January 7-14th we journeyed to the Valley of the Sun. My mom (Granny), Finn and myself hoppd on a plane on a search for some sunshine! Finn LOVES 'the sun' as he says when he points to the pictures in his books. Anytime the sun peaks out in Ohio he runs to the windows with a smile on his face and points saying 'sun'! It was such a gift to take him somewhere we enjoyed seven beautiful days of nothing but, SUN.
We started in the mornings in our jammies...'outside', he'd say!
And we played until the sun lit the horizon with a warm glow.
His hair is curling in the back. I loved this shot w/ his footed jammies and diaper bottom.
We stayed with my cousin, Ben & Kelli, who also have a little guy named Teagan who is 8 months old. Finn enjoyed having a playmate...and new toys to explore! One of his favorite 'toys' was their backyard. They have a very cool area where the pavers make rows between the grass. Finn loved the challenge of this...the way the ground changed texture and depth. He would hold onto granny and walk it...back and forth a million times...but he mastered it solo by weeks end.
Here is a picture of Teagan on our way to the park!
Finn's favorite is always the swings. But once he realized he could cruise around the very nice flooring (which was a cushy plastic surface I've never seen before) he wanted DOWN.
Of course, with all this sunshine and play, Finn would get pretty tired. He never wanted to give up, though! He thought he'd just rest his head here...
I think its safe to say that Teagan's favorite is the swings too. :)
SUNSHINE!!!!
These are really cool trees there that have green bark. I'm sure this is no big deal for the westerners, but I thought it was really cool and don't remember seeing anything like it...not even when I lived there.
Only on the first day did I try to put sunblock on Finn. I was worried about his very fair OH (lack of) tan. I soon realized we didn't have to worry much in January for the short intervals we were out. Also, as you can see, his eyes got really irritated by the lotion...they were red like this all night. Poor baby!!
Here is the park we visited.
Finn with Granny. I would ask Finn if he wanted to go for a 'stand' b/c once he found the foot ledge on our new travel stroller, he did not want to sit down. He'd hold on the front and stand the entire ride. Pretty funny stuff.
Finn's eyes are pretty sensitive regularly...but they were defnitely watering with all the bright sun!
My mom, my aunt Celia and Kelli's mom, Jane...taking the babies and dogs to the park.
Mom and Finn.
Ben & Kelli asked me to take some photos of Teagan while I was there so we went to their community club house. It was so beautiful and the flowers were amazing. Here is a shot of Finn w/ the pink ones in the background.
The new buddies even bathed together.
If you're familiar with my site (or my family) you know this Uncle Carl. He's very special to me and seeing him with Finn makes my heart melt. He lives in AZ too and we went to visit him. Actually, Finn & I went with Carl to his local Senior Center for lunch and got to meet all of his friends. :) It was a lot of fun! Finn is such a charmer...
So the story with this little bear is that my Uncle received it while in the hospital for one of the two open heart surgeries he's had. There is a little red heart on the chest that lights up when you squeeze him. Finn loves this bear. I think its so cool how he's latched onto it. Even since we'v been home he plays with it daily and carries it around. 
Uncle Carl is always teasing, laughing, telling jokes.
Here Finn is giving Granny some 'love'.
Thank you, everyone, in the Valley of the Sun for hosting, driving, taking time out of your very busy schedules to see us and visit with us. It was a blast and we are grateful to have you in our lives. We're also grateful you live somewhere warm we can visit in January!!! : )
