Thanksgiving

We had not been to the Phoenix area for over a year, and since we have four siblings between us, not to mention a half dozen other relatives, we figured it was time we get down there. We drove down in the Mercedes Greasel Station Wagon. My mom came with us, and we stopped by her property in Wickenberg, AZ, before having a delicious meal at my aunt JoRita's house in Scottsdale.

We stayed at my sister Sonna's condo in the heart of Phoenix for most of the time we were there. She has a daughter Ruthie who is only six weeks younger than Elsie (and about two pounds bigger). They were very happy to see each other again.

On Wednesday, we hung out in downtown Phoenix--watched a puppet show, explored the amazing city library, played at the park, enjoyed the amazing view from Sonna's sixth story brand new condo, and went swimming in the rooftop pool (well, Camden did, since he ALWAYS has a swimming suit on). That afternoon, we drove out to Jonah's sister Shawni's house and visited with her family, Saydi's family who were visiting from Boston, and Josh, Jonah's brother who also lives in the area. We left Ana to spend the night with her best buddy cousin Gracie. It was so cute when Ana ran up to Gracie when Gracie was walking home from school. Gracie looked so surprised, and then they just hugged and hugged for about 30 seconds.

Ana escaped from the asylum and latched herself onto Gracie's back.

On Thanksgiving morning, we all did a Turkey Trot! Jonah and my mom pushed the little kids and walked the 5K, Ana and I ran the 5K along with Gracie and Josh and others, and Sonna and Sloan ran the 10K!!!! Saydi and Shawni did the 5K with us, and then went and joined Dave in the 10K. They are crazy. And they are smiling!

Saydi had to make some calls as she was finishing the race.

Elsie wanted her nap.

She got it on the way home.

After the yummy Thanksgiving dinner at Sonna's condo, Sloan gave scooter rides around the neighborhood.

We met back up with Jonah's family on Friday at the Train Park in Scottsdale. Jonah's mom, dad, sister Charity, brother Eli, and Eli's girlfriend Julie had just flown in from SLC. How many Eyres can you fit in a train?

Can't get enough of each other.

We decided to join the party and sleep at Shawni's house that night with the other 14 Eyres over there (add our family and it was 21). The kids did a talent show that was quite impressive. Ana appointed herself judge. All the performers got the same score. It was the audience members she was more concerned about. I think the picture above was from when she docked Jonah for going to the bathroom during a performance.

We're soaking up the time we get with Charity before she leaves on her mission in England in January. She'll be going for 18 months! Here she is with Jonah's mom Linda.

Eli's extra-hot girlfriend Julie. Oh, and she's also nice, smart, and fun. She's not this tall, though. This is their height difference if Julie was Eli's height and Eli was Julie's height. On Saturday night, we had a BBQ with EVERYBODY (both Eyres and Robisons and Fegerts (my mom and brother))...29 people in all....on the roof of my sister's condo complex. Zoo Lights was fun, but there were no lights on live monkeys, so we were a tad disappointed.

Elle and Charity.

Sonna and Ana.

Eli expressing his feelings about Julie living in Provo.

Camden's feelings about ZooLights.

Cousins Ruthie and Elsie (wish I had a picture of Elsie, Ruthie and Lucy (Shawni's 1 year old baby)).

After Church on Sunday before we drove home.
TRYing SO hard to get a picture of us all together, but its just not happening. I also somehow did not get any pictures of my brother Tyler, who lives in Tempe, and was around for the weekend too. Maybe I'll photoshop him in.

Sonna and the girls.

We're so THANKful that we had such a perfect Thanksgiving. It was the first RELAXing vacation I've had in a long time. It was so fun to visit with everyone too. Totally worth the long drive. Thanks to everybody.