Baga and Baca come to visit!

{Baga and Baca is how Shad says Grandma and Grandpa, respectively}

My mom and dad came to visit us in Arizona and we had a grand old time. I'm so glad that we were given the opportunity to be close to family for a year before going back even further east for at least three more years so that Shad can know his grandparents. Family is the most important thing in the world to us!

They came to church with us on Sunday and got to see our crazy cool "Arizona-style" church building

Shad loved swimming with "Baca"

Before taking my dad back to the airport on Monday we snagged a few pictures at the Gilbert temple

My mom got Shad a season pass to the zoo for his birthday present so we went one of the days she was here. The forecast for that day showed a lot of rain, but we decided to take our chances. It was almost completely void of people and the weather was great up until a few minutes before we were about to leave.

Then it poured. 

And Shad loved walking in the rain with Baga. He refused to let us cover him with an umbrella.

He loved the monkeys too

We actually saw more animals out than I have ever seen before, they must have really loved the rain!

A bear just chillin' in a tree

"Baga" and Shad at Papago park

Shad wasn't too happy with all the picture taking while he was trying to throw rocks into the water

Hanging out in Old Town Scottsdale

Loving Arizona

I can't believe we have been here for almost 3 months now! Even though it has been crazy hot, we have really enjoyed living here so far! The first week we got here we were invited to a Diamondback's game by some friends in our ward the Drapers (Jared actually served his mission with Allan in Chile- small world!). Shad really enjoyed it, especially the fireworks after!

The following week Jared's mom and sister Alina came to visit, and we spent most of that week in Sonoita where Jared's Grandpa Matthews lives. Here is Jared with his Grandpa. I love this picture of them!

They live on a ranch and have dogs, horses, goats, and deer. Shad loved all the animals.

This horse's name is Rocky. Shad called him "Gocky".

He also loved seeing the tractor

We have also been swimming quite a bit in both of the pools at our apartment. It's been really nice, the majority of the time we are the only ones swimming in it.

I really love how we are so close to so much where we live, especially the Mexican food on every corner! One of the hardest things living in Michigan was the lack of good Mexican food. I think in the four years we lived there we only found one good place, and it was clear in Detroit. 

We only have less than 10 months here, it is kind of crazy! We are trying to enjoy every bit of warmth we can though before we go back to the freezing winter in New York next year!