The Get-Along-Gang

Ten years ago, our best friends Kendra and Nate moved away from AZ to experience new adventures. They lived many places on the west coast, all of which Brendon and I visited many times in order to see these awesome friends. Then we all began to build our families and visits became less frequent. I always hoped that they would return to AZ someday, and last year they DID! We have been so blessed to have this wonderful family in our lives, not only because Nate/Brendon and Kendra/I are so close, but because our children love one another too. We have shared so many wonderful moments since they've returned, and we look forward to the memories still to come! Here is a little "recap" of the summer (pictures are poached from Kendra's great collection, lol) :

 Summer kick-off with the Schnepf Farm Peach Festival



 Visiting the dinosaur bones at the Natural History Museum in Mesa

 

 

 Girls night! Pizza and pajama party while the guys were camping.

 

 One of many trips to local splash pads!

 

Staying cool while hanging with our buddies.

 

 Peyla's two honorary big sisters!

 

 The 1st annual family road trip...National Lampoon's style!

 

 

Silliest girls in the world! 

 

"Friendship is the hardest thing in the world to explain. It's not something you learn in school. But if you haven't learned the meaning of friendship, you really haven't learned the meaning of anything."

- Muhammad Ali

 

Let it rain!

We've been having a few good rain storms over the part month. To live in Arizona, means you live for the monsoons in the summer time! Every afternoon we watch the clouds pile up, hoping and wishing for rain. I have memories of my brother and I playing out in our backyard during these same storms...filling buckets with fresh rain water and getting soaked. Looks like my girls enjoy doing the very same things!

 

There is nothing like a desert rain.

The Sweet Light

Sunset + beautiful surroundings = photo ops!

 

Mountain Climbers

While we were in Torreon, we let the girls run on the golf course after-hours (shhh! don't tell the management!) It was like letting the ponies out to pasture! These girls thrive on just some fresh air and a good place to run. I love the simplicity of childhood. This was probably the highlight of our visit!

 

 Ali hitches a ride

 "Up, up, up" she says

 Nothing like some wide open space!

 How much water do I need to make our backyard this green??

 "HOORAY"!

Ali's "HOORAY"!

 Someone needs a little help.

 We made it!

Return to Torreon

We are very fortunate to have a Grandpa who likes to share his cabin with us in our beloved Torreon (home of our wedding spot!). We headed up there several weeks ago and had a wonderful time just enjoying our family. The weekend went fast but the days were deliciously slow, just like I remember spending summertime at my own grandparents' cabin. We played on the playground, searched for frogs in the pond, hit the "big" pool, had a nature walk around Fool's Hollow Lake, and stayed up late watching movies. Bliss!

 

 Breakfast on the patio! Yes, those are long-sleeved pajamas in JUNE!

 The look on her face captures the mood perfectly.

 Just enjoying a little fresh mountain air!

 Feeding daddy is like slipping treats to a monkey. He makes such a big show of it!

 Who likes the Life cereal best??

 Daddy is her constant entertainment.

that.face. I just can't get enough. sigh

Baby Legs

A few weeks ago, the girls spent a whole afternoon just climbing around on the fireplace hearth. Who knew when we bought the house that this space would be a child's jungle gym? Ali whined because it was hard on her knees, so I pulled out some old Baby Legs. I'm obsessed with these things! I wish they made them in my size! Soon after, Peyla requested some "weg warmers" for herself.

 

These girls

Love each other!