Arizona

We spent 10 days in Arizona in April. After spending mid-winter break in Seattle, with three kids sans husband, I begged Tommy to go somewhere for spring break. So, we went where we've gone every year for the past five years: to visit Mimi and Baba in Arizona. This year, we were lucky enough to overlap with SMAC (Scott, Mandy, Alexa and Casey) for two days. It is safe to say that both Taylor and Matty ADORE their big cousins! Despite a brutal case of the stomach flu for Tommy, me, Mimi, and Brayden during our trip, we had a nice visit and loved every minute of the sunshine.

Matty, Alexa, and Taylor enjoyed picking clementines from my parents' tree.

Brayden absolutely loved playing in the backyard. As long as he could be "free," he would roam in the yard for hours - picking up rocks, walking on the stone walkway, and following his sister and brother around.

My aunt and uncle, as well as my cousin Laura and her family, came over to visit one afternoon. Laura's daughter Addie is about six weeks younger than Brayden.

I love all the activity in the background of this picture. 

... and all of the activity here!

We celebrated Casey's 13th birthday a few days late.

Brayden snuck in a few tastes of cake.

Movie night! We watched "Frozen" for the hundredth time.

Pool time!

Cousins

My skinny girl - she is finally comfortable jumping into the pool and going under water, so she did this with and without floaties every time we were at the pool.

Stud

Capturing a sweet moment with Brayden and Mimi. Even though B does not see Mimi often, he really took to her on this trip and wanted to snuggle with her whenever possible.

Case and B

Baba, Mimi and their five grandchildren

Tommy and I took the kids to a "late" spring training game one morning (I have no idea what a "late" spring training game is; you'll have to ask Tommy). I think Tommy thought it would be fun to take his boys to a game, but they were more interested in eating snacks and running around the park.

... as evidenced here.

... and here.

The kids' favorite activity on this trip, by far, was riding in the golf cart. If you asked Brayden if he wanted to go for a ride, he would sprint to the door and start whining until someone would let him outside.

Baba was a trooper and took the kids on many, many rides.

Story time with Mimi.

Screen time on Daddy's Surface.

Momma and her babies

Donuts and screen time - what more could you want?

Like I said, Brayden loved being around Mimi.

Quiet time - despite all the sun and activity, the kids would not nap on this trip. So, we let them watch a lot of shows in order to get them out of the sun and off of our nerves. :)

Brayden passed out on one golf cart ride. Poor Baba didn't know what to do with him!

My little drunken sailor

I have more pictures from our trip on my phone, but I still need to sync them to my computer. We also took the kids miniature golfing, saw Disney on Ice, and went to the park. It was a fun-filled trip for our littles. Even as I took the kids on their last golf cart ride the morning we flew home, Taylor and Matty both remarked that they wanted to stay in Arizona. I suppose a lot of warm weather and sunshine will do that for you, right? Thanks, Mimi and Baba, for putting up with us. I know our presence changes the dynamic of your retirement lifestyle significantly!