Winslow

Man, oh man - 10 hours was a long time to drive. But I was so glad to finally pull up to home-sweet-home and let the kids out. I briefly entertained the thought of slowing my car down just enough to let the kids roll out and then I could make a clean getaway to the land of peace and quiet. And sanity. But, much to my parent's relief, I decided to stay ;)

I missed Winslow. And true to Winslow fashion, there has been a lot of changes - but most has stayed the same. I think that's why I love it so...Of course, my feelings weren't always full of warm-hearted memories and the appreciation of a slower life. I couldn't wait to get out of this small-podunk town following high school. But there is something alluring about Winslow's different shades of brown and red dirt that hypnotizes me. It may have something to do with living the military life. I have learned that it really doesn't matter where you live, there are the same kinds of people everywhere. You've got the good, the bad, and the ugly (well scary too).

And I couldn't wait to show it off to my kids.

We really enjoyed our time there. We laughed and joked and played. Papa let them ride in his "big white truck" (Hannah loved it) - as we went to the Painted Desert. He even bought them souvenirs. Papa and Grandma Buggy also treated us to a trip to Flagstaff, where we watched not just one, but two movies in the theater (Kung Fu Panda 2 and Cars 2). The kids were in heaven!

Christie and her girls, Keegan and Rowen were able to make the drive to visit and the cousins had a great time. Jesse and Falken made the drive - can't believe how big Falken has gotten. I was able to get some Root Beer Stand food a few times (even got suckered into buying a Darrell's Root Beer Stand shirt - it may or may not have had something to do with working there during my high school years) and I also took the kids to the creek as well - but somehow, they didn't think it was a cool as I did. Guess you gotta grow up in Winslow to appreciate all of her hidden treasures :) They just wanted to get back to the "North Pole" as Aleana called Papa's house, where it was nice and cool. Desert rats they are not.

Painted Desert: I did not take these two pictures, but I wanted to at least have something that represented what we saw. Who knew dirt could be so beautiful? I love this place and every time I go, I get taken back. I would have loved to stop...to be able to get out and stretch while taking some great pics. But as it is with the desert in the heat of the summer - all things are more beautiful from the inside of your a/c car :)

And of course, anytime cousins get together, there has to be a photo session. Here's our amateur attempt out under the apricot tree:

Posers...er I mean the Girls. Trent wasn't sure what to do :)

Made of steel...haha - love Trent's face. Falken looks fierce.

I sure missed my family. I missed Winslow. It was great to get back there - 6 years is too long to stay away. It was nice to just sit down and chat with my folks. It was even better to watch them with their grand kids. Life is good.