Fun in the Sun (no doubt about it)

We were able to take a vacation down to Arizona the week of 5/11. After work that Monday I rushed home to help finalize our packing. We loaded the Corolla and hit the road! We found that splitting up the trip makes the drive seem a lot shorter so our goal for the night was to reach Kanab, UT. We made it around 9:30p, ate dinner and then proceeded to find a camping spot...When I say camping spot, I really mean in a two man tent in a wash off the side of the road. It seemed safe enough since the skies were clear, and we survived. Plus it was FREE! and much more comfortable then the car (our usual method). We woke up early the next morning so we could make a stop at Slide Rock National Park near (or in?) Sedona. We were the first ones through the gates and some of the ONLY ones in the water LOL It was a mild 41 degrees. Brrrrr.





When we finally reached AZ we really just enjoyed the ~105 degree weather with blue skies, and visiting with family and friends (Thanks mom and dad Nelson for putting up with us!) We couldn't believe a year passed since we last were there and had seen some of them. We made a list of our favorite places/things to eat and tried to get to them all:
1) Grimaldi's (Best pizza EVER - thanks for taking us Mom and Dad!)
2) QT's Horchata Slurpee

Mmmmmmmmmm :P

3) Serrano's Bean Dip and Salsa
*And a couple places we didn't get to that we'll have to hit up next time*
4) Higley Hot Dog
5) Nielsen's Frozen Custard - the one in UT just isn't the same :(

We also got to visit our favorite mall (very exciting I know...) Actually we were just needing to waste some time and it was pretty hot for outdoor activities :)

We were especially fond of these glasses. What do you think??


We got to visit Matt and McKenna and their little girl Eila, Strider and Jana and their little boy Grayson and we were SO excited to be able to congradulate Skyler's little sis' Aubrie and her husband Jake on their soon-to-be little one (Can't wait until Nov/Dec).
Here's cute Aubs with Skyler. I should have got a pic of her tummy - she's already showing!!

I got to visit with my buddy Lauren who is ROCKING at being a teacher (hope geocaching went well LOL), and with my aunt Barb, cousin Cameron, Tawni and her little boys. We also got to meet my aunt Cyndi's boys Josh, Adam, and Austin (Jeremy cound't make it) for some ice cream. It had been several years since we'd seen some of them and Josh was leaving for his mission that coming Sunday so we were lucky. They have grown so much!

Gotta throw in the "Goofy Face" pic


We got to kayak the Salt River thanks to Skyler's buddy Jake and his dad who is always so nice to let us borrow the kayaks.

We were able to attend Jacobs graduation from ASU - Congradulations!! - and we were invited to Strider's and Cherish's ASU graduation party that same night. Good job guys. Sister Pittam makes the BEST food (just ask Skyler) and we still need to call her for a couple of recipies from the BBQ ;)

Here's Skyler and I at the BBQ. I really should just ask people to takes pics of us, but I'm getting so good at this self portrait, one arm thing.

Kai, Clarissa, and Brinley hung out with us all after the graduation. I don't think little Brinley likes getting her hair done...



We even lucked out that Jace (Skyler's bro) and Melinda and the kids (including the newest member little Hinckley) came in town that Friday and were there for Saturday and Sunday. It was fun to be able to spend time with them and hear about their fun lives and activities. They should actually be coming to UT soon so we'll even get to see them again in not-too-long.
What a great uncle my sweetie is :D

Here we are at the park with Trae, Kali, and Kamea. So much fun!

We missed out on seeing Destry, Heather, Brody and Brooklyn who wont be getting to AZ until June, but we hope they have as much fun as we did!

All in all it was a wonderful trip. Mom and Dad Nelson took great care of us and were so willing (as always) to open their doors - home, car, cupboard, fridge :) - to us. And although we were glad to be home again, we look forward to another trip out to see our quickly and forever changing family.