I decided I needed to take a trip to Phoenix (didn't get to go home at all for the Holidays). Since I hadn't seen my Phx family since last February, I also hadn't met either of the babies that had been born since then - namely, Cooper and Michelle. Also, I've been feeling like I need glasses for the last year or so, and I decided if I have to get glasses, I wanna get them from my brother, Mark. So, I made an appointment with Dr. Wellman for while I was down there. These are all the reasons I decided to go, and Scotty was so generous in giving me permission. Then when I was looking at the calendar to pick a weekend I realized I'd be going right around Colby's birthday, and since he loves AZ so much, and always complains about missing his cousins, I booked him a plane ticket too! So this is Colby's 15th Birthday Phoenix Trip post...
First thing we did (after arriving and renting a big ol' truck) was pick up Panda Express and go to the Eastmans. Kimber and the kids spoiled Colby with balloons and candy and cake and ice cream. And Kimber went with me to meet Laura and Phillip at Cafe Rio for dinner - so great! The next morning was the best. We did the most beautiful hike in the desert with Kimber's friend Laurie, who was so kind. I'll always be grateful that God blessed Kimber and me with a friendship that's more like a sisterhood - so familiar and always effortless. Totally love her.
After saying goodbye to the Eastmans, Colby and I went to visit Melanie at her new house in Surprise. Dany met us there and brought her baby so we were able to meet Cooper for the first time - he was so smiley and sweet and happy to be held. And it was so good to see Melanie - she seems so happy and told us all about her new boyfriend Shane. Sounds like they're going to get married.
Then off we went to the first eye appointment of my entire life (at age 42). Mark is, as I suspected, the most adorable eye doctor. That evening we all hung out at the Nallys, including Jeff and Julie, the Paul Wellmans, the Mark Wellmans, and Michael and Shana who came down from Page. Colby quickly became the center of all the babies and toddlers attention - he has a gift! Little Michelle is just so chunky and precious.
Saturday morning we all went to the park to play (soccer, kickball and volleyball), then lunch at Fuddruckers. 70 degree days outside with my siblings are just...GOLDEN.
That afternoon Colby and I headed up to Camp Verde. We picked up Grandma Gordon and went to see Montezuma's Castle, which I never get tired of seeing. That evening we had a Gordon gathering and ate Crusty's Pizza. Dave and Nicole and kids were there, and Michael and most of his kids. Nicole, Marg and Luna and I played Nertz all night - which got a little heated but was so fun! Mitchell stayed to spend the night with Colby and go to church with us in Camp Verde the next morning (where we got to see Michael acting as Bishop, and Carter get set apart as a priest). I enjoyed sitting by Janae in Sunday School. We were studying Lehi's dream and Nephi's interpretation and our discussion really increased my understanding of the meaning of the Tree of Life. I always knew that it was the Love of God, but I had never thought of Jesus Christ being the embodiment (and the manifestation) of His love. Jesus is the Tree of Life because Jesus IS the Love of God. God gave him to us because he LOVES us. He really is the center of the Plan. Simple I know, but it really sank in that day.
After church we headed back down to Phoenix and straight to Mark's for a jam session. Colby loves banging on Uncle Mark's drums, and I always love to see Mark in his element - singing and playing.
Best part of the weekend for Colby: bonding with Hayden, Cody, Mitchell and all the babies!
Best part of the weekend for me: sitting around Sunday evening after dinner with all the grown-ups (while the kids played), talking and telling family stories and remembering things. So much love.
After that last dinner at the Nallys, we spent the night at Jeff's and left early Monday morning for the airport. It felt miraculous - squeezing that many visits into one weekend, but the real miracle is our good fortune (rich blessings) - so many people to love, and so many to love us.
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