exploring arizona: Tuzigoot and Lost Dutchman State Park

After montezuma's castle and well, our last stop of that day was to Tuzigoot National Monument, a place where the males of the family cracked this joke about a hundred times, "One is bad, but Tuzigoot."

The next day was Eric's birthday. Like I said in his birthday post, we spent the morning hiking at Lost Dutchman State Park. I don't know if it was the trail itself or just us, but we all felt sluggish that day and didn't get very far along in the hike. But we still found some beautiful views.

I'm looking forward to more arizona adventures in 2018!

exploring arizona: montezuma's castle and well

In between christmas and new years, we had the chance to explore some gems of arizona that I've never explored before. And they were such amazing places! I really don't know why I've never been before. And it makes me wonder how many more spectacular places there are in arizona that I don't even know about. A world to discover right out my arizona back door...


We drove to Montezuma's Castle first. It was fascinating to see the "castle" on the cliff. But no wonder they built there--such a lovely spot.

















We picnicked at a table amongst the trees before driving to Montezuma's Well. The view from the top of the well was amazing and it was interesting to hear the ranger share some information about the area. But I loved walking the trails down to the water areas the best.























Ignore the poison ivy sign and this spot was the most pretty, picturesque place I found. This picture does not do it justice. I adored this little place. It felt magical.

two birthdays

I really don't think anyone should have a birthday in December. But these two guys are definitely worth all of the trouble of adding two more celebrations to the week of Christmas. I am so glad they were both born and we were able to celebrate their 13th and 36th years on this earth.

I know this is a picture of all the Allred men and not just Kacin and Eric, but it's a favorite of mine.

I can't believe that now that Kacin is 13 we have two teenagers in the house. Kacin will make a pretty great teenager, that's for sure.

Jenny, Eric, and I had stayed up late talking so when midnight came around we decided to make sure we were the first to wish him a happy birthday. We woke him up by singing happy birthday and made him blow out candles on a cupcake. I only got a hilarious video of confused, sleepy Kacin. And I don't think he'd appreciate if I posted it here. But waking him up at midnight may become a new birthday tradition. :)

On his birthday, we took a couple of his friends to go play laser tag and then to eat dinner. Two hours of laser tag and they had a blast (Layla and Perry even played and had fun).




Layla has become our resident cake decorator and made Kacin's cupcakes.




Then we sang to him and gave him his gifts.














We love you, Kacin!

On Eric's birthday, we got to spend the morning hiking on a beautiful mountain at Lost Dutchman State park.


We took him to eat some bbq for lunch and then picked him up a costco pumpkin pie for his birthday dessert.







Eric is pretty loved, too.