.

Twice.

(Normally I'm a barefoot kids mommy, but not in Arizona). 

Aaron & Adleigh enjoyed the sand.

And making sand angels:

Sweet Elise

Happy Elise

Cheeseball Face

Climbing all over the place, as usual

Baby cheeks and playground bars are the best:

The "let's sit on the bench while the kids play" brigade:

Speaking of cheeseballs...

Doing some acrobatics

Grinning on the slide

Aaron was very brave and went for a ride with Uncle Brian.

Nope. No kid seat. Just pure awesomeness.

Aaron also went for a ride on my shoulders.

It was a good day to be Aaron.