We sure had a wonderful trip to visit Camille, Kellen and Olivia in Arizona! I think what I liked about it the most was that it was very laid back and unscheduled....not in any sort of a hurry so we could take as long as we wanted to get there and sleep in if we wanted (not something Kelley does) or stay an extra day or two if we felt like it....very relaxing!

This first picture was taken from Gordon's front yard. They have a beautiful home there in Coral Canyon and were kind enough to let us stay there on the way to Arizona. This is the "scenic" outlook we stopped at to stretch our legs...quite scenic if you enjoy the vast wilderness.

Some Navajo ladies selling their jewelry. Man these people live in some sad situations here. Old houses and trailers that you shouldn't really even call a house...more like a shack.

But then a lot of them have real fancy trucks parked in front of them. Kelley said they talked about it in their priesthood meeting he went to at Camille's church Sunday. Said the worst thing the government ever did for the Indians was not the wars and taking their land, but the fact that they took away any incentive for them to try to do anything with their lives. They all get a check every month, just because they are Indians. They make their truck payment and buy alcohol. Very sad.Camille took such good care of us...had stocked her fridge and cupboards with all our favorite foods and treats! So thoughtful! (p.s...I've just about finished off the ten pound bag of m and m's...thanks so much for that!) You know what I like!

Saturday Camille had a Tinkerbell birthday party planned for Olivia. She had invited some cute little friends from the ward. They were good kids and the party was a lot of fun! We went to Peter Piper Pizza and the kids played games and ate pizza.

So glad Kate could come this weekend too! She's been having a pretty rough time lately so it was good therapy for all of us to be together.

Gary took Kelley and Kellen golfing on Friday. I think Kelley is being converted! He had a lot of fun!

All of us girls met up with Bev at the nail shop and got a pedicure...then over to Paradise bakery for lunch. Went into Scottsdale for a little shopping... there is a HUGE mall there...didn't even have time to make a dent in it. I got a cute little outfit for the new baby.

Friday night we went to dinner with Bev and Gary at Maria Maria...really good food! Then we walked around the outdoor shopping center ...really nice evening.

More pictures from the birthday party...nice face Kellen!

They were all really cute well behaved kids and Olivia was sweet and grateful for all she got.

Kate gave her the cutest little magic wand that came with this little bag of fairy sparkles. The girls all went crazy over it and before you knew it we were all super sparkly!

Unicorn pillow pet from Bev and Gary.

Kelley and Kate playing basketball.. Kate wins first game...Kelley second.We went to Camilles' church Sunday. They were having fast and testimony meeting and it was really good. Everyone talked about what they learned from conference...It's kind of funny how now matter where you go in the church, people are all the same.

Gary and Bev had us over for dinner Sunday night. Had a really nice dinner. We had made some pumpkin pies and took them over there for dessert. We sat around and talked for a while outside on their patio. This is sure a nice time of year there. Don't think I could handle the summer, but fall and winter are wonderful! We went swimming at Camille's pool on Monday morning. We gave her a swimming Nemo fish for her birthday and she wanted to try it out.

She is such a good little swimmer!

We were going to go home after lunch on Monday, but decided what the heck...lets stay another day!

So we got cleaned up and went to a place called Oregeno's for lunch. Really good food! Then we drove out to this old west ranch-ghost town, but it was closed because it was Columbus day.

So we went to a big mall by Chandler and shopped around a bit. Before too long, it was time to take Kate to the airport.

Decided to go for ice cream, then after some good pillow fights with Liv, called it a day.

We got up pretty early the next morning and got on our way home. Listened to Doctrine and Covenants on K.C.'s ipod all the way home...it made the time go pretty fast. It's great how you always hear new things and get to understand better what Joseph Smith was going through every time you hear it.
We made good time and were home by about 5:30.

Pretty hard to say good bye to this little bug.

She is such a joy to me!
When we were over to Gary and Bev's, he said Olivia is pretty much the queen of their house. They really adore her too.

As we were leaving Sunday night Gary said something really sweet. He said "Thank you for Camille!" I think they have gotten a lot closer with her than they used to be and have gotten to know the"real Camille." Then he said jokingly, but I think he was serious..."Don't go planning on Kellen getting a job anywhere in Utah...they are staying right here by us!" I was like "Oh great! ...We want them too!"

It kind of stuck in my head though, and I didn't get much sleep that night thinking about it.

Good times.