arizona 2013

We have a couple of lucky girls. We just got back from our FIFTH family trip to Arizona. We had a marvelous time; so much so that there were four grumpy people in the car to the airport.

We started our vacation a little bit earlier than planned. Of course a snow storm was expected the morning we were to leave and while we are only 40 minutes from the airport, we knew that with rush hour and snow, it could take us 2 or more hours to get there. To avoid the headache of trying to decide when to leave (and not having to leave at the crack of dawn), we stayed in a hotel by the airport the night before our flight. The girls thought it was the coolest thing in the world (I've even heard them, since we've gotten home, taking their babies on a trip and leaving early to stay at a hotel by the airport!). 

We paired off into travel buddies (Rob and Little Bird, Me and Little Pie) and hung out in the gate area playing Tic Tac Toe on the airport iPads, waiting impatiently to get out of winter. The girls are excellent travelers and kept themselves busy with their sticker books for the entire flight. Little Pie still gets a bit nervous on take off (or blast off as she says) and landing, but she is OK once she snuggles a bit closer. 

After getting our rental car, we headed to Gramma and Grandpa's for the first half of our trip.

Gramma and Grandpa's Arizona

We arrived around dinner time, so while we unpacked and got settled, Gramma and Grandpa went to grab some pizza. But suddenly the doorbell rang. It was Nana and Papa and Uncle Drew! Since we hadn't seen them in so long they came by to grab some hugs from the girls and join us for dinner. It was so fun to have the whole crew together. 

The next day while Rob and I got pedicures (yes Rob!) the girls zoomed around Sun City in the golf cart with Gramma and Grandpa. Supposedly there was a visit to the DQ as well! The girls LOVE riding in the little car and on this trip they seemed to think that they are actually driving it.

The afternoon was spent at our first spring training game. We met Nana, Papa and Uncle Drew at Salt River Fields for the first spring training game; Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Colorado Rockies. The girls have only been to one Twins game and have recently been to many basketball games so they were getting a little confused about what was going on. (there is no halftime, foul ball is not the same as a foul, the score doesn't change much or quickly, etc.). They asked Papa a million questions and after awhile were starting to understand the game fairly well. We sat in the outfield on the most GLORIOUS afternoon with a warm sun and a cool breeze. The game was quite long so we left after THREE hours but we couldn't have had a better time.

After the game we headed to Gramma's for a quick swim and some grilled fajitas. Yum!

Sunday turned out to be the worst day weather-wise. The winds picked up to 20 mph and it was only about 55 degrees. Of course that is the day Papa, Grandpa, Rob and I were to golf. The men all did well despite the conditions, but I had a really hard time (it was the clubs! j/k). I couldn't believe I was in AZ and wearing five layers and still unable to get warm. We all suffered some windburn when finished. Rob was just really happy to finally be on the course.

I'm wearing five layers, Rob is wearing shorts.

Meanwhile, the girls were hunkered down with Gramma, Nana and Uncle Drew at Gramma's house. Apparently there was a lot of card playing, resting and reading going on. The girls were likely oblivious to the poor weather conditions.

Grandpa had to leave to head back to MN on Monday morning so the girls had to get some snuggles in before he left.

We had a calm day on Monday and while Rob and I got some massages and hot tub time, the girls played and played and played with their toys at Gramma's. When we returned all rested and relaxed, the four ladies went to get their nails painted while Rob got his haircut (Gramma was quite impressed with how well the girls sat while getting their nails done. No smudges!). We had a fun lunch out and then some quiet relaxing time in the comfy furniture on the patio soaking in the sun.

Nana and Papa's Arizona 

As the week progressed, the weather got nicer. Every day was warmer than the previous, so when we arrived at Nana's we went straight for the pool. (Rob and Papa went straight for the golf course). It would be the first of our four visits to the pool and the girls literally jumped right in.

The girls have no fear and all fun when it comes to swimming. I can't believe how much they have improved over the year. Little Bird swam half the length of the pool by herself!

For the remainder of our days in AZ, we started each morning with a hike, came back for lunch and then went to the pool (Rob and Papa went golfing one more time). It was a great routine to have and it kept us out in the sun to replenish all the vitamin D that we have been missing.

Wednesday morning Rob, Papa, and I hiked with Brenda and Eric at Elephant mountain. It was a three and half hour hike, so while we were gone, Nana and Uncle Drew took the girls to a park and then on a hike of their own.

Our Elephant Mountain hike.

The girls' hike.

Nana taught the girls how (and why) to make a cairn and how to look for other signs marking the trail.

Please note: all photos from the girls' hike provided by Nana.

On Thursday morning Rob and I hiked Black Mountain. It's basically a straight up climb and this year we set our best time of 43 minutes up and 41 minutes down. Love the view from the top!

 

Rob and Papa golfed again in the afternoon while the girls and I went swimming with Uncle Drew. We also had a chance to do a little shopping in Cave Creek where I picked up some yummy salsa and meat rub and the shop I like to go to when I'm there. The girls had fun running around Frontier Town.

 

 Our last hike was Friday at Tom's Thumb near Brenda's house. The girls went to the park with Nana and Uncle Drew and then met us at Brenda's house after we were done with our hike.

We relaxed in the sun on the patio and enjoyed a BBQ lunch.

After some sun and rest, we went back to Nana's for one last swim. We had a quiet night; watching the sun go behind the mountain one last time.

Thankfully, we didn't have an early flight the next day so we took our time packing up and the girls got some more game time in with Uncle Drew.

It was not easy to say goodbye. We had too much fun and were definitely spoiled. These two girls are a couple of lucky girls that get to go on vacation every year to a beautiful place, spend a ton of quality time with BOTH sets of grandparents and learn and explore new and different things. We are already looking forward to next year!