That One Time...

...I underwent a 90 degree temperature change in a matter of 3 ish hours.  This is how an amazing five day trip to Arizona ended.  75 degrees that day, -20 that night.  But that's the somewhat depressing end...so lets start at the beginning!  

My dear maternal grandmother turned 80 the day after New Years.  She expressed that she did not want gifts, she only wanted her entire family together.  And miraculously, we were all able to do it.  Her three children and their spice (plural of spouse, fyi), twelve grandchildren and their various significant others, and five great-grandchildren.  It was a glorious time...it was only missing Grandpa.  I think he would have loved being there with the games, singing, food, pictures, outings... It is such a blessing to be part of his godly legacy.  And it was especially neat to share it with Ben.  He has met them all, either at our wedding or other various times, but this was his first time really spending quality time with the cousins/aunts/uncles etc... 

Anyway, back to the week.  So each of Grandma's kids took an evening to host the entire family.  And on Grandma's actual birthday, she threw herself a grand dinner at her favorite Italian restaurant.  You may be asking why she threw it and not someone else...and the reason is this:  When you are turning 80, you might as well have the exact kind of birthday celebration you want.  make your own guest list, pick your own restaurant, and pick your favorite foods from the menu to boot!  It was fantastic.  There was a great game where all of the grandchildren (no outlaws included) were split into teams to answer questions about Grandma's life.  Things like: how did her and grandpa meet, where did they go on their honeymoon, how many houses has she lived in, etc...  It was really fun to remember all the stories she had told us over the years.  

And let me tell you this, I have one amazing grandma.  She has been through so much, stood by her husband through thick and thin until his death, has raised three wonderful children (I know this first hand, since my mom is one of them...and she is pretty much one of the most amazing people I know), loves the Lord and can make a mean chocolate sundae pie (and butterbraid, and cheese log, and leek potatoes and pretty much everything else under the sun.)  She played a big part in my wedding by helping plan the bridesmaid skirts (picking out material, putting it all together and sending little kits to the girls so they could make their skirts), making aprons for the wedding party to serve in for the Saturday night dinner....and in many more generous ways.  She has taught me some basics of cooking, keeping house, sewing and even a little bookkeeping here and there.  

There could be so much more written about her...but I'll move on to some pictures of our time there in AZ. 

If you're not sure what this is, it's ok.  I wasn't sure either. 

Apparently it is John and Joe wrestling.  Not sure which is which, or which head belongs to which body...but they were having fun at least. 

Ender and Amy watching the whole experience...I think they are a little confused too. 

my beautiful cousin bethany finishing off one of the yummiest salads at one of our big family dinners. 

I was a teensy bit jealous that she got to finish it, and not I. 

We went to the Desert Botanical Gardens, where they had a blown glass display by Chihuly.  It was magnificent. 

so beautiful against the blue sky. 

brilliant colors...this one was SO tall. 

Miss K by a cute little barrel cactus

glass balloon things in the wood. 

Ben, K, Me, John and Portia (my cousin Natalie's daughter)

Karlina by a cactus that is WAY older than her and that is only her height. 

Cute story:  My mom had her picture taken next to a similar cactus and was featured in the newspaper and was quoted saying something about the cactus being older than her, but she was taller.  

So we re-created the moment =)

One of the art pieces with a little editing. 

One of my favorite moments was napping outside, barefoot, in the warm sun.  GLORIOUS! 

Going out for Grandma's special birthday dinner. 

A pretty awesome Mimi reading books to a very attentive Ender and Karlina.  (K looks studious and E looks...well...comfortable)

J&K listening to the story and enjoying some quality together time. 

Karlina dressed as a pretty princess...sharing her ice cream bar with Silas

And then enjoying some herself.  

This went on for quite some time...super cute.  When she would walk away, Silas would follow close behind in case she got generous again. 

"Papa jump on bed?"  

I mean, when you're an almost 2-year-old...all bouncy things are like beds, right?

Silas enjoys tanning his belly...or mainly just showing off his belly button. 

And checking out the competition while he's at it. 

THEY WERE SO CUTE!

Anyway, I was too busy having a good time to really capture any more photos...

Those of us that were there will have those sweet memories locked away forever...and those that weren't will just have to pretend and wish they had such an awesome family as I am blessed to have!