We had a GREAT time in Phoenix in February visiting Dean and my sister Theresa and her kids Heather and Jenny. Mom was able to go with us to help with the kids. This was the start of the trip the first day...the smiles weren't there after the 14 hours of driving we put in the first day.
Our hotel room in Kingman, AZ on the first night. It was 2:30 in the morning when we finally stopped and the kids had just been sleeping for the last 4 hours of driving, but amazingly enough they did finally go to sleep. 
Superbowl Sunday at my niece Heather's house with their Packer sweatshirts they got from Aunt Geri.
Jumping on the trampoline with their cousin Jenny. They LOVED the trampoline and were always wanting to go outside to jump.
My great-niece Shayla, jumping up, and my great-niece Arrayah, in the white. It was great to get to spend some time getting to know them a bit better. Shayla is Heather's daughter and Arrayah is Jenny's.
At Dean's house we had limited toys to play with so they had to find stuff to do. We kept the stroller in the house because I used it daily on our walks, so it was a favorite place for them to play. Spencer figured out how to climb into the back seat by himself...didn't take long for Aubrey to try too. This was the first time I caught them both in at the same time.
The other favorite thing to do is play in Dean's suitcase. They fit pretty good side by side in it...kind of made me think what a great way to save on air travel! :) 
Our hotel room in Kingman, AZ on the first night. It was 2:30 in the morning when we finally stopped and the kids had just been sleeping for the last 4 hours of driving, but amazingly enough they did finally go to sleep. Superbowl Sunday at my niece Heather's house with their Packer sweatshirts they got from Aunt Geri.Jumping on the trampoline with their cousin Jenny. They LOVED the trampoline and were always wanting to go outside to jump.My great-niece Shayla, jumping up, and my great-niece Arrayah, in the white. It was great to get to spend some time getting to know them a bit better. Shayla is Heather's daughter and Arrayah is Jenny's.At Dean's house we had limited toys to play with so they had to find stuff to do. We kept the stroller in the house because I used it daily on our walks, so it was a favorite place for them to play. Spencer figured out how to climb into the back seat by himself...didn't take long for Aubrey to try too. This was the first time I caught them both in at the same time.The other favorite thing to do is play in Dean's suitcase. They fit pretty good side by side in it...kind of made me think what a great way to save on air travel! :) They not only crawled in it, they also unpacked it for him and tried on his underwear...sometimes like this and Spencer liked to wear it on his head. I never had my camera when he did that though.
Arrayah and Aubrey on the trampoline.
Ring around the Rosies...their favorite game to play!
I was so surprised to find that Spencer loved the trampoline. He ran, jumped, loved to sit in the middle and get bounced. It was nice to see the more adventurous side of him come out a bit.
After all that bouncing, Arrayah volunteered to lay down with the kids for naps...needless to say this arrangement didn't last all that long before I had to go in and break up the party.
Dean loved to hike and bike on South Mountain in Phoenix and wanted to show me his "stomping grounds". So, we put the kids in the stroller and took off on the trail. I am not sure the stroller was meant to go off road, but it did pretty good and we had a good time.
Back at Dean's house the kids wanted to play outside...so we figured we would shut the gate and they could play on the front path and they would be fine. Who would have thought that the little patch of dirt on the left side of the photo would cause so much mess! Aubrey was brown and smelled like a bag of potting soil! They had a great time on what turned out to be the last time they were allowed to play in the front pathway! 
Our trip to the Phoenix zoo! 
The kids seeing their first exhibit...snakes. 
They didn't stay in the stroller for long, but they were the best little walkers and pointers at random things, but they had a great time.
Snacktime with Nana.
Mom took the kids in the little cave with the kids...great Kodak moment.
They both fell asleep after lunch. Aubrey wouldn't let go of her waterbottle...the simplest things sometimes keep them happiest.
Mom had to crawl in the backseat on the way home from the zoo. 
We were able to go the Prescott, AZ to visit some of Dean's family, his cousins Frank and Marcia Laspada and their daughter Lisa Leo along with her husband Glen and their daughter Cassidy. They had a great time playing with Cassidy. Here they are with "pearl necklaces". 
Cassidy made a dessert for the kids when we got there...banana with marshmallows microwaved for 30 seconds....sticky and messy, but very good.
Back at Heather's house the night before we left. Heather's husband, Braheim, on the trampoline with the kids.
Part of the wonderful ladies who make up our family. From L to R, Me, Jenny, Mom, Heather, and Theresa.
The kiddos...Arrayah, Shayla and our two.
We had such a great time in Arizona. Dean was able to leave his job there and come home when we did and is now working again in Portland. We are once again all under one roof...yeah!! :)
We split the holidays and went to Dean's family to open presents on Christmas Eve and my sister's house for Christmas day. I'll try to keep them in order...
I tried and tried to get a good shot of them dressed up from church...she had other plans! He was smiling though, so I got a few of him! 
She was willing to smile in her 
Before we started opening the presents, Spencer found this one under the tree and he played with it like a pull toy all until he finally opened it. Makes me wonder why we spent any money on gifts to begin with...I can tie ribbon to all kinds of things for him! :)
One of their favorite gifts was this little kitchen set they got from Grandma and Grandpa. They jumped right in and started "cooking" and "tasting" things. 
Spencer LOVES his 
Auntie Julie got them the sit-n-spin...a big hit! 
Another favorite was their cell phones...they still want to sleep with them and will take them with us when we go anywhere!
Christmas morning at our house, we had both sides of family over to watch them open their gifts...my favorite part of the holidays was this time for sure. 
The new table and chairs they got from Nana and Papa.
The kids both love to try to push the buttons on our computers when Dean and I have ours out, so we got them their own...they also go with us just about everywhere we go! 
The new pony they got...they call it Neigh. They are a bit too little to get on and off it by themselves, but they love to ride it once they are on.
Spencer watching the toothpick in Uncle Eric's mouth with the utmost concentration. He thought it was so cool! 
He somehow got it away from him and did just what he saw him do...hold it tight between his teeth. 
Aubrey sat at my sister Carla's house and played with her new computer and stayed pretty quiet....then I noticed that she wasn't really using it as a computer.
She was using it as a make up case and was putting on her make up...she did her eyes, her cheeks, and lips. I think we are in trouble with her if she is already pretending to wear make up at 2! 
Dad teaching Spencer how to sing and play the guitar! Those of you who know my dad know that it wasn't a very serious lesson. :)
Aubrey in her new outfit from Nana and Papa the day after Christmas.
