Nana and Papa's House

Since we video chat with our parents on a weekly basis, Madie has had zero problems warming up to grandparents. Madie was getting busy with the toy kitchen after we got there. I think she was really hoping that she was eating ice cream.

Ty, Sadie and Lexi all came over to say hi.

We got to spend some time with Hannah, and she wanted to take Finn's pacifier the whole time! You can see her watching intently on the pacifier 'situation' Papa is trying to resolve.

Madie called these 'fire hydrant hats'

It was so hot and the sun so powerful that I grabbed one of these for Finn from Nana's dress-up box. Arrrrr, matey! I found his Halloween costume!

Nana and Finn.

This is about how Madie looked most of the time. Some sort of dress or leotard with a cape.

We met up with the McDonalds. Nathan and Madie hit it off and loved laughing out the glass window.

Madie tried out Aunt Tiffany's Preschool for a couple of days, and they all went to the pumpkin patch for one of the activities. Madie is doing her 'klingon' face here.

Madie took the net from the kids game Ele-Fun game and decided to wear it. I had to trick her to take this picture, she is such a stinker and won't show her face!

We also celebrated Mallory's birthday with bbq chicken, salmon, salad, and ice cream cake. Yum!

We did a little demolition and remodeling while we were there.

My nephew Sam is so happy to be on a train, he wants to be one when he grows up.

Madie, Lexi, Sadie, and Kylie on the train.

Brodi on the train.

Train park after the train ride.

Madie braved the sliding monkey bars.

Hannah and Madie still don't really know each other, but I think they'll come around in the next few years.

The Finn-Man. He loved playing, smiling, and laughing with Nana and Papa. Special thanks to the many hands of my siblings and in-laws that held him and rocked him to sleep.

Before we went to the airport, we spent some time at Freeman Park to feed some ducks.

Look who decided to show up...

Thank you Nana and Papa! We enjoyed being in Arizona (despite the heat).

Valley of the Sun

After Utah, we went to Arizona for a few weeks so that Mallory and I could work. Mallory worked for my Dad at http://www.lightrailconnect.com. She helped out by making some phone calls and what not. I went back to my normal seasonal Arizona job at the Youth Treatment Center. It was fun to go back and see some friends I have worked with in the past. It was also fun to be around family for a few weeks and have some parties. There isn't too much to do in Arizona in the middle of Summer. It's kind of like being in Rexburg in the Winter...you just don't go out that much. One nice thing is you can definitely swim. And swim we did! Here are some pics of our stay in Arizona.


Here is Lexi, so excited to show us her rings that she forgets to swim.

Nanna, Mallory, and Kylie all diving at the same time

Myself taking a dive.

Kylie jumping off the diving board. She was like a fish out there!

I really like this picture of Lexi jumping off. It kind of shows her "no fear" personality.

This is a good one of Nanna (my Mom) surrounded by her grand kids.

Mallory and I featuring Kylie and Lexi on our shoulders. My smile looks great, huh?

BJ, Sam, and Shannon enjoying the water. Sam would get so worried when he saw BJ jump off the diving board.

These are some wild blackberries up in Pine, AZ where my parent's cabin is located.

This is the $1.2 million dollar home we stayed at in Mesa, AZ. It was a nice place to camp out for a few weeks.

Here is what our view was looking out into the backyard. It is a lakefront property, with an infinity pool (disappearing edge). It was so nice to have a pool to swim laps in every morning.