Finally!!! A Visit to Arizona

Our youngest grandson was born in February 2014, and it took us over a year to finally see him.  It is easy to justify the delay with excuses but quite honestly, there really isn’t any valid excuse.  We should have gone out there sooner. It is that simple.  It is pointless to focus on regrets, but we have committed to making a more concerted effort to see our grandsons.  They don’t live that far away.

 

Jaxs (super ADORABLE!)

 

Lance’s youngest daughter Lauren lives in eastern Arizona.  She is about a 2.5 hour drive from Phoenix.  She is married to Don, and they have two young sons, Carter (almost 4) and Jaxs (13 months).  Phoenix is about a 5.5 hour drive from Southern California, and to make a weekend get together possible, we agreed to meet in Phoenix.  We arrived late Friday afternoon and met them at California Pizza Kitchen.  Following a great dinner, we satisfied our sweet cravings with a trip to Coldstone.  Lance and I also took the boys to Target that evening to spoil them with brand new toys.

 

Jaxs with his new airplane toy

Our Saturday plans consisted of a tour to a railroad park/museum in Scottsdale.  We were able to view mini railroad models.  Because of the intricate details,  I could spend hours looking at these miniature models. There is so much time involved in assembling the models, and each has its own theme.  Lance and I once tried to build our own mini railroad model.  We laid out the tracks on a table he custom built and began getting buildings, cars, and accessories for our town.  We, however, never fully pursued the hobby and eventually, our railroad town was disassembled.  At the park, Carter and Jaxs were able to ride on the carousel, and we all took a ride on a mini functioning railroad through the park.  The highlight for me and Lance, however, was viewing the museum.  One of the rail carts on the exhibit is probably the most historical rail cart in the United States.  It was used by four US Presidents (Hoover, Roosevelt, Truman, and Eisenhower).  In fact, we learned that Truman first heard about the atomic bomb in that rail car.  It was used for campaigning by Eisenhower,  and it was the primary transportation for FDR to/from Washington DC and his home during his presidency. 

the mini functioning locomotive that took us around the park

About to go for a ride

on the carousel

Carter plays inside the museum

on the historic rail cart.  I'm standing at the location where Eisenhower campaigned.

The most historically significant rail cart in US history.

Mimicing FDR.  It is not the same chair, but I am sitting in the exact same spot as FDR.

 

Following the railroad park visit, we had lunch before heading back to the hotel for a swim and a basketball game. 

 

Carter is a daredevil.  He is fearless.  I gasped because Lance and Don were throwing him up in the pool like he was a football.  He loved it and laughed and kept wanting to do it again.  In fact, when Don and Lance returned to the room to watch the game, Carter just jumped into the water without no one close to catch him. We had to remind him to NOT do that.  He is such an adventurous, thrill-seeking, courageous, and FUN little boy.  I have never met a kid who is so fearless.  It was Jaxs first time in the pool.  He is such a good baby too.  He hardly cried or whined.  He welcomed us and allowed us to hold and kiss him. He is beautiful baby. There was no fear of strangers yet.  The day ended with a visit to Denny’s for milkshakes.

playing outside in the water system after lunch at BJ Brewery.  Carter decided he didn't want to wear his shorts while jumping through the water, and he started to undress! Whoa! When I turned around, I saw his naked cute little tush.  I quickly pulled up his shorts.

Jaxs looks so much like Lauren

Lance and Don---good husbands carry their wives' purses.

Carter is not only so cute, but he has such personality!

 

sun was in Jaxs face so that's why he looks grouchy

Carter loved jumping in the water

acrobats

  

We are going to try to, at least, see Lauren twice a year.  If we meet in Phoenix, it is basically a weekend trip….easily doable!  The good news though is Lauren, Don, Carter will be visiting So. Cal in late August so we will see them again soon!