Stephen and Emily in AZ!

Ok, my blogging has been ridiculous. It's hard to get motivated to sit down at the computer, transfer pictures from the hodge podge of phones they were taken with (my "regular" camera hasn't had batteries for a year now), and actually get words down. I plan to go back and blog about lots of highlights from the past 6 months, but for now, I'll start here.

Eric's younger brother Stephen and his beautiful wife Emily and their son Daniel (who is a total charmer, by the way) came down for a long memorial weekend-o-fun! For those of you contemplating trips filled with sunshine, we sure know how to party!

In four and a half days we fit in swimming, a trip to the zoo and the splash pads, a drive down to Tucson to the Titan Missile Museum, a quick stop by the Gilbert Temple, paint balling, shopping, a surprise birthday party (for me!) and lots of good food. The best part was that I had essentially no part in making any of that food! Thank you husbands who like to cook in their spare time, a nice date night out at My Big Fat Greek Restaurant, and Joe's Farm Grill.

Here are a ton of pictures, most thanks to Emily :)

the moon was huge. and apparently worth a short hill hike for better viewing :)

the zoo splash pads are AWESOME.

water babies!

Aunt Emily was a HUGE hit with my kids. Alyssa in particular wanted NOTHING to do with me if she could have Emily!

Titan Missile Museum

Date night: hooray for awesome friends (thanks, Linds!) who volunteered to babysit all our munchkins

Sneaking some piano time with Rachel

She's getting pretty brave

Happy Birthday to me!

Scotty was a great helped with Daniel

Our new temple! Coming sometime Fall 2013 (hopefully)

I so wish my kids got to live near their cousins! Someday...someday.