Northern AZ Getaway -- the Stewarts' Cabin

Our temps have ranged 106 - 111 since I don't know when.  At least, those are the numbers the weatherman's been telling us.  Our outdoor thermometer, which resides in the shade, has looked exactly like this every day, so who really knows?

Chris and Kelly Stewart have a cabin in northern AZ (just north of Payson) that they have invited us to many times, but it has never worked out for us to join them in the past.  They SUPER kindly extended it to us for this past weekend, as it was blazing hot in Phoenix and Chris was on call...  We were more than happy to make the 2 hr drive -- and help them keep that poor cabin from going to waste.  ;)

Temps there are 20+ degrees cooler during the day, and the nights are almost crisp.  Oh man.  I'm ruined!  Chris and Kelly have put a ton of work into their cabin, and it is positively lovely.  

Another thing we loved about it?  No wifi and no cell service.  Seriously.  When was the last time you went 48 hours without that?  No dinging, no emails... Just time with the people in front of you.  Pretty great.  

^ There's our 2013 Sequoia that we bought last month.  It's a beast, but we love it!

Such a beautiful area.  Amazing that this change in scenery is so close to home.  And risky of the Stewarts' to give us access.....  We might not leave!

 Scarlett can roam freely because she's curious but has a great recall. Not surprisingly, Khaki has to stay on leash at all times due to major wanderlust that trumps even her selective listening.  She would be gone in 60 seconds. (not that I didn't consider it........ joking.)

***

 We drove up Friday night after Mikel got off of work, hit the sack, and were up the next morning to go hiking.  Woods Canyon Lake is only about 10 mins from their cabin, so we loaded up to head there for a couple of hours.

 Woods Canyon Lake boasted lots of kayaks and fishermen.  It was a great hiking spot!

 What a mess, this one.

  My mom randomly sent Nolan these binoculars, which arrived the morning before we left to head north.  Talk about perfect timing!  He wore them every waking moment, declaring himself "a 'splorer!"

Belly shot: Aug 8 (24w, 5d)

 Even big 'splorers need smooches from their mamas, sometimes. :)

N found these sticks, then plopped down on the rock and started rubbing them together, saying, "I'm making fire!"  ha!  Future Eagle Scout?

 Baby bald eagle (as assured by one of the rangers on site).  I realized then that I had glimpsed one of the adults soaring over the lake earlier... I noticed its white head, but figured it couldn't possibly be a bald eagle.  Sure enough!

 Khaki thinks she's a lab.

 After nap, we took another hike - this time on the property surrounding the Stewarts' cabin.  Chris told us there was a creek to be found a short trapse away.  Was great to see - but tall weeds made it not quite as suited to those 3 feet tall.

Dear old dad.  Mikel about got every hair on his head pulled out by the end of this.  ha!

 Crab apples?

 Kelly, your farm sink makes a great bathtub, and Mom doesn't have to lean over!

 Nolan was MAXED on enthusiasm and was unraveling quickly by evening.  We had planned to introduce him to a campfire + marshmallow roasting, but then wisened up, put him to bed, and enjoyed our own fireside time.  Much more relaxing, and no one had to share their s'mores.

 ***
Sunday morning.  Not a bad way to start the day. (Note the jammies + binoculars.)

 Making a line of "strawberry sailboats".  Love that imaginative play is starting to bloom.

 More walking (sorry -- it's what we did!  Was so great being outside!)

 Blowing dandelions

 Scarlett loves this life!

 Khaki's jealous...

 Today was a little warmer, so we lingered in the shady spots.

Sooo pretty!

 "I'm see some birds!"

 "I'm yooking for Scarlett..." (see her in the shade at 2:00?)

Finally the time came to pack up and head back to the firey pit...  Sigh.  Glad to be in Phoenix, SUPER glad for Mikel's group, love our house --- but the heat is a lot.  Chris and Kelly, you saved our psyche this weekend!  Thank you sooo much.  No idea how we'll repay THIS, but we owe you!!

Nolan and Daddy Take Denver By Storm

*May 1-3

I had two glorious, fun days of Beautycounter training in Denver.  Inspirational speakers, practical tactics, exciting new products, toddler-free conversations, and food I didn't have to cook or share for two whole glorious days.  It was so great!

Mikel and Nolan, meanwhile, took Denver by storm, and I wanted to be sure to include a handful of photos that Mikel took:

Children's Museum

 Gone fishin'

 "Hewwo??"

 Think they're having fun?

 I even had a team dinner one night, which meant Mikel and Nolan were on their own.  We saw a commercial for this Mexican food restaurant Casa Bonita, and he decided to take Nolan. I swear, Mikel talked about it for days after they went -- saying he would have loved it as a kid, and he totally wants to go back!

I don't 100% get what exactly it was... sounds like it was pretty odd and abstract... but I'm guessing their website gives you the best clue when the intro reads "The Greatest Show in Denver! Mouth watering Mexican food, 30 foot waterfall and daring cliff divers.  Exciting stage shows and musicians.  Gift shop and museum arcade!"

What??

Well.... whatever those all combine to be: Mikel loved it and Nolan did too.  They spent a whopping $20 on dinner, and were there for 2+ (maybe 3?) hours playing, exploring, and taking it in.  I got back from dinner at 9pm and they were just entering the lobby when I did!

Apparently once you're in the restaurant, the only way to get out is to go all the way through this maze of tunnels, attractions, etc.  Mikel said Nolan was both interested and timid.  What 2 year old wouldn't be scared of this thing?

He said it was too dark to snap any other real photos -- and they wouldn't have made the experience more clear anyway... So I guess it's up to my own imagination until we can go again...

 *****
Their other activities for the two days included lunch at Noodles & Company and swimming in the hotel pool.  Mikel even did bath duty in the evening, after all of this... and when it was time to sing a song at bedtime, I couldn't help laughing out loud when Mikel sang a verse of "The daddy on the bus says 'I'm so tired, I'm so tired, I'm so tired' "  HA!!

I'm telling you, this is one great dad.  Nolan, you and I are really blessed.  He's hands-on, attentive, enthusiastic about you, and devoted to us both.

We love you, Mikel! Thank you for our week in CO, and for supporting me in Beautycounter.