Arizona Wedding & Easter with Cousins

We took off to Arizona on Thursday to go to Michael's cousin's wedding, and it was so fun to see a lot of family that we haven't seen in years. There was a lot of family there that I think we haven't seen since our wedding. I wish we took more pictures with people! We really loved being there and catching up with them.

We landed late Thursday and the boys were great on the plane. Two hours to Arizona feels pretty doable after a long Hawaii flight! We went for a walk to feed baby ducks on Friday morning, then the Walkers were super kind to take us boating that day even though we had a short window. The boys totally loved tubing and Michael did a great job getting up on a surfboard! I have some work to do... can you learn surfing from watching YouTube videos? I'll try it haha. Then I'll be ready for next time :)

That night we ate dinner at Michael's aunt's house and it was really nice to see so much family. I particularly just loved meeting Michael's Uncle Barney, who we've been in touch with but I had never met yet. The next day the boys had fun with their cousins while we went to a sweet ring ceremony, then we had some pool time at the Walkers. Asher went down for a nap and we went to the temple sealing ceremony, then we came home to put a bunch of bow ties on a bunch of boys and make it to the wedding reception. Rachel and Spencer got into town just before the reception, so it was so happy to meet Rachel's baby girl.

The cousins had a fun Easter morning together, with hidden baskets and waffles and a trip to the Mesa Temple Visitors' Center, then an Easter Egg hunt. Pam was so sweet to make it fun for sooo many little kids! We have now seen everyone in Michael's family except Shelley's family in the last few weeks, which has us really excited for our reunion this summer. The kids just have so much fun when they're together. Cousins are magic.

He looks so much older during and after haircuts.
This is his first time agreeing to the little cape and standing instead of being in Michael's arms.
Melting me.

During one workout this week he repeatedly would take my hand and say "Lie down, mommy."
Then he'd just lie down on me and give me a hug and it was not a very productive workout
and it was also the best workout ever.

Lighten Print Holy Week printable made me really happy this year.
We have plans to really spend more time on it in future years but it felt good to just get it out there.

Breakfast of little boy champions.
They love eggs from my mini waffle maker.
I can't bring myself to make more than a dozen like this and they would eat them forever if I could do it.

Got rid of probably 40% of my closet. So freeing.
I have had dozens of bodies in the past dozen years and it gets complicated!

Seder dinner for YM/YWs. These are dear to me.

Camden's voice down the stairs:
"Mom! Presenting.... Dr. Asher!"

Found him with this mask on his head blowing on a whistle while all his brothers were gone.
Sometimes it just strikes me funny how this littlest brother doesn't quite know what to do with himself when he's alone :)

Came around the corner at the airport and just felt grateful this cute crew was mine.

Made it to Aunt Pam's! Late. But we made it :)
They did not sleep like this but they wanted to haha.

Feeding ducks with cousins

The Walkers were so nice to take us on a fast and furious boating trip before dinner at Michael's aunt's house that night. I have no surfing skills! Someday.

Asher couldn't get enough of this.

Michael got up! Couldn't quite get over to the waves though.
We'll conquer this someday! But at least he's standing up haha.
I couldn't say as much for me!

The Walkers brought a cooler full of hot water for a little kid hot tub on the boat
and that was just genius.

Lots of meeting and catching up with extended family this weekend!
I looked over during dinner at Michael's aunt's house and saw Westin and Rachel eating cream puffs on the pool chairs haha, and I had instant memories of killing time with cousins while adults just talk and talk and talk.

Wedding day! Michael's cousin had a beautiful ring ceremony, temple sealing, and reception.
I've never been in the Gilbert Temple before, it was gorgeous.

Siblings! So sweet.

Michael hasn't rocked a bow tie in 30+ years and this was a first for all the boys but I loved it :) 

This kid. Glued to his dad.

Michael eats most all meals like this when we travel. 
I sometimes feel bad, but I took the nursing shifts and ate many a meal with a kid attached to me,
so, it's all good :)

Cutest dates across from me.
But they wouldn't come on the dance floor... stinkers.

Asher was a straight up hazard with this thing.
We managed as much as we could.

All the little cousins taking a vow to not tell other cousins where their Easter basket is if they find theirs first :)

Trade time.

Easter devotional.

Mesa Temple Visitors Center. So kid-friendly.

This picture totally cracks me up, because there a little soundproof booths throughout the visitors center as a place to study or pray. And this is my two-year-old busting into mine when I decided to sit in one for a minute. This is a very accurate representation of most all of the studying and praying and thinking I try to do :)

Eli and Bennett had a lot of fun together, cute guys

Easter Egg Hunt! The kids were sweet to leave the piano eggs for Asher :)