Family In the Valley

Christian and I were recently reflecting how lucky we are to be going to school in AZ. We got in some other places (Chicago, Philadelphia) which would have been cool cultural experiences but we are SO happy to be in Arizona. Only a day's drive to Utah and half that amount to go to Southern CA where next year it looks like we'll have both my twin uncles and their families living as well as Christian's sister Sarah and her husband Christian! And right here in the valley is my uncle Brian and his wife Stephanie and their four adorable kids. We're blessed with their hospitality and chances to share dinners and birthday parties with them. I feel so at home eating and playing games at their house and Claire has a blast playing with the kids. Last weekend we went to share my cousin Audrey's baptism with her. It was a very sweet experience, where I felt the spirit witness to me the special significance of baptism. My grandparents were also in town which was fun.

  

The birthday girl with her family after the baptism

 The Gilbert Temple is looking beautiful! I can't wait to experience the finished interior hopefully within a year's time. This temple is about an hour away but the Phoenix Temple which is also in progress will be less than ten minutes away from us!

We're lovin the Valley of the Sun (well at least until we start melting mid-summer :)

April

A lot of fun stuff has happened this month:

First up, Easter:

Her egg hunt at playgroup was followed by the massive hunt at Midwestern (below):

Claire got out-toddled by two and three year olds in this sea of eggs. They were swept away as we walked through the field. Thankfully some nice little boys shared some with her. She didn't care one way or another :)

With her Easter loot

Now off to Utah!

Dan grew like a foot since Dave left. Love my bros.

Brother Dave is back from Mexico! Sadly I missed the reunion shown above. I was going to fly back on the same flight from PHX to SLC and surprise him on the plane but he missed his first flight out of Mexico and ended up flying directly to SLC to arrive two hours before me. Bummer. But all that melted away when I saw him and gave him a hug. I love him so much. It was so special to get to talk and bond after two long years (and of course update him on all the cool viral videos he missed. I think this one was his favorite).

  First time sportin pig tails

 Matt prepared her for future siblings by teasing like a big brother

 She loved the kitty Missy and would chase her around the house shrieking, "Hiiiii Keeee!". Thankfully Missy was patient with her pats, hugs, and pokes.

Watchin cartoons with Uncle Matt

We went to St. George after picking up Dave to enjoy slightly warmer weather (still a bit chilly and we got stuck  in a snow storm on our way back to Utah County). We also went down to see Sam who had to get back to SUU for school.

Claire was able to reunite with her dearly betrothed, Andrew Sybrowsky (see their first date here). They are way too cute together.

Hang gliding

Two weekends ago Christian redeemed his favorite Christmas gift from me - a hang gliding flight! Finally timing and weather were right on so we drove over an hour to Maricopa, AZ and Christian took flight (with an instructor of course). He thinks it would be even more fun to fly jumping off a cliff or ridge and somewhere with prettier scenery, but his 2,000 ft. altitude flight fulfilled his curiosity (I think..). The instructor even threw in some drops and spins but couldn't scare Christian. I'm the worrier and so honestly I'd be happy if he doesn't make this a hobby, but he doesn't think he will - he was just happy to have the experience. Actually being there and seeing the professional experience of the instructor it made me less worried and made it look pretty fun! Glad he could enjoy it and glad he made it down safely. 

The ultra light tow plane pulled them up and then released at 2,000 ft. They glided back down. The total flight was about 10-15 minutes. 

Tiny dots up in the air

Back down on the ground.

Success!