Good ol' Arizona

Jayze and I got to go to Arizona at the end of February. We were there for almost a week (including the days we traveled). Jayze's mom had always wanted to run a marathon and finally decided to sign up for the Phoenix one. To help Pam out, a lot of Jayze's other family members decided to join in, too.

Since it was kind of a big deal and so many family members were involved, Jayze and I decided to go and cheer them on. Jayze thought about running, but I told him it would be nice to be one of the supporters. So, we held up posters, yelled, and chatted with other waiting family members. It was a lot of fun.

Another reason we went is because Molly, Jayze's sister, was coming home from her mission just a few days after the marathon. Another kind-of-a-big-deal for the Flake family.

We started out our trip driving the 13.5 hours to Snowflake. I was super stressed about it because Aidan and Kimball had been sick the previous two weeks, but it ended up being a really good drive. I found some road trip toddler activities on Pinterest and loaded up on snacks. So with those and a couple of naps, we only watched two movies (and that was when Jayze was watching the kids, haha).

He kept putting the blanket over his head. 

When we got to Jayze's parents house, I set Kimball on the floor and he decided to show off and crawl on his knees for the first time ever. He usually does the whole army crawling thing, but that night he was on his knees. I was shocked. He looked so proud of himself. I'm glad I caught it on video (but not pictures, whoops).

The next day we chilled, went to the store - well, Jayze and Aidan did, Aidan played the piano and ate fruit snacks, and Kimball crawled around trying to eat everything he found off the floor.

Check out that posture! Babies and little kids have the best posture.

When afternoon rolled around, we packed up our stuff and drove to the cemetery. We wanted to visit Alma before we left for Mesa. It was Kimball's second time visiting him. All Aidan wanted to do was run, run, RUN, and all Kimball wanted to do was eat the decorations. It was hard to reign Aidan in, but we finally got him to hold still long enough to snap a few pictures.

Kimball is wearing the exact same onesie as Aidan in this post.

It was wonderful being there together as a family.

Once everyone got to Mesa, the runners went to register for their races. I stayed behind with a few others that night to help watch the kids and play Just Dance (for the first time!).

The next day was...Marathon Day! Jayze and I ended up walking there with Jayze's Aunt Lisa. The finish line was just a few blocks away from her house. While we waited for the runners, we walked around, chatted, and cheered.

He pulled the hat down himself - I think he was tired of the sun being in and out of his eyes.

And since the finish line was right by a dirt parking lot, Aidan pretty much played in the dirt all day. *Mom success* He also got sunburned because I forgot to put sunscreen on him. *Mom fail* A lot of people definitely got baked that day.

Jewel ran the whole way with her mom, and it was exciting to see them finally cross the finish line together. It was Pam's first and last marathon, and they were both glad it was finally done. Once they finished, we all headed back to Aunt Lisa's house for some take-out pizza. I think it was definitely well-earned. :)

In the home stretch.

Marathon (bottom left picture, left to right): Levi, Pam, Jewel, Abe
Half Marathon (bottom right picture, left to right): Shon, McKay, NaElle, and Steve (Jewel's husband)

Are we done yet, Mom? :)

Sunday was church. I was glad Lisa's ward started at 9:00 a.m. because that meant we could put our kids down for a nap right after. I was a little worried that Aidan wouldn't go to nursery as easily since he didn't know any of the kids (all of his cousins are either not old enough for nursery yet or are in primary), but he went straight in and didn't look back. That kid loves nursery, which I'm very grateful for.

Jayze and I packed up that night and headed over to his Aunt Jackie's with Pam to help ease the burden off of Lisa. The next day Aidan discovered there was a dog door at her house, too (Lisa's house had one, too).We stayed up late talking to Jayze's cousin, David, and then called it a night.

The next morning during Kimball's nap, Jayze and I turned on the Wii Mario Kart. Jayze did better than me, but let's be honest - we both stunk at it. But it was still so.much.fun. I hadn't played it since my babysitting days. We ended up playing it that night, too, haha.

Nana Dee and Aidan and Kimball

Aidan discovered there was a dog door at Jackie's house, too, and squeezed through it to explore outside. He did the same thing at Lisa's house, too, only sometimes going through the regular door.

That afternoon we celebrated Crue's (NaElle and Cody's little boy) birthday! He turned five years old. Which is crazy to me because Jayze and I were dating when he was born. Whaaaaa?

For his birthday we all went to a super fun park - obviously I forgot its name.

But seriously, it was super fun. It had something for all ages, even a huge rope climbing thing that older kids and adults could climb. And Jayze and I did! We climbed all the way to the top, and I surprised myself and wasn't scared one bit. If rock climbing weren't so expensive, I'd put it in my weekly schedule.

A perspective of how high it was.

Jayze and I are the ones at the very top.

Aidan had fun hanging on the lower ropes and grinning up at us when Jayze and I were at the top of the rope climbing thing. And Kimball had fun being passed from relative to relative and trying to eat rocks when he was set down. When it was time to go, we all walked together in the sprinkling rain back to our cars.

We continued the celebration at Aunt Jackie's house where we ate dinner and then cake and ice cream for dessert.

The next day...Molly came home!

We woke up to rain, so we all just hung around the house all day until it was time to go to the airport. Those staying at Lisa's house came over to hang out at Jackie's house. NaElle did some of our hair...including mine. I chopped off at least three inches, and it's the first time I haven't had even the slightest inkling of regret. I'd been thinking of doing it for a few months and finally took the plunge. I love it. Thanks, NaElle!

We entertained kids, made welcome home posters, and snacked. When 5:00 rolled around, Jayze and I packed up all of our stuff because we were driving to Snowflake straight from the airport.

There was such an exciting tension at the airport. Family was everywhere. Aidan played with his cousins while Jayze held a happy, smiling Kimball. The posters were out. We all kept watching the clock and then, with cameras in hand, we started watching the people from the planes walk down the ramp.

Then...there she was! Of course, the first person she hugged was her mom, then everyone else got a turn. It was so good to see her in person. Eighteen months is a long time. Molly is now a returned missionary.

Always fascinated with Daddy's shirt buttons

We got to hug Molly and take a few pictures, and then we loaded the kids back in the stroller and headed back to our van. We drove to Snowflake that night and then back to Wichita the next day.

I have to say, it was so good being in Mesa. I love Mesa. The palm trees and saguaro cactus. And don't even get me started on the smell. There's just something about it that will always make me love visiting it. It was good being in Snowflake for the short amount of time, too - especially visiting Alma.

But what was nice and reassuring to me is the thought that came as we drove into Wichita...This feels like home. It felt familiar driving into Wichita. The thought surprised me because we've only been here a few months. It was a tender mercy from Heavenly Father reminding me that our family is where we need to be right now. If plans change in the future, that's fine, but it's good to know we're in the right place for now.

But, I'll have you know, I always love a good visit to good ol' Arizona.

Also, I think Aidan missed the point of this activity. (insert crying/laughing emoji here). But to be fair, he did get it the first time haha.