Six Thousand Three Hundred Twenty Six Part 2

July 16, 317 miles: After leaving Salt Lake City, we headed south to Arizona. Turns out one of my former mission companions just moved to Kanab, UT, so we planned to stop there for an evening to visit and break up a long driving day. Bonnie Bradley Haycock and her awesome husband Mason, were so kind to have us stay for a night. I love catching up with Bonnie, we're two peas in a pod sometimes and the mission and life experiences we've shared have given us one of those friendships that feel like no time has passed when you see each other again. I'm so thankful to Bon!

July 17, 295 miles: We finally reached my dad's home in Prescott Valley. I love the mountains of Northern Arizona. On our way to Prescott, we drove through Flagstaff, where I was born. Beautiful country. We had a great time visiting with Grandpa Bee and Grandma Judy. Grandma Judy had all sorts of fun things planned for the kids, especially a fun family home evening where we dressed up and had a play. Fun!

July 18, 117 miles: On Thursday we drove down to Phoenix to go to a resort and play at the pool, eat and have some fun. It was soooo hot in Phoenix! One of my sisters lives in Mesa and another sister from New Mexico flew over to visit her, so three of the 4 of us girls were there together. When we first got to Phoenix we went to one of our favorite places to eat, the Rainforest Café. We haven't been there in a while, and the kids had a fun time! Not to mention some yummy food!

We stayed at a resort in Tempe. While in the valley, we got to go and visit with my Grandmother Rais. She's 92 years old, but still very active. My grandfather passed away several months ago, so she just moved into her own little apartment. I haven't seen her in a while, so it was awesome to visit and spend some time with her. The kids were pretty amazed that they got to see their GREAT grandma.

 Jana, Grandma Rais, Me, Sara

Six of Grandma Rais' great-grandchildren

 

 

July 20, 117 miles: We drove back to Prescott Valley on Saturday. As soon as we got back, Jackson started throwing up. He didn't stop for almost two days. On Sunday night, I got sick. Monday night Abby started throwing up. And Jacob was just feeling cruddy the whole time. Really??? I think we all had a mixture of too much pool water, heat exhaustion, and altitude sickness. It was just mad. So, we didn't do much for the next few days. We watched movies together and tried to get everyone well. Being together was wonderful, I just wish there hadn't been so much ick.

 Eli and Grandpa Bee

 His new favorite toy: a bright yellow cup



Grandma Judy let Eli get wrapped up in a baby towel that she was wrapped in when she was a baby. What a fun tradition!

 

July 26, 635 miles: This was our longest day of the trip so far. I was worried that the kids would get sick again, no one was really feeling great. But I wanted to get there in one day so we didn't have to get a hotel again. So, my sister and her daughter drove home with us, and we set out on a twelve hour day. We felt really blessed because no one got sick, and we felt like the time really flew by.

 

Being "home" in Clovis is always fun for me. It's not the most beautiful or exciting place in the world, but it's home to me. I grew up there, graduated high school there and my mom, two sisters, and high school best friend still live there. I like to drive by my old house and show the kids where I went to school and church. It's so fun to walk into our church and get hugs from people who've known me for so long.

 

We had a great visit with Grandma Sandi and Papa Bill. My sister Marisa and her three kids live there, too, so it was just a party every day! The kids played outside, rode bikes and scooters, and we went to the zoo. Of course we ate out at our favorite Mexican food place, Leal's. We had yummy snow cones, and spent time together playing games. I loved being home with my mom and sisters. It's these times that make all the miles of travel totally worth it.

 Watching the clouds and then stars on the front lawn with cousins.

 Eli hanging out with Papa Bill and Grandma Sandi.

 At the zoo.

 Feeding the ducks at the zoo.

Eli and my mom playing with his new favorite toy, an empty water bottle.

My mom, sisters and niece playing with Eli.  

 We also got to have a cookout and swim party with my best friend from high school and her family, the Lindsey's. We always get together when we go to Clovis, and once they came to visit us when we lived in Japan! I love having a friend that knows my history and went through trials with me and we can now share our families and watch our kids grow up.

 

Leaving Clovis this time was hard for me. It's the most fun I've had with my sisters and their kids in a long time. I loved being home, but it was time for our next leg of the trip. See part 3!

 

Salt Lake City-Kanab, UT-Prescott Valley, AZ-Phoenix-Prescott Valley-Clovis, NM = 1,481 miles.