Flagstaff!

We snuck away this weekend for two nights in Flagstaff. It was so great to get to BREATHE and get a break from the heat. We seriously debated about coming back. I mean, just how important is the first day of Kindergarten anyway? I kid. I kid.

We rolled into town a little earlier than as we had Jared's orientation Friday afternoon at PVCP. We immediately headed to the back deck after unloading where the boys spotted the new horseshoe pits my dad had just built. They begged Tim to show them how to play in "Poppi's Sandbox"! Jared even beat Tim twice before we took off for a walk.

Normally, we get to Flagstaff after dark so it was such a TREAT to be able to take a family walk on the golf course near my parent's house. I LOVE mountain golf courses!!

We woke early on Saturday and had coffee and breakfast outside. My favorite quote of the morning was when Jared asked Tim, "Hey, Dad, remember that time I beat you in Horseshoes and I got all the way to 15 and you only just kept getting 1?" Ha ha! Tim immediately demanded a rematch - and moved Jared's staring spot back a few feet.

Will showed off his stick, with which he promised to protect his baby. :-)

By the middle of August in Phoenix, you are bursting to spend time outside and actually getting tired of swimming. What a treat to enjoy three meals a day outside!

We were excited to load up the car to drive to Snowbowl to hike our family's favorite trail, the Kachina Trail. With all the rain they've had the trail was BEAUTIFUL and lush... green grass, tall ferns, aspens, wildflowers, so delightful!

Caleb loved being outside. Can you tell?

In some places, the ferns were as tall as the boys!

Ahhh... Jared. Such an enthusiastic hiker. He

can go for MILES and loves to lead the pack.

Will, too, had a great hike. Probably his best ever. He happily trudged along the trail and even ran part of the way. The boys and Daisy were all tired by the time we made it back to the car, but what a GIFT this morning was. I know I took tons of pictures, and truthfully, they don't do it justice. So beautiful.

Saturday night we took the family to the church I attended in college. We came home to the Altavilla's AND the Ericksons who had both come up to spend some time with us. The boys played outside while we made dinner and enjoyed the company. It was fun to put the kids to bed and be able to stay up late sharing drinks and stories and grown-up time! Granted, it made for a rough Sunday, but we had a fabulous time with our friends!

Jared, Will, & Luke doing what boys do in the dirt ...

More fun with horseshoes ...

Ahhh... looking at these pictures makes me so happy! What a great time and fun memories with our family and friends.

I can't believe the summer is OVER and this was the first time we made it to Flagstaff. We'll have to work on making up for lost time. Especially, considering that we still have another two months of HEAT! :-)