Annual Summer Trip to Nana & Papa's Cabin

Shauna and I always coordinate our summer trips to Pinetop/Lakeside to visit my Grandparents.  The kids have so much fun together and so do we! Here's our trip this year. After we spent a couple of days at Nana and Papa's cabin, we went to visit Shauna's mom and daddy.  They had a new fluffy, BIG puppy that my kids were obsessed with! Gemma is so amazing! We made a stop in Payson for the night on our way home to visit Mela and Papa Rich of course. Love having family in the mountains of Arizona. It makes for the BEST weekend getaways during a long hot summer!

Addie is my long lost baby. She is my special special girl!

We got to celebrate Bella's birthday while we were up north as well!

Shauna sneaking a taste of Bella's ice cream cake before we brought it out. I, of course, had nothing to do with the making of this cake, but helped keep Shauna's wine glass full while she slaved in the kitchen!

Jon Jon having some cake!

Beautiful Bella and Shauna

Annual picture on the patio before we took off.  Nana took it since she was still in her flannels and didn't have her "face" on. 

Kars with Gemma. He SO wants a big dog!

Ella Jane with Gemma. Gemma was so good and let the kids pet her to death!

Beans on the way home. Too much fun!

Karsten's favorite place to be - on Mela's lap, playing her phone. Someday he will be too big!

Fun in the Pines

A few weeks after getting back from Indiana, we (the kids and I) took our yearly, summer trip up to see my Nana and Papa in their summer home in Lakeside/Pinetop. My Mom was in town also, so she joined us, as did my cousin, Shauna, and her two munchkins too. We all decided to pile in Shauna's Tahoe for the trek; it was a tight squeeze, but saved us some $ on gas!  

Right away, the kiddos went to playing. Little Jon was inside the older kids outside - little Jon Boy so wanted to keep up with them, he's such a cutie pie!

Bella and Jon Nordling

My handsome boy, Karsty Do!

On our way up, it started to pour rain! So we all got drenched as we unloaded the car. 

It was such a nice change to get into jeans and long sleeve shirts.

I'm pretty sure Karsten took this picture of his Me-la!

Ella and Kar keeping Jon occupied while we got ready for the day. 

Painting rocks is the BEST thing to do! My Papa pulls out rusty old coffee cans, a bunch of paint brushes and the kids go to town painting rocks, trees, coyote decor . . .

Ssshh, should we tell Ella her tushy is showing?

We went into town for a tiny bit, found a Pony Ride before the rain came pouring down again! 

It was fantastic. Love that rain!

Doesn't he look HUGE on that pony?!

Little Ella Bella.

Bella Boo, not super sure of the pony, so Shauna and Jon walked round and round so Bella felt more comfortable. That's a multi-tasking Mama!

Bella. Is. Such. A. Ham.

The Porch. This is where all the magic happens. 

Lots of reading, drinking, talking, drinking, eating, drinking . . . .

This is usually what happens after every rock paint party - a water hose party!

All cleaned up, snug as bugs in rugs!

My Papa and the great - grandkids after a walk. 

Me-la and Kar - they have a special bond.

My uber-tan Mama and Me! I am so lucky to have her as my Mama!

My Nana and Papa - aren't they fab?!

Shauna and myself with the g-parents. Love them more than anything!

Thanks, Nana and Papa, fantastic trip as always. Can't wait to see you back in the Valley! Loves!

Happy Birthday Nana!

Happy Birthday Nana! 

Here is the second half of our day, spent at my Uncle Marc's for swimming and food. It was a very wonderful afternoon of family, food and fun!

Here is my Papa, with Mark, Rich and my Mama.

My Aunt Kim with my sister.

The kiddies swimming!

Getting warm!

Here are my Nana and Papa with their five kids:

from left to right - Chip, Kim, my Mama, April and Marc.

These five kids have had lots of kids themselves, my cousins, some of whom are my very best friends! And now some of those kids have had kiddies of their own. 

My Papa and Nana are the best top of our family tree!

 I adore this family, we have the greatest time, so much laughter and love! 

Happy Birthday Nana!

Nana and Papa's Cabin 2009

The weekend before Kar went to school, we headed up to Nana and Papa's cabin in Pinetop. I try to go up at least once during the summer. I spent so much time in Payson at their old cabin or at my other grandparents' cabin; I have fantastic memories of playing in the pines! My cousin, Shauna and her family came also. The kids had so much fun - I think the highlights for them were playing at the high school playground and painting rocks. Painting rocks is putting water in old tin cans, taking paint brushes and "painting" the trees and rocks with water in the back of the cabin. They can spend HOURS doing this! The weather was beautiful and I love spending time with my g-parents. Happy hour always starts early and the laughs and stories are fabulous! Love you Nana and Papa!




We went to a Bluegrass Festival and the sun was beating down on us so I bought the kids a cheap hat - this is the one Ella picked out. Her republican Uncle Brandon was happy. Needless to say, I have hidden the hat since we've been home!