ARIZONA

OUR FIRST STOP WAS TUCSON where we spent four fabulous days with Michele and the girls. We went to the zoo, and a fair where Daniel and Laney got to get up close in a police car, police motorcycle, and a fire engine. The kids rode the little train around the park with Zeinab. We did a lot of hanging out and catching up. The kids also chased geckos and lizards around the yard and, yes of course played in the dirt. The Arizona variety of lizards were just too fast for Daniel and Laney. They never did catch one- I was thankful for that! Michele and girls took the kiddos to Chuck E Cheese, something we don't have here in TC. It was a huge hit! Jesse and I took in the sights at Sabino Canyon. That used to be one of our favorite walking spots when we lived in Tucson. You could find us there on many a night. We didn't walk it though. We took the trolley instead and really enjoyed taking in the views. We ate homemade tamales and grape leaves and Celebrated Zeinab's birthday a little early with some yummy ice cream cake. We had a great time and it was really sad to leave.

NEXT STOP COTTONWOOD. Here we had lots of fun Visiting the Johnson clan. We took the sights in at Sedona. We took a train ride through the Verde valley, taking in sights of the red rocks and old Indian ruins. It was really cool. We had dinner at the Blazin' M Ranch and took in the dinner show. The kids played in Grandma J's garden and Daniel ate more than his share of sweet peas straight from the garden. We saw a huge ugly snake slithering through the garden and again another at Lu's. Ewwww! We had great food and great times at Lu's. Geraldine made her famous chiles rellenos and Lee did some mad grilling. We met the newest little Perez, Oakley. What a cutie pie! The kids ran circles in the yard and never lacked for new things to investigate. We took a beautiful ride up Oak Creek Canyon with Mom and Dad J, where I saw the most beautiful turquoise and coral necklace, which I am usually not into. It was gorgeous and Jesse got it for me as an early Mothers Day gift. It was great seeing everyone and catching up on things old and new. It was especially great on all these family trips along the way to introduce Laney to her new extended family.