Over the River & Through the Woods..

This past weekend Chris & I decided to go visit some of my family in Arizona. I was born there & most of my mom's side is still there. The motivation to go was my Grandma Irene (mom's mom). She is 92 & amazing! My grandpa passed away a few years ago & it had been a while since I had seen my grandma & I really missed her. Also, Chris had yet to meet that side of my family, so we thought it would be a great time to go..(my mom's side is HUGE! to give you an idea: my nephew Dylan who was just born was there 119th GREAT grand child..my mom is one of 9 kids, and most of them had 7 or MORE each..you get the picture).

So it wasn't exactly Over the River & through the Woods...it was more like....Over the State Line & Across the Desert....WHAT an adventure..Let's just say I wont be falling asleep on any more of our road trips..Here's the story in a nutshell:
Chris & Mari driving happily down the freeway, fa la la la la...
Mari is getting dozy..it's 11:30pm & she worked all day...
The Gas light beeps, Mari says "You need gas..get gas Chris"
Chris says "This is the PRIUS Mari, Ive got at least another 150miles to go, Ill hit a gas station before Im out"
Mari "Are you sure?"
Chris "Yes!"
Mari dozes off....
WAKES UP TO LIGHTS FLASHES & CAR BEEPING...
OUT. OF.GAS. IN.THE.MIDDLE.OF.THE.ARIZONA.DESERT.
ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?!!?!? It's 1am...and LUCKILY (if you'd call it luck) we only had to run a few miles to get gas, LUCKILY the gas station was open...and LUCKILY this is the longest stretch of desert without a gas station so this station was fully stocked with EXTREMEMLY overpriced gas cans..awesome.
Did I mention it was FREEZING, pitch black, we were running on a 6ft space next to 75mph semi trucks..WOW. Awful.Awful.Awful!

However, we arrived. We were safe. We laughed about it the next day (although Chris probably will never hear the end of it). Arizona was awesome, too short, but worth the chaotic drive. My extended family is awesome. I wasn't able to see everyone, but I was able to see my cousin Jill, Amy, Nicole, Noelle, Naomi, Brian, Bradley, Collin, & Coltin. They are all so tall! Coltin is 16 6'03" (his bro on a mission is 6'05"). Anyway, my parents were there also--man I miss them. They are so much fun. I really love how Chris & my dad have bonded, they golf & fish & talk sports...two of the most important people in my life are friends! Couldn't be better. Aubrie came with my parents, which was such a TREAT! she is such a cute little girl, i miss her. Here are some pics from the trip!
Let me add, my dad takes some freaking awesome pictures. He cracks me up. I would not change one thing about him.

Chris, Grandma Irene, and Me.
My grandma is amazing. She has such a legacy & I am so proud to be apart of it. She has books & books full of letters, stories, photos & cards from her entire life. She kept everything. What TREASURES! I am so grateful she kept everything so that the rest of us can enjoy & learn from her life. I can only hope to be the woman she is & live the life she has lived. She is still healthy & happy. She entertained us with stories & cute giggles. I know she misses my grandpa very much, as we all do, but I am happy to have her around for as long as we can. Love you Grandma.

Aubs & I being goofs.

Dad & Mark

Nicole & I
(can you believe she had a baby 5wks ago?! She looks awesome!)

Mark, Dad, Chris

Me, Aubs, Chris

shoes speak world about people..

Chris sitting like me..

Chris sitting like Mom..

I love this little girl, Im a proud Aunt.

My sweet, sweet mama

Three generations

My mom & her baby brother Mark

This is what Aubrie did the entire time..she found a spot to perk, and played her DS..if she wasn't doing this, she was singing OUT LOUD with her headphones (see video below)