AZ: Day 5

Day five was more of a relaxed day, my sister had school and Ash was on a two day business trip due to come back that evening. So my bro-in-law Stephen and I took the kids to the playground near their house.
There is tons of playground equipment and my kids decide instead to climb a tree, they are truly monkeys.

Here's Stevie-weevie, he loves it when I call him that:)

Cutie patootie

After we got done at the playground we went back to the house and played with sidewalk chalk. I had the kids lay down and I traced them and then they colored them in.
Here they are with their masterpieces.


Erin came home from school and being the big kid that she is wanted to play too.

Erin was snapping pics of the kids while laying on the ground, they're so silly!

See the guy across the street holding the shovel?

He was guarding this.
We had all watched as this snake slithered up their driveway. All my life growing up in AZ I have never seen a rattlesnake, it was kind of creepy being so close to one. The fire dept. came and took it away.
After that my mom, Stephen and Tyler watched the kiddos so that me and Erin could go shopping, thanks guys!

We ended the day with yummy Macayo's mexican food and this little cutie was for dessert:)

AZ: Day 4

Madi's birthday fell on this day, so we had a little party for her that turned into a pretty silly night for everyone. My sister picked up a cake and we had my grandparents and brother over to help celebrate. Here Ainsley is having fun trying on my Grandpa's glasses. This was just the beginning of all the silliness to come.
Grandma Cookie and Avery with a cheekful of food, these two have always had a special bond.
Now enters silliness with a food fight between Tyler and Madi. Tyler getting Madi.

The spectators.

Chocolate lip gloss, ooh la la!
Madi getting Tyler.

Look at Ainsley eating from the cake while everyone is distracted.

Tyler strikes back. BOO!
But then Madi tagged in Aunt Erin for a little smackdown!

Tatum was an unfortunate casualty of war.

PRESENT TIME!!!



The night got sillier when my sister was talking about how she should decorate one of the niches in her wall. I suggested we throw a pillow and blanket in it and make it a bed for one of the kids to sleep in. Then I thought that my Grandma, being a petite person, could probably fit in there as well so we told her to try. She was a good sport about it, lol.
The night ended with this sweet moment of Uncle Tyler reading a bedtime story to the kiddos. By the looks of things Madi and Tyler were friends again:)

AZ: Day 3

On Sunday, we met up with Ash's side of the family for a big picnic. It was really great to see everyone. It feels like it's been so long and it doesn't help that all the kids are growing like weeds and you barely recognize them. Life is really to short to be missing out on family, I think something needs to be done about that, hmm:) So anyways, this pic above is of all the cousins, actually I take that back, two were missing and one's still in the oven. We didn't realize it until we saw them a little later that we forgot. Sorry Scherie, in my defense I was just making sure all six of mine made it in the picture:) Which is a miracle in itself and if I can get them all to smile I do a little happy dance, which is quite a sight. But man it's a lot of work. So anyways here's her two cuties in the navy blue and pink t-shirts.
The weather was perfect! And it was such a nice park too. This is a group pic of all the couples, Ash's brother Ryan and his wife Michelle to the left, us in the center, Ash's sister Trish and her husband Matt to the right and Ash's cousin Christa and her husband Donnie at the top. Ash's step sister Scherie and husband Bryce are missing from the photo, again so sorry. You can tell there were a bunch of people taking pics of us because we're all looking in different directions, ha ha. Can you believe from just these four couples came all those kids above, geesh!

The girls with Grandpa Rick.


My niece Adriana and SIL Michelle.


I can't believe how much she's grown, STOP IT!!


After the park we went over to Ash's brother's house to hang out.


The kids wanted to go swimming, CRAZY, the water was freezing! But I remember doing that when I was little too, and they could care less how cold it was, they all had a blast.
Tatum and Cousin Abby

HA HA
It was so awesome to see everyone. I love that the siblings and spouses are so close, not just because we are related but that we are all truly friends. And I saw that same bond in all the kids as well. Thanks for having us over Ryan and Michelle, Matt and Ryan the food was awesome! Trish and Michelle, I loved catching up with you both,I miss all my sisters:( And to all the kiddos, I could not be more proud of you all.