Wednesday, August 13, 2008

A Southern, Down Right Higley Vacation

We just got back Sunday from our fun, hectic, lack of sleep, water logged, family oriented, go go go vacation in Arizona. I don't think I've ever been so tired in my life. I don't think we stayed put for longer than two hours and if we did it was cause we were cooking (so we could go again) or passed out for the night!



We flew down Tuesday night (10:30 pm) and the kids did alright. Our flight was delayed about 45 minutes and then we had to circle around Phoenix because of a lightning and rain storm. Lucas sat by Grandpa Mark(grams was already down there) and pretty much talked his ear off the entire time. He kept asking where the pilot was and the flight attendant brought him so wings to wear on his shirt. He switched my dad seats when we got closer to Phoenix so he could see out the window. My dad asked him what was outside and he replied "A big blue jet carrying watermelons"! Seriously...he's a crack up! Kody was apparently a celebrity on the flight. The two people that sat in front of us called him the "e-trade baby". They thought he looked just like him and were constantly looking back to see what he was doing. I'm not sure they believed us and I'm pretty sure they would have taken is autograph if we had offered!


We stayed with Shara, Aaron & Abby (picture below) at their cute new house. It's a good thing they thought to buy a house big enough to fit an extra 10 people!!



Wednesday morning started off bright and early for me. I did a photo shoot for Aaron's family at 6:00 a.m. I was so much fun doing it and they are such an awesome family. You can check it out here. Later that morning we went on a mom & sister's outing to Cracker's & Co. for breakfast while Jed & my dad watched the 4 children. Lucky for them, we put 3 of them down for their morning nap before we left.









That evening we had a fun get together with my Grandpa & Grandma, the Germaine's and Nyla at Shara's. They grilled the most delicious Carne Asada's (have no ideas how to spell that). Desert was 3 different flavors of homemade ice cream.





(listening to a story that I'm sure had to do with an escalator and a stroller!)



Thursday we went over to grandpa & grandma greats to swim. "Panda" (Amanda), Melanie & the boys had got there earlier that morning. Lucas has so much fun with CJ & "Yoden" (Logan).















That night we had our family pictures taken (see previous post) in the sweltering heat. After pics we all went out to eat at "Texas Roadhouse". My first time eating there. I need to find a recipe for there rolls, they are the best. While we were eating it started to down pour. Glad it waited until after our pictures...that would have been bad! Jed, Aaron & Landon went to the late movie and everyone else went to bed.


Friday was a busy day. We started the morning driving around trying to find the movie theater to drop Jed & Landon off at. That was funny. The rest of us headed out to Chandler to catch up with Amanda and Marsha at a splash park. They kids had a ball. We took the kids to McDonald's to eat and play some more.














A couple hours later we went over to Dennis & Diane's pool to swim with Jed's family. They were down there for the Braves games, which Jed and I were headed to that night. Lucas was getting more comfortable in the water which was so nice. That night, while we were at the game, the went swimming again and he was going under everything...quite the fish.




















(The only pictures I took at the game...I'll have to steal from the other blogs!)





Stay tune for Saturday travel log...it's a nail biter!

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

New Family Picture


While we were in Arizona we had our family pictures taken. She did a great job and are so appreciative that she was willing to taken on our family and the scorching heat. You can check out more of them here. It was fun to meet a fellow photographer. Thanks Jo!
More of the Arizona trip coming soon!!

Tuesday, August 05, 2008

6 years...



On August 1st Jed and I celebrated our 6th year anniversary. Crazy how times flies. We were in St. George so grandpa and grandma watched the kids while we went out to eat at Samauri 21 and then do a little shopping. I needed to find some clothes for our family picture when we are down in Arizona. We headed back to Hurricane to meet up with the rest of the family. Denise and I practiced a little taking pictures. Here's my favorite from the night.







Jed got to go golfing the next morning with Shane. All in all, a good anniversary and I look forward to many more to come. I Love you Jed!

Monday, August 04, 2008

JLB Reunion at the Cabin

This past Saturday was the Beatty reunion at the cabin in Southern Utah. Paulette was in charge this year and she did a great job keeping us busy and having lots of fun. It's always a party when the whole family gets together. Activities included treasure hunts, "how well do you know grams & gramps", relay races, bobbing for apples, searching for coins, skits, Frisbee golf, and lots of eating and snacking!








Apple Bobbing





Relay Race







Showtime






The Crowd