What can I say about this post? Too many emotions and beautiful memories of long ago to put into words. We asked my sweet nana if we could take her and the girls up to her cabin in Forest Lakes, AZ. She hadn't spent more than a night or two there since we lost my grandfather Papa Al in 2011. When Nana excitedly said "yes!", we knew there was a wonderful weekend in store for us. Brendon left work a touch early and we headed up north on Friday night, with plans to stay through the weekend. My brave and independent grandmother insisted on driving up alone before us, "to get everything ready" as she put it. It was like stepping back 20 years as we pulled down their little driveway in the forest that night...evening was setting in and there she was...waiting for us on that same old front porch swing. I cried in the front seat as we approached, my loving grandpa should have been there...seated next to her. But I can honestly say- we felt his presence many, many times during those precious 48 hours. I smiled wider than I have in months, watching my children fall in love with the same forest we roamed through as children. My uncle has lovingly cared for the cabin that my grandfather built, and did everything he could to make sure our visit was perfect. Nana fed us way too much good food, we played hard all day with nature, only to fall fast asleep each night...curled up as a family in the attic that Papa refurbished. It was bliss...bittersweet...and a weekend I will never forget. Thank you Nana and Papa for sharing this beautiful space with us over the years!
The girls found some familiar faces on the cups up there!
Our first night, cozying up to nana.
The next morning, bright and early...we unleashed these girls upon the forest!
The best swing ever!
Her expression says it all...they spent hours on that swing.
I love this picture...it captures everything I imagine for childhood, including so many memories of my own.
Someone sure likes to run free!
"higher daddy!"
Nana and Peyla searching for blue flowers.
My other favorite picture!
Shhh! There's an Ali bear in the woods!
Well it's not a blue one, but she liked it.
I loved to see my nana smile again.
Feeding peanuts to the blue jays and squirrels. Just like Papa loved to do...he even gained the animals' trust so much that they would grab the peanuts off of his lap when I was a kid.
Daddy found a worm!
I can't believe she touched it!
Ali was determined to "set him fwee".
Giving him one last pat.
Later in the day, the monsoons hit! Hooray for rain!
Bathing in the same tub that I did 20 years ago...talk about a trip down memory lane!
Pancakes in the morning before heading home!
