Fun In The Arizona Sun

Our weather has been cold and rainy, so I've been looking forward to the hot sun in Arizona! It is always a countdown here on how many days are left until we go to Arizona. For the most part, time goes by pretty quick in between trips. Well, it was hot alright! We got our fill of swimming and soaking up the sun. When we weren't swimming, we were doing other fun things. We are grateful for the family and friends that we were able to see and spend time with. We love Arizona...our favorite summer vacation! We stopped in Show Low first for an extended Nikolaus Family Reunion. It was nice spending time with relatives, although the kids claimed they were bored because they didn't know as many people. Luckily, they had a few fun things for the kids to do!

Karley helped Grandpa do the finger toss in his amazing and hilarious "Magic" act. She caught the finger Grandpa tossed her in her nose! When she threw it back, he caught it in his mouth...it was a riot!:)

In this picture with my Grandma Nikolaus we are standing by a Cultivator that my Grandpa used in the field when he was a little boy. The story behind it is, when he went in to get a drink, the horse that was pulling the Cultivator got spooked by firecrackers and took off through the corn fields. The Cultivator crashed into a tree and was left there for years. My Grandma is proud to have it at her house now! I miss him!
I am proud of my family and where I came from!
Swimming at Grandpa's!

Aunt Kristy painted the girls' toes...so cute!

Uncle Nathan and Deacon took Matthew and Brigg to the skate park!

They shredded it up! Uncle Nathan has still got it!:)

All the grand kids...love the funny faces!:)

My sun bathing beauty!

Karissa, Natalie, and I took the kids to an Aquatics Center in Gilbert. It was an awesome place and it only cost .75 per kid! We stayed a few hours and had a good time!

Natalie is doing so well at Cosmetology school. I took Kynlee and Kenzie in for haircuts. Natalie did awesome! She gave Kynlee some layers in the back and around her face...an official 6th grade look!

Natalie cut 5 inches off Kenzie's hair...all the curls, but it was dry and needed it! She also gave her some layers around the face.

They look beautiful!

The kids got to pick out a craft from Hobby Lobby to decorate. They love this tradition with Grandmama!

"Eclipse" came out and I was so excited to see it with my sisters! We loved it! Natalie got a little too into it!:) Gotta love sister time!

We continued the bowling tradition...so fun!

My little niece Harlow is the cutest thing! I loved playing with her!

Grandpa took us to swim at the Jr. High pool. We had fun!

It was the first time Matthew, Karley, and Kynlee had jumped off a high dive...they were brave and loved it!

We had our 4th of July celebration at Grandmama's. She made the best Chili Beans/Indian Fry Bread ever...my favorite! Kylie and Kaej came over to celebrate! We swam in the pool while we watched the fireworks, which were lame, and lit sparklers. I am thankful for this free country we live in and to celebrate that freedom with loved ones!

We celebrated Aunt Natalie's B-day at Amazing Jake's! Happy Birthday to Uncle Nathan also, who was in Vegas with his family!

We had so much fun on the carousel, tea cups, miniature golf, arcades, laser tag...

...rock wall (Matthew made it to the top), coaster, frog hopper, bumper cars, race cars, and not to mention the all you can eat, whenever you want to eat, buffet! We stayed and played all day!

Happy 21st Birthday Natalina...love you baby sis!

Grandpa took us to lunch and then we went to Grandma Debbie's work to say goodbye. Grandpa and Karley are so much alike...GOOFY...I love it!:) We love you both and thanks for everything!

Our last evening there we went to "Wing Night" at Native New Yorker. It was hard for the kids and I to tell everyone goodbye...major tears! Thanks for putting up with us for almost 3 weeks. We had a blast and will miss each of you like crazy! We love all of you so much!