Arizona Biltmore

When I was a kid my family spent Easter in Arizona and stayed at the Arizona Biltmore. It has been 25 years since we've been there and my mom planned a really fun Easter Vacation going back to re-live the glory days! I will say that the hotel itself is much different from when I stayed there so long ago, but it was really fun to take my kiddo's and let take in some of the experiences I had when I was younger. 

The kids loved swimming, playing mini golf, life-size chess, and croquet on the lush grounds and I enjoyed just hanging by the pool relaxing with my sisters and brothers. We also got to do traditional easter activities like dying eggs, decorating cookies, and attending a really fun carnival all put on by the hotel staff. The egg hunt was done really well too and Riley was in heaven! While in Arizona we also attended the Mesa Easter Pageant: Jesus the Christ. 

On Easter Sunday after all the egg hunts and activities I wasn't feeling very well and my little Riley and I took advantage of some time together to blow bubbles. It was so peaceful and I was able to take some time to reflect on the spirit of Easter and feel so much love by watching my little girl.

On our trip my Uncle Mike took the initiative and helped Riley in the pool and taught her how to swim. She's not yet a competent swimmer but she has been loving practicing her new skill ever since. She's even been able to spend more time in the pool with Uncle Mike teaching her on his visits to town with my Aunt Carole. 

This was a great trip! I got so many wonderful opportunities to come closer to my Sister, Aubry and Brother, Severin. I don't get to see or spend near as much time with them than I do the others and I just loved connecting with them. I think the kids especially loved this trip for the same reasons, getting closer to their cousins and just spending quality time together. Thank you Momma and Goo for making this trip happen!

Dancing in Heaven

Kameron's aunt, Cathal Henrie, passed of March 4th at the age of 67. We were so grateful to be able drive up for the funeral and join with family to both morn her death and celebrate her life. Cathal suffered effects from a benign brain tumor that destroyed her pituitary gland as a young girl. Her life, though, proved to be extraordinary by showing strength, love, and faith in all that she did. We will miss Cathal greatly but we know she is enjoying her time in Heaven, dancing with her mother. 

While in Utah, the kids also enjoyed the little bit of snow left and time with their cousins. 

Happy 5th Sis!

**I have gotten sloppy at taking pictures. Thankfully I've been doing more videos but I need to remember to do a little of both. 

Riley turned 5 this year!!!  We had what felt like an ongoing celebration of her big day all month long. Megan and the kids came down to play with and celebrate with us. We went to a really fun park up in Summerlin where the kids were able to climb and swings and zip-line, and more! We went out to a special lunch and later Kam and I took Riley out to dinner at Chick-fil-A. At lunch Riley met a friend with a husky dog who she couldn't stop giving loves to. At school she wanted to take strawberry cake pops to share with her friends and we shared the rest of the cake pops with our cousins here in Vegas when they came over for cake and ice-cream and presents. We had a really fun time celebrating our sassy little princess, but she has informed me that next year she wants a big surprise party and dad will keep her away so her friends can surprise her. Almost daily, now it's more like weekly, since her birthday she reminds me of the new plan for next year adding more details like who is going to be invited, what games we will play, and the theme, which has gone from goofy to Elsa to dragons and princesses and more. I just love her creative mind and the detail she is capable of. She really is an amazing little girl! Happy Birthday Sister!

Can You Do THIS in January?

We've had an extra warm January this year. It's been really pleasant to be outside and enjoy the nice weather and thanks to some awesome fiends we even got to go out on the lake for the day! The water was still really cold so none of us went swimming, but Braden did go out on the tube and we did some fishing.

San Diego New Years

We had a great time in San Diego with the cousins for New Years! We stopped at the temple, went to church with my cousin, did a tour at the Mormon Battalion historic sight, walked through Old San Diego, found a fun place to mini golf and go on a few rides, spent some time on Coronado, and went to a beach in Carlsbad. We also spent a lot of time playing games and swimming a the hotel, which according to Riley is the best part of a vacation. We love being together with family and this trip was a well needed and very fun get together!