Arizona

On the road again.

In New Mexico I started taking pictures with the kids by every state border sign we passed,

stayed tuned for a super long blog about that (we went through about 14 states).

Someday I hope that I can visit all 50 states!!!

After a nice week long visit in New Mexico, we drove back to Utah, through Arizona.

I grew up in Arizona, and it has always had a special place in my heart.

However, I have never really had the desire to move back...it is TOO HOT!

But for some reason during this trip, Jason and I fell in love with it all over again.

Maybe, just maybe, I could live there again.

(If I had a giant house with super powered AC and a pool.)

Carter's Drive-In  Wilcox, Arizona

The first placed we stopped at in AZ, was Carter's Drive-In.

I have a lot of memories of stopping here as a kid.  

Almost every year when we drove to New Mexico as a family, my parents would stop here for lunch and dinner.

I even have a picture, just like the one above, of me and my sisters.

They have the tastiest hamburgers, and to-die-for home made Rootbeer.

We also stopped in Scottsdale to spend a couple days with Jason's mom, who was unfortunately in the hospital.  I know she enjoyed the visit, and it was good for Jason to have some time with his mom.

Then we spent a day in my old hometown of Goodyear and Litchfield.

I was so excited to see some of my old friends!!

WHY??? DEAR GOD, WHY, DIDN'T I TAKE MORE PICTURES?????

I seriously can't stop thinking about it.  

I didn't take one picture of the time we spent hanging out with our friends.

Sad face.

I got to visit with one of my bestest friends Michaela and her family.  It was so delightful to be around her again, I love her family so much... it always makes me homesick for Arizona and the good old days of April and Michaela.  We also had a small pool party and got to spend the evening with some family friends, who I haven't seen in years.  

I cherish the time I get to spend with friends, especially ones that I hardly ever get to see.

I am so thankful to the friends that opened their homes to us, and helped make our summer road trip more special and memorable.

ps.

Next time I go to Arizona, I will take a lot more pictures.