On Our Way Home

On our drive home we drove by the North tip of the Grand Canyon. None of us had ever been down that way so we stopped to take a look. The boys enjoyed the much needed break from being in the car. It was amazing how beautiful it was even at the North end. I really want to take them to the main part someday soon.

They were spitting over the bridge and watching it hit the water. I really don't think that they saw it hit, but because they are boys they all saw it.(???)

Mesa Temple

We decided that since it was Sunday we would find the Mesa temple and walk around. It was fun letting the kids look around and play in the sunlight because we were headed home the next day.

Tyler told Braxton to touch the cactus and because he trusted his dad that is what he did. Having Tyler is like having another child.

Braxton wanted to kiss Jesus.

Our family photo taken by the sister missionaries.

We stayed in a really nice hotel while we were in Arizona. It had two bedrooms, a kitchen, and a fireplace. The kids loved the pool and sports court. I think that we were probably the only ones in a swimming because this would be winter to the people from Phoenix. The kids loved every minute of the weather.
Easton stayed in the hot tub with his mom the entire time. He thought it was cool to drink the water.

They claimed that it was warm...I beg to differ.

The Braithwaites

Lonny and Tyler like the always were....Deep in conversation. Lonny was one of Tyler's greatest influences to bring us back to church.

Braxton became instant buddies with Brayden.

The boy's playing basketball outside in shorts in February. I think that I would live in Mesa if I could.

Colin giving Easton a hand at the hoop. They were so cute with the kids.

Laurie is such an inspirational woman. I have always admired her for the mother and wife that she is. She has been through so much and is such a strong woman. I can't wait until we can make it back there to see her and her cute family.

Thats how we roll!!

I was not happy to say the least when I got the call that Grandma had passed away. OK so I am selfish. I just had all these great plans. I was California dreaming. We were suppose to be heading to Arizona to surprise some of our old neighbors. Their daughter was getting married on the 30th of January and all of the sudden we were heading North instead of South. I just didn't think that my dream to hang out in the sun was even possible. We left on the 20th of January for the Great White North. The weather was great for the first 2 days. I think it was even warmer then it was at home. The important things was that the sun shined down on the day that we celebrated the life of such an amazing woman. The day after the funeral the temps. dropped. IT WAS COLD! Thank goodness for the heated pool and hot tub. We headed back from Canada on the 24th on January. Yes this was in the car with four children under the age of 10. I really have nothing to complain about because my brother-in-law and sister-in-law drove up to Canada from Texas. Back to poor me. I thought I would post some pictures of how we travel. We did decide to leave on the 29th and head South to Phoenix. What a great idea. We headed back home on the 2nd of February. This was over 3,000 miles in the car with weather ranging from -5 degrees to 78 degrees all in 14 days. What a journey. I am sad that we didn't make it to the beach and to dear old Disneyland. It is my goal to get there in the next year for sure.

Some where in Montana

Some where in Arizona

E kickin it. What a stud.

Braxton had lost it. He decided that he could hear better with two sets of head phones. All I can say is thank goodness for the entertainment package in the car. Without the movies and the video games I don't know how we would have survived. We have four great travelers. Thank goodness they are all boys. When we were in the middle of nowhere they would go to the bathroom in a water bottle. It was awesome!