We love AZ winters!

Having lived in Nebraska for the last three winters we have found a lot of reasons to love Arizona winters. And since I am so far behind on blogging I thought I would sum up our entire winter with a few pics and few of the reasons we love being home!

#1

In January we took the boys on a hike to Usery Pass. It was a short 2 mile hike but the boys loved it. The weather was perfect and Ryan loved playing with our new camera. We have loved being near mountains again and loved it even more when we saw Nebraska's weather report. Sorry Nebraska friends but this is one of the reasons we LOVE Arizona winters!

We made it!

Asher was loving his "hike". Thanks Dad.

#2

In February we went to Saguaro lake on a picnic. We watched birds went on a hike and climbed trees. Our new home is only about 15 minutes from the lake. The second reason we love AZ winters..... we love having picnics in February.

#3

Ryan's Grandparents are some of our favorite people. They are huge card game players and have been known to stay up past midnight if the game is right. They have taught us a lot of our favorite card games like Gitchimigoo and Mormon bridge. They live in Eastland Utah but come to Mesa in the winters. This is our favorite thing about AZ winters!

Rex and Jett think it is so much fun when Grandma and Grandpa come over for games. We were so glad to get to be in Arizona so they could get a chance to get to know them better. They fight over who gets to be on their "team".

Jett loves the dice game 10 thousand. He beat us all. Rex is on Grandma's "team"
Rex practicing being a good looser. You've almost got it buddy!


#4

We have gotten a lot of "park time" in this winter. In fact at least 2 days a week after school the boys and I head to the park to play with some of our favorite friends. Being at the park and our new friends are another reason to love AZ!

Jett making his Daddy proud.Rex and Jett's friend Dallin. Rex and Dallin can dig in the sand for hours.
#5 reason that we love AZ is we love that we are closer to family.
Ryan, Rex and Jett got to go to the drag races with their cousin Luke and his dad.

Even though we have loved our winter this year we all still miss our great Nebraska friends! We won't ever forget all of you and all of our great Nebraska winters. We love you all.

Jett is 6

It was 6 years ago this week that our sweet Jett was born. He was born in Togliatti Russia which is a small town in Samara. He lived there in an orphanage for 7 months while he waited for his forever family to come. Jett is such a joy in our home. He is the best little boy a mom could ask for. He is so willing to share with his brothers and always has a smile on his face. It is hard to believe that he is already 6 years old. It seems like just barely that Ryan and I got to go and meet him for the first time. I am sure Ryan and I will never forget that first meeting. Not because it went so well but because as soon as Jett saw us he started to bawl and it wasn't until almost an hour (and many cookies) later that he finally calmed down. Boy were we worried! The next month when we went back to get him he was a completely different baby. He was so happy and content. He has been that way ever since (well except for when he was three but that doesn't count). Mom & Dad in Togliatti July 2004 Jett age 1 Jett age 2 Jett age 3 Jett age 4 Jett age 5We love you Jett boy! We are grateful that you are a part of our family. We are thankful to our Heavenly Father for blessing our family with such a good boy. Happy Birthday!