Well, we were in Arizona the week after Hawaii visiting friends while Alex attended a work conference. Alex's folks flew out from Tuesday through Saturday as well, and it was great to see them again! Lucia really remembered them and was interacting gleefully this time with both grandparents. Magdalena was her usual sunny self with them, and we all had a great time.
Sadly I kept forgetting my camera when we met up with our friends from China! We went to the
Jump and Shout in Tempe one night with Sheena & Adelina, Shelley and Bre - had a blast while the kids bounced all over! Then we were grateful recipients of a lovely home-prepared meal at Shelley & Mike's house. The girls loved the playroom and HUGE dollhouse that Bre was kind enough to share (since she is Magdalena's age, I don't think this bothered her too much :-). They have made me a convert for the chain
Fresh & Easy, and I have already sent the company a request to open one in Portland!
I also got to hang out with my friend Krista and her two kids. We met Alex (10.5 mos) for the first time, and saw Elizabeth (almost 4 years) for the third time (I think), though it had been literally three years since we had seen them last! They have a gorgeous home within walking distance from two parks across the canal from one another. We only had time for one side of the canal, as we had to get back to put the laundry Krista so graciously let me do at her house into the drier. :-)
When Alex's folks arrived, we hung took it pretty easy.
Mountain Vista Park became our favorite park, or at least the one closest to our hotel, was our home away from home as Lucia, Grandma, Magdalena, and Mama played in the sand, on the slides, swings, and fire truck while Grandpa watched on from the sidelines. We also tried to get naps in daily, and even ventured out to restaurants three nights in a row!
Jones Team United made a few visits to good friends dating from Alex's work days in the Phoenix area. Stacy and her three sons hosted us in their huge Casa one afternoon, while Magdalena chased their dog Rufus around proclaiming "Dah! Dah! Dah!" The next morning we drove out to the new home of our good friends the Jami(e)s and their 10 month old TRIPLETS! It was such a blessing to meet Tristen, Stirling, and beautiful little Aven - all three precocious and adorable kiddos. Though it sounds like these troopers give their parents a run for their money - but with a good schedule and the triplets website selling things like a
table/high chair for three - they are doing awesome. I'm already looking forward to seeing this brood again!
One other highlight of this trip for me was to see my friend Michal from grad school at MIT (formerly the Leaders for Manufacturing program, it is now re-branded as the
Leaders for Global Operations program). It was awesome to see Michal, as we hadn't met up for over three years given that she is Israeli and back on her home turf, and we are now in China.
We sadly parted ways with the gorgeous weather of southern Arizona on Saturday, November 20. Originally this was the day we were to return to China, but after meeting with Magdalena's eye doctor on Nov 1, we had to return to Oregon for a few more days to get her second appointment in. This blog is forthcoming - I know there are a lot of people who are waiting to be apprised of the update! I'll try not to keep you in suspense for too long.
In the meantime, check out our Phoenix pics!
Lucia and Grandma Susan, from whom she gets her middle namesake:
Magdalena and Grandma:
Grandpa reading Cinderella to Lucia (I have never heard it read in quite that way before...!):
Andrea and Michal!
All the kids at Stacy & Rich's house - Three boys (Daniel - 5, Cooper - almost 3, Travis - almost 1.5) - and our two girls:
Magdalena couldn't get enough of Rufus and followed him around screaming and shouting "Dah!" most of the time we were visiting!
How would you like this for your backyard pool? Photo op courtesy of Jamie & Jami's backyard:
Jami and her triplets (I can't even begin to imagine!):
Lucia loving on Stirling - she seems to want us to have another baby:
Jami and Aven: same beautiful blue eyes!
The five kids! I hope I have this right: Magdalena, Aven, Tristen, Lucia, Stirling:
Magdalena and Mama walking at the hotel restaurant outdoor patio:
Magdalena loving the attention from Grandma and Grandpa:
The best shot we got (as both kids wanted to be playing!):
Don't look so happy, girls! I know, you're sad to leave the sunny weather, huh?
Next up... Oregon and doctor updates
Next next up... Holiday Bazaar and back in China!
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