Labor Day 2009 Part 1

*Warning: long entry and no pictures*

Every year for Labor Day, my family goes camping at Phoenix Park Wash in Northern Arizona for the Reidhead Reunion. My mom even took me as a new baby. My dad had only missed 3 years, two for his mission and one right after I got married when he was in the hospital. I just didn't see a way for us to drive 8 hours to go camping this year. I had decided that we needed to do something fun in California, because we weren't going home.

As time got closer, Mike started suggesting that we go home for the holiday weekend. I told him that we couldn't go or else I would want to be at the reunion or my family would want to stay home and I wasn't going to ruin any one else's weekend. Well, he kept talking and as the days went on, he was making more sense. Grammie moved into the guest house where we used to live and she had some furniture that we could have, and that we needed. This would save us a lot of money and it would be nice to see our families.

I called my family and asked if they would mind if we came home, or if that would ruin their plans. Christi and Jason already weren't going because it was too close to her due date. Grandma and Grandpa are in Nauvoo on their mission, so we wouldn't even get to see them. Julie and Bret said that it might make more sense for them to stay home. Randall wanted to go since this is the last one before he leaves on his mission, but he could still go. My dad said he would stay home to see us if we came. It was decided. We were going home and not camping.

Friday, Sept. 4th, Mike got off school at 3 and we were pulling out by 4:30. It was a nice drive back to Mesa. I had been complaining about the lack of rain here in California. I am convinced that it does not rain here. And I thought Arizona was the desert! As soon as we hit the Arizona line, there was ligthning in the sky and we hit wind and RAIN. We stopped to get gas and took deep breaths of the sweet smell of desert rain. Those of you from Arizona know exactly what I am talking about. It was HEAVENLY!

Unfortunately, Zane did not fall asleep at all on the way there. By the time we reached the 202 by ASU, about 20 minutes from home, he had a melt down. "I don't want to go to Zona. I want to go to our new house in California!" We could only laugh at the confused, tired little boy in our backseat.

We pulled up to Grandma and Papa's at about 10:30. Chaney came running to greet us. Nate was excited to show off his new walking skills for everyone and they were more the willing to cheer him on. Lets just say that it was a very happy reunion. The boys were a little confused that we were sleeping in their old room, but it was all redecorated. It was a little strange for Mike and I too, but we were so glad to be back in our hometown.