AZ trip

Hello from the hot and sweaty land of North Carolina. We just got back from a three week vacation - one week in Arizona, two in New York. We had a great time and Benjamin sorely misses the constant entertainment and lovins :).

Here are some pictures from Arizona. We stayed with the Lemmies (Miriam and I are besties from college) and she graciously acted as our tour guide.

skyping with Doug

Doug was afraid Ben would forget him! He didn't forget, of course, and Ben would often only leave me for Doug.

cousins and second cousins

We visited lots of family. Ben met his second cousins and his great grandparents. He was such a trooper with all the traveling every day. Which reminds me - the transition to Arizona (ie: 3hr time difference) wasn't nearly as bad as I predicted. He actually slept better in AZ than he had the few weeks before in NC haha. Maybe it had something to do with playing with his little roommate all day long (see below). Ben's crawling speed legitimately increased several mph!

Great Grandma Standage

Josh and Miriam spoiled me with delicious chicken tikka masala, steak, burgers, pasta, pie, chocolate covered almonds... need I go on?

Josh's signature steak. yummm

Strawberry and rhubarb pie

Benjamin at his Uncle Jonathan's grave

Great Grandma Driggs

Sporting a brand new quilt from great Grandma!

at the pool in Miriam's complex. heavenly.

Phoenix Zoo

Benjamin's "little roommate"

Benjamin after the splash pad was done with him :)

We made some awesome memories and I'm sad it went by so quickly. We look forward to next time :).

Surprise visit from Grandma and Grandpa! (and Aunt & Uncle, of course)

I can remember three (maybe four) times my family drove to go on vacation. So imagine my surprise when my family decided to drive to visit us in North Carolina! I was thrilled to have them come and they did not disappoint - we had a blast.

This is essentially the only picture I took while they were here, but it sums up their visit nicely - playing with Benjamin. He absolutely adored his Uncle Daniel, frequently preferred Sarah over me, cackled with his Grandpa, and snuggled with Grandma. I absolutely love visiting and being visited by family. Plus things are "accidentally" left at my house: chocolate covered blueberries, milano cookies, a $20 bill, apples, yogurt, Twix, a pair of darn tough socks (??). Does everyone's mom do that? :)

Our weekend (and bellies) was filled with food from Durham's best eateries: Q shack, Tonali, Sitar, Ox and Rabbit, and homemade pizza. We toured Duke Gardens, went swimming, and watched General Conference.  My favorite talk was Elder Jeffrey R. Holland's talk from Sunday afternoon. I can't wait to read it again. I don't know how anyone gets through 8 hours of conference without busying their hands or "resting" their eyes.  This year I worked on burial gowns for UNC hospital. The pattern I used was quite simple and it went faster than I anticipated.

I think it looks precious though my heart aches for the parents who need it.

On a happier note, my sister got engaged! Wahoo!

Congratulations you little lovebirds.