Arizona Road Trippin'

We road tripped down to Arizona to visit my sister and

her family for a weekend. We wont be able to spend

Thanksgiving down there this year so we wanted to slip in

a visit so the wait till their Christmas visit didnt seem so

long. We also got to fit in a Christmas Card family

picture sitting in as well.

The drive down was beautiful, remnants of fall popped

out of the dessert landscape and we enjoyed watching

the light change and glow in different ways throughout

the day. I stopped the car various times during the ride

as well as took advantage of every rest stop for an

opportunity to photograph.

We drove over the colorado river on a bridge with a

gorgeous view, we had to stop and check it out.

We arrived late in the evening but still got to see the

whole family whom we probably squeezed to death with

hugs.

The next day we drove to Phoenix in hopes of seeing some

of my dear friend's photographs that were hanging in a

show, but unfortunately the gallery was only open for

viewing twice a month and I was there on an off weekend.

It was sad, but we all sat on the benches outside the gallery

and I got to share with my family about what Lisa meant to

me and how she had inspired me in my life. The children

ran around on the grass in the courtyard and we had a view

of a beautifully restored victorian house with mustard

accents (a perfect location for Lisa's work).

We then strolled around and found a fun soda fountain/

antique shop where we stopped in to get some lunch. I

loved watching my nephews play with their toy knights

on all the various objects on the table, as well as wolf

down the very delicious shakes. I had my usual, cookies

and cream, it was just perfect.

At nights we would play rounds of kick soccer (kick ball)

where the kids would eventually devolve into cheaters so

they could beat us. Even the little ones tried blocking the

bases with a large pvc pipe barrier so we couldn't score,

I thought it was hilarious, they are too darn cute. I couldnt

get mad.


I got to go cheer for my little nephew at his soccer game

the next morning. He scored two goals and played great

defense, my sister says all he does is practice when he is

at home. He was awesome, Im such a proud auntie.

My nephew's team were the white tigers and I loved hearing

them roar at the other team after every time-out. The

other team were the Bulldogs, and they brought their

mascot to sit on the sidelines and watch. I loved seeing

the different players interact with the dog, some would

barely touch it and were timid while others would squirt

Gatorade out of their water bottles which the dog would

excitedly lap up. I had to go meet this mascot and take

a couple of pictures, it ended up being a she and her name

was Gracie. She was a sweetie, but wanted to play as one

of the team instead of sitting on the side watching.

I love how the coach is "helping" them hold out their hands

in good sportsmanship.

We then went through the whole picture taking ordeal,

always an adventure, but we got some really great shots.

I especially love the individual shots of the boys, I will

post some later. We tried to coordinate the color theme

that the rest of the family will be wearing in the family

picture I will take of them during thanksgiving weekend.

That way the two pics would look good together when they

are sent out in the same card that my parents are sending.

Dinners and game nights were also a very fun time.

Karin got me a new game for my birthday called

imagine-if. We had fun playing it with her family,

and it was an instant hit with the rest of the family

when I brought it back to play at home.

One night while my sister and her husband had to go

chaperone for a ward youth dance, we took the boys out

bowling. It was fun to see all the boys different styles

and how they enjoyed the evening in different ways.

It was so good to spend quality time with my beloved sister,

I loved all the late night talks and discussions. Thank you

Kare for letting us come down on such late notice and for

hosting us. We love you and your family dearly.

On the way home we took a detour to see Sedona AZ,

which I have never seen before. And true to all the rumors

is is beautiful. We stopped and had lunch (no not at McDonolds)

at a delicious bistro where I had the best sandwich I have

had in my life. Pastrami, olive tamponade, mozzarella cheese,

all wrapped in a buttery poppyseed bread and then a

lemon creamy vinaigrette dipping sauce, truly divine. We

ate outside with the cool breeze and the sound of water

trickling in a little fountain. Calming. (bistro was the

Heartline Cafe)

I had heard that the Sedona McDonalds is the only one in

the world without golden arches. They thought the yellow

would clash to much with the surrounding redrock. hmmm.

The trip was fast and kind of tiring but well worth it.