July = Crazyness and Cousins

Charlotte and I joined Daddy the Pilot in Phoenix after a week at Lake Powell with the Ericksons. This was the beginning of our tanning for the summer. the 2 of us have aquired quite the tan since this picture.

My Mom and Benson were kind enough to drop us 2 (well 3) girls in Phoenix so we could move in to a lovely studio hotel room at an Extended Stay. Blair and I went back and forth about whether or not to rent or buy for the 2 years while we are in Phoenix...well we got a steal of a deal and I was glad to be there and house shop together.

After our bid was accepted on the house there wasn't much left to do but wait. Charlotte and I had our fill of living in a hotel (Blair has too but he doesn't have choice...we appreciate his hard work, but we are glad he likes flying).

Can you find Charlotte below?

Every now and then she just needed her own space. Fine with me :)

 It was 109-133 degrees while we were there so...we spent alot of time inside. Shopping and indoor play places (thank you Chik-fil-A), Pump it up, public pools and spray grounds. 

 She played and ran and jumped until the employee came in and announced it was time to put shoes back on. See that sad face...that is the face of the girl who does not want to return to our 4 wall prison hotel room.

 So we hoped on a plane at the end of June and have spent all of July on vacation with family. Poor Blair again is still working...but I make sure all the time he still loves what he is doing, he does :) Charlotte is my wonderful traveler. She has been such a good girl with all our transitions and travel.

We landed in Seattle and got to visit the Rushtons and see their GORGEOUS new home and neghiborhood with an amazing view of Mt. Ranier.  Then we loaded up and headed to Lake Chelan.

Lots of swimming and reading by the pool

 Dancing on the street and bowling

wading in the lake in our clothes

 And having a ton of fun with all 10 Jackson cousins.

Then it was back West to Gig Harbor to a surprise party for Mama and Papa Jackson. My wonderful SIL Elke blogged about the party here.

 We had a couple days to play with Siena (who isn't related biologically but definately a favorite and still given the title cousin)

Then we flew down to Fresno to play and wait some more for our house to close.

 We headed to the zoo with these two and had lots of fun.

Charlotte got to feed a giraffe and a crane...she is so brave and loved being up close and very personal.

Here is good ol' Nosey...this elephant has been there since I was born.

 We have also had some great George time too! It was Marilyn's Birthday on the 22nd and we gathered to celebrate! Charlotte loves those 11 cousins too!

10 Jackson cousins, 11 George Cousins, 2 Urien cousins and a whole slew of adopted and extended cousins. She is in cousin heaven!

I can't wait to be in house heaven.

We should get keys this FRIDAY!

I think Blair is most excited to have a new project and have us back so he isn't so bored when he is not at work. I will do my best to post pictures of our transisitons into our new home. Until then, enjoy the rest of July :)