Our Arizona Trip

Last weekend brought forth a road trip to Goodyear Arizona to celebrate my Papa Wally's birthday. My grandmother and uncle flew in from Ohio as well. My step brother Trevor happened to be in the Phoenix area doing some work for the company he works for back home in Portland. Family from all over was there to celebrate and eat. Unfortunately, Jim was unable to get the time off work, so he stayed home with our critters while Stown and I made the drive south.

We were welcomed by a colorful sunset....

That kept getting better!!
(Actual colors - no photo shopping - I don't know how to do that fancy stuff any how.)

Our weekend was filled with family and fun.

Papa Wally, Stown, Trevor and Uncle John

We played dominoes in the sun.
(Shortly after this picture the table was moved off the porch and into the middle of the yard - where the chickens could stroll under our feet and eat the chips we had dropped.)



Trevor the Croquette Master!!

We played croquette on the lawn - the course stretched from one end of the yard to the other, over an irrigation hump totalling about 50 yards in length. The rules required playing one handed with a beverage of choice in the other.

The "International" Rooster - he has no clue what time zone he is in and crows at all hours of the day and night. Which wouldn't be so bad except Stown and I had chose to sleep in a tent in the backyard for the weekend. Our last tenting "Hurrah" for the year!!

It was so warm we ran around in tank tops (shirtless for the guys) and barefoot the entire time. The sun tanned our skin one last time before we would head home and settle in for a snowy Colorado winter.

Goofin' with Uncle John.

A walk down the road to the cotton fields.

Papa's Ruth, Papa, Granno, Uncle John, Me and Stown (on his tippy toes)

The Men - Papa, Stown and Uncle John

Notice the family resemblance? Hint hint - Eyebrows!!

Me, Granno and Stown

Monday morning brought an end to the festivities, up at 4:15 am to say goodbye and one last picture as we all went our separate ways.

A parting shot of Arizona, the San Fransisco peaks of Flagstaff snagged a passing cloud.

We had a great time with everyone. Lots of cooking took place and I think we all gained a few pounds. It was good to see Trevor - an unexpected surprise for me. Stown enjoyed spending time with all the crazy men of the family and seeing his Great Grandmother (aka - Granno). We all live so far apart it's hard to get together. It was well worth the drive and I can't wait to do it again - whenever that may be.

Love Your Family While You Can!!!

No matter how nuts they might make you - hehe!!

June California Trip: Part VII

PART: VII

Williams, Az & the Horvath Family Campsite

Me, Erin, Gigi, Stown, Eric & Tanner

What a campsite!! On our way home from Bullhead City, we pass right through Williams AZ and just a few miles out of town my dearest and longest running friends (25 years!) were camping. So, of course we had to head down the dirt road for a quick visit. Erin tried to talk us into staying the night. Since we already had all our camping equipment and Stown could crash inside their trailer it was not easy to say no. However, Jim really wanted to get home - we had left the old cat alone for almost two weeks, he wanted to make sure she was still alive and we were only 6 1/2 hours from home. (We did have a house/cat sitter, but she was instructed not to call us if the cat died, for there was nothing we could do from another state.) After a few beers and lots of stories between all of us the decision was made - We were staying the night!!

YEAH!!

Eric & the trap, Me ( background), Tanner, Corbin & Erin

With the decision to stay finalized, we set up our tent and we all headed to the lake to set the crayfish traps.

Party Mascot!!
Did you know crayfish liked chips & beer?


Tanner, Erin, Corbin & Eric
What a Great Lookin' Family!!

Aspen

The next morning the boys disappeared over the hill and Aspen pointed the way for us.

Tanner, Stown, Corbin & Sandy

Leave it to boys to search out and discover a cave in the rocks.

Well, after a day and night of catching up on stories, beers and campfires it was time to once again pack up the truck and hit the road. Thanks E&E for letting us crash your campsite!!

This time we really were heading home to sleep in our own beds...

June California Trip: Part VI

PART: VI

Bullhead City, AZ

Jim, Brayden, Stown, Paula (mom) & Myself

So, we stopped for a quick overnight visit at my mom's place in Bullhead City AZ. Why only one night you ask? Well, if you've ever been to Bullhead in June you would understand - it's HOT!
Not just hot, but 100+ degrees hot - the kind of hot where your sweat evaporates before it can bead on your skin. Sizzle, Sizzle.

We spent a lot of time in the pool, needless to say. We had a nice visit with my mom, my brother, Wes (see Sept 22 post) and my niece, Brayden.

Then it was on the road home to the cooler mountains of Colorado...