Family Visit to AZ - Take 1!

I don’t know what it is with us and having family visit just as we’re about to MOVE! (We bought a house just down the road, and the details shall follow soon!)
The weekend before we moved, my family and Gurpie came to visit for a few days. It was in the beginning of September, which means they got to experience Arizona’s grand 100+ degree weather! My mom did not leave our house. Once she had gotten into our air-conditioned home, she was more than happy to stay there…with the excuse of watching Linky for us ;) She was willing to brave the heat just once – the day they all decided it was time to buy gifts for their WA peeps.
My dad was more than happy to see the sights…in the first 24 hours; and AJ and Gurp were more than happy to sleep :)

Towards the end of their visit, there wasn’t much else to do because summer in AZ is like winter everywhere else – we all stay indoors, avoid the adverse weather conditions, and run from our cars to the inside of the store when we have to go somewhere! Also, Tim and I were busy closing on the house and getting it ready for our moving day.
Still, it was a fantastic time with my family. The nine of us cozied up in a 1400 sf rental, enjoyed Mom and Dad’s wonderful cooking, survived the shrieks and whines of the children, and even battled a certain critter than rhymes with “sockpoach.” Fun times ;)

Who says a Filipino feast can't begin at 9 p.m.??

Of course, there was swimming ;) What a good tito!

The Brown Duo doing their thang!

"My Indian Name is 'Runs With Beer'"

Dad being Dad :-P

Grandma and Linc :)

One would know how much they’d been missed, and how much they would be missed, by Aislin’s reaction at the airport. She knows what airports are about…so when we pulled up to the loading zone and got out of the car to say our goodbyes, Aislin wrapped her arms around my leg and would hardly budge towards her grandpa. She knew that if she gave him a hug, she would burst into tears. Then, as we drove back home, we both sobbed as quietly as we could.
Of course this won’t be their last visit to AZ, and we’re planning on making a trip up to WA next Christmas…so hopefully we won’t go more than a year without seeing each other. It’s my first time living in a different state, and with kiddos who love their grandparents and uncle so much…but it’s a life experience, and I’m grateful for it.

Let the countdown to visit #2 begin!