Arizona

 

 We had a great time in Arizona!!! It was totally worth the time in the car, stress to prepare for, and all the things we blew off in order to make it happen.  The kids were good for the most part, but had their moments. Since we packed them in the compact car in order to save on gas, we were expecting some moments of conflict.  Thankfully no one was permanently maimed.

Our first stop was the Page Boy Motel in Page Arizona, we broke the long drive in half.  Not even picture worthy, but it was a place to lay our heads for the night. Then we were up early and drove to the Grand Canyon.  The weather was perfect and we stayed from 9 til 4.  Poor Jared, every time we stopped the car he had to slowly try to get out of the car and stretch his back.  I had to get used to waiting up for Jared, I would be 20 steps ahead of him before I realized he was invalid and I'd have to go back.  He tried not to complain about the pain, but you could tell he was uncomfortable. We had some nice walks along the rim, but no strenuous hiking this time.

Weston loved the Grand Canyon

Savanna touching the horizon, perfect shot!

Holding up the sky

Powell monument

Weston and his walking stick

At some Indian ruins

Savanna acted like she was bored at the GC, but I know deep down she loved it.

Riding the shuttle bus across the rim

Jared had to stand on the shuttle bus because of his back

Thursday night we arrived at Aunt Betty Ann's and Uncle Steve Curtis home.  They accommodations were wonderful! They had a private room and bath for us, free breakfast, a theater room, and a gorgeous pool! The kids wanted to get in that pool as soon as we arrived at 9:30 PM (10:30 Utah time).  I promised them we would get in first thing in the morning and coaxed them to bed...mostly because I myself was too exhausted.  We were in the pool at 7:30 the next morning, and then a monsoon hit Mesa!  We had to exit the pool because of lightning and flooding rains.  We weren't expecting that in sunny Arizona! Betty Ann put a movie on in her nice theater for the kids while we tried to "wait out" the rain, but it never stopped. Even our booked steam boat ride was canceled due to flash flooding on the roads. We were already at the lake when we learned that, so we went to Tortilla flats instead and had nachos at the neatest saloon I've ever seen. We ate our fill and bought souvenirs. Betty Ann did such a fantastic job at keeping us entertained that day.

Swimming before the storm hit

Hoping to get on the Dolly Steamboat at the lake

Superstition Saloon

Aunt Betty Ann and me!

Nachos fed everyone and we had left overs!

Saddle on up and sit at the bar!

Fending off a scary Indian

Oh its just a statue

 That evening we drove another hour down to Casa Grande to see my cousins and Aunt Ann who are relatives of mine on the Barrett side.  I haven't seen some of them for 17 years and never met some of my cousins' kids.  It was really nice to visit with them all, and every one of Aunt Ann's children came!  We really appreciated the huge mexican feast they put on for us and the effort to come see us while we were there. This picture is off the adults there...there were also 23 kids running around if you can believe that! From left to right Kathryn and Ryan Barrett, Jared, Alan Barrett, Brian and Aimee Merrill, Matthew Barrett, Emilee and Edward Retinierra, Heather, Kathy Sue Barrett, Ann Barrett Rand, and Leslie Barrett (not pictured Elizabeth Barrett).

Wish this picture was better quality, but Ryan said he'd email us the nice one!

Saturday was filled with wedding festivities.  My mom's brother Lloyd's youngest daughter Laura Rappleye married Justin Rhodes.  She looked beautiful and it was a wonderful wedding.  The ceremony was in the morning at the beautiful Mesa Temple, and the ring ceremony and luncheon was at 11:30, and the reception was at 7:00.  Savanna and Fiora watched two little babies during the wedding ceremony and they both cried the whole time, poor kids!  But they had a good attitude about it.

Fiora all ready to go to the wedding

On Betty Ann's beautiful staircase (Jared was on the phone)

Laura and Justin Rhodes

Savanna and my cousin Noelle's baby Will, whom Sav babysat

Me, Grandma Rappleye, mom, (aunt Jeanie's head in the background)

After the wedding luncheon (at which the kids were very patient while us boring adults ate and visited), we went back to the Curtis bed and breakfast to enjoy some free time swimming.  Savanna, Fiora, and Weston wasted NO time getting in their suits and getting in the pool.  They were joined by many cousins aunts and uncles who were in town for the wedding or locals of Mesa.  My parents, Jared and I, my aunt Trish and Uncle Mike Terry, cousin Meadow, cousin Noelle, and cousin Clarissa Chapman and her kids all joined in the swimming fun. Poor Savanna hit her head on the rocks somehow and has a bump on her eyebrow and had a headache for a couple days. She didn't let that stop her fun though! My kids swam for 4 hours straight.  My grandma Rappleye watched the BYU game. My dad played a little too hard (for those who know my dad you know what I'm talking about) and got bruised and scratched too, he said he felt like he had been hit by a truck later that evening.

Savanna Diving in the pool

Before the masses came

 We went out to dinner at "Red White and Brew" before the reception, just the adults.  My uncle Steve very kindly took Jared to get some pizza for the kids and Savanna watched little Will again.  And he cried for her again, but she persevered and got him to sleep.  I can't tell you how nice it was to have some exclusive time with my Rappleye aunts and uncles!  They are good people.  The reception was lovely and I got to visit more with cousins.  Jared is even better at socializing than I am and had a good time visiting with my family too! He even stayed up late and played Rook with my parents and uncles/aunts.  I admitted defeat and went to bed with the kids.  The lighting wasn't the best in the reception hall, so these pictures are annoyingly low quality, sorry only had my phone.

        

Dancing at the reception

Fiora and Grandpa Barrett

 

 

 

Mom, Laura, and me at the reception

Me and Aunt Jeanie

Me and cousin Noelle Rowe and Will

Me and cousin Kiera Ethington

Meadow Alexander and me again

Me and Aunt Betty Ann

The next day, Sunday, we traveled the 11 hours home. We went home via Gunnison and stopped by Grandpa Neil and Bonnie's house for some dinner. Bonnie always has good food for us!  So Jared got to see some of his family too.  That's a lot of family to see in 4 days!  Thankfully Jared and his back survived, and I was surprised at my stamina as well. We can't wait for the next Rappleye family wedding!