Arizona

This is a complicated post because it involves my brother.  I haven't really spoken to my brother in about 10 years for reasons I won't go in to here, but dad wanted to go and see his son and his grandkids and Melinda and I volunteered to go with him. 

No matter what, I can't even tell you how AMAZING it was to travel with these two. We haven't traveled together, just us, since I was in high school. 

We rented a condo in Scottsdale and got out of the cold weather and into the SUN

We had some time to burn on Saturday morning, so we took a scenic drive up the mountain.

Navajo women selling jewelry

We had such a good time in Arizona, but honestly, I don't get the appeal of Phoenix,  It was the 'in' place to move to after college and I know a ton of people that migrated down here.  Maybe I'm just too much of a Yankee Midwestern girl.  The ENTIRE place is brown on brown on brown.  I'll take lakes and greens any day.  Although, giant cactus are pretty darn cool.

Saturday afternoon we met up with Jeff and the kids and went bowling. I haven't seen Michael since he was about 2 and I held Emma as a baby. I was so good to see the kids 

I hate bowling, but we had SO MUCH FUN.  Dad was a giant geek, Michael was adorable and it was so good to hang with Emma.

We went to a park on Sunday, but Michael had a little meltdown.  Jeff took Michael home, Dad went back to the condo to rest, and Melinda and I stole Emma and had a girl's day!

She is OBSESSED with all things Harry Potter, so Melinda and I spoiled her with gear and books. 

Just the girls!

Dad didn't trust me with the wine selection and had very specific instructions.  How did the funniest guy I know not get this joke??

We ate steaks the size of our heads

Not sure when the the last time we had our picture taken

Oh Michael. Melinda and I just fell in love with this kid.  He is severely autistic, but seriously, just the cutest.  He chirps and sings all day.  He is obsessed with mirrors, so the next day when we were checking out of the condo, there were Michael fingerprints on every mirror in the house.

Overall it was a great trip. It was amazing to travel with my sister and dad, it was amazing to see my niece and nephew, and it was amazing to get the heck out of Missouri in February!

Jessica & Austin's wedding

Matt's sister's daughter Jessica married the Saturday after Thanksgiving. We hustled back from the farm and headed to Doniphan.  Doniphan is also where Charlie goes to camp.  It was a beautiful location and luckily, the weather cooperated.

The wedding started at 4 and it's about an hour away....

Took about a million of these trying to get a shot for the Christmas card....ended up having to ask B's cousin Michelle to photo shop a few different ones together.

Ethan squatted down to take a picture and tore his pants....that's what you get for buying a suit off Amazon. B&E were both in the wedding.

Aren't we graceful????

Jessica was a beautiful bride and she really did look over the moon happy.

B and her boyfriend Mark. One of the more tolerable dudes she's dated.  I like this one.

White boy dancing!!!

Maggie was a wild woman

Funniest part of the night....Charlie caught the garter.  You can see Maggie sprawled on the ground in the background.