(Click {here} for Part 1)
Dorsie and Terry left earlier than we did, and on their last day in AZ we headed to the zoo. It’s much larger than our tiny one in Idaho Falls, so we all enjoyed it. It was a really cold day! Cara insisted Pat and I jump on the random animal below, she said it was a tradition. Pat was so embarrassed. :)
One thing I loved about AZ, was their amazing parks! When Kash had to work, Cara took us to the cutest park to play on the toys, feed the ducks, and let the kids ride the carousel. While feeding the ducks, one walked right up to Hudson and scared the poor kid to death… haha It was pretty funny, we’re still laughing.
I can’t even explain how fun our week there was. We’re already saving the money we don’t have to visit again. (We’re still job hunting!) I loved watching our kids play, getting to know Owen, (We had only seen him once) late night game nights, and the fact I gained about 5 pounds because Cara is the best host. Seriously, she cooks amazing food! It was unreal, and I’m already dreaming of her crepes, Pat’s Birthday Tres Leches Cake, and chocolate ice cream.
First day of Sunbeams for Ledger and Roxie!
Cara watched the kids so Pat and I could attend the Gilbert Temple, it was beautiful!
Roxie loves makeup, and watched me get ready every morning. She found some lipstick when I wasn’t looking :)
We ate at Organ Stop Pizza. A guy plays the organ while you eat pizza. So random, but the kids loved it!
Pat is still talking about Top Golf! It’s like bowling for golf, you try to hit targets. I was really good at hitting all the targets I wasn’t aiming for!
Thank you Dorsie and Terry for such an unforgettable trip!
Kash and Cara for letting us take over your house for eight days!
We love you!
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The flight home.
(I’m recording all the details for my memory)
We were ready for the plane ride home and had a game plan. We knew we couldn’t sit by each other, so we were ready to fight for seats across the isle from each other. (We flew Southwest so there weren’t assigned seats).
I’ll be honest, the airport was stressful, but we survived! I purposely dressed the twins in matching bright orange outfits to help me spot them easily, (They are in the running away phase), which also led to many “Oh, are they twins?” conversations. We chased boys the ENTIRE time. Pat and I were both exhausted by the time we boarded the plane and I repeatedly swore to each boy that they would be attached to me by one of those kid leashes/harnesses next time we go anywhere if they didn’t stop…they didn’t listen. :)
The plane was late arriving, (About an hour and a half) so it made for a long wait in the airport. It consisted of lots of walks and riding the escalator. It didn’t take long for our boys to make friends, and a few little boys made their way over to ours and were playing Ninja Turtles together. I genuinely appreciated the sweet old man and his wife who who repeatedly told me how beautiful my boys were and didn’t seem to notice the chaos.
We boarded the plane, and I about cried with happiness that nobody wanted to sit by three kids. We ended up with empty seats by both Pat and I! I strapped Cannon in the middle seat in between Ledger and I, and Pat held Cruiz across the isle. The flight home went much smoother than the first. Other than Cruiz had a blowout on Pat, it’s always happens to Pat.. haha (If you fly, always pack extra clothes and a ziplock!) I had packed an extra onesie, but no pants. When we landed in cold UT, I got quite a few glares carrying around a toddler without pants in a cold airport. Sorry Cruiz!
While waiting for our luggage the boys caught a second wind. It was late, and had sat still for too long.
We were that family…
Three boys running in three different directions, (one without pants) Patrick was concentrating on grabbing our luggage, so I was left to tend the kids. Cannon and Cruiz worked together, one would distract me, while the other ran for it. The first time, I was unprepared and while I chased Cruiz, Cannon successfully climbed on the luggage carousel and rode it for a few seconds before I grabbed him. Simultaneously Ledger ran after Cruiz who I had put down and tackled him, which led to two boys in tears and one with a bloody nose. After 20 minutes of chaos, (I’m not exaggerating) I was nearly in tears myself and had everyone around us staring at me, (I vow to be a lady who offers to help instead of stares, nobody offered to help!) but we finally found all of our bags.
The boys and I then made our way outside to wait for our shuttle, while Pat worked on getting eight pieces of luggage out to us. I dug through the boys’ bag until I found pants for Cruiz and had absolutely no control over any of my children. A lady who was working came and yelled at them for me… Haha As weird as it sounds I was grateful, she startled them so bad that they actually listened to her… for about a minute.
And I later learned the man who was waiting for the same shuttle had a conversation with Pat, who was holding Cruiz, as I was threatening the other two to not get off the bench…
Man:“Triplets?”
Pat: ”No, Twins, and one two years older."
Man: Chuckles, “I’m an identical twin, with a brother two years older.”
Pat: Laughs. “Oh really? Any advice?”
Man: As he looks at all the boys, “Yeah, stop now. My parents couldn’t handle us, let alone another one.”
Haha Shoot.
(No, this isn’t announcement :)
The stained glass at the Gilbert Temple is the prettiest I have seen. We live less than 5 minutes away from the new Phoenix Temple, and it has the prettiest artwork. We have lived here for almost two years (husband is in grad school)... While I miss green landscape, and REAL mountains, there is a lot of beauty that grows on me. Glad you had a blast:)
ReplyDeleteAre you announcing something?!?! If so, CONGRATS!!!!!
ReplyDelete(I'm an old friend of your uncle Mark, and have been following you since sweet Preslee's accident. You and Pat are amazing and I am continually amazed by your faith. You have taught me that I too can do hard things. Hopefully I'm not starting the baby rumor mill :).
No, no, no! Haha I am no way ready for another one, but that was probably the worst thing someone could say to Pat... Haha He thinks we should be done. :)
DeleteHaha...looks like I read into the "shoot". Pat's not the only dad who feels that way. We're only on #1 and it's taking a lot of convincing with my husband that we need more.
DeleteMaybe when the boys are 5 and 7 he will feel different! :-) Here is Sacramento where I grew up there was a place called Pizza & Pipes. It had someone playing the organ. I loved it as a kid.
ReplyDeleteI also wondered if that was an intro to a baby announcement!
ReplyDeleteThis is an awesome post! I'm sitting here laughing just picturing you two totally being out numbered. Honestly, just enjoy it because they grow up so fast, that we all just need to live in the moment and enjoy every second good or bad. :) KIDS are the BEST and we are all so blessed to have them. You're doing a great job as parents and your boys are honestly so darn cute!
ReplyDeleteThe kid 'leashes' are the BEST thing ever. And I don't have twins. Mine are 18 months apart and it works great to have one in the stroller and the other just looped around my wrist. A leash on each kid would do wonders for you, I swear! Even if they are screaming, at least the aren't getting away. ;) I got mine for $5 at a consignment sale, but when I have my third baby I'll be paying full price for another one!
ReplyDeleteCannon and Cruiz worked together, one would distract me.....
ReplyDelete......Cannon successfully climbed on the luggage carousel and rode it for a few seconds before I grabbed him.
OMG Ashley ~ that seriously made me laugh out loud. Sounds like you had a wonderful time. I'm glad you got to get away and experience your first college game, and to see Pat so happy ~ ~ yea!!
PS ~ I would have totally helped you out and anyone I ever happen to see that might need it.
xo
I don't see how you do it! I get overwhelmed with just ONE kid sometimes lol.
ReplyDeleteOh my....I can only imagine the airport and airplane timeframe. I get nervous at the luggage carousel and it's only one (sometimes 2 bags) that I'm looking for for me only!! I know a little how you feel though. I've taken my only grandson (4 now) to the mall and he's sat down in the middle of the mall isle and won't move (he doesn't want to leave). He's big for his age (48 pounds) and I can't pick him up. Boy do I get the evil stares/glares. The thing is that he is blond, blue eyed. I have black hair and dark eyes. I think people think I was trying to kidnap him!! Your boys are so darling and even though it's a challenge to take them on trips, it will all be worth it. As they grow and get a little older, it will get easier in time. Your family is so precious.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great trip! The part at the end made me laugh!!!
ReplyDeleteTake his comment with a grain of salt. I was walking out of the gym, 37 weeks pregnant, with my 6 yr old and almost 4 yr old. I guess we looked like quite the site to him, me looking like I was going to deliver any time and my 4 yr old walking with her walker (born with a disability that requires her to use either a walker, canes, or a wheelchair). He said to me something along the lines of "Whoa, looks like you've got your hands full. And you're going to have another one?" I almost replied that actually, this was baby #4. (our 5 month old died unexpectedly died last year). I kind of felt like shocking him more, just because he felt so free in giving his opinion on how many kids I should be having. And my kids were behaving! I have all the facts of my life and I don't even know how many kids we'll end up having, so it surprises me when others feel like they know how many I should have. But I just smile at them and let their comments roll off. Good job for traveling with 3 little ones! It's not easy, but don't let it stop you. They'll get use to it and learn to behave just like in any situation, be it a restaurant or church. The more they're exposed, the more they'll learn what kind of behavior is expected of them.
ReplyDeleteI'm so surprised that no one tried to at least help you at the airport. :( No other moms around that have been in that same situation? Mine are 16 and 18 and I still clearly remember trying to corral a 2 year old when I had a newborn. You aren't the most agile at that point. LOL Hopefully next trip they will be a little older and will be able to follow instructions. Can't blame them for trying to escape. The airport is a fun place to explore! lol
ReplyDeleteOk, I already commented on your IG feed when you were at the park in AZ but seriously, you just made me so homesick to go back. I only lived in Gilbert 3 years while I taught in central Phoenix but I loved it. Then I met my husband online and he's from Cheyenne so guess where I ended up!? The things you do for love. I tell him all the time we have to go back (in true Jack style form Lost). That park you went to - sadly I've already forgotten its name - but it's the one I ran at every day. I was in the best shape of my stinking life living there. So glad you had fun!
ReplyDeleteWe are visiting the Gilbert/Phoenix area in a few weeks. Do you happen to know the name of the park you went to it looks like a lot of fun?
ReplyDeleteHave so much fun! The park is Freestone Park.
Deletethanks!
ReplyDelete