AZ trip

Mike and I took a trip last Aug to AZ to see Robby, Brittany and Robby.  It was a wonderful time.  Mike and I were scheduled to fly out of Jax Thursday night but there was extreme weather in Atl so that plan was cancelled.  Mike the ever efficient one and I'm sure following upon heavenly promptings walked up to a nearly empty desk agent and was able to secure seats the following day bright an early.  I then watched as that line grew to well over 20 + people in a matter of minutes.
 
We made our flights and were into Phoenix by 9:30 am their time. We met Rob and Co at the Walmart parking lot to which it was awesome to see their smiling faces again.  Little Robby wasn't to sure about us but quickly warmed up to us.  We put them all in our car and we were off for a days adventure.  My 2nd great Grandfather who just happens to also be Mike's 3rd great grandfather is buried in Mesa.  I have done some family history work on him and his paternal line and I have wanted to go to his place of rest for a long time.  I made a copy of how to find his grave which lead us no where so I ran into the office to which they gave me a map of where we could find him.  And so we did... and a thrilled filled my soul.  This was a good man and I have wondered if he ever thought 127 years after his death some of his posterity would come back to see where he was buried. 

Robby cleaning the headstone

So happy to finally see this in person

Funny to think that Robby is related to him twice!  He is Rob's 3rd and 4th great grandfather and we had with us a 5th generation.   



Rob had been offered a job with Amazon in the Phoenix area and they had found some apartments they wanted to look at.  We went to one and left.  We drove to the second one and this was it!  They had found their new home.  Gated community so when Rob works nights Brittany will be safe.   Nice apartments with tons of room.  No bug and no barking dogs!  Mike and I were able to watch the little guy who entertained us as much as we did him while Mom and Dad filled out paperwork and made plans for the move. 

We picked up Rob and Brittany's car after a shopping trip to Costco and we were off to Miami AZ.  I found Miami an interesting and dusty little town.  It was a bit run down but it's what I always thought a mining community would be like.  Mike and I talked a lot about how AZ is NOTHING like we imagined.  It wasn't flat and brown with nasty reptiles slithering all over.  No it had mountains and lots of green all over.  Phoenix is huge!  Bigger than I ever imagined. One thing Phoenix does have are cactus everywhere and it seems like everything has a sharp point hidden somewhere on that plant.

After driving around Phoenix and checking out the sites and looking for possible places for Robby and Brittany to live we headed up to Miami.  The drive up to Miami was pleasant and provided us with new tops of conversation. It was what I had in my head.  A little mining town.  Lots of dirt and rocks.  But it had in it 3 bright spots for us.  Robby, Brittany and Robby.  We were so excited to be with them again and see this new part of their lives.

We had a blast with Robby, Brittany and Baby.  Robby took Mike and I on a tour of the mine he was working on. That was pretty interesting.

 One thing I found out was that Rob sometimes had to drive right by their house and he would toot the horn as he drove by.  Loved that he did that.We went on a walk in the evening which was fun.  We loved getting to know Robby as he had changed so much from when he was a baby. 

 What a cute little guy...  Such a sweet soul...  And he put up with me kissing him all the time.  We had so much fun playing with him.  He stole our hearts once again!

Now everyone pretty much knows I have bad knees.  They were feeling pretty good on the trip.  Robby and Brittany told us about some cliff dwellings that were near by.  Mike and Rob decided to walk up to them one morning early.  I bit the bullet and decided to go with them as well.  I am so glad I did it.  It for 1 gave me a sense of accomplishment and being able to do something I didn't think I could! But I did it!  Thank goodness I had two of the best walking buddies alive.  They stopped when I needed it and let me sit and rest my knees. 

 They encouraged me the whole way.  The uphill climb was hard yet alright physically and the things we were able to see were amazing.  It made me think of how many things we let go by us because we don't want to do something or it's to hard or we just don't have time.  Life lesson learned here!   Check out some of the great sites! Oh and tired of fighting with blogger on how to get the pictures two to a level. 

We all drove out to another site one evening.  Check out these baby blues!

It was a sad day when Mike and I drove away.  I miss this cute little family every day.  I wish they lived closer.  My life would be perfect if that was the case.  But I tell myself that life doesn't revolve around me and my wants.  I am so proud of the life they have created.  Our trip to AZ was amazing.  Since we left Mike has been back to help Rob and Brittany move into their new apt.  Rob started a new job and is learning the ropes.  I couldn't ask for a better Momma for Robby.  Brittany is a great mom and wife.  I'm so glad she's apart of Rob's life and our family.