Arizona

So. Last week, I was in Arizona helping out my baby sister and watching her boys while she and my brother in law took a quick trip to North Carolina. Yes, this is the same sister that I've helped out before with watching these nephews. They live in Spokane, WA but are spending some time in the Phoenix area this year to escape the Spokane winter. (They've been homeschooling this school year, which made the change of location possible.) Of course, despite 70 and 80 degree temperatures the week before and after, it was in the 40s and 50s and raining while we were there. Poo. 

Nathan was awesome and decided to join me this time. He still worked a normal(ish) schedule from the VRBO house they'd rented for their stay, but it was lovely having him there for the evenings and such. The boys really enjoyed getting to know him better, too, and he was the designated bedtime reader. :) 

Here's a picture we took just before heading back to the airport at the end of our stay...

Backing up, then...we arrived on Monday and got Nathan set up to work from their place. Then Cas and I took the boys to their new school (one-on-one tutoring for a few hours at a time a few days a week) and went to get pedicures and a snack. We picked boys up and went for a quick hike at Pinnacle Peak (Blaze's new favorite hike and peak). The boys showed me all the different types of cacti and we marveled at the boulders and rock climbers. Later that night we all went to dinner and ice cream before Cas & Charlie did their packing.

On Tuesday, Cas & Charlie left super early for the airport. Later in the day, I took the boys to Bam Kazam...an arcade slash escape room type experience. Given the time of day and such, we fortunately didn't have much competition for the rooms so were able to try things again and again and thoroughly enjoyed our full two hours there (and I'm kicking myself for not taking any pictures!). We then did a late lunch and got boys back in time for Case's basketball practice...stopped at Target for a few things...then spent a quiet night at home with Nathan--eating, playing with boys and reading to them. 

On Wednesday, boys had their piano lessons (via FaceTime), some play time, lunch and then school. After school, Nathan and I picked them up and we all went to the Wildlife World Zoo Aquarium & Safari Park. The boys have been really enjoying the zoo during their time in Arizona and were excited to show us all sorts of things. Given that it was later in the day and chillier than normal, sadly all the rides and the giraffe feeding were closed. But. We got to touch and feed stingrays! 

And then we enjoyed dinner at the restaurant right there off of the aquarium portion of the zoo...sitting right next to the giant tank and watching sharks and fish and turtles swim. We made it home and watched the Gonzaga basketball game (the boys are a bit obsessed with Gonzaga basketball lately and fortunately the Zags won) before getting ready for bed and doing a bit more reading.

On Thursday, I took the boys to an indoor play park (Rush Fun Park) while it poured outside. They got to climb and bounce and shoot hoops and slide and have a great time. We went ahead and ate lunch there (rather than braving the rain) and got back home for a little downtime before heading to Case's basketball game. Nathan came also and we enjoyed watching Case play some 3 on 3 basketball then stopped for a few things at Safeway on the way home, ate dinner and played and read. 

Friday morning, I let the boys play while I packed up and did some tidying. Cas & Charlie made it home just after 11 and we did some catching up and letting boys play before Cas took them to school. Nathan, Cas and I all picked the boys up and took the first picture up above then headed for the airport. Nathan and I ate at the airport and made it to Denver to the start of some snow and finally got home late that night...unpacked and crashed.

Late Friday, Micah made his way home (got a ride with a friend) and Asher joined us Saturday morning so we had a full house for the weekend and got to enjoy catching up with our boys and sharing stories about Cas' boys and watching the Superbowl before both Asher and Micah headed back to their dorms.

Whew.

So thankful that I can help out my baby sister and that I've been able to build a relationship with these nephews despite the distance. Simultaneously thankful that my boys are mostly grown now, lol. If you need me, I'll just be hermitting in my house for a bit... ;)