WONDERFUL SURPRISES

Yesterday morning, I woke to this lovely surprise

And today this is what it looks like...I enjoyed it while it lasted...so pretty.

I love how the Lord brings small pleasures and joys to us unexpectedly, it puts a big smile on my face and reminds me how loving and caring our Heavenly Father is.

The day before our snow day; Jenn, her mom and the kids all showed up for a visit on there way home from visiting Jenn's sister in Washington. It was so good to see them and visit for those few hours!

Jenn and her niece, Alice

Grandma and grand-daughter #2 (of 3)

Papa and his boys

Cousins

...and the classic Auntie pose

Marybeth with her cousins

First Stop - Travis Air Force Base

A family vacation re-wound:

My parents, Steven, Annie and I had been tentatively planning a trip to Arizona a few months after we got back from California. As the time drew nearer we started to get more serious about the trip, knowing it would be a lot of hours in the car and only a short amount of time to see family and attend my cousin's wedding. Our excitement grew when the day arrived for us to leave...because of Steven receiving unemployment we weren't able to leave until late in the afternoon on Wednesday (he wasn't allowed to be out of the state more than 3 full consecutive week days) giving us 2 1/2 days to drive to Scottsdale, AZ. While we were finishing up packing Cassie called my mom and me and wanted to get together for some coffee as a farewell (with the kids of course! :) ) As we sat and talked about the trip Cassie started thinking how great it would be if Brent could go along with us and meet some of the Hussey family (Daniel and our cousin Rachel were best buds growing up and now they both are married with two children...we thought it would be fun for Brent and Rachel's 5 year old daughter to meet) So one thing lead to another and all the sudden we were rushing out of Starbucks, my mom and I headed home to finish packing and Cassie off to pack Brent's stuff for us to take him. We were pretty excited however, the excitement had only just begun as we received a call from Cassie an 1/2 hour or so later saying that the entire Daniel Morris family had decided to make the trek with us. Whew! With 2 hours to go before our much needed departure we set out to get all the last minute things in place and done and cared for. The tension was growing to get out on time and though we hit some rough spots we made it 1/2 hour later than expected. Our plan was to drive all through the night. The kids did great (slept through a lot of it) and we finally arrived at Travis Air Force Base for a nights rest. Kevin was kind enough to get up out of his comfy bed around 2AM and meet us at the gate to let us in. After everyone, except Annie and I, settled into to the apartment that Kevin secured for us on base; Kevin, Annie and I headed back to his place and we all crashed!

"What you lookin at?"

Lincoln: come to greet us in the morning

Auntie and Maddie: bright and early

Aedan

Daddy and Daughter

Jenn with her 'mini me'

Madeleine takes after her mom in many ways, too cute.

Marybeth and Auntie

Miss Annie and Marybeth

What they do best

10 hours of driving the stang and a few restless hours of sleep = a very exhausted Steven.

Second Stop - Palm Springs

A few pictures of the Palm trees... I had to, we were in Palm Springs and they are just so cool!

Too cute for words

Family Photo at the wonderful Hotel we stayed at in Palm Springs

Thanks to Annie...aka: Miss Direct! :)

We love you Annie...and not just because you saved us many a times during our trip...you're awesome!

My wonderful sister-in-law, oh,

and me too!

So sweet

"Look into my eyes"

I love how sweet Brent and Ali are towards each other.

One of my favorite moments with them is when they get up from a nap or wake up in the morning...both of them immediately run towards each other with the biggest smile on their face yelling:

Alice: Goooood morning brudder (while embracing him mid sentence)

Brent: Hiiii Ali, good morning!

It kills me everytime!

Sunshine + adorable nieces = photo shoot

Third & Final Stop - Scottsdale, Arizona

On our way to Scottsdale, AZ we ran into my Aunt Melinda, cousin Laurie and her daughter, Danielle at a rest stop...unfortunately we didn't take any pictures, I think most of us were happy not to after driving all day long anyway. ;)

The picture above was an emergency pit stop for Brent, in the middle of no where.

While waiting for Brent, Annie and I decided to take the opportunity to soak up some very welcomed sun, little did we know Brent was quick with his business and, making full use of his time, decided to surprise us.

WE MADE IT!! All unloaded and ready to settle in and get some dinner..some of us more than others, poor Ali was exhausted.

Brent, enjoying his chicken fingers. The waitress fell head over heels for him as he wanted to help her do everything; even stack, organize and carry the dishes to the back to be washed, he takes after his mother in that area, such a willing helper. The waitress later told us that she even called her boyfriend to tell him how cute and sweet Brent was being. Too cute.

Celebrating 28 years of life together, I am now half the age of my mother...kinda weird to think about. I LOVE YOU MOM!

*~*Pictures of the wedding to come*~*

Scottsdale, Arizona: The next day

A walk to Starbucks:

After 3 days in the car we weren't about to climb back in and drive a mile down the road to Starbucks. So, with the sun shinning on our backs some of us decided to saunter on over to the nearest Starbucks for a cool drink...it turned out to be a good 3/4 mile walk.

Pictures can be so deceiving. At first glance your reaction would more than likely be,

"Ah, they are so sweet."

However, if I remember correctly there was a lot of teasing and joking going on as I snapped this picture.

A view from Steven's shoulder. Arizona may not be pretty but we sure appreciated the sunshine

A quick break from walking and always a photo opportunity for Auntie. Really I wanted to get proof of Brent with his shirt unbuttoned: something he normally would not do however, once Miss Annie mentioned it would be cool, he was more than happy to oblige. Ha, he cracks me up!

An accidental artistic photograph

oh, and a little bit of joy inside knowing I have a great picture to show his future wife. :) Look at those knobby little knees and sheepish grin, you can't get much cuter.

Cute, even with a silly looking hat on.

Ali mimics EVERYTHING Brent does so, when she saw him lean in and touch the water she too wanted to try it out. Unfortunately for her, her little arms weren't quite long enough so, Brent and Auntie tried to assist
Almost there...

Got it!

Sweet moments with Miss Annie