Part 2 of our Tour...

Is it me or did time just fly by? We ended up in PHX staying with our old neighbors we had in Prescott Valley. Jericho and Alex turned into not only neighbors but the sweetest dearest friends we had there. Jericho and I have a funny story of how we met... ok since you asked... I'll share. Jericho had requested my friendship on myspace, of all places, while we lived in PV. Little did I know she would become such an important part of my life at the time. Myspace was good for something! One morning, after Sam and I got straight ROBBED, yes, robbed, I went knocking on my neighbors doors as a courtesy that we had been robbed and to keep their eyes peeled. She was one of those neighbors at the time, right next door. Well as I left that morning, I kept thinking to myself (who was totally knocked up with Bay at the time which that pregnancy straight ate wholes in my brain) why I recognized her so much. Well the thought was fleeting until I got to work about an hour later and saw I had a message from Jericho. It read, 'Hi! Neighbor! Ahhhhhh, no wonder I recognized her! Geeze! And that is where our friendship began. Her children were close to Carys and soon to be Baylie's age and they soon become com padres too. For 2 years we did everything together. Celebrated holidays, birthdays, the summer, whatever came about. We sit back and think now just how special that time was in PV. So after traveling some distance to see them, the girls and myself were beyond thrilled to finally see our friends again!

We did lots of swimming as their home in PHX. It had a pool! A killer pool at that. And with temps in the 100's, we needed a cooling off every now and again. The girls surprised me with the new found bravery for the pool. We haven't been around a pool since our days in QW so I was a little scared at how they would do. Well kids always amaze us and they jumped right in, no sweat. It was hard to even get them to wait until after 9 in the morning, they were ready to go.

At one point, I think we counted 10 or 11 kids at her house. It was nuts! We went through at least 3 boxes of Capri Suns, a box of cheezeits, bags of cookies, boxes of fruit snacks, 6 apples, 5 nectarines, 3 boxes of mac n cheese, hilarious! the list truly does go on. But the smiles on these kids faces while catching up and hanging out was priceless!

The whole gang! minus Fisher.. He came later. He is the latest addition to the Holt crew and what a cutie pie he is.

My Sweet Jacque.... I meet Jacque while waddling to our post office box one lazy afternoon. She popped out of her door to say HI! and we both quickly realized we had to be close in due dates. With our belly's round caring our 2nd children, we began a friendship that means more to me than she prob lay knows. There is something genuine and endearing about Jacque that I can not put into words. And maybe I have never told her this, but there is something familiar about her to me. It reminds me of my mom when she was young and raising us.I think God gives us people like this on purpose. Jacque taught me the importance of my girls, how precious they are, encouraged patience and love in my soul. She has a nurturing spirit about her that soothes my soul. And I hope she knows how strongly she has impacted my life. As a friend, wife,and mom. She taught me how important it is to take care of my body. I miss her if you can't tell. She is amazing! And just another part of my old neighborhood that will forever be irreplaceable.It was good to have the crew back together even for a day. The kids were awesome and hilarious too. Cindy and her crew came down as well. Another funny story... Cindy and I met in Safeway. Oh yes, Safeway in PV. Then on a random doc appt at the girls pediatric office, here comes Cindy strolling out of the office. Again we recognized eachother and it's history from there. I will never forget coming home and telling Sam I met this girls at Safeway and we were going to hang out that next week. He thought I was nuts. But our friendship grew as we kept in touch and continues on to this day. I am so greatful for all the sweet memories that were made along our journey in Arizona. Who woulda thought way back when I felt like I was drug to AZ kicking and screaming, thinking my life was over, I was leaving the only home I had ever know for 24 years that I would create something so special there. Something so special that it's hard not to miss it each and everyday. So girls.... kiddos.... You are missed and thought of all... the... time... Thank you for hosting us (Jericho/Alex)! Ummm You both rock! We love you and are waiting for you(Jacque and Cindy too) way out here in Cali.... Until next time