Fun at Home

After all the fun at the resort it was time to head back to the "Dahl resort".   We had to spend some good quality couzie time.   First on the list was a little game of Bean Bamboozled.

 And, riding in the car.

Books to read and projects to color.

Running in the morning with Auntie Megan

And last but not least.    POOL TIME!!

Superbowl bet

Auntie Megan made a bet with Gabe.   She bet against the Broncos and lost.   In order to repay the bet we had to wait until she could come all the way to Arizona. 

Auntie Megan had to come all the way to Arizona and take Gabe Paint Balling.   Paint Balling in the hot, dusty, desert.

When you are the best Aunt in the world you will dress up in camo and run around in the sand with your nephew and about 20 other teenage boys...trying to avoid getting shot.  This is certainly a true proof of her love.

The Resort

When Auntie Megan came to visit we decided to vacay Arizona style.   Tapatio Cliffs Resort in Phoenix.    A beautiful place in the desert with lots of room to explore, swim, and enjoy each other.

Our favorite spot was poolside.   Poolside with a few drinks and 6 crazy kids!!   They had a water slide that the bigger kids loved and, Eli was determined to go down.    It took him an hour to be convinced but he FINALLY went down it and he loved it also.   Gabriel was very patient with him as he stood on the top with him the whole time.

Addy was our little fish.   She loved being able to swim all day. 

G-ma and Pop preferred sunbathing to swimming.

Springtime in Phoenix brings amazing colors.

We also found some hiking trails and went on a walk about in the desert.

The resort had several hidden pools throughout the property.   We found the cutest little pool tucked up behind our motel room.

Yes, this is the pool that Eli and Gabe decided to jump into with their clothes and shoes on.   Oh well, it was just water.

 This is the way to enjoy Spring Break 2016!

Pretty Rock Valley

There is a place here in the desert that is Grammy's favorite place.    A place called Pretty Rock Valley (named by Eli).    A beautiful, special place where we can be together as a family surrounded by mountains, cactus, and each other.

If you look at the right hand corner in this picture you will see a white van.    Our camp is just right of this van but unseen from atop this hill.   God's beauty is so evident here.

Priorities first.   We set up our camp and had a quick snack before we started exploring the desert.   

I snuck out into the cactus while everyone was having a snack to capture a few shots.   I like this one because you can see my shadow.

Then, Grammy, Eli, Grace and I headed out to the desert while the rest of the crew set up the target for shooting their bow. We headed toward Squaw Peak.   Up, Up, Up, Up.   The top was breathtaking and WE MADE IT!

Behind us we could see Squaw Peak and that view didn't disappoint me either.

Time to head back down to camp.  

After the sun went down we started a fire with hot dogs, smores, and lots of stories.   We tried to remember moments from when the kids were babies.  They loved remembering things about each other.   It was a very special evening!!