We're back

We had a week up in Sedona with all of the following:
sweatshirts
thunderstorms
cold nights
waking up to red rocks
going to bed listening to the creek
GIANT bugs
being in PJ's till noon
daily hikes in the canyon
meals out on the balcony
hide and seek
a whole lot of kickball
cousin time
family time
friend time

we however did not have
Internet
video games
very much t.v.

the kids adjusted to the lack of electronics after a few hours there.

My aunt and uncle are part owners in this property that sits on Oak Creek and have let
us use it in the summer time since my boys were babies.
It is gorgeous and peaceful up here and it's so nice to just truly get away from all the day to day distractions and just truly enjoy my kids and the outdoors. As we were leaving to come home Ben was laying on the couch crying because he was so sad to have to leave. He more than any of the kids LOVES this house. He looks forward to coming here all year long and taking hikes and spending time with his grandma. We had some of the best weather this year aside from the last two days. It rained all the other days and stayed cool so the kids could just play outside and enjoy the yard. We had some hard family situations that came up this year while we were there and it was nice to be where it was peaceful to make decisions and spend time together.
I'm pretty sure I took over a thousand pics so you all will be seeing photos from Sedona for a while. Since I can't take too many outside photos in phoenix without getting heatstroke I was able to get my fill while up there. The bad part is my boys lived in there pj's and basketball shorts and pretty much looked homeless most the time. I don't really like taking pics of my kids when they are looking super grubby so I had to use a little bribery for them to get dressed one day. (bribery or threats i can't remember).
It was a nice little getaway and it's always a little hard to come back home and have to get back into real life but I am grateful for the time away and I can't wait to go back again.

We are leaving for Sedona within the hour.
I have nothing put in to any bags although I do have clothes chosen and taken out.
Mainly swimsuits for the kiddos with the occasional nice shirt .
I have wedding pics I want to put up but really I need to go pack so you get these to look at until I get back. Why I am blogging instead of packing??

Yesterday afternoon I took pics for another friends baby girl and let me just say that this little baby almost makes me want to have another one. She is 5 weeks which is usually a peak fussy time for babies but she is the most relaxed little baby that I have been around in a while. She let out one tiny yell at the very end but was so good the whole time. I LOVE little babies and would take this one in a minute. She even has the name I love and.......well shes a girl( which is what I am having somewhere in the distant future).
Here are a few of my favs. of cute baby Ava.

I am just starting to take photos for other people and on Sat. I had my first "real" shoot. Usually it's too hot to go outside and take pics but we decided to take advantage of one of the few days where the temperature would only reach 100 and headed out in the morning.
My friend wanted to go to this park and I am so glad she chose this spot because you really can't find a better place to go take pics.
It helps that the kids are all adorable and that they are all friends with my kids ( well I am not sure I would call the two year olds friends) so they are comfortable with me . It was so fun to take these pics and I'm pretty sure their mom liked them:)

Cindy and Lisa the whole time I was thinking how much you guys would love this place. We need to go here!