Before we left we had to document the gorgeous blessing dress
Andrea designed and croqueted for our little Princess Leia. (8/12/13)
Front
Back
flower pedal sleeve
skirt pineapple stitch..A gift of love!
We left about 7:30 a.m. and the sun dog we saw assured us we would have a great trip.
We listened to an entire book, "An Unlikely Match" on the way.
The sign and scenery told us we weren't in Utah anymore.
We were so excited to get to Katie's that any pictures were taken from the car at 65 mph.
Due to road damage from mysterious sink holes in highway 89 just
south of Glen Canyon Dam a detour cost us an extra hour of travel.
This sign made us think of Bethany who was traveling from Karrie's in
North Carolina to her totally empty house in Atlanta, Georgia while we
were enroute. Maybe it means Tory and Bethany will end up in Arizona.
Tyler and Katie live in Summerlin Village.
This is Katie's cute little house.
THE REASON WE DROVE FOR 11 HOURS!
Andrea with little Leia Nadine!
Princess Leia
Princess Leia
Princess Leia
Princess Leia
Andrea was a lifesaver. She and Luke hit it off immediately.
Here they are playing a word game.
Here they are playing with (and eating) dinosaurs!
Aunt Andrea was Luke's favorite chair while we were there.
One morning Luke woke up too early and was a bit grumpy, so we took
him for a walk to the complex play ground so Katie and Leia could rest.
Complex playground
His mood was a bit sober when we arrived.
A smile wasn't long in coming.
What do you get when you add Aunt Andrea and
your neighborhood play ground? Pure delight!
Our outing took us to the famous Arizona canal project not far from Katie's.
The day Andrea took Luke to the pool the temperature was 113 degrees!
Pumps keep the water spraying over the pool to keep the water cooler.
All pools are heated in Arizona...by the sun!
Luke and Aunt Andrea playing with his water toys.
They had the whole pool to themselves.
This was Leia's first outing on foot. We walked down to their
mail box to mail a birthday card to Bradley Allen Shirley!
Katie made the cool little wrap carrier she is wearing!
Luke and Tyler went with us.
The heat is oppressive day and night but the flowers are amazing!
These blooms were on a cylinder shaped bush and it was loaded!
Leia and Katie at home. Notice the little personal fan Tyler bought for them.
Luke and Katie were skyping with Grandpa Kenison.
We took time to enjoy the stained glass craft Janna taught us this summer.
Dragon flies-Malea Autumn leaves-Colton
Humming bird-Katie
When we left--- Tyler was working on a dragon from his family crest
and Andrea was working on a bouquet of pansies.
MESA ARIZONA TEMPLE: On 8/14/13 I drove myself to the temple during
nap time and attended a session. My first with the "new film." Power and emotional
experience! Andrea tended and fixed dinner while I was gone! Thanks Andrea!
Temple grounds detail
Cactus grove!
Temple from the west across the reflecting pool.
Temple grounds always mean beautiful flowers....even in Arizona heat!
These flowers were like velvet and really fun!
We headed home on 8/17/13 at 3:13 a.m. At 5:15 a.m. Tyler called to let us know I had forgotten my purse. He was up getting ready to pour concrete with his dad. Andrea and I found $5 in the ash tray....not enough to get home! Gratefully we had not reached the point of no return. We had enough fuel to get back to Katie's, so we headed back.
This golden Arizona sun rise was the only pay off
for adding an extra four hours to the day!
LAS VEGAS TEMPLE
On our way through Las Vegas we stopped and walked around the temple.
The six magnificent spires set it apart from any other temple.
We had to document Angel Moroni since the Mesa temple doesn't have one.
Notice the phases of the moon on the side of the temple.
A last glimpse of the temple before heading home. (108 degrees!)
The canyon that lies between Mesquite Nevada and
St. George gave the first hope that we could make it home.
The Saint George Temple was a site for tired eyes and weary bottoms!
