To the Far West we go...and back...

Hello everyone!

Since our last post (I know way back when), we've traveled through Oregon, all across Northern California, mozied our way through Nevada and have landed in Arizona. This warm and beautiful state will be our home for the next 6 weeks or so. Let me try to fill in the blanks a little bit....

We had a great time in Oregon and spending time with Mar once the band was finished touring. We were in a quaint little town just along the water. We enjoyed some of the most beautiful sunsets we've seen yet! We kind of blew through California, stopping in San Fransisco, Petaluma, and... Our dear friends Frankie and Tina flew out to hang with us for a little over a week and got to see "how the other side lives". We had a blast sightseeing and enjoying lots of good food (Yelp wins again!!!) and shared lots of laughs. Once it was time to hit the road, we said our goodbyes and passed them off to spend time with Crazy Nick and adorable Carla. We left California just before the awful fires hit the very same area we were visiting.

It was then on to Las Vegas, my very first trip to the infamous "Sin City". We were there for about a week, which was a good thing because there is so much to see and do out there, aside from gambling that is! Of course, we hit some of the casinos, both the new and the old. Lady Luck was not on my side in Vegas but rest assured we had a great time playing and hoping to hit it big. Again, as my mom would say, "I made a donation" as we traveled through. One of the most exciting things we did was head downtown to the Freemont Experience. Nestled in the middle of the city, shops, casinos, live music, zipliners above our heads, and street performers entertained us for an entire afternoon. And the people watching....I was in my glory!!! Our most memorable time in Vegas was visiting the Bellagio and taking in their fountain display. For those who don't know about this, several times a day there is an amazing show in front of the casino. The huge water fountains seem to dance as they are choreographed to music (imagine the annual Macy's Fourth of July Fireworks show). The show we watched features one of my favorite songs by one of my favorite artists...Andrea Bocelli. It was truly an amazingly beautiful, heartwarming, and magical experience! After having some fun, it was time to head east to Arizona where we will be for the next 6 weeks or so.

Our first 2 weeks were spent in Apache Junction at the beautiful Lost Dutchman State Park. The scenery was exquisite, with mountains and desert all around us filled with wildlife (although we only heard them), and the most beautiful sunsets we have ever seen!! We were just a short ride from Gold Canyon so we visited with Uncle Tony and Aunt Lynn quite often which was absolutely amazing. During our time there, we enjoyed a yummy family dinner with cousins Kathy, Vanessa, Victoria, and Anthony, we had breakfast on the golf course, dinner with cousin Jackie, saw a play starring little cousin Shayla, and having a blast at Cousin Jacquline and Jon's "who done it" themed baby shower (which Greg became the WHO). In addition, we went on several hikes, some more challenging than others, that we thoroughly (and surprisingly) enjoyed very much! The next stop was a bit south closer to phoenix. Greg took in a few rounds of golf with Uncle Ralph, we had a lovely lunch with Aunt Lorraine and Uncle Ralph, had a delicious brunch joined by Cousin Dina at Cousins Danielle, Rod and Denver's new house. The only thing that could have made that afternoon better would have been if cousin Laura Ann was able to join us:(. Phew....we have been a very busy pair. Tonight we are being joined by 3 of our very favorite people who will be spending a long weekend with us. We are so excited and have to finish getting ready. Stay tuned to see who these mystery guests will be......

Until next time,
we love and miss you all!!!
Laura and Greg