Flagstaff Arizona

We LOVE our Stewart family reunions so much! 

The older I get, the more I realize how important and special these moments are. They truly could be my last. Like any of these years could be my last Stewart family vacation which is so wild and sad. 

One of our family members is actually in the hospital right now with huge thrombus covering most of his lungs. It is a miracle that he is alive and we are so grateful to still have him with us after such a scary emergency. Jill is home watching over Jeff while he recovers and thankfully the kids were able to come with Katie. 

I LOVE my kids bonding with their cousins. 

And I LOVE watching my kids play outside. They are growing up in such a technological age that the art of playing outside and being bored and using your imagination is all going away. 

The faster they stop playing outside, the faster their childhood fades and I don't want that. Even though I might be a mean mom sometimes, I want to make them play and use their toys for as long as possible. Being an adult and worrying about retirement and taxes is the pits. There'll be plenty of time for that. 

David learned about Minecraft during this trip and he and his favorite cousin Joseph were all about it. It was cute watching them bond over it. 

Older cousins showed him new techniques and strategies for playing. There were some tears because he did not own his own iPad but I know when we buy him one, that that's all he'll want to do. 

Annie was in heaven with her older cousins too. 

My sister in law rented two beautiful properties close to each other and every sunset was the best. 

One of the properties had this huge playing court which the kids loved. 

Annie all tuckered out from playing all day. 

These two were inseparable. 

The Stewarts love a good card game. 

Annie getting tossed around by her cousins

My SIL found this super fun spot to play in. It was like a natural water park! 

These two are my favorite! 

We spent HOURS here and didn't want to leave. 

Back home in our matching jammies shirts. 

Cutie cousins! 

Outdoor foam fun. All of my nephews are getting so big! They are turning into adults and it's such a wild thing. 

Marcia does not mess around when it comes to Bingo. Look at these prices! 

Look at these tiny cute cousins! We tie dyed shirts and they came out so good. 

On our way to the Grand Canyon. 

We took little trails around the canyon and had lunch there. It was so perfect and fun! 

Some of our family members came back the next day and hiked into the canyon! I wished I could've done it but I hadn't prepared at all and was worried about my old lady knees. 

Everyone takes turns cooking a breakfast and a lunch. My SILs are such great cooks! 

The next day, we went and discovered some archeological sites. 

We split up for the day so some went to play soccer at a park and the Righters came with us to explore Wupatki National Monument. 

I love visiting new places so much. It's hard because we never go to the same place twice but there is just so much out there to explore! 

Nothing brings me more joy than being on an adventure with my little family! 

Back at the rental enjoying some light rain. 

We celebrated Mike's birthday also. He said he forgot to take his meds and had a seizure the night before his birthday. He always has them right in the middle of sleep so it's terrifying waking up to that. Thankfully he's only had 2 in the past 2 years because they are Tonic Clonic and he turns grey from lack of oxygen. 

The next day we went out and discovered some more. Look at these little explorers! 

The rain caught us though! 

We definitely got drenched. 

But we stuck it out and later the sun came out. 

Afterwards we went on a little hike to visit some old caves. The kids got to earn some Jr badges. 

Back at home to play. 

We went out for an adults only dinner while the bigs watched the littles back home. It was great! Doug and Marcia paid for our food. I want to be that type of grandparent when I get older. 

Annie enjoying that vacation life. 

It was such a great vacation. I love visiting with family so much. 

Back at grandma's house for Sunday dinner. She is grandma goals! 

The kids do an 8 year old trip with Grandma and so Julia and Ainlsey were there for Sunday dinner which was so fun for the kids. Here is Julia reading Annie a story. 

It's just such a wonderful life, this little life of mine. So many blessings, beautiful experiences with my family. I am so grateful for living a life of abundance. I am just one happy girl!