Arizona

The two little boys and I made a trip to Arizona February 20-25 to visit some family!  My parents had decided to go down there to visit my Grandpa and Grandma Van Essen so I thought it would be a good opportunity to visit them as well (I would have some help with the kids) along with Matthew's family living in Phoenix! We stayed with Matthew's cousin, Heather and her son Riley and made daily trips to my Grandparents home to hang out!

Cayden playing "cars" at my Grandparents house!

With AZ comes sun and we were blessed to have 80s while we were there! So great to go swimming and feel warm :)

Cayden swimming with Grandma

Great-Grandma holding Nolan!

Cayden watching Great-Grandpa make orange juice

Nolan thought the oranges were balls!

And loved drinking the orange juice!

On Wednesday, we went to the Phoenix Zoo, it was a pretty awesome zoo!

Cayden directing us with the map :)

Nolan just loved being outside! I am sure when he starts to walk he will be even more into playing outside!

Nolan also loved being by Great-Grandpa all the time!

Trying to get a picture with two kids looking=impossible :)

Grandma and Cayden balancing!

"Milking a cow"

Exhausted after the zoo

Cayden playing Bocci Ball!

Nolan wanting to play Bocci Ball :)

Playing in socks and flip flops, lovely :)

Nolan getting his chance with Grandpa!

Since Nolan wasn't allowed to go in the pool there (you need to be potty trained) some neighbors let us borrow this little pool! Nolan LOVED it!

And Cayden LOVED swimming-especially with the new found freedom of using a noodle :)

Nolan, Great-Grandpa, Great-Grandma, and Cayden

3 Generations :)

Thanks to my parents for all their help with the kids!!!

Me and my two boys!

Riley and Cayden LOVED playing together-they played away!

One of their favorite past times was riding in Riley's jeep!

Cayden thought he was so cool driving it!

And what do you know, Matthew's parents happened to be in AZ the same time we were (at least we overlapped a day and a half) so we were able to see them for some short visits! Matthew's dad was in a class this day so I didn't get a picture of him.

What a treat to see them!

Along with seeing Matthew's parents and cousin, we also saw Matthew's two aunts and uncle and a few more of his cousins! We had a very busy week visiting but it was so nice to be out of the cold and in the sun!! Thank you Heather and Riley for having us! It was fun and we are so thankful for all you did for us!