summer getaway #1...

since it is almost thanksgiving i thought i'd better finish this post i started oh about 2 months ago!  i don't do that great of a job recording events right when they happen.  i need to work on that, how do i get more time in the day?? maybe i'll have all my summer posts done by christmas!

since we were remodeling this summer and had many changes and little issues along the way to deal with, we didn't know if we would be able to make it out of town over the summer.  luckily, we were able to fit in two five day vacations the last two weeks of summer which made for a wonderful break from the remodel and heat just in time before the start of school.

lori has been inviting us up to her cabin for years and for years we have gone...we absolutely love going and she and i both love the time our children have together to relax, explore and enjoy each other in some cooler temps...

the boys played a lot of soccer...

the little guys got real into it too. you can tell they both have older siblings, both # 4, and both so sweet...

then they would just keep running to play in the sand for awhile...

and the girls always get along great too...

these two are still the best of friends...

look at that gorgeous scenery.  it was so beautiful, we just loved being there with our great friends.  

we made hot chocolate for the kids every morning (along with a big breakfast, lunch and dinner!!) here's our morning hot chocolate crew...

the kids took turns putting on plays for us on the front porch.  the girls:

and the boys:

we went on hikes and on the zip line...

here's our crew in the annual picture on the 

front porch right before we leave to go home...

sweet baby Ava is missing, but here they are again...

and lori and i were brought to tears watching these two say good-bye to each other (they were staying at their cabin for a few more days after we left).  they wouldn't let go...

we had a great time and are so thankful to have such wonderful friends.  all of our kids get along so well and we cherish these memories they will have to look back on of their childhood summers up in the cooler parts of az.