{It aint NO dry heat!!!}

Setting:  Arizona

in July....we are NOT smart people!

The festives started at Chelises ranch o' fun.

River set off for his good buddy Bram's house, and the younger three made the BIGGESTHUGESTGIGANTICEST blanket fort the West has ever seen!

They played in it for days.

Arizona is definitely living up to it's summer reputation of being HOT and miserable.....add a bunch of monsoon humidity and you've got me sweating like a whore in church.

I don't adapt well to heat......the fever blisters on my lips prove my frageeeleeness to the high temps.

NOT pretty....SO not pretty.

There is an amazing area about 10 miles from Chelise that has a natural pool with red rock diving platforms. 

A mile from there are 1600 year old petroglyphs.

Standing four feet away from these ancient stories is breathtaking and almost incomprehensible.

They really aren't sure what the Natives were trying to say through most of their drawings because none of them are in sequence.  They are able to make out the summer calendar, wind storms, birds, and young girls in puberty.

Cash brought his own pictures with him.....

the shark tattoo on the forehead created much talk about how cute he is.

He recanted the comments by picking his nose.....

which is his new 3 year old favorite past time :)

DON'T get him mad, he uses his boogers as a weapon!

OK......

Is this really happening?

Lyrik is already ONE???

It was awesome that we were in town to be able to celebrate his birthday party with everyone.

Just let me prepare you for what you are about to see.........

This is the most angelic, cupid doll face you will ever witness.....

BRACE YOURSELVES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

~

~

~

~

~

~

~

~

~

Don't say I didn't warn you.

Parker and Sam love this baby, love each other, and are creating a positive wonderful life as a family.

Having our Parker back and seeing his growth and humor and zest for life is miraculous.

I drank up all the time I could with the three of them.

(Lexi and Shelby)

The cutest lil' gals this side of the Mississippi!

Katie's boyfriend, Country (nickname) really is from Mississippi, and has the twang that lives up to his name.

There was swimmin'....and eatin'

dancin' and laughin'

cake smudgin' and present openin'.

ummmmm hmmmmmm! 

That lil' guy sure knows how to throw a partayyyy!

P.S. Cash has his own language,

he calls Lyrik......Lick it :)

Grandma Carol came by for a nice visit.

Her and Ralph are doing well and Carol looks FABulous!

Healthy, happy and in love :)

River is looking forward to spending a couple days with her before his flight home.

(BTW:  River is still in AZ.  Yes, I'm missing him so bad that Bud Light doesn't even mask the pain!  I know he's in great arms and being spoiled rotten, and he is very happy.  Almost too busy to talk to me half the time!  This will be his very first plane ride, and he's going solo!

I will be fine

I will be fine

I will be fine

I have to chant positive words to myself to get through his absence.....

I just can't help it....I love my kid!)

Jax used his camera skills.......

I used my collaging skills :)

The night before we left, we celebrated Chelise's 32nd birthday with cake and ice cream.  The kids were so excited to surprise her.....of course, you know me....Ms. cry baby titty mouse.......I got teared up watching how happy the kiddos were giving Chelise their hand made cards and singing happy birthday.

This was a perfect trip....

kayaking

family time

coffee talk

girl time

I just needed a week to come home and get some good sleep.......we've got round 2 coming next weekend!

The Largent's will be here to celebrate Pioneer Day with us!!!!

I'm gonna show them floats, fireworks and Mormon history like they've NEVER seen!

It's gonna be goooood!